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| Home > City Guide - Singapore - Getting Around | ||
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Getting Around Public Transport Public transport in Singapore is efficient, ultra-modern, clean, cheap and mostly air conditioned. TransitLink Hotline (tel: 6767 4333) is a new one-stop number set up by all the major transport providers to help co-ordinate people’s transport needs. The train system is operated by Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (tel: 6336 8900; fax: 6334 8051; website: www.smrt.com.sg). The MRT system extends north–south and east–west with trains every three to six minutes 0530-2430 daily. Fares range from S$0.80 to S$1.80. MRT also operate the Light Rapid Transit System (tel: 6893 6455/6; fax: 6762 6732; website: www.slrt.com.sg). There are currently 14 LRT stations – the system runs from Bukit Panjang New Town to Choa Chu Kang in the suburbs. Each trip costs S$0.70-0.90. Trains run every three to five minutes. The bus system is operated by the Singapore Bus Service (SBS; tel: 6383 7229; fax: 6282 5204; e-mail: sbscrc@sbs.com.sg; website: www.sbstransit.com.sg) and Trans Island Bus Service (TIBS; tel: 6482 3888; fax: 6482 3842; e-mail: trans-island@tibs.com.sg; website: www.tibs.com.sg). SBS buses run 0600-2400 with fares costing S$0.60-1.30 for non-air-conditioned buses and S$0.70-1.60 for air-conditioned buses. TIBS also runs a Bus-Plus (tel: 6481 0166; fax: 6484 0129) service, which operates during peak hours to shuttle passengers between residential areas and MRT stations or the Central Business District. Fares are S$3.20-3.70. Night buses run after these have finished, until around 0400, and cost S$3. Another available option is the Singapore Trolley (tel: 6339 6833), a double decker sightseeing bus (see Bus Tours in Tours of the City). Electronic passes, known as Farecards, are available from MRT stations (covering both the MRT and buses) for a deposit of S$2 with an initial value of S$10. These can be topped up at TransitLink machines in every station – and make the fares slightly cheaper. For S$10, a Tourist Day Ticket entitles passengers to up to 12 rides a day on the MRT and all bus services. These are available at MRT stations and bus interchanges. Taxis There are more than 18,000 cheap, metered, safe and air-conditioned taxis in Singapore. However, their convenience and reasonable price means that they can be difficult to find during peak hours, especially in the Central Business District (CBD) – and during a downpour. Taxis can hailed 24 hours a day on the street, as well as at well-marked stands outside most shopping centres and hotels. Fares vary between companies, however, they usually start at S$2.40 for the first kilometre and rise in increments of S$0.10. They are subject to a number of surcharges – most commonly advance booking fees. Again, different companies vary slightly, but example surcharges are S$1 during peak hours or S$1 for a pick-up in the CBD. There is a a 50% surcharge daily 0000-0600, as well as a S$5 surcharge 1700-2400 Friday, Saturday or Sunday. There may also be surcharges for driving along certain highways. Despite (or perhaps because of!) all the surcharges, it is not customary to tip taxi drivers. Visitors should also note that drivers changing shifts will only take passengers heading in their direction – the red board on the dashboard or windscreen indicates the destination. Although there is no longer a bell that rings if the taxi breaks the speed limit, most drivers adhere strictly to the 80kph (50mph). Taxi firms include CityCab (tel: 6553 3880), Comfort (tel: 6552 1111) and TIBS Taxis (tel: 6555 8888; website: www.tibs.com.sg). Limousines More a taxi with style than a limo, TIBS Taxis (tel: 6555 8888; website: www.tibs.com.sg) offers Mercedes or London Taxis, which can be booked for any journey. For example, Airport Transport Service costs S$39. Driving in the City Singapore’s highways are all designated by acronyms – AYE, ECP, CTE, AMK, PIE, ORR, and CBD. Various tolls are levied 0730-0930 to relieve congestion on expressways and busy roads using the Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP), which automatically deducts tolls from a rechargeable card inside the car – the In-Vehicle Unit or IU. Vehicles need to be fitted with this card, which is available for S$5 daily, minimum of two days (plus a S$120 deposit) from petrol stations and other outlets. Permanent installations cost S$120.The highways are easy to negotiate and traffic generally moves smoothly thanks to the ERP. Wearing seat belts in the front and back is mandatory and it is illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. Offences are treated seriously, with tough fines and even jail sentences. Singaporean drivers have a habit of lane drifting but otherwise traffic flows with very few abuses of etiquette. To help traffic flow in the Central Business District, all vehicles entering between 0730-1900 are also expected to pay a toll, which varies depending on the time. Parking is cheap and easily available all over the city, especially in hotel basement car parks. In areas where parking coupons are used, drivers pay S$0.45 per half-hour outside the Central Business District and S$0.90 inside. Car Hire A valid national driving licence is required, although an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred. Minimum third-party insurance is compulsory and can be extended to cover Malaysia. The minimum age limit for hiring a car is 25 years. Major providers include Avis (tel: 6737 1668; fax: 6235 4958; website: www.avis.com) and Hertz (tel: (800) 6734 4646; fax: 6733 0466; e-mail: reservation.hertz@simedarby.com.sg; website: www.hertz.com). Official rates start at S$150 per day, with an extra S$50 per hour for a driver. However, prices vary hugely depending on the time of year, while special offers, corporate accounts, AA membership, even certain credit cards can often bring the official price down considerably. Bicycle Hire Cycling in Singapore tends to be restricted to public parks with East Coast Park a popular venue for cyclists and rollerbladers. Bicycle hire is available at several outlets in the park, from about S$1.50 per hour. Bicycles can also be hired at Sentosa, Pasir Ris and Bishan parks. The island of Pulau Ubin (see Excursions) has mountain bike facilities, with many hire shops near the jetty. |
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