Shortening Time Taken for Primary 1 Students to Receive Student Concession Card

Mr Desmond Choo asked the Minister for Education (a) what is the time taken from the start of the school year before a primary one student receives his or her student concession card; and (b) whether the Ministry can shorten the time taken, especially for lower-income students, to lighten the financial burden on their families.

All Primary 1 students receive their student concession card by 31 March of the year. The cards are printed and issued by Transit Link Pte Ltd after the photo-taking exercises that take place in January and February each year. Once received, the student concession card can be used by students for concessionary travel on public transport.

Prior to the receipt of their student concession cards, Primary 1 students can still enjoy free travel on public transport if they have a child concession card. This is valid till 30 April of the year the child turns seven years old. The child concession card is issued on-site at any TransitLink Ticket Office upon application. Students can access MOE’s financial assistance schemes, regardless of whether they have the student concession card.