Singapore is raising public transport fares by 7% overall from 26 December 2026, driven by higher energy and diesel prices. Adult card fares go up by $0.12 to $0.13 per trip — the largest absolute jump ever — while concession holders (seniors, students, people with disabilities) pay an extra $0.05 per journey. If you're heading to Singapore, budget a touch more for MRT and bus rides from that date.
The interesting part of the story is what didn't go up: monthly concession passes stay at current prices, giving heavy commuters a way to dodge the hike entirely. These passes cap your transport spend and cover unlimited rides on the island's basic bus and MRT/LRT networks.
The catch for short-term visitors: nearly every pass is restricted to Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. Senior passes require age 60-plus and PR/citizenship; student passes cover primary school through university — including polytechnics, NUS, NTU, SMU, SUTD, NAFA and LaSalle — plus full-time national servicemen. There are also dedicated passes for Workfare recipients ($92) and persons with disabilities ($55).
The Adult Monthly Travel Card (AMTC), at $122 for unlimited bus and train travel, is also citizens-and-PRs only. So tourists keep paying per-ride card fares. Where this matters practically: long-stay travellers — exchange students, visiting researchers, anyone working in Singapore for a semester or more — may well qualify through their institution and should check whether a pass beats pay-as-you-go. The rule of thumb used locally: compare the pass price against your average monthly spend, which the SimplyGo app tracks for linked cards.
If you do qualify, applications route differently by category. School kids get cards via their schools; polytechnic and university students apply through their institutions in bulk periods; NSFs receive cards at enlistment; and seniors, PWD and Workfare cardholders get cards mailed within 14 working days. Everyone else applies via the SimplyGo app or a SimplyGo Ticket Office, then activates in person with ID and a small minimum top-up ($2 to $5 depending on card type — though the adult card has no activation minimum).
For the average holidaymaker, the takeaway is simpler: Singapore's transit stays cheap by global standards even after the increase, and a fare of roughly S$1–S$2 per MRT hop remains one of the best-value ways to get around. Just know the monthly pass option exists if your stay turns long-term.
