Singapore’s $30 Public Transport Voucher Frenzy
Hey folks! Singapore’s Ministry of Transport (MOT) just sent out over 280,000 mailers, telling families to grab a $30 voucher that can be swiped onto your pay‑card or dropped straight into a monthly pass.
Why the Sudden Drop of Money?
It’s the opening act of a three‑stage giveaway that aims to cushion commuters from the latest fare hike that went live on Dec 26 last year. The voucher pot sits at 600,000 tickets, but they’re rolling them out one chunk at a time.
The Open‑Call Window
- October 31st – Jan 10th: If your household earns $1,600 or less per person and you haven’t already snagged a voucher, head online and apply.
- Feb 14th – Oct 31st: Prefer to talk face‑to‑face or need a little extra help? Swing by your local community club or centre. The council committees will give your application the right sign‑off.
Getting the Voucher
After a successful application, the postal service will deliver a card‑style notification. Follow the clear steps inside to redeem the voucher before the big deadline: March 31, 2023.
Need help? Community centres are on standby for any puzzling queries.
Why the Hike & Why the Coupon?
Last year’s Public Transport Council sneaked in a 2.2% increase to keep buses and trains afloat. That’s roughly a three‑ to four‑cent jump for adult cardholders, depending on the distance.
Seniors, students, handicap‑friendly travelers, and low‑wage folks saw a modest one‑cent rise with concession fares; cash tickets, single‑trip shoe‑laces, and monthly passes stayed exactly the same—no surprises there.
And the origin? A hold‑over from 2020, when fares were frozen but transportation costs gorged on the back of COVID‑induced ridership plummet.
Making It Easy for Everyone
To boost the voucher’s reach, the income threshold jumped from $1,200 to $1,600 per person. That means roughly 250,000 fresh households can now raffi the ride‑vouchers.
Bottom Line
This is Singapore’s biggest and most inclusive voucher push so far. Whether you’re a worried parent, a budget‑bull, or just looking to scratch a ton off your monthly commute bill, there’s a chance to get your $30 help as long as you act fast.
— The Ministry of Transport & People’s Association (PA)
