The public transport fare increase for 2026 is 7.0%, and it takes effect on 26 December 2026. The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced on 29 September 2026 that adult card fares on buses and trains will rise by 12 cents a journey for trips up to 3.2km and 13 cents for longer trips. Concession card fares for students, seniors and persons with disabilities rise by 5 cents, and monthly concession passes stay the same.
The rise is smaller than the maximum the fare formula allowed. The rest is carried forward to later reviews.
The short version: From 26 December 2026, an adult card trip costs 12 to 13 cents more, concession card trips 5 cents more, and monthly passes do not change. Workfare concession card fares are frozen. Public Transport Vouchers for lower-income households rise from S$60 to $80.
Public Transport Fare Increase 2026: Who Pays What
From the PTC’s announcement:
| Fare type | Change per journey from 26 Dec 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adult card, up to 3.2km | +12 cents |
| Adult card, over 3.2km | +13 cents |
| Student, senior and persons with disabilities concession card | +5 cents |
| Workfare transport concession card | No change |
| Adult cash fare | +20 cents |
| Concession cash fare | +10 cents |
| Monthly concession passes | No change |
The PTC said the maximum fare adjustment allowed this year was 14.7%: 5.3% from the fare formula plus increases deferred from earlier years. It approved 7.0% and carried the remaining 7.7% forward to the next review.
The government absorbs the increase for about 190,000 Workfare concession cardholders, and will spend about $200 million more on public transport subsidies in 2027, according to the PTC. SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains will contribute $23.94 million to the Public Transport Fund.
What It Costs a Regular Commuter
Illustration only. Take an adult who makes two journeys of more than 3.2km each working day, about 22 working days a month:
- 44 journeys x 13 cents = $5.72 more a month, or about $69 a year.
A student or senior on a concession card making the same number of trips would pay 44 x 5 cents = $2.20 more a month.
If you travel often, check whether a monthly concession pass (where you qualify) would now cost less than paying per trip, since pass prices are unchanged. Our monthly budget planner can hold the new transport figure.
Public Transport Vouchers Rise to $80
The Ministry of Transport (MOT) and the People’s Association (PA) said Public Transport Vouchers for lower-income households will rise from $60 to $80. The household income ceiling goes up from $1,800 to $2,100 per person a month.
- Stage 1: eligible households that received vouchers in 2025 are covered automatically. Letters or SMS go out from the end of December 2026.
- Stage 2: applications for other households open in early 2027. MOT says details will be announced later.
- Use: the vouchers can be redeemed from 28 December 2026 until 31 March 2028.
Genuine voucher notifications do not ask you to pay anything. ScamShield warned on 31 August 2026 about fake CDC, GST and transport voucher messages on Telegram. Our guide to online shopping and voucher scams explains what to look for.
Other Year-End Support That Helps With Bills
The fare rise comes as several payments land:
- Assurance Package cash of $100 to $250 for adult Singaporeans in December 2026. See our Assurance Package explainer.
- Double U-Save for HDB households in January 2027, $110 to $190 depending on flat type. See our U-Save rebate guide.
- CDC Vouchers of $300 per household in January 2027.
Ways to Keep Transport Costs Down
- Compare per-trip and pass costs. If you take many trips, a concession pass may now be the cheaper option.
- Pay by card, not cash. Cash fares rise by 20 cents for adults, more than the card fare increase.
- Check what you pay with. If you tap a bank card, check its terms for any transit rewards or fees. Our guide to debit vs credit cards covers the trade-offs.
What To Do Next
- Work out your monthly trips and the new cost before 26 December 2026.
- If you are eligible for a concession pass, compare it with paying per trip at the new fares.
- If your household earns up to $2,100 per person a month, watch for the Public Transport Voucher letter or SMS from late December, or the application in early 2027.
- Ignore any message asking you to pay a fee to receive transport vouchers.
