Commuters in Singapore will see a notable change in their daily travel expenses right after Christmas. The latest Singapore public transport fare increase takes effect on December 26, 2026. The Public Transport Council (PTC) has announced an overall fare hike of 7% for both trains and buses—adding 12 or 13 cents per journey for adult card users. In fact, this is the highest value increase to date. It’s aimed at balancing fare affordability for commuters with the long-term financial sustainability of the nation’s transit system as operation costs rise. Here’s what we know.
How will the December fare hike impact you?
The financial impact of the Singapore bus train fare adjustment varies depending on how you pay and travel. For adults paying by card, fares will rise by 12 cents for journeys up to 3.2km, and 13 cents for longer distances. Meanwhile, concession cardholders—including students, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities—will see a much smaller increase of just 5 cents per ride.
Plus, cash payments (1% of all public transport journeys) will see the steepest jump with an additional 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for concession groups.
Fortunately, heavy public transport users and vulnerable groups will find some relief. The prices of all monthly concession and travel passes will remain completely unchanged. Additionally, lower-wage works under the Workfare Transport Concession Scheme (WTCS) will not be affected by these hikes as the government will cover it.
The PTC estimates that about 110,000 regular commuters who currently pay per ride could actually save money by switching to a hybrid monthly pass to offset the new fare structure.
Overall, the Singapore public transport fare increase is associated with a rise in global energy prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
