All you need to know about the new public transport fare structure in 30 seconds

The Public Transport Council (PTC) announced a simpler fare structure on Thursday (27 Oct) for public transport. Here is everything you need to know, summarised down to just five points:

1. From December 30 onwards, you will pay lesser for bus and train.



The PTC announced an overall fare cut of 4.2 percent. Basically, this means that adult commuters will save between one to 27 cents for a journey. Senior citizens will save one to seven cents, and students will save one cent across the board.

2. You will be charged based on the shortest route between your boarding point and your destination.



Currently, you are being charged based on the fastest travel route, which may not necessarily translate to being the shortest and most cost-efficient route.



3. You will pay the same amount for the same distance, regardless of whether you take an underground or above-ground train.



You may not know this, but trips on fully-underground lines such as North-East Line (NEL), Circle Line and Downtown Line are currently five to 25 cents more expensive for adult commuters, compared to above-ground lines like North-South and East-West lines.

This is because fully-underground lines incur higher operating costs — for example, air-conditioned station platforms.

The difference in costs between underground and above-ground lines have caused some people to take only above-ground lines in order to save money. PTC hopes that the removal of this cost difference between the lines will distribute the commuters across the MRT network better.

So now you can feel free to choose the most convenient travel path without worrying about having to pay more.

4. In next year’s fare adjustment exercise, there will probably be at least another 1.5 percent fare reduction.



By right, the falling energy prices in 2015 would allow PTC to cut fare by 5.7 percent. But in order to spread out the impact of volatile energy prices over time, PTC decided to only grant 4.2 percent and to let the remaining 1.5 percent reduction be rolled over to next year’s fare adjustment exercise.

5. The Government will cut concession fares for lower-wage workers and people with disabilities.



At a level in line with PTC’s adjustments, concession card fares for lower-wage workers will be lowered by one to 25 cents, while fares for people with disabilities will be cut by one to seven cents.

(Images credit: SMRT (top), Public Transport Council Straits Times Graphics )

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