Singapore adult commuters will pay 12 or 13 cents more for bus and train rides starting Dec 26, 2026, as public transport fares climb by 7%. The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced on Sept 29, 2026, that the hike is driven by higher energy costs resulting from the Middle East crisis. Seniors, students, and commuters with disabilities using the Persons with Disabilities card will pay 5 cents more per journey, while cash payers face steeper increases.
New Fare Structures for Bus and Train Journeys
Under the upcoming adjustment, adult card users will pay an additional 12 cents for shorter journeys of up to 3.2km, and an extra 13 cents for any distance beyond that. For example, an MRT ride from Tanah Merah to Bedok will cost $1.40, up from $1.28, while a 26.2km ride from Tanah Merah to Jurong East will rise to $2.55 from $2.42. Seniors will pay 74 cents for journeys up to 3.2km, up from 69 cents, and $1.12 for trips longer than 7.2km, up from $1.07. Cash users will see even larger jumps, with adults paying 20 cents more per journey and concession groups paying an extra 10 cents. Meanwhile, low-wage workers under the Workfare Transport Concession scheme and all monthly travel pass prices—such as $122 for adults and $55 for seniors and those with disabilities—will remain unchanged.
Did You Know? The 7% increase approved for this year is less than half of the allowable maximum hike of 14.7%, which factored in 5.3% from the standard fare adjustment formula and 9.4% deferred from previous review exercises.
Global Energy Pressures and Government Subsidies
The PTC stated that the largest contributor to the higher fare output was a substantial increase in energy prices between July 2025 and June 2026. Global energy prices soared following the outbreak of the Middle East conflict at the end of February 2026, which created a chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and disrupted the flow of a fifth of the world’s oil and natural gas supplies. PTC chairperson Janet Ang noted that monthly diesel prices swung drastically from -14% to 138% during the review period, emphasizing that public transport is a very energy-intensive industry. To cover a 7.7% portion of the allowable hike deferred to future exercises, the Government will provide nearly $200 million in additional fare subsidies in 2027, supplementing the more than $2 billion it already provides annually in operating subsidies.
Support Measures for Lower-Income Households
To cushion the impact on families, Public Transport Vouchers will increase in value from $60 to $80. The Transport Ministry announced that eligibility criteria have been widened by raising the qualifying per capita household income ceiling from $1,800 to $2,100. This expansion makes approximately 60,000 more households eligible for the vouchers. PTC also noted that the proportion of monthly household income spent on public transport has remained steady over the past decade, holding at 2.4% for lower-income households and 1.7% for average-income households.
Details on upcoming public transport fare and concession changes
When do the new public transport fares take effect?
The fare increases take effect on Dec 26, 2026.
How much more will students and seniors pay per journey using concession cards?
Seniors, students, and commuters with disabilities using the Persons with Disabilities card will pay 5 cents more for each card journey.
Are any transport passes or concession schemes exempt from the price changes?
Yes, monthly travel passes remain unchanged at $122 for adults and $55 for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Fares for low-wage workers under the Workfare Transport Concession scheme also remain unchanged.
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