Issue #52: What’s Happening This Week? SingPost Price Hike, KL–JB Train Discount, Apple Fitness+ Launch, and More

Issue #52: What’s Happening This Week? SingPost Price Hike, KL–JB Train Discount, Apple Fitness+ Launch, and More

This week, there’s plenty to watch on the money and lifestyle front. Expect a small but notable tweak to a daily essential, plus a travel deal that’s set to make cross-border journeys much more wallet-friendly. For those looking to level up their home workouts, a new tech-driven fitness platform is rolling into town. And, as digital scams take on new forms, there’s a fresh warning every investor should hear. Here are 4 stories you won’t want to miss.

TLDR;

  • SingPost will raise regular domestic mail rates by 10 cents from 1 Jan 2026, citing rising costs and falling mail volumes.
  • KTMB is celebrating the launch of its new electric train service between KL and JB with a 30% fare discount until 11 Jan 2026.
  • Apple Fitness+ arrives in Singapore on 15 Dec 2025, offering home workouts for $9.98 a month as part of its largest global rollout.
  • Police warn that scams involving fake investment apps have caused at least $1.7 million in losses since October, urging the public to stay vigilant.

Psst, missed last week’s issue? View all past editions of What’s Happening This Week? to catch up.

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SingPost to increase local mail rates in 2026

Sending letters in Singapore is set to get a bit pricier from 1 Jan 2026, as SingPost will raise regular domestic mail rates by 10 cents. This move comes as the company faces a more than 40% drop in mail volumes since 2019, largely due to the rise of digital communication.

New postage rates from 2026:

Mail type

Current rate (until 31 Dec 2025)

New rate (from 1 Jan 2026)

Standard Regular Mail

$0.52

$0.62

Standard Large Mail

$0.80

$0.90

  • Bulk mail rates for businesses will also rise.
  • SingPost last adjusted rates in 2023.
  • The change aims to help SingPost manage rising costs and continue investing in service improvements, such as automation and new technology.

SingPost’s CEO described the increase as necessary for the company to keep up with its national postal responsibilities, while also modernising operations for the future. With over 2,500 service points and ongoing investment in logistics, SingPost is doubling down on its core business amid changing customer needs.


ALSO READ: Singaporean Households to Receive Additional $300 CDC Vouchers in Jan 2026: How to Claim, Where to Spend Them, Etc.


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KTMB: 30% discount celebrates new electric train from KL to JB

Good news for travellers between Malaysia and Singapore! Malaysia’s national railway operator, KTMB, is launching a brand new electric train service between Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru (JB Sentral) on 12 Dec 2025—and to celebrate, they’re offering a 30% fare discount.

Key details at a glance:

  • Discount period: 12 Dec 2025 to 11 Jan 2026
  • Route: KL Sentral ↔ JB Sentral (return trips included)
  • Promo code: JBBEST (5,000 codes available, while stocks last)
  • Normal fare: From RM82 (about $26) one way
  • Where to buy: KITS Style app, KTMB website, or KTMB kiosks

Why it matters:

  • Makes year-end travel and school holidays more affordable
  • Aims to boost tourism in Johor and make it easier for Singapore visitors to explore Malaysia by train
  • Supports local economic growth and smoother mobility for both locals and tourists

This is a timely boost for cross-border travel and a step up for rail connectivity in the region.


ALSO READ: How to Drive Into Johor Bahru From Singapore in 2025


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Apple Fitness+: Workout subscription launches in Singapore

Singaporeans will soon have a new way to get fit—right from their living rooms. From 15 Dec 2025, Apple Fitness+ is launching in Singapore, as part of the service’s biggest global rollout since it started 5 years ago.

What is Apple Fitness+?

  • Subscription price: $9.98/month or $79/year (shareable with up to five family members)
  • Access: iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV
  • Workout variety: 12 types, including yoga, pilates, kick-boxing, and meditation
  • Session lengths: 5 to 45 minutes
  • New music option: K-pop joins the mix alongside throwback hits, upbeat anthems, and Latin grooves

Singapore joins 49 countries and regions with access to the service, which is universally an easy option for anyone looking to exercise at home, with or without gym experience. With flexible plans and a growing catalogue, Fitness+ could make home workouts more accessible—and maybe even more enjoyable.


ALSO READ: Gyms Memberships in Singapore (2025)—Fitness First, True Fitness, GoFit


 

Police alert: Beware scams via fake investment apps

The police have issued a fresh warning after at least 20 people lost $1.7 million to scams involving fake investment apps since October. Victims are lured by social media ads for “high-return” investment products, then added to group chats filled with fake investors and convincing testimonials.

How these scams work:

  • Victims are contacted via WhatsApp and added to groups like “Interactive Elite Knowledge Academy” and “168 Wealth Pursuit”.
  • Scammers convince victims to download fraudulent apps (e.g. FPTUP, FPTEX, NOVIQ, SJ NEXUS) from official app stores.
  • “Investments” appear to make profits on the app, but these are fake.
  • Victims are told to transfer money (sometimes even cash or gold in person), but can’t withdraw anything.

Key warning signs:

  • Pressure to download unfamiliar apps from links or app stores
  • Requests to transfer funds to unknown bank accounts or via QR codes
  • Promises of guaranteed high returns
  • Unlicensed “investment entities” and fake deposit receipts

The police urge the public to check the MAS register before investing and never meet strangers to hand over cash. Scam losses in Singapore hit $1.1 billion in 2024—a timely reminder to stay cautious.

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That’s it for this week! Stay tuned for next week’s What’s Happening This Week to keep up with the latest in finance, business, and beyond. 

For more guides and the latest promotions, visit MoneySmart, Singapore’s best and trusted personal finance platform.

This article was first drafted with the help of AI and later reviewed and refined by the author.