That bus and train fares will rise by 7 per cent from Dec 28 is an announcement that is unlikely to please commuters. No one likes to pay more for a service, particularly one that is a necessity and not a luxury. Even though the 7 per cent rise is the biggest percentage jump since 1998, it can be considered as being a managed and incremental increase - an approach that is preferable to a model that has no increases for a period of time, only to then be followed by a sudden and hefty jump. The increase ought to also be seen against the efforts that have been made to keep the rises low, so that its impact is not deep and cutting on all commuters who are affected. It should be noted that more than half of Singaporeans enjoy discounts of one form or another from the normal fare.

The Public Transport Council (PTC) said that it decided, in this 2019 Fare Review Exercise, to grant enhanced concessions to ensure fare affordability for more Singaporeans. This decision was taken in spite of the higher cost pressures faced by public transport operators from a rise in energy prices globally last year, local manpower wages and other macroeconomic factors. According to the PTC, the fare formula protects commuters' interests and prevents public transport operators from fully passing down their cost increases to commuters.