S$0.10 increase in MRT & bus adult fares from Dec. 28, 2024

Train and bus fares will go up by S$0.10 for each ride for adult passengers from Dec. 28, 2024.

This is when a public transport fare hike of 6 per cent will kick in.

A four-cent increase for each journey applies to seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-wage workers who pay concessionary fares.

The increases apply if passengers pay by debit, credit, or fare cards.

Fares paid in cash on buses, as well as the cost of adult monthly travel passes and monthly concession passes will not increase.

Background

The fare changes were previously announced on Sep. 9 and are part of the yearly fare adjustment exercise in 2024.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) said the 2024 adjustment of 6 per cent was driven by the growth in core inflation and wages in 2023, but moderated partially by a drop in energy prices that peaked in 2022.

PTC said it decided to grant the 6 per cent hike to “cushion commuters from the full fare increase” as the cost of living was still a concern.

The 6 per cent increase is less than a third of the maximum allowable increase of 18.9 per cent for 2024.

This means that the remaining increase of 12.9 per cent will be rolled over to future fare review exercises.

Mitigating increase in costs

To mitigate the increase in costs, students can continue paying concessionary fares on public buses and trains for four months after their studies as they enter their next phase of education or the workforce.

This is expected to benefit about 75,000 students every year, according to PTC.

Public transport vouchers worth S$60 each will be distributed to lower-income resident households with a monthly income of up to S$1,800 per person.

Top photo via Google Maps