Fares to rise by up to 50 cents for express buses, including City Direct Services

Increase is to better reflect cost of operating these services, boost financial sustainability

- Lee Nian Tjoe Senior Transport Correspondent Koh Ming Lun

Adults will soon have to pay up to 50 cents more to use an express bus service, while concessionary groups will pay up to 24 cents more.

Passengers pay a premium on top of standard bus fares to ride express buses. The increase comprises an adjustment of up to 10 cents for basic adult card fares, as well as a 40-cent premium for express bus services.

For concessionary groups — seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-wage workers — the increase is made up of a basic fare adjustment of up to four cents and a 20-cent premium.

Those using cash will pay 60 cents more than they currently do for these express journeys.

The changes will take effect from Dec 27, said the Public Transport Council (PTC).

Express buses, including City Direct Services, reduce travel times from the heartland to the city areas and key employment centres.

Not affected by the larger fare increase for express buses are express feeder services, which were introduced from December 2024 to provide residents with faster access to town centres and key transport nodes such as MRT stations.