Gov't steps in with temporary relief as fuel costs hit transport operators

The measure will apply to government-contracted or subsidised school, disability, and healthcare transport services.

The Ministry of Education Singapore (MOE), Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), and Ministry of Health Singapore (MOH) will provide temporary support to government-contracted or subsidised transport service providers from April to June of this year.

The ministries said in a press release that the measure aim to ensure continued access to transport services for students, seniors, patients, and persons with disabilities, as operators face higher fuel costs due to the Middle East conflict.

The support will be equivalent to 13% of transport fare revenues and is intended to offset increased operational costs for operators providing regular transport services to primary schools, special education (SPED) schools, disability services, and patients receiving long-term care and community dialysis services.

Operators are expected to keep fares stable during this period with the support.

For the school bus sector, MOE will extend support to operators serving primary and SPED schools during operational periods. Students under the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme will continue receiving subsidies covering 70% of monthly school bus fares, up from 65% since January 2026.

Students who need additional support or do not qualify may approach their schools for assistance.

SPED students eligible for MSF’s Enabling Transport Subsidy (ETS), administered by SG Enable, will continue to receive financial assistance for school transport. Those requiring additional help may also approach their schools.

MSF will provide support to social service agencies delivering MSF-funded disability services that use the ETS for transport arrangements, including Day Activity Centres and Sheltered Workshops.

These agencies will be required to pass on the grant to their contracted transport operators. SG Enable will provide operational details to affected agencies.

Eligible clients will continue receiving the ETS, which will be enhanced from July 2026 with higher subsidy rates and expanded coverage.

MOH will extend support to long-term care and community dialysis service providers offering regular transport services including Senior Care Centres, Medical Escort and Transport operators, Day Hospices, and community dialysis centres.

MOH said subsidies for long-term care services, including transport, will be enhanced from July 2026, as announced in Budget 2025. Further details will be provided to service providers by the end of April.