Singapore raises adult card fares by up to 13 cents per ride from Dec 26
From Dec 26, adult card users in Singapore will pay an extra 12-13 cents per trip, the biggest cash increase on record, as the Public Transport Council cites soaring energy costs.
Effective Dec 26, Singapore’s Public Transport Council will increase adult card fares by 12 cents for short trips and 13 cents for longer ones, amounting to a 7 % overall rise - the highest cash increase to date. Concession holders, including students and seniors, will face a 5-cent increase, while cash payments will rise by 20 cents for adults and 10 cents for eligible groups. The council attributes the hike to a 21 % surge in energy costs during the July 2025-June 2026 period, driven by the Middle East conflict.
SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains sought the full 14.7 % adjustment permitted by the fare formula, but the council limited the increase to 7 % and deferred the remaining 7.7 percentage points. The adjustment is expected to generate about S$176.9 million in additional annual revenue, with the government providing extra subsidies to offset the deferred portion. Monthly passes remain unchanged, and the council encourages frequent riders to switch to hybrid passes to contain expenses.
Why it matters
Higher fares affect daily commuters and signal rising transport costs amid global energy price shocks.
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