Public Transport Fare Hike, 6% Fare Increase Starting on 28/12/2024

The Public Transport Council (PTC) has approved a 6.0% fare increase for the 2024 Fare Review Exercise (FRE), set to take effect on Dec. 28, 2024. Despite the increase, the adjustment is only a third of the maximum allowable quantum of 18.9%, with the remaining quantum deferred, supported by additional government subsidies.

Fare Adjustments

Adult commuters will see an increase of 10 cents per journey.
Concession card holders, including students and seniors, will have a smaller increase of 4 cents per journey, benefiting approximately 2 million individuals.
Monthly passes for frequent public transport users will remain unchanged to help commuters manage costs.

To address affordability concerns, the Government will provide an additional subsidy of $250 million in 2024, on top of existing subsidies of $2 billion annually and the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme funding of up to $900 million over eight years.

Support for Graduating Students

Starting Dec. 28, 2024, the PTC will extend the student concession validity period to four months after course completion, benefiting around 75,000 students annually. This change is aimed at easing the financial burden for students transitioning between educational stages or entering the workforce.

Graduating students can extend their concession cards at MRT ticketing machines or bus interchanges from Oct. 1, 2024. Educational institutions will inform students about the update.

Targeted Assistance for Lower-Income Households

PTC has directed SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains to contribute $13.01 million of their expected increased revenue to the Public Transport Fund, which supports Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs) for lower-income households. These vouchers will help cushion the impact of the fare increase.

Balancing Affordability and Sustainability

The fare increase reflects efforts to maintain a balance between affordability and financial sustainability of the public transport system. While energy prices have decreased from their 2022 peak, operating costs remain elevated due to wage growth and inflation.

The deferred fare quantum, accumulated over the past two years due to moderated increases, will be reduced from 15.6% to 12.9%. Future reviews will consider this deferred amount alongside other cost factors.

Chairperson Ms. Janet Ang emphasized the importance of gradual adjustments to minimize commuter impact while ensuring the system’s sustainability. The PTC remains committed to protecting concession groups and ensuring public transport affordability.

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