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| Once you're here: Once You're Here - Public Transport |
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The transport system in Singapore is efficient and reliable by most standards. The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system plies the main stretches across the island, while buses cover other routes. Premier buses and taxis provide a faster and more comfortable ride at a higher price. A Light Rail System (LRT) has been planned for the year 2002, and it will serve as a feeder to the MRT network when ready.
Some expats spend their entire time here without once taking a public bus! Unless you're one of the lucky ones, there are some things you should know about buses here. The services are sometimes slow and infrequent, and the drivers are often surly, but the humble bus is still one of the cheapest ways to get around Singapore. There are three companies providing public bus services--SBS (the red and white buses), Trans Island (the yellow and white ones) and Singapore Shuttle Bus (the smaller, orange coloured ones). If you intend to take buses frequently, the TransitLink Bus Guide available at MRT station counters lists all the various bus and MRT services and routes.
You pay the exact fare and collect a ticket upon boarding at the farecard readers. It’s generally a better deal to get a stored value farecard--you’re spared the hassle of getting the exact change, plus you can enjoy a 5-to-10-cent rebate, especially if you transfer from the MRT (see below) to buses. Farecards can be bought or topped up at automated machines found in most MRT stations and bus interchanges. There is also a "Bus Plus" scheme that provides premier scheduled minibus services during peak hours on weekdays. Fares tend to start from $1.00 upwards. These come in the shape of green mini buses and serve a few popular routes between the Central Business District and the housing estates. The MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) offers a fast and convenient way to zip around, with trains arriving and leaving every few minutes. The trains operate almost round-the-clock, from 5:45 am to 12:15 am. Currently, there are 48 stations spread around the island and 85 trains serving almost a million passengers daily.
Stored value farecards are more convenient if you're a frequent user. You can buy them at all ticket sales offices at MRT stations and you can also choose how much value you want in your card. It can be used on both the MRT and buses, and provide rebates for transfers from MRT to buses, or vice versa. Children, students and senior citizens enjoy concession fares as well. No smoking, eating or drinking is allowed in the trains. At one time, durians were banned too, to prevent discomfort to other passengers. Click here for your survival guide to taxis in Singapore! Taxis are easily available from taxi stands and hotels, and may be hailed on the roads if there is no stand nearby and no disruption to traffic. The four main taxi firms - CityCab, Comfort, Tibs and Yellow-Top, as well as other individual taxi operators--running a fleet of about 16,860.
Additional charges that apply:
Nonetheless, taxis here are still dirt cheap compared to the prices in most big cities. Besides basic taxi services, taxi companies also offer premier taxi services that promise to be bigger, more comfortable and more reliable. For instance, Tibs runs London cabs that give you more leg room. CityCab's Mercedes Benz E300 taxis come with a CD player, handphone, newspapers and distinctive livery. Back to Once You're Here |
Fares range from 55 cents to $1.20 for non-air-conditioned buses, and from 60 cents to $1.50 for air-conditioned buses. Feeder buses that ply short routes in the major housing estates have a flat fare of 35 or 40 cents. These will have a fare sign prominently displayed in front.
You can either buy a single trip farecard or a stored value one. Single trip farecards are available from the vending machines at the stations and are valid for use only on the MRT and only on the day of purchase. Tickets range from 70 cents to $1.60, just check the fare on the route map at the station.
The flagdown rate starts at $2.40 for the first 1 km (0.6 mile), and it's 10 cents for every 240 m thereafter (up to 10 km) and then 10 cents for every 225 m (after 10 km) thereafter.
