Public Transit in Survival Mode
Ridership Crash: Bus Riders at 60% of Pre‑Pandemic Levels
By the end of 2021, commuters were drifting down to only 60% of the crowds that once rumbled through stations. That’s like going from a full concert to a pretty‑barely‑audience affair.
Operator Revenues Feeling the Pinch
Every missed passenger translates into colder pockets for bus and train operators. Less fare, less profit, and that’s how the bottom line feels the crunch.
Fees on the Razor‑Sharp Edge in 2023
Talk of a major fare adjustment is already on the horizon. 2023 might bring prices that either see a climb or a windfall for commuters.
Public Transport Council (PTC) Takes the Lead
- On August 15, 2022, the PTC announced the start of a review.
- They’re looking deep into how the fare adjustment formula works.
- Stakeholders, strap in—changes could be coming.
<img alt="" data-caption="Public transport ridership was estimated to only be at 60 per cent of pre-pandemic levels in October 2021.
PHOTO: sgCarMart” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”4ad2a924-abc9-4962-a4ac-f6affcf0b32c” src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/27163_2_l.jpeg”/>
Revamping Public Transport Pricing: A Quick Overview
Every five years the PTC rolls up its sleeves to reassess how fares are set. They’ve got a five‑point playbook that looks at:
- Core inflation hotspots
- Energy price swings
- What’s happening with wage hikes
- Productivity changes that affect the daily grind
- And the ever‑busy network capacity of our public transport system
Good news: the announcement says they’re aiming to wrap up this internal review by the first half of 2023, then incorporate whatever they learn into the 2023 Fare Review Exercise. In other words, fresh insights will help shape future price moves.
What Happens in the Interim?
But don’t worry: the current fare‑adjustment trickery stays in play for the 2022 Fare Review Exercise. The PTC clarified that while they’re busy crunching numbers, they’ll still honour the existing formula for this year’s ride‑price tweaks.
Why the Change?
Data tells a story: the public transport world has seen a lot of shifting patterns and industry tweaks. The PTC wants to soak those changes in, ensuring the new formula isn’t just a cold‑hearted math puzzle but a reflection of the real‑world commutes people’re actually living.
<img alt="" data-caption="The outcome of this fare adjustment formula review will be applied for the 2023 Fare Review Exercise.
PHOTO: sgCarMart” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”3f1ca1d2-5eef-4683-bdf8-4c377cd35d65″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/27163_3_l.jpeg”/>
Keeping Fares Fair While Saving the System
What’s Happening: The transport authorities are trying to keep public‑transport fares affordable for everyday riders, but at the same time they need the system to stay financially healthy.
Who’s Talking?
- Commuters (you and me)
- Bus and train operators
- Labour unions
- Transport experts and analysts
Every voice gets a seat at the table when the new fare formula gets drafted.
Last Time the Fares Took a Hit
Back in December 2021, the public‑transport commission rolled out a 2.2 % price rise—the maximum the operators could ask for. It was basically the thumbs‑up to help operators shrug off the rising energy costs.
How Much Did the Jolt Cost You?
For short trips (under 14.2 km) adults paying with a card saw their fare go up by $0.03. For longer journeys, the jump was a bit steeper at $0.04. A few other tweaks were added on the side, but those were the headline changes.
Ridership’s Dark Side
Since the pandemic hit, fewer people are hopping on trains and buses. In late 2021, the numbers were down to maybe 60 % of pre‑COVID levels. Fewer riders mean operators earn less, which makes it even harder to push back against rising operating costs.
All in all, the transport sector is dancing on a tightrope: keep fares low enough for the people, but high enough to keep the services alive. Their next review will decide how that balance looks.
