Public Transport:
MRT, Buses, Taxis, River Taxis, Free Shuttles in Singapore
Rating: safe, reliable and convenient and most places are within an hour's bus or MRT ride from the center - Orchard Road if you avoid peak morning and evening hours on weekdays. Travel times are shorter by car or taxi so buying a car is not a must!
Singapore has a well established integrated Public Transport System (Transit Link) integrating fare, information and networks of the Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains and the busses SBS and Tibs. Get the Transit Link Guide - a guide for Public Transport Services and take your time to study it thoroughly. This is time spent wisely if you are depending on public transport.
Buy a Transitlink Farecard at selected MRT stations to ride MRT and busses. You can pay by NETS or Cash card. Check if you qualify for concession cards available for children, students and seniors. Hold on to your ticket as ticket inspectors patrol to check.
A recent comparative study amongst 50 cities conducted in 2008 by Singapore's National Institute of Education reveals that Singapore ranks poorly. Hence it was concluded that Singapore public transport system is below average and not world-class. The devastating findings resulted in a package of bus services designed by the Land Transport Authority to be put up for tender in early 2010 and more bus operators will bid for the right to operate them. This will probably exert pressure on existing bus operators and improve standards of SBS Transit, which operates the North East Line and the Sengkang/Punggol Light Rapid Transit Lines and SMRT Buses Ltd.
But this did not stop expatriates to vote Singapore as the best place to live in the world in a survey of more than 2,000 expatriates by HSBC Bank. The Republic also ranked first for quality of accommodation and second for luxury living. It also tops in the latest World Bank Doing Business 2009 Report. Expatriates rate the Singapore Public Transport System second after Hong Kong but top on comfort, safety, cleanliness, reliability and network.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
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The guide on public transport in Singapore explains fares, use of transport systems and services and has very detailed tables of the different bus and train service tables and should be a steady companion.
You may search for a bus/train by number, station, and street and even by places of interest and government buildings online. This electronic guide comes up with all bus and MRT numbers that lead to your chosen destination.
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ez-link Card for Public Transport
With the new ez-link Card available at any TransitLink Ticket Office (TO) commuters can travel on all trains and busses in Singapore. The fare will be deducted automatically once the user passes through MRT gates or taps the card on the electronic readers of the bus. This fabulous system uses radio-wave technology and works con tactless.
How to use the ez-link card
If you forget to tap the card on alighting from the bus you will be charged the full fare for the remaining journey. Refunds can be claimed within 3 working days at any TO or call Tel: 1800 767 4333 to file a claim.
In case you have lost your card or need to replace a faulty concession card (students, senior citizens) on the spot visit the TransitLink Customer Service Centre at Buona Vista MRT station or the Card Replacement Offices at Yishun and Choa Chua Kang bus interchanges. The centers are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
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Maps Online
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| Tanglin - Holland View Larger Map |
Orchard - River Valley View Larger Map |
Farrer Park - Serangoon View Larger Map |
Bedok - Upper East Coast View Larger Map |
East Coast - Marina Parade View Larger Map |
Buona Vista West Coast View Larger Map |
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| Newton - Novena View Larger Map |
Balestier - Toa Payoh View Larger Map |
Alexandra - Commonwealth View Larger Map |
Clementi - Upper Bukit Timah View Larger Map |
Harbourfront - Telok Blangah View Larger Map |
Marina Bay View Larger Map |
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Information on Public Transport
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CityBuzz (SBS Transit)
Three services cover Orchard Road, Chinatown and Little India and run from 10 am to 10 pm daily at 15 minutes interval. A ride cost SGD 1.00 and the CityBuzz Pass for SGD 5.00 gives unlimited rides and discounts at restaurants, museums, cafes, pubs and shops.
Chinatown Direct (SBS Transit)
Three services operate every 30 minutes between Chinatown and Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Clementi from 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and until 10 pm on weekends. Senior citizens and children pay SGD 1.00, adults SGD 1.80.
Parks (SBS Transit)
Two services every 30 minutes from Harbour Front Interchange to Labrador Park and Mount Faber. The fare is SGD 1.00 for adults.
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Fast Forward LInks (SBS Transit)
These busses operate with fewer buss stops during the peak hours in the morning and evening which cuts travel time about 10 - 15 minutes.
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Night Owl and /Night RiderBus Service
SBS runs 6 Night Owl Busses at cost between 2.50 and 3.00 SGD every 20 minutes from midnight to 4 am. Some busses only operate during the festive season. See web site above for more information.
The 8 'Night Rider Busses' from TIBS cost S$ 3 and operate on Friday and Saturday nights and on the eve of public holidays between 11.30pm and 4.30 am. They serve Holland Village, East Coast Road and and other areas and connect to Boat Quay, Mohammed Sultan Road, Orchard Road and other popular night spots.
See web site and TIBS' map.
Free Shuttle Services
Some shopping malls and hotels are offering free shuttle services. See
timetable below
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River Taxis
River taxis are operated by Singapore River Cruises & Leisure and Singapore Explorer on the Singapore River. There are 16 stops along the waterway between the Esplanade Drive and Jiak Kim Street. The journey costs between S$ 2 and S$ 8. Some boats are air-conditioned. The longest journey will take about 15 minutes. Hopping across the river from Raffles Landing Site to Boat Quay takes two minutes and this is much faster than a taking a taxi.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
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