Forum: Affordability a key consideration in fare reviews

We thank Andre Ching Wei Jie for his letter, “Keep public transport fares affordable” (Oct 5).

The Public Transport Council (PTC) understands the concerns about the impact of fare increases, particularly when households are managing other cost-of-living pressures. In determining this year’s overall fare adjustment of 7%, the PTC balanced keeping public transport fares affordable against maintaining the financial sustainability of Singapore’s public transport system, following years of rising operating and energy costs.

PTC did not fully pass through the full allowable fare adjustment of 14.7%. The remaining 7.7% deferred to future fare review exercises will be covered by almost $200 million in additional government subsidies in 2027. Overall, the Government subsidises each public transport journey by more than $1.

The PTC agrees that travel patterns and household circumstances differ, and more targeted support is needed. PTC and the Government therefore have a range of measures to support vulnerable and heavier public transport users. For example, fares for Workfare Transport Concession Scheme cardholders and monthly pass prices will remain unchanged, shielding lower-wage workers and heavy users from the fare adjustment. Concession groups – such as students, seniors, and persons with disabilities – also have their fare increase capped at five cents per journey, lower than the 12- to 13-cent increase for adult fares.

An additional 60,000 households will qualify, based on the expanded eligibility criteria, for Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs), benefiting around four in 10 resident households. The voucher quantum has also increased from $60 to $80, and a typical household of two adults and two concession cardholders will have around half a year of fare increases covered with the PTVs.

Households which require more support can approach their local community centres/clubs to request additional vouchers.

We agree with the writer that affordability should be considered against incomes and other costs. PTC tracks fare affordability closely. In 2025, public transport expenditure accounted for 2.4% of monthly household income for lower-income households and 1.7% for average-income households.

With the suite of concession and other support measures, we expect these proportions to remain largely unchanged even after the fare adjustment.

We will continue to monitor the impact of public transport costs on commuters, and balance fare affordability with the need to maintain a high-quality and financially sustainable public transport system.

Toh Eu Jin
Director, Policy & Regulation
Public Transport Council