Fare review: Details of concessions for disabled, low-income announced

SINGAPORE — Persons with disability (PWD) will not have to pay more than a dollar for basic public transport services while low-wage workers (LWW) will see a 15 per cent reduction in their fares, announced the Ministry of Transport today (Jan 16).

The two new concession schemes, which will cost the Government S$50 million annually, are part of the fare review exercise that has just been completed and will benefit some 400,000 LWW and 50,000 PWDs.

These individuals will be issued special concession cards, which will allow them to get discounted fares, and they will be notified by post of their eligibility before fares are raised.

While the fare increase will start in April, these concessions will only come into effect three months later on July 6, so as to facilitate the registration and setting up of the system for the concession card. To tide eligible LWWs and PWDs over during the interim period, they will be issued with S$30 and S$80 in transport vouchers, respectively.

Under the PWD concession scheme, individuals will get a 25 per cent discount off adult fares and the fare will be capped for distances beyond 7.2km. They will also have the option to buy a monthly concession pass at S$60.

To qualify, individuals will have to be on the SG Enable’s database. Those who are not on the database can apply by getting certified by a medical practitioner with one of five permanent disabilities: Physical disability, visual impairment, hearing impairment, autism spectrum disorder and intellectual disability.

More details of this scheme will be announced next month.

Those who received the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) in last month and are below the age of 60 will qualify for the concession for low income individuals, giving them a 15 per cent discount off their fares.

The concessions will last for a year and will be subject to review based on their WIS eligibility. Those who are eligible for WIS after July 6 will be able to apply for the concession cards after they receive their WIS payment.