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SBS and SMRT Seek Higher Fares—What the Move Means for Singapore Riders

Paratu jeemy03 mins
SBS and SMRT Seek Higher Fares—What the Move Means for Singapore Riders

  • Singapore’s City‑Buses and Trains May Get a Price Hike This Year

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  • The public transport watchdog, the Public Transport Council (PTC), got a couple of fare‑increase proposals from the two major rail operators and is tightening its purse strings. The proposed hike could push ticket prices up to 7% by the year‑end, which would translate into roughly an extra 10 cents per ride for commuters.

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  • How the Process Works

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  • Because Singapore’s bus routes are now run through a tender system, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) collects the fare money and pays the winning operator what they bid for the service. The PTC is poised to review this financial info before making a decision.

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  • Key Points from the Latest Submission

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    • *Both SBS Transit and SMRT Trains submitted applications for fare increases.
    • *The PTC hasn’t yet confirmed whether the hikes will hit the cap of 7%, but even the slightest bump could make a noticeable difference at the ticket punch‑card.
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    • The final verdict is scheduled for the last quarter of the year, so commuters can wait around for the news.

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  • What the Operators Are Saying

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    • SMRT CEO Lee Ling Wee said the company is “working hard” to keep the train network running smoothly, but the maintenance costs now eat up 71% of the revenue—up from 62% a year earlier. “We’re looking at a 7% fare rise to make it sustainable,” he noted.
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    • SBS Transit Spokesperson Tammy Tan highlighted that repair bills are climbing and losses are widening, even though ridership is growing. She added hope that a modest fare uptick could cushion the cost blow.

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  • What You Should Expect if the 7% Increase Is Approved

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  • Passengers could see bus fares climb an extra cent or two and train tickets shift just enough to cover the bigger maintenance pile‑up. A 10‑cent jump is laughable in the grand scheme, but it will still stretch wallets a bit.

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  • The council’s careful approach ensures that riders aren’t hit with a surprise spike, and it keeps the public transport system viable for the long haul.

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