In case you missed it or maybe you missed it on purpose, bus and train fares will inch up 2.8 percent starting April 5.

But of course, it is not all doom and gloom.

Especially when you see how the Public Transport Council (PTC) and Ministry of Transport try to let you read the good things, while the two public transport operators – SBS Transit and SMRT - kept their silence.

1. Smoke you Start with positive headlines.

Consider this press release from PTC:

However, no journalists were smoked as the mainstream media went to town with headlines like "Public transport fares to increase by 2 to 5 cents from April 5".

The Straits Times: "Bus, train rides to cost a few cents more from April"

Channel NewsAsia: From April, a 2.8% hike in public transport fares

Business Times: "PTC grants SBS Transit, SMRT fare hike of 2.8%"

The New Paper: No mention of the news

Good job, media (except The New Paper)!

2. A chart featuring smiley people.Notice the expert placement of brackets. Much skill.

Thank you for increasing the fares at a lower rate.

3. Call it fare adjustments

Adjustment is a much more comforting word than increase.

Although fare rarely adjusts downwards, it gives Singaporeans hope. Because hoping is free and receiving hope is free and shiok.

4.  Create convenient families that minimise the impact.

Not all Betty Lims are Workfare recipients and not all Aisyah Bte Hassans are heavy public transport users.

And many of us could be Allen Lim. Just saying.

5. Create a new goodie (the off-peak adult monthly travel pass)...

With caveats.

Seriously underhappy.

6. Compare with other cities.

This "compare with other cities" method was also used in the recent alcohol restrictions bill.

I guess the situation is not as bad, if we travel over 10km on SBS and SMRT buses and trains?

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