Singapore Public Transport Fare Calculator 2026 — PTC Distance-Based MRT, LRT & Bus Rates With Monthly Pass Break-Even

Adult card fares range from 1.28 Singapore dollars for journeys up to 3.2 kilometres to approximately 2.57 dollars for cross-island journeys over 40 kilometres. These fares took effect on 27 December 2025 following the annual PTC fare review. Paying by cash costs an additional 0.22 dollars per trip compared to using an EZ-Link, SimplyGo, or contactless bank card.

All three payment methods charge the same distance-based card fare. There is no fare difference between an EZ-Link card, a SimplyGo card, or a contactless Visa, Mastercard, or NETS bank card. The only fare difference is between card payment and cash payment, with cash costing 0.22 dollars more per trip.

If you transfer between bus and MRT or between buses within 45 minutes using the same card, the system treats it as one continuous journey. The fare is calculated based on the total combined distance, not as two separate trips. This means a bus-to-MRT transfer covering 8 kilometres total costs the same as a direct 8-kilometre MRT ride.

The Adult Monthly Travel Pass costs 128 dollars and provides unlimited travel on all basic bus and MRT services for the calendar month. It breaks even at approximately 50 to 60 one-way trips depending on your average distance. A commuter making 2 trips per day over 22 working days makes 44 trips; if they also travel on weekends, the pass easily pays for itself. For short-distance commuters under 5 kilometres, pay-per-ride is usually cheaper.

Commuters who tap in at any MRT station before 7.45am on weekdays, excluding public holidays, receive a discount of up to 50 cents per trip. This scheme was introduced to encourage travel before the morning peak and reduce crowding. For a daily commuter, this can save 10 to 11 dollars per month or over 120 dollars per year.

Senior concession fares range from 0.42 to 1.07 dollars per trip, compared to 1.28 to 2.57 dollars for adult fares. This represents a saving of approximately 58 to 67 percent per trip. Singaporeans aged 60 and above can apply for the Senior Citizen Concession Card at any TransitLink ticket office. The Senior Monthly Concession Pass costs 60 dollars for unlimited travel.

Students with a valid Student Concession Card pay between 0.52 and 0.78 dollars per trip, roughly 50 to 70 percent less than adult fares. The Student Monthly Concession Pass costs 55.50 dollars. Students must be enrolled in a recognised educational institution in Singapore to qualify.

Children under 7 years old with a valid Child Concession Card travel free on basic bus and MRT services. Children under 0.9 metres in height also travel free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult, without needing a card. Children aged 7 and above must use a Student Concession Card and pay student fares.

Fares are distance-based and set by the Public Transport Council. The system measures the total distance of your journey including any transfers within 45 minutes. The fare increases in steps as distance increases, with larger increments for the first 20 kilometres and smaller increments beyond that. The maximum adult card fare is approximately 2.57 dollars regardless of distance.

A government-funded pilot launched alongside the December 2025 fare review provides completely free first rail trips for commuters who tap in at selected stations on the North East Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT before 7.30am or between 9.00am and 9.45am on weekdays. This targets crowding reduction in the Punggol, Sengkang, and Hougang catchment areas.

Lower-income workers on the Workfare Income Supplement scheme qualify for the Workfare Transport Concession Scheme, which provides fares between the adult and senior rates. This is administered through CPF Workfare allocations and does not require a separate application beyond being a Workfare recipient.

Yes, but Express and Premium bus services charge higher fares than basic services. Express bus fares can reach up to 3.57 dollars. The Child Concession Card does not provide free travel on Express, Premium, or City Direct bus services, where adult cash fares apply even for children.

The most recent PTC fare adjustment took effect on 27 December 2025. Adult card fares increased by 9 to 10 cents per journey, and concession card fares increased by 3 to 4 cents. The Public Transport Council reviews fares annually using a formula that balances financial sustainability with affordability.

Use the LTA Fare Calculator at lta.gov.sg or the SimplyGo app to check the exact fare for a specific route by entering your origin and destination stations or bus stops. This calculator provides distance-based estimates which are accurate for most journeys but may vary slightly based on the specific route taken.

Bus and MRT use the same distance-based fare structure, so the cost is identical for the same distance regardless of whether you travel by bus or train. The choice between bus and MRT is typically about speed and convenience rather than cost. Transfers between bus and MRT within 45 minutes are treated as one journey with no additional boarding charge.

The cash surcharge is 0.22 dollars per trip. A commuter making 44 trips per month saves 9.68 dollars monthly or approximately 116 dollars per year simply by switching from cash to any card payment method. There is no reason to pay by cash on Singapore public transport unless you do not have access to any card.