Why did the PTC decide to increase public transport fares again in 2026, especially given ongoing cost-of-living concerns and the fact that this increase matches a record high in percentage terms and sets a new record in absolute terms?

For the 2026 Fare Review Exercise, the fare adjustment formula resulted in an adjustment of 5.3%, driven largely by a substantial rise in energy prices between July 2025 and June 2026 due to the Middle East conflict. Combined with deferred fare quantum from previous years, the total maximum allowable adjustment stands at 14.7%.

PTC recognises that Singaporeans are concerned about the cost of living. We have therefore decided on a 7.0% fare adjustment, which is less than half of the maximum allowable 14.7%. This seeks to keep the increase manageable for commuters, while ensuring that our public transport system remains financially sustainable.

This also reduces the deferred fare quantum from 9.4% to 7.7%, easing the burden on taxpayers.

To cushion the impact, the Government is keeping fares unchanged for lower-wage workers, enhancing Public Transport Vouchers for more eligible households, and maintaining all monthly pass prices for heavy users.

Why were fares not kept unchanged for all concession groups such as students, senior citizens, and lower-income individuals who may not qualify for the Workfare Transport Concession Scheme, rather than only for WTCS cardholders?

Fares for WTCS cardholders will remain unchanged to provide additional support to lower-wage workers. Other concession groups, such as students and senior citizens, will continue to enjoy concessionary fares of up to 70% off adult card fares. All monthly pass prices will also remain unchanged to help frequent public transport users manage their monthly expenses.

The WTCS concession is fully funded by the Government and does not result in higher fares for other commuters.

Lower-income and lower-middle-income households will also benefit from enhanced Public Transport Vouchers worth $80 each, up from $60 last year, with the income eligibility threshold raised to cover households with a monthly income per person of up to $2,100, compared to $1,800 previously.

Commuters making short journeys will also see their fares increase, by roughly the same quantum as those making longer journeys. Given that they travel a much shorter distance, isn't the fare increase disproportionately higher for them?

While PTC kept fares for the first fare band unchanged for concession groups last year, continuing to do so would shift the additional costs onto other fare-paying commuters, which would be inequitable. For FRE 2026, PTC has therefore focused support on those most affected by fare increases — keeping fares unchanged for WTCS cardholders, maintaining all monthly pass prices for heavy users and enhancing Public Transport Vouchers to support more households.