The Public Transport Council (PTC) has granted an overall fare adjustment of 3.2 percent and from April 6, adult card fares for buses and trains will increase by 4 to 6 cents per journey.
Senior citizen concessionary fares will increase by 2 to 3 cents per journey, while student concesionary fares will increase by 2 cents per journey.
Cash fares for train and adult bus rides will increase by 20 cents per trip while senior citizen and student concessionary cash fares for bus rides will increase by 10 cents per trip. However, commuters can enjoy lower fares should they use contactless smartcards.
With the fare increase also comes two new government-funded schemes for people with disabilities and lower-wage workers, to be in effect from July 5.
People with disabilities will get to enjoy 25 percent discount off adult fares and not pay for additional distances beyond 7.2 kilometres. Lower-wage workers, on the other hand, will enjoy a 15 percent discount off adult fares.
Additionally, people with disabilities can choose the option of buying a $60 monthly concession pass with unlimited train and bus rides — the same price a senior citizen will enjoy for his or her monthly concession pass.
Both people with disabilities and lower-wage workers will also be offered transport vouchers of $80 and $30 respectively.
For Singaporeans and permanent residents, a new monthly concession card priced at $120 for unlimited travel will be replacing the current train and hybrid monthly passes.
Children below the age of 7 will enjoy free travel.
Polytechnic students will now enjoy the same monthly concession pass prices as their secondary, junior college and ITE counterparts.
Full-time national servicemen’s monthly concession passes will also be lowered to the same as that of university students.
With the new and enhanced fare concession, PTC has stated that about a million commuters will benefit.
Says chairman of the PTC Gerard Ee, “We understand that any fare increase, no matter how modest, will impact commuters. In approving the increase and deciding on the quantum, the Council ensured that fares would continue to remain affordable. The various concession enhancements, which will benefit approximately half a million commuters, together with the two new Government-funded schemes which will benefit another about half a million more, will go a long way to ensure continued fare affordability. In addition, those who need more assistance will be able to receive help from the Public Transport Fund.”
Photo: AFP
