MRT, bus fares for adults to increase by up to 10 cents from Dec 27
Train and bus fares for adult passengers will increase by nine or 10 cents a journey, depending on the distance travelled, as overall public transport fares climb by 5 per cent. The 5 per cent rise in 2025 is gentler than the increases in 2024 (6 per cent) and 2023 (7 per cent).
Concessionary fares for seniors, students, people with disabilities, and low-wage workers will rise by three or four cents, the Public Transport Council said on Oct 14, following its annual fare review.
31,000 more students to benefit from MOE financial support, bringing total to 133,000
About 31,000 more students, adding to a total of 133,000 students, will be eligible for financial help to defray their school expenses from 2026, after the Ministry of Education (MOE) raised the income eligibility cap of its financial assistance schemes, MOE said on Oct 16.
The gross household monthly income ceiling for the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme for government, government-aided, and specialised schools will go up from S$3,000 to S$4,000. The per capita income ceiling will also be raised from S$750 to S$1,000.
Police NSF found with gunshot wound to his neck, believed to be self-inflicted
A 23-year-old full-time police national serviceman was found with a gunshot wound to his neck at 328 Pasir Panjang Road on Oct 15. He was found alone in a toilet by his teammates at about 9pm, the police said.
The officer, who was on duty, was taken to the hospital conscious. His service revolver and remaining ammunition were accounted for and seized at the scene. No other person was injured. Based on preliminary investigations, the wound is believed to have been self-inflicted, and police said they do not suspect foul play.
LTA warns against TikTok trend of hanging on to traffic lights and street signs
In a video posted on Facebook on Oct 14, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it is aware of a TikTok trend where participants film themselves hanging from traffic lights, street signs, and other road infrastructure, and has warned social media users against the pursuit of this trend.
The trend involves young people lip-syncing to the chorus of American rapper Kid Cudi’s 2008 track Maui Wowie while dangling from these signs. LTA said: “Fun’s fun, but our road infrastructure isn’t a playground. It helps facilitate travel and keeps everyone safe. Please don’t use them as props for social media. Let’s keep our roads safe.”
BTO projects in Tampines and Sembawang North to go on sale in February
A 250-unit development near Tampines MRT station and two more projects in the new Sembawang North neighbourhood are among six Build-To-Order (BTO) projects that will go on sale in February. In Bukit Merah and Toa Payoh, more than a thousand flats located near schools will go on sale in each housing estate.
On its website on Oct 15, the Housing Board published details of 4,600 flats in Bukit Merah, Sembawang, Tampines, and Toa Payoh that will be launched in February. About 3,000 balance flats will also be on offer.
62-year-old woman appeals jail sentence after admitting to slapping helper once
On Oct 16, Habibah Bebi, 62, was sentenced to three weeks’ jail for slapping her maid, despite the maid reporting they had a good relationship before the incident.
The incident occurred after the maid accused a temporary helper of theft and continued shouting, agitating Habibah, who then slapped her in the heat of the moment. Habibah’s lawyer is appealing the sentence, arguing it was a “one-off incident” and unlike past abuse cases, while the prosecution sought six weeks.
