Adult card transport fares to rise by 9 cents
Bus, train fares to increase from Dec 28 with more eligible for discounted fares
Bus and train fares will rise by 7 per cent from Dec 28, although the hike will be cushioned for more than one in two Singaporeans who are eligible for concessionary fares.
For the first time, this group will include polytechnic students, who will enjoy student concessions.
The rise is the maximum allowed in this year's formula, and the biggest percentage jump since 1998 - driven largely by a spike in fuel and energy costs.
Adult card fares will rise by nine cents a trip.
Senior citizens, low-wage workers, people with disabilities and school students will see the smallest rise of four cents, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said yesterday.
On the other hand, those who pay by cash or buy single-trip tickets - mostly visitors or infrequent users - will pay 20 cents more for each trip, believed to be the single biggest increase so far.
The majority who use adult ez-link cards - accounting for nearly two-thirds of all trips - will see each ride costing nine cents more. Those who buy monthly concession passes will fork out $1 to $5.50 more, while frequent users who buy adult monthly passes will incur $8 more a month.
Polytechnic students will, however, see their commuting cost fall. After years of lobbying, they will now have student concessions and save up to $1.54 a trip.
In total, PTC chairman Richard Magnus pointed out that "close to two million people, or more than one in two Singaporeans, enjoy concessionary fares on our public transport system".
He said this was 35.4 per cent more than in 2013, when there was a comprehensive review of the concession schemes.
Actual average travelling cost had also fallen because of better rail connectivity. For instance, a ride from Bukit Panjang to Bugis cost $1.93 in 2015 because of several transfers.
But today, with the Downtown Line, the same trip will cost $1.72 from Dec 28.
Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said in a Facebook post yesterday that in any fare adjustment, the Government tries to keep the increase as low as possible so that it affects as few people as it can.
"Fortunately, more than half of Singaporeans receive substantial discounts from the normal fare," wrote Mr Khaw.
The Ministry of Transport will also step in to help lower- income families. Mr Khaw said that this year, the Government will extend 50 per cent more public transport vouchers and increase the value of each voucher to $50, from $30.
The 7 per cent fare rise translates to an increase of about $132.5 million in total fare revenue.
Of this, SBS Transit will get $18.8 million, while SMRT Trains will get $40.2 million. Both are for train rides.
The remaining $73.5 million in fare increase will go to the Land Transport Authority, which administers bus contracts.
SBS Transit and SMRT will contribute about $1.88 million and $2.01 million, respectively, to the Public Transport Fund, which helps needy families cope with fare rises.
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