SINGAPORE – More than 12,000 lower-income households under the ComCare Short- to -Medium - Term (SMTA) and Long-Term Assistance schemes will automatically receive a $60 public transport voucher (PTV) by the end of July.This is part of the Government’s efforts to ease transport costs for lower-income households, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow in a Facebook post on July 11.Beneficiaries under the scheme can expect to automatically receive the voucher by July 31 via post or SMS, if they opted in.

Residents who previously applied for the voucher but have not received it or need more assistance can appeal online or at their local community centre by Oct 31.

Each eligible household will receive one PTV, and these vouchers can be used to top up fare cards or buy monthly passes. The vouchers are valid until March 31, 2026.

More than 320,000 vouchers have been given out under this exercise, Mr Siow added.

Under the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), ComCare provides financial assistance and social support to individuals and families who need help with daily living expenses.

Individuals and families are eligible for the SMTA if they are unable to work for a period of time, are looking for a job or are earning a low-income and require assistance to meet basic living needs.

Eligible applicants for Long-Term Assistance are those who are permanently unable to work due to old age, illness or disability, have limited or no means of income, and little or no family support.

Applicants can check their eligibility at

http://go.gov.sg/ptv2024

.

In January, the Transport Ministry and the People’s Association said eligible households that did not receive PTVs in 2024 can apply for the $60 PTVs online or at their local community clubs from Jan 14 to Oct 31 to help defray the public transport fare increase.

These are households with a monthly income per person of up to $1,800.

From Dec 28, 2024, adult passengers began paying 10 cents more for each train and bus ride, as part of a 

6 per cent public transport fare hike

, while seniors, students, people with disabilities and low-wage workers enjoying concessionary fares started paying four cents more for each journey.

“Our commitment is that public transport will always be affordable for all Singaporeans,” Mr Siow added.