The Types of Transportation in Singapore

The island city-state of Singapore lies at one of the world's most important commercial crossroads, which has driven its economy and made it into one of the most modern nations in Southeast Asia. As a result, Singapore is a city of wide streets, multi-lane highways and modern air-conditioned buses and trains. Visitors will find the transportation options extensive and thoroughly modern, and more like that of a Western city than almost anywhere else in Southeast Asia.

Singapore Mass Rapid Transit

Most visitors to Singapore use the island's large public transportation resources at some point, and the metro system in particular. Although the Singapore Mass Rapid Transit company (smrt.com.sg), or SMRT, includes most of the public transportation system, it is the metro that is referred to by locals as the "MRT." The company also operates the city-state's bus network, and these two networks cover virtually any destination on the island. EZ-Link fare cards are available at all MRT stations. At major MRT stations, such as Raffles Place and Changi Airport, tourist passes are available that allow up to three days of unlimited MRT and bus rides.

Other Public Transit and Tourist Options

SMRT has the farthest reach in public transportation, but it is not the only option. The SIA Hop-on Bus (siahopon.com) is a trolley-like line that follows routes around the center of Singapore, making it a logical choice for sightseers. Visitors trying to reach Sentosa Island, the giant Singapore-style theme park, can arrive by means of the Sentosa Express monorail (sentosa.com.sg) or the Mt. Faber cable car (mountfaber.com.sg).

Taxis

Taxis in Singapore are relatively inexpensive during normal fare hours, but unfortunately those hours are painfully limited. The morning and evening rush hour see rates go up by 35 percent, and anyone exploring Singapore's nightlife must plan on a 50 percent markup for taxi rides between midnight and 6 a.m. Tolls for roads like the Pan-Island Expressway are passed on to the consumer, and a surcharge is assessed for any travel in downtown's Central Business District (CBD) from Monday to Saturday. The only mercy of Singapore's taxi service is that all taxis are metered, so none of Southeast Asia's omnipresent haggling over fares is necessary.

Rental Cars

Given the large of amount of public transportation options, most visitors eschew renting a car, but in some cases driving around independently might prove more convenient. Major international chains such as Avis (avis.com.sg) have agencies in Singapore, and the city-state permits visitors with driver's licenses printed in English to drive for up to 12 months; therefore, all an American needs to rent a car in Singapore is a valid driver's license and a passport. Traffic is orderly, especially by Southeast Asian standards, but drivers should closely review local traffic and parking laws. Like all regulations in Singapore, these laws are rigorously enforced, and fines are sometimes harsh.

source : http://traveltips.usatoday.com/types-transportation-singapore-100825.html