Singapore transport fares to rise 7pc from Dec 26, adults paying up to 13 cents more as govt adds S$200m subsidy

People gather at Marina Bay waterfront in Merlion park in Singapore on September 29, 2026. Public transport fares in Singapore will increase by seven per cent overall beginning December 26, 2026 amid rising energy prices due to the West Asia conflicts, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said. — AFP pic

First Published: Wednesday, 30 Sep 2026 9:27 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Sept 30 — Public transport fares in Singapore will increase by seven per cent overall beginning December 26, 2026 amid rising energy prices due to the West Asia conflicts, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said.

In its 2026 Fare Review Exercise (FRE) report released on Tuesday, the PTC said the increase is less than half the maximum allowable fare adjustment quantum.

The council said it had sought to balance the need to keep the public transport system financially sustainable against cost-of-living concerns.

According to the 2026 FRE, adult commuters using a card will pay up to 13 cents extra per journey, while students, seniors, and persons with disabilities will pay five cents extra. 

For cash payments, adults will pay an extra 20 cents, while others will pay 10 cents extra. 

PTC Chairperson Janet Ang said the council is aware that every fare adjustment matters to commuters, especially when households are managing higher day-to-day expenses. 

“In determining this year’s fare adjustment, PTC sought to keep the increase manageable for commuters, while balancing the need to sustain the quality and reliability of our public transport system in the face of higher costs.

“Ultimately, our responsibility is to keep public transport affordable for commuters today, while ensuring that our public transport system is of high-quality and is financially sustainable for the years ahead,” she said on Tuesday. 

Meanwhile the PTC noted that the government will continue to provide additional fare subsidies amounting close to S$200 million (RM638 million) in 2027.

This is on top of more than S$2 billion in annual operating subsidies for public transport as well as capital expenditures averaging S$5 billion annually over the next five years.

“PTC will continue to monitor fare affordability closely to ensure that Singapore’s public transport system remains both affordable for commuters and financially sustainable for the long term,” it added. — Bernama