Public Transport Vouchers to Encourage More to Switch to Public Transport Given Spike in Oil Prices

39 Ms Mariam Jaafar asked the Minister for Transport whether the Government can temporarily reduce public transportation fares or make public transport vouchers available to a wider segment of the population to encourage more to switch to public transportation amid the spike in petrol prices.

Mr S Iswaran: Public transport has remained affordable and accounted for 2% to 3% of household expenditure for the second decile over the last five years. This is made possible by annual Government subsidies of more than $2 billion. On average, we subsidise more than $1 for every journey taken on public transport. Students, senior citizens and persons with disabilities (PWDs) receive up to a further 55% discount off adult fares.

We provide targeted support through Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs) to households which may need additional assistance. Under the 2021 PTV Exercise, the Government has made available 600,000 PTVs, valued at $30 each, to needy households. So far, about 300,000 households have already received the PTVs. A second round of direct disbursement will be implemented from April 2022 to provide additional support to low-income households on ComCare Short-to-Medium-Term Assistance and Long-Term-Assistance. Households that require PTVs can approach their local community centres/clubs (CCs) from now until 31 October 2022.