Singapore’s adult commuters will soon face a 9-10 cent (0.07-0.08 USD) increase in their public bus and train fares per trip, corresponding to an overall public transport price increase of 5%.
Starting from December 27, the base fares for bus and train journeys for adults will increase by 9 cents for journeys up to 17.2 kilometers and by 10 cents for longer trips, according to a statement by the Public Transport Council (PTC) on Tuesday.
Fare changes will also affect concessionary card holders, including students, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers with workfare transport concessions. For these categories, the fare will increase by 3-4 cents for journeys longer than 3.2 kilometers, while fares for shorter trips will remain the same.
PTC specified that more than a third of all concessionary trips, equating to around 450,000, are 3.2 kilometers or less. These short journeys are typically for commuting to school, work, or local amenities.
Cash fares for public buses will likewise increase; adults will see a 20-cent rise, seniors and people with disabilities will face a 10-cent increase, and students will have a 5-cent increase. The council noted that fewer than 1% of all public transport trips are paid in cash.
Fares for express bus services, which provide faster commuting options from residential areas to city centers and primary job hubs at higher rates than standard buses, will also see an increase. Adult passengers will pay an additional 49-50 cents per express bus trip, while passengers from concessionary groups will face a 20-24 cent increase. Cash fares for these services will rise by 60 cents per journey.
Despite the increases, this year’s overall fare increase is less than the 6% and 7% increases experienced in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
In an effort to support regular public transport users, the cost of monthly travel passes will decrease by 5% from December 27. The revised prices will be S$122 for adults, S$55 for seniors and people with disabilities, and S$92 for low-wage workers with workfare transport concessions. This discount is expected to benefit approximately 155,000 passengers, according to the council.
Additionally, the government plans to issue S$60 public transport vouchers to households earning up to $1,800 per person per month to help offset the impact of the fare hikes. These vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or to purchase monthly passes.
When will the new fare rates take effect?
The new fare rates will start from December 27.
Who will be affected by the fare increases?
The fare increases will affect adult commuters, concessionary card holders (including students, seniors, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers), and users of express bus services.
What measures are being taken to ease the impact of fare hikes?
To mitigate the impact of the fare hikes, the government will issue S$60 public transport vouchers to eligible households. Additionally, the price of monthly travel passes will be reduced by 5%.
