Getting around in Singapore
Let us now take a look at the various transportation modes in Singapore in detail.
Bus Service in Singapore
There are two different bus operators in the city – while SMRT runs the yellow buses, the distinctive red and white buses are run by Singapore’s SBS Transit. Both operators have their own bus interchanges and route networks throughout the city to ensure that commuters are not inconvenienced in any way.
While the regular services run till midnight, there are special services that run throughout the night. Travelling by bus at night is a little more expensive, while you will have to pay more to use the air-conditioned services.
There are also feeder bus services in the city. Most of them run along a small route, such as through an entire housing estate, and terminate at one of the many bus interchanges scattered around Singapore. There are also other bus services, such as Bus Plus, which is a premium service that offers commuters much more in terms of shorter journey times, greater comfort and convenience. As the MRT does not yet have an extensive network, the only way to reach the farthest reaches of Singapore is by taxi or bus.
If you look closely, you will notice that Singaporeans have a typical love-hate relationship with the bus system, and it is not too difficult to decipher the reasons for this. To begin with, the waiting time at the bus stop is usually quite long. In theory, a bus should arrive every fifteen minutes, but depending on the traffic situation on the city’s roads, you may have to wait more than half an hour. As if that were not enough, during rush hours the services are overcrowded and it becomes impossible to travel at these times. The ugly behaviour of the citizens often comes to the fore during these hours, and it does not make for a pleasant travel experience for tourists.
Nevertheless, the bus service in Singapore remains one of the cheapest ways to get around the city, while also giving you a glimpse into the lives of a diverse cross-section of people living in the region.
LRT and MRT in Singapore
Work on Singapore’s first MRT lines, which were to run east-west and north-south, began in 1982 as a massive project costing up to five million Singapore dollars. Since then, the service has undergone massive expansion to serve a whole new generation of commuters. A new line was built to connect Jurong and Woodlands stations in the west and north of the city. A few years later, the Northeast Line was added to the network to connect the new housing estates along Sengkand and Punggol to downtown Singapore.
The Circle Line, which only opened in 2010, has reduced overall travel time by allowing commuters to bypass busy junctions such as Raffles Place and City Hall. This circular line is completely underground and serves as a link to all radial lines leading into the city. It also has interchanges with the North-East, East-West and North-South lines.
Although in theory the MRT is well over two decades old, regular facelifts and maintenance have helped to disguise its age. For citizens, it is almost impossible to imagine a time without the MRT service. As an indispensable mode of transport that takes you from one end of the city to the other, the MRT is the best way to reach the city’s central areas, such as the Central Business Districts and Orchard Road, where traffic is heavier than usual.
The Light Rail Transit system is a recent addition to the city’s public transport network. It operates mainly within the city limits of Singapore and is used by those who wish to travel to other parts of the city after transferring from the MRT. The housing estates of Punggol, Sengkang and Bukit Panjang are the only areas where this LRT service has been launched.
Travelling by train has the distinct advantage of not having to wait at intersections or even get stuck in traffic jams on the city streets. The LRT and MRT are also quite cheap compared to some of the other public transport options in Singapore. However, they also tend to be overcrowded during rush hours – an aspect that can be chalked up to one of the many problems of urban living.
Map of LRT and MRT showing different lines and stations. Click on the map to enlarge it or download the map in PDF format.
Trolley bus service in Singapore
A pleasant hop-on, hop-off service that travels around the city is the Singapore Trolley Bus Service. It operates along the Boat Quay, Tanjong Pagar and Orchard Road areas. For those who want to take a tour of Singapore’s shopping districts and explore the city’s entertainment and cultural hotspots, this service is a good option. If you are planning on shopping during the day and pub-hopping after dark, this is the best way to get around Singapore’s various destinations.
Taxi service in Singapore
Taxis in Singapore are available 24 hours a day and allow you to travel around the city at reasonable rates. With more than fifteen thousand of these public transport vehicles plying the streets, getting a taxi is not a problem – you can either hail one on the street or pick one up from designated taxi stands, which can be found at numerous locations throughout Singapore. You can book these services at any time of the day. Be aware of the surcharges that will be added to the fare, as they can often be higher than the normal fare for your journey.
If you prefer to drive around Singapore in your own vehicle, there are many car rental agencies in the city. However, you will be required to produce a valid international driving licence if you rent from an international car rental company. Local providers will ask you to produce a national driving licence in addition to the international licence. While driving on the outskirts of Singapore is not a problem, driving in the central districts during rush hours is a nightmare! So if you want to avoid the mad rush of traffic, make the most of Singapore’s extensive and well-organised public transport network.