Starting December 26, adult commuters in Singapore will face an increase of 12 to 13 cents in bus and train fares, reflecting a 7% overall rise driven primarily by higher energy costs linked to the ongoing Middle East conflict. This marks the largest fare adjustment so far, following previous increases of up to 11 cents last year.
The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced the fare revision on September 29, specifying that adult passengers will pay 12 cents more for trips up to 3.2 kilometers and 13 cents for longer distances. For example, a trip from Tanah Merah to Bedok, a journey of about 2 kilometers, will rise from $1.28 to $1.40 for adult commuters paying by card, while a longer journey from Tanah Merah to Jurong East (26.2 km) will increase from $2.42 to $2.55. Seniors and commuters with disabilities, including students, will see smaller increases of 5 cents per trip, with fares for short journeys up to 3.2 km rising to 74 cents from 69 cents, and longer trips over 7.2 km costing $1.12 instead of $1.07. Cash payments will incur slightly higher increases, with adults paying 20 cents more and concession cardholders paying 10 cents more per journey.
The monthly travel pass prices will remain unchanged at $122 for adults and $55 for seniors and persons with disabilities. Additionally, fares for low-wage workers under the Workfare Transport Concession Scheme will not increase.
The PTC’s 7% fare hike is composed of a 5.3% adjustment based on the fare formula and an additional 1.7% granted from the deferment of part of the 2025 fare increase. About 7.7% of the fare increment is further deferred to future reviews, with the government pledging nearly $200 million in supplementary fare subsidies in 2027 to ease the financial impact. This support is part of broader annual operating subsidies exceeding $2 billion.
The fare formula reflected a notable surge in energy prices during the 12-month review period from July 2025 to June 2026, attributed primarily to the Middle East crisis, which has caused global energy markets to spike. The PTC highlighted ongoing efforts over the past five years to moderate fare increases balancing the need for affordability and the sustainability of the public transport system amid rising operational costs.
In measures to mitigate the fare rise’s impact on low-income households, the value of public transport vouchers will increase from $60 to $80. Eligibility for the vouchers has also been expanded to include households with a per capita income of up to $2,100, an increase from the previous threshold of $1,800. This adjustment will extend benefits to an estimated 60,000 additional households nationwide.
The fare adjustment comes at a time of heightened operational challenges for public transport providers, as energy prices remain volatile amid geopolitical uncertainties. The PTC’s measured approach aims to balance financial viability with fare affordability, while government support continues to play a significant role in maintaining public transport accessibility.