Singapore school bus fares to rise up to 20% temporarily due to fuel costs

School bus operators in Singapore will be permitted to implement a temporary fuel surcharge of up to 20 percent on fares for July and August, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced Friday. The ministry noted that operators are currently discussing any fare adjustments with schools and informing parents during the June school holidays to allow for planning before the term begins. This measure follows previous government support for operators from April to June, implemented after fuel prices surged due to the conflict in the Middle East. The support was increased in May, and the MOE had indicated that operators could impose a time-bound surcharge from July if fuel prices remained elevated. Schools were also advised to reasonably consider fare increase requests for off-site activities. The MOE will continue to monitor fuel prices and review the surcharge cap as needed. Students eligible for MOE financial assistance will receive additional subsidies to cover any fare hikes, ensuring no increase in their out-of-pocket expenses. Those not qualifying for financial assistance can seek school-based support. Elevated fuel prices, a consequence of the recent conflict, continue to impact operating costs for transport services.

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Operators are discussing any fare adjustments with schools and communicating these to parents during the June school holidays, so that parents can plan their transport arrangements when the school term starts.