Transportation

Sunday, May 28th 2023

Overview

Singapore's integrated transportation network is designed to provide seamless connectivity throughout the city-state.

At Changi Airport, an acclaimed international hub, you'll experience top-notch facilities and effortless transitions into the city. Once in Singapore, the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system takes center stage, offering efficient, air-conditioned train services that span the entire country, connecting neighborhoods, business districts, and popular attractions. The Light Rapid Transit (LRT) complements the MRT, providing convenient feeder services form public housing estates to the MRT.

Singapore's extensive bus network ensures comprehensive coverage across the island, with various routes, including express and night buses, making exploration easy and affordable. Taxis, available around the clock, offer a comfortable point-to-point travel option, while ride-hailing services like Grab provide additional convenience and flexibility, allowing you to book private-hire cars with ease.

With this well-integrated transportation system, Singapore aims to meet the diverse needs of residents and visitors, ensuring efficient, reliable, and convenient travel experiences. Whether you prefer the speed of the MRT, the flexibility of buses, the comfort of taxis, or the convenience of ride-hailing services, Singapore's transportation network is designed to enhance your journey throughout the city-state.

Public Transport

Singapore's MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) system encompasses a comprehensive network of trains and buses, serving as a vital transportation mode for Singaporeans, expats, and travellers alike.

Spanning across the entire country, the MRT connects seamlessly from Changi Airport, offering convenient access to various destinations through its extensive network of train lines, bus routes, and light rail extensions.

Renowned for its affordability, cleanliness, and safety, the MRT stands as a reliable and cost-effective transportation option, ensuring a pleasant and secure journey for commuters and visitors alike.

Train Announcements

Train announcements in Singapore are primarily in English, ensuring clarity for passengers. Additionally, depending on the train line, announcements are also made in Mandarin, Malay, and Tamil, catering to the linguistic diversity of the country.

To further enhance the commuting experience, many trains are equipped with an Active Route Map Information System. This system displays real-time information indicating the current station and which side of the train cabin will open upon arrival, facilitating seamless transitions and ensuring passengers are well-informed throughout their journey.

— SMRT Active Route Map Information System (STARiS)

Fares

MRT fares are incredibly affordable, typically amounting to just a few dollars per trip. To help you plan your budget accordingly, the MRT website provides a convenient cost calculator. By utilising this tool, you can accurately estimate your transportation expenses and ensure a seamless travel experience without straining your finances.

Ticketing

The most convenient option for payment on Singapore's transportation network is to use a contactless Visa or Mastercard debit or credit card. Regular use of these cards does not require registration. However, if you are travelling for business purposes or desire additional features, you have the option to register your card using the TransitLink SimplyGo app or website.

By registering your card, you gain access to benefits such as viewing travel and payment history, as well as the ability to download PDF statements. This provides a convenient way to track your expenses and manage your transportation usage while enjoying the ease and efficiency of contactless card payments.

Singapore Tourist Pass (STP): If you're planning short trips, the Singapore Tourist Pass (STP) provides unlimited travel for one, two, or three days, making it an excellent choice for tourists.

EZ-Link smartcard: For longer trips or if you prefer not to use a Visa or Mastercard, you can purchase an EZ-Link smartcard. These smartcards cost $10 and can be purchased at ticket offices, 7/11 stores, and participating convenience stores.

Concession Cards for Children: Concession cards are available for children. Additionally, children below 0.9m tall who are accompanied by a fare-paying commuter can automatically travel for free[1].

Note: Please refer to official guidelines for the most up-to-date information on concession cards and child travel policies.

Map

Etiquette

Consumption of food and beverages is strictly prohibited within MRT stations and on trains.
Smoking, including the use of E-cigarettes (vaping), is strictly prohibited.
Due to their strong odour, Durians, a type of fruit, are not allowed on the public transport network.
It is culturally discouraged to play loud music or engage in loud phone conversations while on public transport. However, making calls before boarding the train is generally acceptable, as long as the call is ended before or immediately after entering the train.
When boarding a train, stand to the sides of the platform screen doors (PSDs), allowing passengers to exit first before entering. Look for the line markings placed at each door as a guide.
Refrain from leaning on, or attempting to hold the train or platform screen doors open when they are closing. Doing so may result in delays to the train service and could potentially trigger a fail-safe lockout, leading to disruptions on the network. Reports exist of people who deliberately obstructed the doors being reported to the police[1,2].
Graffiti and vandalism is known to result in severe consequences. Additional information can be found in the Unlawful Behaviour section.

Useful Information

Please note that the Circle Line route from HarbourFront to Marina Bay is currently under construction and is not yet a completed route. It is anticipated to be fully operational by 2026[1].

It is not recommend to travel in an anti-clockwise direction from HarbourFront to Marina Bay due to the considerable distance and the time required for the journey.

To reach your destination before the route is fully completed, you can take the North East Line (NE/Purple) and travel 1 stop to Outram Park.

From there, you can transfer to the Thomson East Coast Line (TE/Brown) to continue your journey towards Marina Bay or Gardens by the Bay. Keep in mind that if you plan to visit Marina Bay Sands, you will need to transfer trains and travel to (CE1/Yellow) station.

Ride-sharing services in Singapore are readily accessible, with Grab being the primary platform for booking rides. To conveniently hail a ride, it is necessary to utilise the Grab app. In the event you have Uber installed on your phone, you will be prompted to switch to Grab.

Notably, Grab's services extend beyond Singapore's borders, encompassing Malaysia as well. This seamless cross-border integration enables smooth travel between the two countries, offering consistent reliability and convenience when using the Grab app.

Please be aware that while Grab is the prominent ride-hailing app, there are alternative options available in Singapore that may offer competitive advantages or better value for certain individuals or situations. It's worth exploring these alternatives to find the most suitable ride-hailing service for your specific needs.