Bus and train fares to go up by the maximum 7 per cent: Public Transport Council confirms

The Public Transport Council confirmed today (8 Oct) that bus and train fares will rise by seven per cent - the maximum allowable increase under this year's fare review exercise - for adult commuters from 28 December 2019 onwards. Adult commuters - who make about 65 per cent of all public transport trips in Singapore - who use travel cards will pay nine cents more per journey from the end of the year while those who use cash or single-trip tickets will have to pay a hefty 20 cents increase more trip. That is not all. The cost of monthly concession passes is set to rise by between S$1 and S$5.50 while the price of adult monthly travel passes will go up by a steep S$8. Students, senior citizens and those with disabilities who hold concession cards will see a 4-cent increase per journey, compared to the seven per cent hike for adult commuters. Full-time polytechnic and diploma students who presently pay adult fares will also qualify for concession cards. The latest fare increase is based on a fare adjustment formula that was introduced last year. The formula takes factors like energy prices and inflation into account in the formula on how fares should be adjusted. -/TISG http://theindependent.sg/netizens-fume-as-khaw-boon-wan-claims-higher-public-transport-fares-are-necessary-to-combat-rising-subsidies/