How the upcoming public transport fare hike will affect you

From Dec 27, public transport fares for adults paying by contactless bank cards, SimplyGo cards or ez-link cards will rise by nine cents to 10 cents per journey, the Public Transport Council (PTC) said on Oct 14, as part of its yearly fare review exercise.

- Esther Loi

(ST PHOTO: GAVIN FOO)

This is the fifth consecutive year of fare hikes, following increases of up to 10 cents in adult card fares in 2024, 11 cents in 2023, five cents in 2022, and four cents in 2021.

The Straits Times has a closer look at the key changes that commuters have to take note of in 2025's fare hike.

Q How will the public transport fare increase affect me?

A From Dec 27, fares will increase by nine cents on journeys of up to 17.2km for adults who tap in and out using contactless bank cards, SimplyGo or ez-link cards. Those travelling more than 17.2km will pay 10 cents more.

Concession card holders will see no change in fares for short bus and train rides of up to 3.2km, unlike the four-cent increase they faced in 2024.

For journeys between 3.3km and 7.2km, concession card fares will go up by three cents. Concession card fares for trips longer than 7.2km will increase by four cents.

Concession card holders include students, seniors, people with disabilities and low-wage workers with workfare transport concession cards, who will be able to cap their monthly public transport expenditure.

The 2025 overall fare adjustment of 5 per cent - down from 6 per cent in 2024 - was moderated to keep fare changes manageable for commuters despite sustained increases in the cost of operating public transport, PTC said.

It was also moderated by lower inflation and a drop in energy prices in 2025, the council added.

PTC said it has been limiting fare increases. Otherwise, fares in 2025 could have risen by 14.4 per cent, comprising a 1.5 per cent adjustment for the year and a 12.9 per cent hike rolled over from 2024.

Cash fares, however, will increase by five cents for students, 10 cents for seniors and people with disabilities, and 20 cents for adults to reflect the higher operating costs of handling cash.