Starting December 27, public transport fares will rise by 5%, marking the third straight year of adjustments. Adult commuters will pay 9 or 10 cents more per trip depending on distance, while concessionary passengers such as seniors, students, and low-wage workers will see smaller increases of 3 or 4 cents.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced the revision on October 14, describing it as a careful response to rising energy and manpower costs while keeping fares affordable. Although this follows higher hikes of 6% in 2024 and 7% in 2023, the latest increase is viewed as a more measured step to balance cost pressures with public interest.
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To soften the impact on frequent riders, the PTC will lower monthly travel pass prices. From December 27, adults will pay S$122 instead of S$128, seniors and persons with disabilities S$55 instead of S$58, and low-wage workers S$92 instead of S$96. About 155,000 commuters are expected to benefit from these reductions, helping offset the fare increase for regular users.
Additional relief will come through S$60 public transport vouchers provided by the government to households earning up to S$1,800 per person monthly. Eligible households can redeem these vouchers via the SimplyGo app or at designated kiosks and service centers beginning December 29.
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Beyond fare changes, the PTC is also updating how future adjustments are calculated. Instead of relying on data from the previous calendar year, future reviews will assess energy prices, wages, and other cost factors from the 12 months leading up to June of the review year. This shift aims to make fare adjustments more responsive to real-time economic conditions and reduce delays between cost changes and fare updates.
Transport operators SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains had sought a 14.4% increase to cover rising maintenance and labor expenses. The PTC approved only a 5% adjustment but required both operators to contribute 20% of their additional fare revenue (i.e., about S$10.6 million combined) to the Public Transport Fund, which helps cushion fare hikes for lower-income households.
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Meanwhile, express bus fares will rise slightly to reflect higher operating costs, while short-distance concessionary trips of up to 3.2 kilometers will remain unchanged. This move benefits passengers who rely on short daily commutes to schools, workplaces, and community amenities.
The fare review highlights a recurring challenge of keeping the transport system financially sustainable while easing the burden on daily commuters. Though the increase may seem modest, it reflects a broader effort to sustain efficiency and affordability in one of the region’s most advanced public transport networks.
