Public Transport Fare Review 2026

The Public Transport Fare Review Exercise (FRE) 2026 sees an overall 7.0% increase in bus and train fares with effect from 26th December 2026. Adult card fares for buses and trains are set to increase by 12–13 cents, while Concession card fares (except for Workfare Transport) are set to increase by 5 cents.

Cash fares will also increase by 20 cents for adults, and 10 cents for concession groups.

Prices of all types of monthly passes will remain unchanged.

The Fare Review At A Glance:

From 26th December 2026:

Fare Group (per Journey)	Trunk Bus Services / Express Bus Services	Feeder Bus Services (capped at 3.2km)	Train Services
Adults	Card: Increase by 12–13¢ (12¢ up to 3.2km / 13¢ above 3.2km) Cash: Increase by 20¢	Card: Increase by 12¢ Cash: Increase by 20¢	Card: Increase by 12–13¢ (12¢ up to 3.2km / 13¢ above 3.2km)
Students	Card: Increase by 5¢ Cash: Increase by 10¢		Card: Increase by 5¢
Senior Citizens / Persons with Disabilities	Card: Increase by 5¢ Cash: Increase by 10¢		Card: Increase by 5¢
Workfare Transport Concession Cardholders	Card: No Change
(No Change) Free travel for: Children below 0.9m tall and accompanied by a fare-paying commuter Child Concession Card Holders for children below 7 years old, above 0.9m in height & not studying in a primary school

50¢ discount on train sector continues to apply for commuters who tap in before 07:45 on Weekdays (excluding Public Holidays).

A consolidated list of new fares can be found on the PTC’s website.

Monthly Concession Passes

All Monthly Concession Passes prices will remain unchanged.

Fare Group	Bus	Train	Hybrid
Primary Student	$24.00	$21.00	$39.00
Secondary Student	$29.00	$26.50	$49.00
Polytechnic Student	$29.00	$26.50	$49.00
University Student	$55.50	$48.00	$81.00
Full-time National Serviceman	$55.50	$48.00	$81.00
Workfare Transport	—	—	$92.00
Senior Citizen / Persons with Disabilities	—	—	$55.00
Adult (Monthly Travel Pass)	—	—	$122.00

Fare Adjustment Quantum

Based on the current Public Transport Fare Adjustment Formula published by the Public Transport Council (PTC) in April 2023, the fare adjustment quantum generated by the formula is 5.3% for the 2026 FRE. Considering the deferred fare quantum of 9.4% from the 2025 FRE, the maximum allowable fare adjustment quantum to be considered for the 2026 FRE is 14.7%.

The PTC decided to grant an overall fare adjustment quantum of 7.0%, below the maximum allowable fare adjustment quantum of 14.7%, to cushion commuters from the full fare increase. This will reduce the deferred fare quantum to 7.7% (from 9.4%), which will be considered at future FREs.

This balances the need to keep the public transport system financially sustainable with cost-of-living concerns. The overall quantum is less than half the maximum allowable fare adjustment quantum, continuing the PTC’s measured approach in recent years to cushion commuters from the full adjustment while gradually narrowing the gap between the cost of providing public transport and fares.

To cover the deferred fare adjustment quantum, the Government will continue to provide additional fare subsidies, amounting close to $200 million in 2027. This is on top of the more than $2 billion in annual operating subsidies for public transport, as well as capital expenditures averaging $5 billion annually over the next five years.

Fare Adjustment Formula

The Public Transport Council (PTC) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Transport that regulates public transport fares. The board conducts annual Fare Review Exercises to adjust public transport fares, and new fares usually take effect in end-December.

The current Fare Adjustment Formula is as follows, and is applicable from 2023 to 2027:

Year 2026 Fare Adjustment Quantum = 0.5 cCPI + 0.4 WI + 0.1 EI – PC + C = 5.3%
Quantum carried over from the 2025 Exercise – 9.4%
FRE 2026 Maximum Allowable Fare Adjustment Quantum – 14.7%

The Fare Adjustment Formula is based on five components:

Core Consumer Price Index (cCPI):
1.2% (Weighted Value: 0.6%)
Wage Index (WI):
4% (Weighted Value: 1.6%)
Energy Index (EI):
21% (Weighted Value: 2.1%)
Productivity Contribution (PC):
0.1% (Weighted Value: 0.1%)
Capacity Adjustment Factor (C):
1.1% (Weighted Value: 1.1%)

Fare Adjustment Quantum granted for 2026: 7.0% (remaining 7.7% carried over to future FREs)

The substantial increase in energy prices between July 2025 and June 2026, due to the Middle East conflict, was the reason for the higher fare formula output compared to last year.

Highlights of Public Transport Operators’ Applications

SBS Transit Rail applied for a fare adjustment of 14.7%, citing cost pressures remain uncertain, arising from geopolitical developments that have driven elevated energy prices and have also increased costs across global supply chain. They also highlighted the competitive labour market created challenges in retaining and attracting talents.

SMRT Trains applied for a fare adjustment of 14.7%. The operator cited cost pressures from slow recovery of public transport ridership due to hybrid work arrangements, keeping wage competitiveness, elevated energy costs compared to the period before the global energy crisis levels, as well as increasing repair and maintenance costs due to maintenance for ageing assets and equipment overhaul.

For both train operators’ latest financial year, they recorded relatively thin EBIT margins even after taking into account Government support.

External Links & References:

Past Fare Review Exercises:

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