Just when workers and students alike are returning back to schools and offices, the government hits us with another fare hike.

A few weeks ago, it was announced that public transport fares in Singapore would be increasing from 26 December 2022. Fares for adult cards will increase by 4 cents for journeys of up to 8.2km and 5 cents for journeys longer than 8.2km. Meanwhile, the rest of the concession card users will have their fares increased by 1 cent.

This is the second price increase in the past year and it’s starting to take a toll on commuters. So, what’s causing the rise in public transport costs, and can buy the Adult Monthly Concession Pass help ease your transport fares?

Why are public transport costs in Singapore increasing?

One major contributor to the increase in public transport costs in Singapore is the rising energy costs. Fuel prices have been on the rise in the past year by a whopping 117 percent in 2021, which has led to higher operating costs for transport companies.

Additionally, there was a high challenge in hiring and retaining talents giving rise to manpower costs. This was further aggravated by the increased inflation.

In light of the recent fare price increase, does it affect your decision of getting a Monthly Concession Pass (MCP)? Let’s take a closer look.

What is the Monthly Concession Pass (MCP)

With the Monthly Concession Pass, commuters can enjoy unlimited rides on buses, trains, or both at a flat rate.

Types of Monthly Concession Passes

There are many different types of Monthly Concession Passes available, depending on your age, occupation, and background. They can be split into three broad categories: adults, students, and senior citizens.

1. For adults

If you’re an adult, you may qualify for the following Monthly Concession Passes:

Monthly Concession Pass (MCP) for Adults

2. Senior Citizen

If you’re a senior citizen, you may qualify for the following:

Monthly Concession Pass (MCP) for Senior Citizens

3. Student

If you’re a student, you may qualify for the following:

Monthly Concession Pass (MCP) for students

Who do we recommend the Adult Monthly Concession Pass for?

For those wondering how much is the adult concession, this is the cost per day for an Adult Monthly Concession Pass:

$128 / 31 days
= $4.13

Assuming you’re a 30-year-old adult who

• Lives in Jurong East

• Has a full-time job at Raffles Place

• Goes to exercise classes at Tiong Bahru every Saturday

• Travels to social appointments at Orchard on Sundays biweekly

Below is a rough calculation of your monthly transport fare using the LTA Fare Calculator.

To and fro work (Raffles Place) and house (Jurong East):
= $1.72 x 2 x 22 days
= $75.68

To and fro exercise classes (Tiong Bahru) and house (Jurong East):

= $1.59 x 2 x 4 days
= $12.72

To and fro social appointments (Orchard) and house (Jurong East):

= $1.67 x 2 x 2 days
= $6.68

Your final monthly transport fare will amount to

= $75.68 + $12.72 + $6.68
= $95.08, which is less than the cost price of the Adult Monthly Concession Pass ($128)

Of course, this is a rough guide to an average adult’s transport fare. To calculate your own fares, a hack is to log on to your TL SimplyGo account. Go to the My Cards tab and add your regularly used stored value travel card. You’ll be able to see your travel history and payment details on the app.

So, is the Monthly Concession Pass worth it? If you’re someone who spends more than $4.13 per day on your rides each day, the Adult Monthly Concession Pass is worth considering.