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School bus fee calculator: what the ride to primary school costs
Choose how far you live from school and whether you need one way or both. You'll see what six MOE primary schools publish for that distance in 2026, and what it adds up to over the year.
Figures checked 3 Oct 2026 against official government sources · Fussy Mama
Typical monthly fare per child
School bus fees at six primary schools in 2026
These are the monthly "not to exceed" prices each school lists for its appointed operator. The operator can charge less, but not more. The first figure in each cell is one way and the second is both ways.
| School (fare period) | Bus size | Up to 2 km | Over 2 to 4 km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Geylang Methodist School (Primary), 2025 to 2026 | 15 seats or fewer | $165 / $190 | $215 / $240 |
| Bigger | $155 / $180 | $195 / $220 | |
| St Hilda's Primary, 2025 to 2026 | 15 seats or fewer | $190 / $190 | $230 / $230 |
| Bigger | $170 / $170 | $220 / $220 | |
| Xishan Primary, valid to 31 Dec 2027 | 15 seats or fewer | $180 / $220 | $200 / $240 |
| Bigger | $150 / $180 | $180 / $210 | |
| Lianhua Primary, 2025 to 2026 | 15 seats or fewer | $94 / $111 | $141 / $165 |
| Bigger | $94 / $111 | $118 / $135 | |
| St Gabriel's Primary, 2026 | Not split | $160 / $175 | $200 / $220 |
| Compassvale Primary, current | Not split | $140 / $160 | $160 / $180 |
Monthly fares as published on each school's website, read on 3 Oct 2026. St Gabriel's labels its column "price with GST" while its note says the price excludes GST, so ask the operator which applies.
Across these six, a both-ways ride for a child living within 2 km runs from $111 to $220 a month. For 2 to 4 km it's $135 to $240.
If you live more than 4 km away
Only St Gabriel's Primary publishes fares for longer distances, so that's the single data point we have. Xishan Primary states that its operator isn't obliged to serve homes more than 4 km from the school. St Gabriel's says anything beyond 6 km is by agreement with the operator and depends on whether a bus is available.
| Distance | One way | Both ways |
|---|---|---|
| Over 4 to 6 km | $250 | $265 |
| Over 6 to 8 km | $360 | $360 |
| Over 8 to 10 km | $390 | $390 |
| Over 10 to 12 km | $420 | $420 |
| Over 12 to 14 km | $460 | $460 |
| Over 14 to 16 km | $510 | $510 |
| Over 16 to 18 km | $530 | $530 |
St Gabriel's Primary School, fares for 1 January to 31 December 2026.
After-school and CCA buses
A late bus home after CCA or supplementary lessons is charged per trip and billed monthly. At the five schools that list it, the charge is $5 to $9.50 a trip for homes within 4 km.
Why fares differ so much between schools
MOE's explanation is that operators price each school on the route distance, the size of the buses and how many children live along the route. A school with many children in one estate gets a cheaper fare than one with children scattered across several.
Small buses cost more per child, and MOE says that's because they carry far fewer children and come with seat belts, one seat per child, pick-up points closer to home and a shorter ride.
Contracts usually run 2 years or more, so your fare tends to hold steady for the contract and then move when a new one starts. For contracts that began in 2025, MOE told Parliament the average rise from 2024 was 7% for trips up to 2 km and 1% for 2 to 4 km.
Could fares rise soon?
Possibly. In April 2026 MOE gave primary school bus operators temporary support worth 13% of fare revenue for April to June 2026, because of higher fuel prices. MOE said operators should hold fares steady during that period, and that fares may have to rise afterwards if fuel prices stay high.
The National Day Rally on 23 Aug 2026 had no school bus measure. It did say the Ministry of Transport will give large families extra help with transport costs. No amount or start date has been announced.
Help with the fare: MOE Financial Assistance Scheme
If your child is a Singapore citizen in a government or government-aided primary school, and your gross household income is $4,000 a month or less (or $1,000 per person or less), you can apply for the MOE FAS. Since January 2026 it covers 70% of the monthly school bus fare for primary school pupils, up from 65%.
Children on FAS who take public transport get $21 a month instead. If you earn a little too much for FAS and the fare is still a stretch, MOE says to approach the school, which can give its own assistance.
Worked example
One child, 1.5 km from school, bus both ways. The six schools charge between $111 and $220 for this, and the middle of the sample is about $178 a month. Over 10 billed months that's $1,775 for the year.
On the MOE FAS, the 70% subsidy takes $124 off each month. You'd pay about $53 a month, or $533 for the year.
Two children on the same bus at your school's fare of $200 each would be $400 a month and $4,000 a year.
Questions parents ask
How much are school bus fees in Singapore?
It depends on the school. In fare tables published by six MOE primary schools for 2026, a both-ways ride within 2 km costs $111 to $220 a month, and 2 to 4 km costs $135 to $240. Beyond 4 km the one school that publishes fares charges $265 to $530.
Does MOE set school bus fares?
No. MOE says schools appoint operators through an open and competitive bidding process, and fares come out of that. Each school then publishes a not-to-exceed price for each distance band.
How do I find my school's bus fare?
Look on the school's own website, usually under a School Bus or Vendors page. It lists the operator, the fare for each distance band and how to register. MOE's school bus services page points parents there too.
Is one way cheaper than both ways?
Usually by $15 to $40 a month in the schools we checked. At St Hilda's Primary and for the longer distances at St Gabriel's Primary, one way and both ways cost the same.
Why is a small bus more expensive?
It carries fewer children, so each one pays a bigger share. MOE also points to seat belts, one-to-one seating, pick-up points nearer home and a shorter journey.
Is there a subsidy for school bus fees?
Yes, for families on the MOE Financial Assistance Scheme. It pays 70% of the monthly school bus fare for primary school pupils. You qualify with gross household income of $4,000 or less, or $1,000 per person or less.
Will the operator take my child if we live far away?
Not always. Xishan Primary says its operator isn't obliged to serve homes more than 4 km away. St Gabriel's Primary says trips beyond 6 km are by agreement and depend on bus availability. Ask before you count on it.
Do secondary schools have school buses?
The fare tables here are from primary schools, and MOE's bus support and FAS bus subsidy are for primary level. For secondary students, FAS gives a $21 monthly public transport subsidy instead.
Sources (Figures checked 3 Oct 2026)
- MOE - School bus services
- MOE - Parliamentary reply on school bus fares for primary school children (26 Sep 2025)
- MOE - Temporary support for transport service providers (9 Apr 2026)
- MOE - Financial assistance schemes to benefit an additional 31,000 students (16 Oct 2025)
- St Gabriel's Primary School - School bus fares 2026
- Geylang Methodist School (Primary) - School bus rates
- St Hilda's Primary School - School bus
- Xishan Primary School - School bus
- Lianhua Primary School - School bus
- Compassvale Primary School - School bus
- Made For Families - NDR 2026: supporting families
