Transport

Bus & MRT fares will go up by 10 cents from 28 Dec, concessions for graduating students extended

Govt providing S$250M in subsidies to moderate increase in bus & MRT fares

After an annual review, the Public Transport Council (PTC) has approved an increase in bus and MRT fares by S$0.10 per journey.

It announced this in a news release on Monday (9 Sept), adding that this would take effect on 28 Dec.

Bus & MRT fares will go up by S$0.04 for concession holders

While adult card fares will increase by S$0.10, concession card fares will have a smaller increase of S$0.04.

This will benefit about two million concession card holders, comprising students, seniors, national servicemen, persons with disabilities and Workfare Transport Concession Scheme card holders, PTC said.

The prices of monthly passes, as well as fares paid in cash, will not increase.

Source: Public Transport Council on Facebook

Adjustment driven by core inflation & wage growth in 2023

Overall, bus and MRT fares will increase by 6.0% this year — less than a third of the 18.9% maximum adjustment allowed, PTC said.

While the 2024 Fare Review Exercise (FRE) derived a 3.3% adjustment for this year, an additional 15.6% was deferred from previous years, causing the maximum adjustment to be 18.9%.

Source: Ministry of Transport, Singapore on Facebook

The 3.3% quantum for 2024 was driven by core inflation and wage growth in 2023, PTC noted.

It was partially moderated by a decrease in energy prices from a peak in 2022.

 

On 23 Dec 2023, public transport fares rose by 7%.

Govt to provide S$250M in subsidies

The good news is that the Government will help commuters moderate the fare increase.

In a press release on Monday (9 Sept), the Ministry of Transport (MOT) said it would provide an additional S$250 million in subsidies.

This will cover the cost of “deferring the remaining 12.9%-points of allowable fare adjustment to next year’s FRE”, it added.

The Government will also disburse Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs) worth S$60 each to lower-income households.

These may be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes, and will be worth more than the S$50 PTVs given out last year.

60,000 more households will also qualify for PTVs as the monthly household income limit will be raised to S$1,800 from S$1,600.

Concessions for graduating students extended by 4 months

Additionally, the period that graduating students can enjoy concessionary fares will be extended by four months, PTC said.

Currently, students who have graduated from secondary schools, ITEs, junior colleges, tertiary institutions and private schools may have to pay adult fares before they’re enrolled in another school.

The batch of students graduating after 28 Dec will now be eligible for concessionary fares for four months from the end of their course of study.

To extend the validity of their concessionary cards, eligible graduating students can tap their existing concessionary card at any ticketing machine in MRT stations and bus interchanges or visit a ticketing counter from 1 Oct.

About 75,000 graduating students are expected to benefit each year, and this will help them and their families manage the transition out of or between concession schemes, PTC said.

Also read: Bus & Train Fares Will Increase By Up To 11 Cents In 2023, More Hikes Expected In Future Years

Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.

Featured image from MS News.

Jeremy Lee

Analog person making do with a digital world.

Recent Posts

2 community cats die after being hit by cars in Marine Terrace, caregivers seeking footage

The driver who hit one of the cats purportedly denied doing so behaved angrily.

23 Nov 2024, 1:33 am

‘Tiger Candy’ contains erectile dysfunction medicine, may cause painful & exceedingly long erections: SFA

It has been marketed online as a candy that helps with male sexual enhancement.

23 Nov 2024, 12:11 am

Pop Mart pursuing legal action over unauthorised use of Labubu images by certain brands

"POP MART does not have any official licensed partners in Singapore," it said.

22 Nov 2024, 11:25 pm

Heavy rain on 22 Nov causes flash floods in Yishun & Potong Pasir, 127.7mm recorded in northern S’pore

51% of Singapore's average monthly rainfall in November fell in northern Singapore over less than…

22 Nov 2024, 10:27 pm

Pilot treats passengers to pizzas after emergency landing causes hours-long delay in the US

He made sure all the passengers were served before taking a slice for himself.

22 Nov 2024, 6:32 pm

Woman in China grows ‘trident’ flesh on fingernail, apparently due to improper & frequent manicures

The doctor recommended a 2-week gap between manicures to allow nails to recover.

22 Nov 2024, 6:08 pm