The Public Transport Council is an independent regulatory statutory board under the Ministry of Transport of Singapore, established on 14 August 1987 by the Public Transport Council Act of 1987. PTC regulates the public bus and rapid transit network in areas such as fares and service standards. PTC is also authorised to issue and do amendments to bus service licences, and advises the Ministry of Transport on areas such as conditions on licensees and imposing of penalties on non-complying licensees. As announced by Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan, PTC will no longer be issuing penalties and fines despite multiple major breakdowns on the MRT system: "If you ask me, my preference is not to go back to this old system of penalties and fines because it created a very adversarial relationship between the regulator and the operator". It is not known how the PTC is going to maintain service standards without imposing any penalties. The Council is led by a Chairman, currently Mr Richard Magnus, who was formerly a Board Director of the Land Transport Authority; and currently the Representative of Singapore to the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights, Vice-Chairman of UNESCO's International Bioethics Committee and a member of the Public Service Commission.
Criticisms
As the public transport fare regulator, the Council was criticised on various occasions when it approved fare hike proposals from public transport operators. Some of its policies are deemed as pro-operators rather than pro-commuters. As such, the Workers' Party called for the dissolution of the Council in favour of a not-for-profit corporation in the leadup to the 2006 general elections.
Fare adjustments
Fare hike of 2006
In 2006, the PTC approved applications from transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT for an overall increase in bus and train fares of 1.7%. The fare adjustment took effect on 1 October 2006. The PTC justified the increase in fares based on the positive economic outlook in 2006 and a comparison of average public transport fares across cities of Hong Kong, London and New York City which have higher fares. Critics were however skeptical of PTC's justifications, pointing to flaws in the survey conducted by SMU where three quarters of respondents polled said fares were affordable.
Fare reduction of 2009
From 1 April 2009, commuters saw an overall 4.6% reduction in bus and train fares. The reduction comprises a fare rebate and a transfer rebate.
Fare reduction of 2010
On 20 April 2010, the PTC granted an overall 2.5% reduction in bus and train fares which took effect on 3 July 2010 together with the introduction of distance fares.
Fare hike of 2014
On 6 April 2014, fares were raised by 3.2%. The typical fares were increased by 4-6 cents and student fares were increased by 2 cents. New concession schemes were implemented.
Fare reduction of 2015
In 2015, the PTC granted an overall 1.9% reduction in bus and train fares which took effect on 27 December 2015.
Fare reduction of 2016
In 2016, the PTC granted an overall 4.2% reduction in bus and train fares which took effect on 30 December 2016.
Fare adjustment of 2017
PTC announced the scrapping of free MRT rides for those exiting 18 city area stations before 7.45am on weekdays excluding public holidays. Instead, discounted fares of up to 50 cents will be given to pre-peak travellers which took effect on 29 December 2017. Also, $40 Off-Peak Pass monthly concession which offers unlimited travel outside of the weekday peak periods on the bus and train networks for senior citizens ceased. Senior citizens are being persuaded to buy the $60 Senior Citizen Monthly Concession Pass which includes peak hour travel.
Fare hike & adjustment of 2018
In 2018, fares were raised by 4.3% which took effect on 29 December 2018. Adult card fares increased by 6 cents. Student, senior citizen, Lower-Wage Workers & Persons With Disabilities card fares increased by 1 cent. Adult cash fares for buses, single trip tickets for trains increased by 10 cents. There is no additional boarding charge when making multiple rail transfers in one journey between two different train stations as long as it is within 15 minutes or by taking a bus trip between two different train stations.
Fare hike & adjustment of 2019
On 8 October 2019, the Public Transport Council announced a fare increase of 7% on train and bus fares which took effect on 28 December 2019, the highest percentage jump since 1998. The increase is driven by soaring energy costs. Adult card fares increased by 9 cents, with cash fares and single fare tickets increased by 20 cents. Concession fares for students, seniors, low-wage workers and persons with disabilities increased by 4 cents. Monthly concession passes have increased by $1 to $5.50, with adult monthly passes increased by $8. However, polytechnic students are included under student concession fares for the first time, resulting in a fare reduction of up to $1.54.
