Why is Singapore public transport so cheap?

Why is Singapore’s public transport so cheap? Seriously, I’m still baffled sometimes! I mean, it’s not like they’re running rusty old buses, right? They’re clean, air-conditioned – even the MRT is usually pretty smooth, except for that one time the train stalled between stations and everyone started chatting about their day like we were all suddenly best friends trapped in a metal tube. Anyway, the price though! It’s crazy affordable. I remember visiting my cousin in London a few years ago, and just a single Tube journey cost more than my entire day’s travel here. Brutal!

It makes a huge difference, you know? Being able to hop on a bus or train without worrying about emptying my wallet… it’s a massive weight off my mind. I can actually afford to go out and explore the island, see friends, get to work without stressing about fares. It’s amazing.

Of course, it’s not always perfect. Those off-peak hours are seriously ghostly. Like, sometimes I’m the only one on the bus, which feels a bit weird. And I do wonder, sometimes, how they manage to keep it so cheap. Is it sustainable? I really hope so! I mean, they’re investing billions in expanding the MRT network, right? That’s gotta cost something! Maybe they subsidize it heavily? I’ve read somewhere the government actually does subsidize a large portion, which makes sense, considering how crucial it is for the city’s functioning, and how important accessibility is for everyone. It’s a smart move, even if I do sometimes feel a pang of guilt enjoying such low fares. But hey, I’m grateful. Really grateful. It’s one of the things I genuinely love about living here.