Singapore’s Mass Transport System, with its heart the MRT (subway), is in simple words, superior to almost every applied system I saw back in Europe.
You can rant and complain and write letters to the government (just like a lot of Singaporeans do every day) about slow and crowded trains and pointing out the good and bad and the bad and the bad, but please…seriously, you, we, everybody who has to use Singapore’s MRT system on a daily basis or just during his holiday should be happy about the clean, quick, cheap and efficient transportation option you get offered here.
Spend 2 weeks with the London “Tube” or the German “S-bahn” and then you will treasure “your MRT” for being what it is, superior.
General
The MRTS trains and 110km of track are getting operated by two different companies. The two main lines (red and green) are taken care of by SMRT, the purple line is operated by SBS Transit. However, trains look the same, prices are the same, payment system is the same. You wont recognize much difference (besides the TV screens in the purple line).
Trains are all clean, air-conditioned and of pretty good, new standard. You wont find any Graffiti or vandalized interior here. Yes, pretty amazing (but all trains inside are monitored by CCTV)
Stations
You cannot miss the MRT stations which are usually big lifestyle hubs surrounded by shopping malls or food centers. They are strategically placed over the island and just as the trains, clean and mostly new.
No Graffiti or vandalism here neither. Every station comes with free restrooms, pay phones and a Service Station for customer inquiries or ticket purchase/top up. I never felt any unease when waiting for one of the last trains during the night, compared to the creepy stations you sometimes encounter at other places. The stations are secure and usually monitored by a number of security guards and CCTVs.
Frequency
In very much difference to the system I was used to (fixed train/bus departure timings, precise on the minute) you will not find any such time tables in Singapore. Instead you will find “frequency tables“. For example, “Bus 512 will leave every 8 minutes”, “MRT train will leave every 3.5 minutes”. The trains usually operate with a frequency between 3 and 8 minutes. Furthermore is every station equipped with huge LCD TVs displaying the current train times and announcements in front of the main entry and several times along the waiting platforms. The general operating times of the trains are from approx 5.30AM to 12.30AM every day.
Link: Official Train Time Calculations
Maps / Plans
We are living on an island, a small island, and the train system is according to this pretty much easy to understand. There’s a North-South line (red), a East-West line (green) and a …well…diagonal line, North-East line if you want (purple).
- NS-Line: Serving the Main hubs like Orchard Road, Raffles Place, Newton and the whole North of the Island (Link: More Information)
- EW-Line: Connecting the city with the Changi Airport, serving business district Raffles place and the whole West of the island (Link: More Information)
- NE-Line: Connecting Sentosa Island (Harbour Front) with the main hubs like Dhoby Ghaut, and serving the North-East of the island (Link: More Information)
You have several interchanges but usually one train station only serves one line, which means the only mistake you can make is getting onto the correct train, but wrong direction, then you just hop of the next station and change sides.
Link: The Official Train Map From SMRT
Tickets
There are three different ways of how you pay for your ticket to the nice and cheap sightseeing tour around Singapore’s island using public transportation.
Standard Ticket – Green Credit Card Sized Plastic Card
EZ-Link Ticket – Blue Credit Card Sized Plastic Card
Cash Ticket – Paper Ticket (only bus)
In general you purchase your ticket either at one of the ticket machines(at least 4 at every station) or the service counters and then just tap it on one of the wireless card readers next to the entry gates. Your fare will be automatically calculated upon leaving your destination using the same procedure, subtracting the amount from your card.
Rules / Fines
Having clean and secure stations and trains comes with a price. Well, in this case a pretty affordable. There are several things you shouldn’t do at the stations and trains, connected to heavy fines (between 500$ and 5000$) if you cant listen/read properly what the many signs are telling you.
- No Smoking
- No Eating and Drinking
- No Flammable Goods (leave your fireworks at home)
- No Durian Fruits
Now enjoy your ride and for any more information or queries, please use the comments below!
by an Asia experienced 26 year young expat living and surviving in Singapore since years!
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17 Comments for this post
Dec 18, 2008 at 2:45 pm
I love the MRT! I just hate the inconsiderate humans taking the MRT.
:p
Dec 18, 2008 at 3:13 pm
Krisandro, i agree, and thats why i started the “Singapores Real Zoo – MRTS Unexplored Species” series, go check it out, you will like it, i promise :)
http://www.angryangmo.com/2008/12/16/singapores-real-zoo-mrts-unexplored-species-part2/
Dec 18, 2008 at 3:36 pm
Regarding your mention of the size of Singapore: Singapore is not small, it is the size of a European town, but it is not as densely populated as a European town.
=> trains are not packed by European standards.
There are still some bad designs
in the MRT trains
poles in the middle the of the access way => one of the reasons why people crowd near the door
too many seats (whatever Singaporeans say, in a crowded train a seated person takes more space than a standing one).
and in the stations:
Single exit stations (less in north east line): all the gates are on a single side (control over practicality)
Not enough escalators/staircase (tendency to favour design over practicality, see Dobby Gaut)
Useless displays: they display ads most of the time, they are not enough of them (design, cost over practicality), not enough info on them.
Whoever thought about the S$1 return value ticket should be shot! twice! (adds useless traffic and queues in the stations)
Lousiest keyboard in the ticketing machine (press ten times to produce a number) made by some Temasek company?)
Ticketing machine that shows a Visa Card picture to say “do not insert a VISA card here”… (now finally the visa card pictorial is striked through I think)
=> all these point to not enough thought given.
Dec 18, 2008 at 4:03 pm
Charles,
Trains:
I agree, the poles in the middle of the train would be better placed on the sides, although they are not so massive that people should be afraid of passing them to go the middle of the train, thinking they might not get pass them on theirway out again.
Seats:
Yes, true as well, and SMRT has started to run trains during rush hours without having seats
Escalator / Display:
I cant really agree on these topics. I actually wished there would be more staircases since its just ridicolous how people line up in the morning for a 10m escalator ride, when the staircases next to it are all empty ond not being used. Singapore is investing so much in its people health, i guess 90% of them should be able to take the staircases instead, making way for people who really need the escalator.
Same for the displays, they show me when the next train arrives, thats all i need to know, what information are you missing?
And regarding ticketing machine keyboards or labeling :) I guess thats again something you would not even consider to complain about having used an European system for years, where it can take you two passing trains until you finally find a machine that works at all…
Dec 18, 2008 at 5:36 pm
I like the photos! Very well-taken!
Dec 18, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Haha.. True.. The MRT can connect most popular places, if not all, of the whole country, coz Singapore is a city-state.
I recognise the pictures. There are definitely taken at Expo MRT.
Dec 18, 2008 at 11:52 pm
Under the sub-sub-headings NE Line, ‘Dhauby Ghaut’ should be spelt “Dhoby Ghaut”.
Dec 19, 2008 at 12:16 am
Thanks for pointing out the spelling mistake James :)
Dec 19, 2008 at 1:42 am
i think the mrt is great. and i look fwd to its newer lines. additional lrts will be great too – hope im not asking too much huh? :)
Dec 19, 2008 at 9:32 am
Well, there are certainly room for improvement and that is probably the reason why Singaporeans complain so much. Being better than others doesn’t mean we can’t complain. Ultimately, we are Singaporeans who loves to complain and that is what made us Singaporeans. Haha…
Dec 19, 2008 at 12:49 pm
hehe, ravon, yeah, its a good point, in Singapore i very often have the feeling that “good is not good enough” is very true in regards to almost everything
Dec 19, 2008 at 12:49 pm
QuaChee, im looking forward to the circle line very much, finally a lot of more places that you only can reach via cab these days will be easily accessible then as well!
Dec 22, 2008 at 2:46 pm
Actually I am comparing Europe/Japan/Hong-Kong to Singapore.
With so much money, Singapore could do better than all three combined.
But Singapore has its priorities right: Expat bankers and IMF people never have to actually pay for a single trip ticke, take the MRT (they might, however pass by the Airport, the ECP, or even see an MRT station once or twice).
So yes the money goes where is should.
Jan 9, 2009 at 5:38 pm
After using Singapore’s MRT over new years as a tourist, i would have to say the system isnt as good as it could be. first the tourist pass is a very inconveniant if not aggravating for a tourist. I tried to purchase it at the airport but only to be told the booth was open at a certain hour. Then when i tried to purchase at at another station i was told it was only sold at so and so stations! Singapore prides itself as a efficiently run place. Apparently the mrt isnt one of them. what is the point of trying to return the one day pass when it doesnt open all hrs and you can only go to certain stations for a refund. I basically lost my money because i had to leave singapore the next day because you got it… the booth wont open until 11am! also some stations need more escalators as there are way too many people for just one up and down. Overall it could be alot better Singapore needs to go and look at taiwan to really see how a first rate mrt can be.
Mar 16, 2009 at 11:51 am
I am more than happy with the public transport system here in Singapore ….. I am what is called “an expat” so I can find my way around without any problems at all. They are all clearly marked, the maps that are issued free are perfect. Not only that it is a cheap way to travel.
We cannot afford a car, so would have to use the MRT or bus anyway, but still it gets me to where I want to go and I do not even have to wait long. Love it.
My only criticism on public transport here in Singapore is the inconsiderate people that barge on to the trains before I get off!
They are just so rude.
The big rush is on as to who can get a seat ….. they don’t even think about being polite and maybe offering it to someone else!
and I do not agree with children sitting on the seats in preference to adults, they will never learn that it is polite to stand for their elders.
other than inconsiderate travelers, the MRT is fantastic.
Mar 19, 2009 at 8:06 pm
I am planning to move to Singapore early next month. I would be staying in Somerset Road and my office would be in International Business Park near Jurong. I was planning to use the MRT for this. My plan was take the NS Line from Somerset to Jurong East and then walk over to International business park. Is this a good idea? Although I am taking a hit on my travel time, my worry was more about convenience. Also would this line from Somerset Road to Jurong be crowded in the mornings/evenings. My sense was that this was against the usual traffic and hence less crowded. Look forward to your advise!
May 21, 2009 at 7:27 pm
I think you Westerners need to learn how to live with things. Accept anything that comes your way. Look at yourself before you start your saying about others. Asian used to be highly cultural. Lots of respect for the elderly, the people around them and mostly love their country. It is when u westerns influence of living in luxury, design of living in stylish lifestyle, the importance of MONEY and so on. This make Singapore standard of living jump from the ground level to high up in the sky. You cannot blame Singaporeans to be self-centered. Its because the life-style of people changes. If your were back into our kampong days you will understand and learn how warm neighbours and people in Singapore can be. Mix with the people who are around 50 to 70 y/o and not the rich but the below average family… Understand them. Then you will hear stories of their past and interesting side of the SG governments. Talking to those who are rich or people who are living with a silver spoon these people you can see how fake they are and some attitude of them are disgustine. Students in Singapore are even worst. They are spoon feeded from young by the government and propaganda in such a way this generation will only listens and don dare to oppose them. That’s why people in Singapore are famous to be Kia Su and kia si Which means scare lose and scare die.
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