Public Transport:
MRT, Buses, Taxis, River Taxis, Free Shuttles in Singapore
Introduction 
Rating: safe, reliable and convenient. A car is not a must! Expatriates rate the Singapore Public Transport System second after Hong Kong but top on comfort, safety, cleanliness, reliability and network. Singapore has a well established integrated Public Transport System (Transit Link) integrating fare, information and networks of the trains MRT and LRT and the busses SBS and Tibs.
Get the Transit Link Guide - a guide for Public Transport Services and take your time to study it thoroughly. This is time spent wisely if you are depending on public transport.
Safety has high priority and accidents involving taxis are recorded. Taxi companies face a fine of up to SGD 100,000 if their accident rate it too high. A program to improve driving has now been set up by many taxi companies.
Photo:enterAsiaArt
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The guide on public transport in Singapore explains fares, use of transport systems and services and has very detailed tables of the different bus and train service tables and should be a steady companion.
You may search for a bus/train by number, station, and street and even by places of interest and government buildings online. This electronic guide comes up with all bus and MRT numbers that lead to your chosen destination.
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ez-link Card for Public Transport
For visitors to the country especially to the main cities and resort areas bird flu poses no problem provided you take care. Obviously poultry farms should be avoided but many people particularly in rural areas keep poultry and ducks for home consumption which could pose a danger to visitors. Do not wander through animal markets. Flesh that is thoroughly cooked will not be infectious but you may feel it safer not to have poultry at all.
With the new ez-link Card available at any TransitLink Ticket Office (TO) commuters can travel on all trains and busses in Singapore. The fare will be deducted automatically once the user passes through MRT gates or taps the card on the electronic readers of the bus. This fabulous system uses radio-wave technology and works con tactless.
How to use the ez-link card
If you forget to tap the card on alighting from the bus you will be charged the full fare for the remaining journey. Refunds can be claimed within 3 working days at any TO or call Tel: 1800 767 4333 to file a claim.
In case you have lost your card or need to replace a faulty concession card (students, senior citizens) on the spot visit the TransitLink Customer Service Centre at Buona Vista MRT station or the Card Replacement Offices at Yishun and Choa Chua Kang bus interchanges. The centers are open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
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Maps Online
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Rent a home in Singapore: Appoint Knight Frank Singapore for your home search |
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Information on Public Transport
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CityBuzz (SBS Transit)
Three services cover Orchard Road, Chinatown and Little India and run from 10 am to 10 pm daily at 15 minutes interval. A ride cost SGD 1.00 and the CityBuzz Pass for SGD 5.00 gives unlimited rides and discounts at restaurants, museums, cafes, pubs and shops.
Chinatown Direct (SBS Transit)
Three services operate every 30 minutes between Chinatown and Ang Mo Kio, Bedok and Clementi from 10 am - 5 pm on weekdays and until 10 pm on weekends. Senior citizens and children pay SGD 1.00, adults SGD 1.80.
Parks (SBS Transit)
Two services every 30 minutes from Harbour Front Interchange to Labrador Park and Mount Faber. The fare is SGD 1.00 for adults.
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Fast Forward LInks (SBS Transit)
These busses operate with fewer buss stops during the peak hours in the morning and evening which cuts travel time about 10 - 15 minutes.
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Night Owl and /Night RiderBus Service
SBS runs 6 Night Owl Busses at cost between 2.50 and 3.00 SGD every 20 minutes from midnight to 4 am. Some busses only operate during the festive season. See web site above for more information.
The 8 'Night Rider Busses' from TIBS cost S$ 3 and operate on Friday and Saturday nights and on the eve of public holidays between 11.30pm and 4.30 am. They serve Holland Village, East Coast Road and and other areas and connect to Boat Quay, Mohammed Sultan Road, Orchard Road and other popular night spots.
See web site and TIBS' map.
Free Shuttle Services
Some shopping malls and hotels are offering free shuttle services. See
timetable below
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River Taxis
River taxis are operated by Singapore River Cruises & Leisure and Singapore Explorer on the Singapore River. There are 16 stops along the waterway between the Esplanade Drive and Jiak Kim Street. The journey costs between S$ 2 and S$ 8. Some boats are air-conditioned. The longest journey will take about 15 minutes. Hopping across the river from Raffles Landing Site to Boat Quay takes two minutes and this is much faster than a taking a taxi.
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Taxis
Taxis seem to be abundant everywhere in Singapore and can be flagged down easily unless it is raining, late Friday afternoon or before midnight, when everybody wants to get home from a restaurant, pub or movie. Another bad time to catch a taxi will be at 5:00 pm. when offices close and the taxi drivers have their shift change. You will see a sign in their front window stating their hometown. If they stop they will ask you where you have to go and may take you along if this is on their way home.
Most taxis are clean and the drivers very friendly. Many speak decent English (especially the younger generation) and know their way in town. If they don't you should ask for the road directory and find a well-known landmark next to your destination (MRT station, police, building etc.). The most reliable way is to write down the address on a piece of paper as your way of pronouncing (accent!) the destination may not be understood.
Taxis are metered and connected to a radio dispatch. The base rate when you flag down a taxi) is S$ 2.40. The following costs will be added:
Note: Those additional charges vary according to the different taxi operators.
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Taxi Phone Numbers
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Booking Services
If you want to be sure that a taxi is available you need to book it either in advanced booking and can state the time and location to be picked up. Booking for immediate use is called regular booking. The waiting time for regular booked taxis depends on the operator, the time of the day, the traffic and the weather. The best operator ( CityCab) has an average of 5 minutes waiting time, the worst about 25 minutes. Once your booking is confirmed you receive the cab's number plate to recognize your booking. The driver will stop and ask for your destination and name before accepting you.
Buckle up or pay SGD 300!
It is compulsory to use the seat belt as a driver and passenger in any car regardless of sitting in the front or back
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You get registered with your first booking and the system saves your data. The next time you call, the operator can see the pick-up location and other details on the screen. The following booking services are offered and you should compare prices before registration:
| Booking modes for taxis | |
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Current/Regular Booking (immediate use) |
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Advanced booking (mostly at least 30 minutes in advance) |
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Emergency Taxi Booking |
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Automated Taxi Booking |
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CabLink Fax: 6 -A-Cab (Comfort Fax: 6 553 1006) |
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Limousine Service |
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Wheelchair Service (Comfort 254 3006, TIBS London Taxi 481 1222) |
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Auto call (without operator) |
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Internet booking, register http://www.tibstaxis.com.sg/website/10/index1.html |
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Advance Airport Transfer Booking, register http://www.tibstaxis.com.sg/ |
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Share a Cab Scheme
In some places you can share a taxi ride and save money. You may reduce your taxi fare by 70% (2 alighting points) to 50% (4 alighting points).
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Upper Cross Street (O.G. Building) |
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Lucky Plaza |
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Ngee Ann City |
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World Trade Center |
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Parkway Parade |
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