Getting Around in Singapore

There are many modes of transportations such as by cars, buses, taxies, walking, cycling etc, but the main mode of transport for the majority of Singaporeans remain to be the Mass Rapid Transit train system (MRT).

Public Transport

The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) was developed to be a people carrier, bypassing heavy road conditions. It is accessible island wide as well as connected to the Singapore Bus Service (SBS) and Light Rapid Transit (LRT). All this connections enable the people to have a seamless mode of transport to all parts of Singapore.

Fare is payable by Ez-Link card which you can purchase at any bus station and/or interchange for only SGD$15 each. Once you have them, you can use it for both MRT/LRT and Bus, Macdonalds, Kopitiam, and many more. Just tap on the reader when you enter MRT/LRT station and tap again when you exit, same method when you need to travel by bus too.

Rebates are given when you transfer from one mode of transport to another mode of transport, ie buses to buses , MRT to buses, buses to MRT

Simply top up its value once its running low or you may purchase another one and keep the old one for collection as they come in different motif and pictures.

Every MRT/LRT station display route and fares. It shows you which route you should go, indicated by arrow sign next to each tracks.

Taxi

If time is a factor, you can always hail a taxi to get around Singapore. Most of the taxi drivers are very knowledgeable and will be able to answer some of your queries. Visa/Mastercard can be used to pay for your fare onboard most taxis, but it comes with a 10% surcharge on the fare. Its advisable if you check with the driver before boarding to ensure he accepts Visa/Mastercard. The fares are measured with an onboard meter that runs according to the distance and time taken for the trip

Rental car

There are many rental car agencies that rents out cars by the day(24 hrs), or by special packages (Friday to Sunday). Vehicle 3 rd party insurance is compulsory coverage to safe guard from claims arising from other person against you in case of an accident.

Additional insurance is optional but it is advisable to be covered with it to lower the excess amount payable upfront for the first $1,500. Petrol is not included with the car and it has to be return as it was given, ie. when taken with half tank of petrol, it will have to be return with half tank as well. Otherwise you will have to top up for the shortfall with cash.

Car Sharing

Long term residents who do not wish to maintain a car can opt to join a car sharing program where they entitle to use to a large pool of cars scattered all over designated Singapore carparks. They can just book the car for their personal usage for as short as 1 hour to as long as days. This is a flexible program as it is pay per use and no preset time as per rental car.

Personal Car Ownership

It is one of the most expensive countries in the world for car ownership.

An average of SGD$35,000 gets you a 1000cc small Hatchback and in excess of SGD $ 1 million for exotics such as Lamborghinis.

Average Singaporeans own a typical 1600cc Japanese make car such as Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi. It is in the price range of SGD $45,000 to $80,000.

And the prices start to depreciate from day one of ownership.

Think twice before buying!!!

Integrated bus interchange with Mass Rapid Train(MRT) station provides you with a seamless less mode of travel, saves time and also shields you from the harsh weather.

Integrated MRT Station under the Bugis Junction Shopping Centre, a convenient way to travel