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The union says workers should share meaningfully in additional fare revenue through better pay, annual increments, bonuses, and improvements to welfare, while urging commuters to treat transport staff with respect.
Singapore’s public transport fares will increase by 7% from 26 December 2026, following the Public Transport Council’s (PTC) decision under the 2026 Fare Review Exercise (FRE).
The adjustment comes as the PTC seeks to balance fare affordability for commuters with the financial sustainability of the public transport system amid rising operating and energy costs.
The 7% increase is below the 14.7% maximum allowable fare adjustment for FRE 2026. This comprises a 5.3% fare formula output for 2026 and 9.4% in deferred fare adjustments from previous years.
The PTC said the higher fare formula output was partly driven by a substantial increase in energy prices between July 2025 and June 2026.
Following the announcement, the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) said the public transport workforce should also share meaningfully in the additional revenue generated by the fare adjustment.
NTWU calls for workers to share in fare adjustment benefits
NTWU said that when fare adjustments take into account rising costs, including wages and energy costs, the public transport workforce should also benefit from the additional revenue.
The union said this should translate into better wages, annual increments, bonuses and improvements in workers’ welfare. It added that there must be continued investment in the people who deliver public transport services every day.
NTWU is therefore calling on public transport operators and tripartite partners to ensure that the benefits arising from the fare adjustments are shared fairly with public transport workers.
What will change for commuters?
The fare adjustments will take effect from 26 December 2026.
- Adult card fares: Increase by 12c per journey for trips of up to 3.2km, and by 13 cents for trips above 3.2km
- Students, seniors and persons with disabilities (PwD) card fares: Increase by five cents per journey
- Adult cash fares: Increase by 20c per journey
- Students, seniors and PwD cash fares: Increase by 10c per journey
- WTCS card fares: No change
- Monthly pass prices: No change
- Public Transport Vouchers: Increase from S$60 to S$80 per eligible household, with the income eligibility criteria broadened to benefit more households
About 190,000 WTCS cardholders will therefore see no change to their card fares. There are also around 126,000 monthly pass users, whose monthly pass prices will remain unchanged under FRE 2026.
To provide additional support for lower-income households, the Government will increase the Public Transport Voucher quantum from S$60 to S$80 per eligible household. The income eligibility criteria will also be broadened to benefit more households.
Under the fare adjustment, public transport operators will also contribute part of their increased fare revenue to the Public Transport Fund. For FRE 2026, the PTC will require SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains to contribute 30% of their expected increase in revenue, amounting to S$23.94mn in total.
NTWU raises concerns over harassment of transport workers
NTWU also raised concerns about the treatment of transport workers following fare adjustment announcements.
The union said it had heard of instances where a small number of commuters directed harassment and abusive behaviour towards transport workers following fare adjustment announcements.
NTWU said such behaviour is unacceptable.
It stressed that it has zero tolerance for any form of harassment or abuse against transport workers, regardless of frustrations over fare increases. The union added that workers deserve to be treated with respect and dignity as they continue serving commuters every day.
As the latest fare adjustment takes effect in December, the discussion extends beyond the cost of commuting. For NTWU, it also highlights the need to consider the wages and welfare of the workers who keep Singapore’s public transport services running each day.
For more information on public transportation fares, click here.
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Lead image / National Transport Workers’ Union's Facebook
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