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The
efficient and clean public transportation in Singapore makes getting
around the Republic a breeze. Singapore's transportation network
offers access to every corner of the island, either by bus, MRT
(Singapore's underground rail network), taxis, rented cars and
motorbikes or even by foot.
Public buses operate from 6 in the morning to midnight everyday
and fares are a little cheaper than the MRT, and far more comprehensive.
There are also several bus routes especially useful to sightseers.
Singapore has two main bus companies plying its roads - the Trans-Island
Bus Services and the Singapore Bus Service.
Most fares depend on distance travelled and range from 50c to
S$1.10 for non-air conditioned buses, and 60c to S$1.40 for air-conditioned
comfort. There are buses charging a flat rate to the destinations
displayed on the destination plates in front of the bus.
The MRT - which stands for Mass Rapid Transit system - is easily
the world's cleanest and smoothest running. Like, the public buses,
it runs daily from 6 in the morning till midnight, with reasonable
fares. These two modes of reliable and comfortable transportation
make little sense out of renting a car to move around Singapore.
All MRT trains come with "No Smoking" rules. The same
goes for eating and drinking. There are also signs at the ticket
counters prohibiting what appear to be hedgehogs from the MRT.
These signs are actually referring to durians. Not an unreasonable
request for those who have yet to acquire a taste for the famous
pungent fruit of Asia.
A useful tip for travellers is to avoid rush hour traffic between
8 to 9 in the morning, and 5 to 7 in the evening. Singapore at
anytime outside these hours still remains a pleasure to roam about
in. Transitlink Guides are available at MRT stations, bus interchanges,
and major bookstores. These handy guides outline every MRT and
bus route in detail, so you won't get lost with one of these in
hand at only S$1.40.
Singapore has more than 15,000 air-conditioned taxis, available
even on the road anytime during the day and even night, at surprisingly
affordable prices. All taxis run on the meter, but there are surcharges
applicable when using the expressways and also if travelling within
the Central Business District between 7.30 to 9.30 in the morning
and 5.30 to 7 in the evening, weekdays.
Taxis for hire are also available from the airport, with a levy
surcharge of S$3. Take note that if a taxi displays a red sign
on its dashboard, the driver is changing shift and will only pick
up customers going in his direction. TIBS Taxis also offers ten
cabs, which are wheelchair-accessible, to tourists and locals
who need them.
If renting a car, be aware that Singaporeans drive on the left
side of the road; and the maximum speed limit is 50km per hour
in residential areas, and 80km per hour on the expressways. Also
take note of surcharges on entering the Central Business District
and on expressways, especially during peak hours.
Trishaws, or three-wheeled bicycles with a carriage, used to
be Singapore's practical transportation in olden times, but are
now quite a rare treat. You can opt to try these out if when exploring
Chinatown and Little India. Most trishaws can really be found
waiting for visitors along Waterloo Street. A routine 45-minute
sightseeing ride would normally cost about S$25-45.
Other great ways of getting around Singapore include organized
tours and cruises. Just ask at your hotel or the tourist information
offices, and you'll find out that Singapore offers river, island
and also harbour cruises on fleets of cruise boats plying Singapore's
southern waters every day and night.
The Singapore River cruise, which casts off from North Boat Quay
and Clarke Quay at every hour from 9 in the morning to 7 in the
evenings, is one of the best at only S$7 a cruise. Traditional
bumboats bring you past the old godowns upriver in which, traders
of long ago stored their merchandise. Other cruise companies also
cast out of Clifford Pier and the World Trade Centre. These cruises
offer a host of opportunities ranging from luxury catamaran trips
around islands at the southern end of Singapore, to dinner on
a tongkang, or traditional Chinese sailing boat. Normally, a simple
cruise will cost about S$20, and a dinner special will cost anything
from S$35-80.
To and from the airport
The Changi Airport is Singapore's major airport and is located
at the eastern tip of the island. Travel from the airport to the
city centre, and vice versa,can be undertaken by the Airbus, the
public bus, or taxi. An MRT station right next to the airport
is currently under construction.
The Airbus runs every 20 minutes or so from 6 am to midnight.
Choose from three main routes which service all the main hotels
in the Central Business District, the colonial district and Orchard
Road and its environs. The cost is SGD5 a trip for adults, and
SGD3 for children.
You can also take the public bus no. 16 or 16E, that runs
every 10 minutes or so and takes about half an hour to get to
the city centre. The cost is SGD1.50 per ride.
Taxis from the airport are the quickest, if most expensive, way
of getting to the city. Just follow the arrows from the the Departure
Hall, get into queue, and you'll be hopping into a cab in no time.
Taking a taxi from the airport incurs a $3 surcharge, but there
is no surcharge when you travel from the city to the airport.
A trip from Changi to the city centre (not including the surcharge)
should cost about SGD13.
Mass Rapid Transit MRT
The MRT is a cheap, fast and convenient way for you to get
around Singapore. The trains are frequent, arriving about every
5 minutes, as well as extremely clean and safe. However, Singapore's
urban train system is not as extensive as that of New York, London
or Paris, so for door-to-door public transportation, public buses
are sometimes the best option.
The MRT connects various points in the city area - such as Raffles
Place, Orchard Road, City Hall and Somerset - with the suburban
town centres all across Singapore. They run from 6am to midnight.
The cost for your MRT trip will range from 60 cents to SGD1.50,
depending on how far you want to travel. You can buy tickets for
each individual journey; or, if you intend to travel a lot by
MRT, get a stored value card. This card, available at values
between $10 and $50, allows you to make multiple trips via MRT
and public bus, until the value runs out.
Bus
Buses
are cheap, easy to take and cover virtually every corner of Singapore.
A trip will cost you anything between 60 cents and SGD1.20,
depending on how far you wish to travel. For a comprehensive guide
on bus time-tables, routes and fares it's a good idea to buy a
copy of the TransitLink Guide, which is sold for SGD1.50
at most bookstores.
Like travel on the MRT, you can buy tickets for each individual
journey or get a stored value card, allowing you to make
multiple trips.
Taxi
At
times, it seems as though Singapore is just overflowing with taxis,
so it's usually quite easy to get one. An exception however, is
during rush hours (9.00 in the morning and 5.00 - 6.00 in the
evening). At these times it may be best to call a cab, costing
you about $2 extra.
Taxi fares are SGD2.40 for the first 1.5km, and then 10 cents
for each additional 240m. However, there are quite often extra
charges - such as for entering the CBD area at peak hours, travelling
from the airport, or travelling after midnight - so your final
charge can come to more than what's indicated on the meter.
Car
Singaporeans drive on the left side of the road, and wearing
a seat-belt is compulsory. If you intend to drive around Singapore,
get a copy of the Singapore Street Directory first.
Cruises
Taking a cruise down the Singapore River is a great way for you
to savour a bit of what central Singapore and its harbour must
have been like in the old days. The Singapore River Boat (Tel:
227-0802) operates a half-hour river tour on the old bumboats,
departing from the Clarke Quay jetty.
You can also take a harbour cruise, and hop from one offshore
island to another. Boat companies like Fairwind (533-3432), Watertours
(533-9811) and J&N Cruise (223-8217) will bring you around
St John's, Lazarus and Kusu islands, and there are special packages
that offer lunch, tea or dinner on board as well. |
