Public Transport System in Singapore

Singapore boasts of one of the best and most technologically advanced public transportation systems. It is often rated as efficient, comfortable, safe, reliable and affordable. Getting around a city has never been easier and Singapore is well connected thanks to its transport network of trains, buses and taxis.

The Ministry of Transport aims at building an integrated transport system to facilitate seamless travel - one that will also meet the people’s needs and support economic and environmental goals. As a result, the public transport system in Singapore witnesses continuous growth and is ever evolving from a holistic perspective - both in terms of infrastructure as well as customer service. Testimony to this fact is Mercer's City Infrastructure Ranking 2009, where Singapore was ranked highest amongst 49 cities world-wide and a Gallup report in 2008 which revealed that Singaporeans are more satisfied with their public transportation than are citizens in 20 of the world’s most populous cities.

This guide provides information on Singapore's bus, train and taxi networks, giving you an idea of how to get around the city and what to expect from each of the pillars of the city's public transport system.

Buses

Buses are often viewed as a cheaper alternative to taxis and provide greater reach when compared to trains. SBS Transit and SMRT are the two public bus operators in Singapore.

Types of bus services

Apart from the basic bus services, there are certain special services like:

• Feeder bus services - Provide loop services from bus terminals to housing estates. The services are regular and cheap with a flat fare.
• Express Services - These services have fewer stops and save on travel time.
• City Shopper - Connects certain residential neighbourhoods to the city's shopping districts viz. Orchard Road & Suntec City, for a flat fare.
• Premium service - "Seating-room only" bus service aimed at transporting office commuters from their homes to the Central Business District in comfort, during morning peak hours on weekdays, for a flat fare.
• Fast Forward Service - Express buses that operate during the peak hours in the morning and evening by having fewer stops, thereby saving on travel time.
• Night Service - Operates on Fridays, Saturdays & eve of Public Holidays, from 11: 30 pm to 4:30 am (SMRT's Night Rider Service) or 12 midnight to 2:00 am (SBS Nite Owl Service) from the city to certain residential neighbourhoods, for a flat fare.
• Stadium direct - These services will be available after selected concerts and events, plying from the Singapore Indoor Stadium to certain residential neighbourhoods, for a flat fare.
• SMRT Link - Free shuttle service from the city centre (Dhoby Ghaut) to Little India and Chinatown on weekends and public holidays.

Other special services include Chinatown Direct, Parks Service and Jurong Industrial Service.

Operating Hours and Frequency

• The bus service begins everyday from 06:00 hrs and the last service is at 00:00 hrs.
• The frequency of buses during peak periods is 5 - 8 minutes and off-peak periods is 15-18 minutes.

Fares

Fares are charged based on the distance travelled irrespective of the number of transfers you make. In other words, you pay the same fare for a transfer journey as a comparable direct journey, over the same distance.

You can make either cash payments or use an ez link card. If paying by cash, you are expected to have exact fare ready, as no change will be given. If you are unsure of your fare, you can either ask the bus driver or you can refer to the fare table at the fare-box inside the bus. You must retain your ticket during the journey for checks by inspectors. For cashless travel you can use the ez link card. If you are a tourist, you can also consider getting the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP). More information on the ez link card and STP can be found at the page bottom.

Features

• Keeping in mind the tropical climate of the sunny isle, almost all buses in Singapore are air-conditioned, with the few remaining non air-conditioned ones being gradually phased out.
• Some of the buses operated by SBS Transit have a mobile TV set installed to provide infotainment to commuters thereby enhancing the travel experience.
• The double-decker buses have a passenger seat counter system to indicate availability of seats on the upper deck.
• Certain buses are wheelchair accessible with wheelchair ramps to enable easy access for passengers in wheelchairs.

Bus Etiquette

• Smoking, eating, drinking, carrying pets and durians (tropical fruit with a strong odour) is not allowed on board.
• Buses will not perform boarding/alighting activities outside of bus stops.
• Commuters usually offer their seat to the elderly, the disabled, those travelling with young children or those more in need of a seat.
• Standing on the upper deck of double decker buses is not allowed.
• If you wish to board a bus you must flag it as you see it approaching the bus stop. If you wish to alight at a particular stop you must press the push button that signals your intention to alight, well ahead of the bus stop.

Bus guides and information

You can search for information regarding bus services, routes, timings and fares on the SMRT website or on the SBS Transit website. Alternatively you can access the public transport journey planner here.

Trains

Singapore is home to the modern and air-conditioned Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) passenger train service with stations all over the island. Complementing the MRT is the LRT or Light Rapid Transit which is a feeder service between the MRT and the surrounding areas in a large neighbourhood. Trains are operated by two service providers - SMRT and SBS Transit. Trains are the fastest and most cost-effective way of getting around Singapore and is especially convenient if you need to cover long distances from on end of the city to another. Due to the cost effective fast travel, you will find trains overcrowded during the peak hours and you can sometimes run the risk of not being able to board a train, for lack of any entry room.

MRT Lines

There are currently three main lines in operation:

• North-South line (red line) from Marina Bay to Jurong East
• East-West line (green line) from Changi Airport/Pasir Ris to Boon Lay
• North-East line (purple line) from Harbour Front to Punggol

A fourth Circle Line or orange line (an orbital line linking all radial lines running into the city) and an upcoming fifth Downtown line (connecting the northwestern and eastern regions of Singapore to the new downtown at Marina Bay in the south and the Central Business District) are in the process of construction and are set to open in phases, in 2009 and 2013 respectively.

LRT Lines

There are currently three LRT lines in operation in three large neighbourhoods of Singapore:

• Bukit Panjang LRT (towards the North) that links Bukit Panjang Town to the Choa Chu Kang MRT Station.
• Sengkang LRT (North East) that connects residents of Sengkang estate to the Sengkang MRT Station.
• Pungoll LRT (North East) that connects residents of Punggol estate to the Punggol MRT Station.

Operating Hours and Frequency

The trains operate from as early as 05:30 hrs and the last train service is at 00:30 hrs. The frequency of train arrivals range from 3 minutes - 8 minutes, depending on whether it is peak hours or off-peak periods. Every MRT station will display the precise train arrival timings.

Fares

Train fares are less expensive when compared to bus fares.

MRT fares range from SGD 1.00 - SGD 2.00 for a single-trip standard ticket and from SGD 0.68 - SGD 1.82 for an Adult ez-link card. Senior Citizen concession ez-link card fares range from SGD 0.68 - SGD 0.73 per ride, while Child/Student ez-link card fares range from SGD 0.39 - SGD 0.49 per ride.

You can pay for your journey either by using an ez link card or a Standard Ticket (ST). If you are a tourist you can also consider getting the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP). More information on the ez link card, ST and STP can be found at the page bottom.

Features

• Lift access to platforms.
• Tactile flooring for the visually impaired.
• Wide fare-gates for easier access for passengers with special needs i.e. push chairs, prams and wheel chairs.
• Passenger Information System that provides expected train arrival times on display screens and boards that display the train route.
• Communications systems on board the trains for passengers to talk to the MRT officers in case of emergencies on board the train.
• Closed-Circuit TV cameras located throughout every station and in the carriages of certain trains, allowing staff to monitor what is happening in the stations and inside the trains and respond to situations.
• Eating, drinking and smoking are not allowed in the trains or on the platforms. Heavy fines apply for offenders.

Train guides and Information

For information on MRT/LRT fares and first and last train times or public transport journey planner, click here.

Taxis

Taxis are evidently the most comfortable mode of public transport as they offer high end door to door service in the air-conditioned comfort of spacious cars. You can get a taxi by:

• Flagging one along a road (except roads in the Central Business District with public buses plying)
• Queuing for one at a taxi stop or stand
• Through telephone booking (6-3425-222 or type the alphabetical prompter 6-DIAL-CAB, and you will be channelled to all the taxi firms’ call centres, one at a time)

Fares

Taxi travel can work out to be quite an expensive option, depending on when you are travelling and which location you are travelling from. Apart from the basic fare (starts at SGD 2:80 - SGD 3.20 and SGD 0.20 for every 385 meters thereafter) you will have to pay other surcharges (if applicable) such as Midnight / Late night, Peak Period, Public Holiday, Central Business District (CBD), Electronic Road Pricing and other location related surcharges. If you have booked a taxi (advance booking or dial-a-cab) booking fees apply. For exact fares, click here.

Features

• Almost all taxi drivers greet you when you board and will ask for your preferred route, instead of taking the liberty of deciding for themselves. Taxi drivers also have a good knowledge of routes and places in Singapore.
• All taxis are clean and well air-conditioned and can seat up-to four passengers.
• Taxi meters are always switched on at the start of the journey and correct fares are charged. Taxi drivers will always tender correct change even for as small an amount as SGD 0.05.
• Most taxi drivers can speak basic English, so tourists are not handicapped.
• Taxi stands are generally located along roads where the demand for taxis is high; most major commercial, retail and office buildings and near the entrances of most MRT stations.

Taxi Etiquette

• There are specific rules for flagging a taxi in the CBD - Taxis are not allowed to pick up or alight passengers along roads in the CBD where buses plybetween 7am to 10pm from Monday to Saturday, other than a public holiday.
• You must remember to book a taxi in advance during certain periods when you will find it virtually impossible to find a taxi, (even in dial-a-cab cases) viz. heavy rain days, Friday evenings, high demand locations (Little India, Clarke Quay etc.) and festive seasons.
• You can check a taxi's availability status by reading the display sign atop the taxi or a board pinned on the windscreen or dashboard. When a taxi is available for hire the word "taxi" in green will be visible. Non availability will be indicated by display signs in red like "Hired", " On Call" or "Busy".
• Taxi drivers change their shift at 4:30 pm and will display the location they are heading to. If you happen to be travelling to the same location or any other location en route you can flag the taxi.
• You must wear your seat-belt at all times or risk paying a fine if you are caught without a seat-belt strapped on.
• You can ask for a printed receipt if you need to make a transport claim.

Types of services

Certain taxi companies provide special services for a premium price. Some of the services include:

• Limousine service - with specially-trained chauffeurs
• Wheelchair service - taxis are equipped with a foldable platform that facilitates access and spacious interiors allows the passenger to be comfortably seated in his wheelchair throughout the journey
• Cabby tours - you will be shown around Singapore by licensed tour guide drivers

Taxi information

For more information on taxi services and fares, taxi companies and other related information, you can visit the various websites of the following taxi companies: Comfort Taxi Company, SMRT Taxis, Transcab Services, Premier Taxi.

EZ link card/Standard Ticket/Singapore Tourist Pass (STP)

ez link card

The ez link card is a stored value smart card which can be used on board buses and trains. It can be bought from any TransitLink Ticket Office located at the bus interchanges or MRT stations for SGD 15 (consisting of non-refundable SGD 5 Card Cost and a travel value of SGD 10). You can top the value of your card at General Ticketing machines or Add Value Machines located at the bus interchanges or MRT stations. The fare will be deducted automatically when you tap the card on the electronic entry and exit readers on board buses and at train stations. For more information, click here.

Note: To encourage the use of ez link cards, ez link fares are lower than cash fares.

Standard Ticket

The Standard Ticket (ST) is a smart card for single trip travel on the MRT and LRT only. The ST is valid for use on the day of purchase only. It can be purchased at the General Ticketing Machine (GTM) located at all MRT and LRT stations. The price includes a refundable deposit of SGD 1 which can be claimed from the GTM by returning the ticket within 30 days after the date of purchase.

Singapore Tourist Pass (STP)

If you are a tourist, you can consider buying yourself the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) - a 1, 2 or 3 All-Day travel pass that offers you unlimited travel on Singapore's trains and basic bus services. The 1/2/3 All Day STP costs SGD 8, SGD 16 or SGD 24 respectively and the smart card (to encode the pass) can be rented for SGD 10. The rental deposit is refundable, so long as the card is returned within 5 days of issuance. For more information on where to buy the STP and other related information, click here.