World City Guide

Getting Around

Public Transport
Public transport in Singapore is efficient, ultra-modern, clean, cheap and mostly air-conditioned. TransitLink Hotline (tel: 1800 767 4333; website: www.transitlink.com.sg) is a new one-stop number set up by all the major transport providers (bus, underground etc) to help co-ordinate people’s transport needs (0800-1800 daily except public holidays).

The train system is operated by Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (tel: 1800 336 8900; fax: 6334 8051; website: www.smrtcorp.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: 1800 336 8900; fax: 6334 8051; website: www.smrt.com.sg/slrt). There are currently 14 LRT stations – the system runs from Bukit Panjang New Town to Choa Chu Kang and Fajar in the suburbs. Each trip costs S$0.80-S$1.00. Trains run every three to five minutes.

The bus system is operated by the Singapore Bus Service (tel: 1800 767 4333; fax: 6282 5204; e-mail: crc@sbstransit.com.sg; website: www.sbstransit.com.sg) and SMRT Buses (tel: 6482 3888; fax: 6482 3842; e-mail: busfeedback@smrt.com.sg; website: www.smrtbuses.com.sg). SBS buses run 0600-2400 with fares costing S$0.80-S$2.20. They also run the Bus-Plus service (tel: 6481 0166; fax: 6484 0129; e-mail: busplus@smrt.com.sg; website: www.busplus.com.sg), which operates during peak hours to shuttle passengers between residential areas and MRT stations or the Central Business District. Fares are S$3.20-S$4.20. Night Rider night buses (tel: 1800 336 8900) operate on limited routes between the city centre and residential suburbs until around 0400, and cost S$3.

New electronic Smart Cards, known as ez-link Cards (website: www.ezlink.com.sg), may be used on any MRT, LRT or bus journey, and can be purchased and topped up from general ticketing machines at all MRT, LRT and bus stations. They may be topped up to any value. A small deposit is also required, which may be returned once the card is returned. These cards may be kept in a wallet or bag and placed near the card reader at ticket gates on trains or on entering a bus.

Taxis
Over 15,000 cheap, metered, safe and air-conditioned taxis ply the city, but their convenience and affordability means they are hard to find during peak hours, especially in the Central Business District (CBD) – and during a downpour. Taxis can be hailed 24 hours a day on the street, as well as at well-marked stands outside most shopping centres and hotels. Fares vary slightly between companies, usually starting at S$2.40 for the first kilometre and rising in increments of S$0.10. They are subject to a number of surcharges such as advance booking fees, during peak hours or a pick up in the CBD. There is a 50% surcharge 0000-0600 daily, and a S$5 surcharge 1700-2400 Friday, Saturday or Sunday, and surcharges for driving along certain highways at certain times.

It is not customary to tip taxi drivers. 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) limit. Major taxi firms include CityCab (tel: 6552 2222 (cash payment) or 6553 8888 (credit/charge card payment); website: www.citycab.com.sg), Comfort (tel: 6552 1111; website: www.comfort-transportation.com.sg) and SMRT Taxis (tel: 6555 8888; website: www.smrttaxis.com.sg).

Limousines
More a taxi with style than a limo, SMRT Taxis (tel: 6555 8888; website: www.smrttaxis.com.sg) offers the Prestige service, available for any journey with regular taxi charges plus an S$8 surcharge, in a comfortable London Taxi. Phone bookings required. They also travel to and from any city destination and the airport for S$35. Comfort (tel: 6552 2828; website: www.comfort.transportation.com.sg) and CityCab (tel: 6552 2222; website: www.citycab.com.sg) also offer limousine services.

Driving in the City
Singapore’s highways are all designated by acronyms – AYE, ECP, CTE, AMK, PIE, ORR and CBD. Various tolls are levied in morning and evening peak hours to relieve congestion on expressways and busy roads, using the Electronic Road Pricing Scheme (ERP), which automatically deducts tolls from the In-Vehicle Unit or IU. This is fitted in all Singaporean vehicles and drivers purchase a rechargeable Cashcard and insert it in the IU. Vehicles that are not fitted with the IU must rent one. This can be done from petrol stations and other outlets, at a cost of S$5 daily, minimum of two days (plus a S$120 deposit). To help traffic flow in the Central Business District, all vehicles entering between 0730 and 1900 are also expected to pay a toll, which varies depending on the time. More information on the ERP is available from the Land Transport Authority (tel: 1800 225 5582 (local free phone); website: www.lta.gov.sg).

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.

Parking is cheap and easily available all over the city, especially in hotel basement car parks. Rates vary depending on location, management and timing but public car parks cost around S$0.50 per half hour, double that inside the Central Business District. Some require parking coupons; others will take cash.

Car Hire
A valid national driving licence is required, although an International Driving Permit (IDP) is preferred and is mandatory where the driver’s national licence is not in English. Drivers also require a passport and credit card to hire a car. 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; e-mail: reservations@avis.com.sg; website: www.avisworld.com) and Hertz (tel: 6734 4646; fax: 6733 0466; reservation.hertz@simedarby.com.sg; website: www.hertz.com).

Official rates start at around S$170 per day, with an extra S$40-90 per hour for a driver (minimum three hours). 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.