Investment Immigration to Singapore and Living in Singapore: Taking the bus in Singapore is truly an experience. This reminds me of an earlier joke. In an era when most people relied on bicycles for transportation, one person joked about the many benefits of riding a bicycle, one of which was that "you always have a seat as soon as you get on." It was known that finding a seat on a bus back then was quite difficult.
In China, taking the bus is often referred to as "crowding the bus," and the term "crowding" is quite vivid. Because many times, buses are extremely crowded. Especially during rush hours or in rainy or snowy weather, it is nearly impossible to board without crowding. There is a humorous anecdote that satirizes the overcrowding of subways in mainland China, where two friends complain to each other, one saying the subway is so crowded that his wife had a miscarriage due to the crowding. The other replies that his wife is lucky; instead of a miscarriage, she got "pregnant" from the crowding. Such descriptions of the overcrowding in mainland public transport are quite absurd. Singapore is different; its public transportation system is very developed, including both buses and subways. Buses are never crowded at any time. More often than not, not only does everyone have a seat, but there are also many empty seats available. There are also many occasions when a bus even becomes a private vehicle for one or two people. But even if there is only one person, the bus still has to run. Singapore's buses come in single-decker and double-decker models. Sitting on the upper deck of a double-decker bus offers a broad view, making it ideal for tourists. If you are traveling a longer distance, sitting upstairs is both quiet and comfortable. Additionally, the air conditioning on the bus is very effective. Transitioning from the high outdoor temperatures to the cool interior of the bus is quite refreshing. Taking the bus in Singapore can be considered a pleasure.
Singapore's buses operate on a card system, which is very convenient. Cash payments are also accepted, but they do not provide change, so you need to prepare coins in advance. Passengers board through the front door and tap their card upon entry. Unlike many cities in China where a flat fare system is implemented, Singapore's buses charge based on the distance traveled. Therefore, after tapping in, passengers must also tap out when they disembark. If a passenger fails to tap out, the bus company will deduct the full fare from the card. Thus, when taking the bus in Singapore, it is essential not to forget to tap out when getting off. Also, because the number of passengers on Singapore's buses is not very crowded, there are times when a bus stop has neither passengers boarding nor alighting. In such cases, the driver does not need to stop but continues to drive past. Therefore, if a passenger needs to get off at a particular stop, they must press the call button nearby to inform the driver that someone is getting off at the next stop. Upon seeing the signal to stop, the driver will pull over. Consequently, on Singapore's buses, the railings and handrails around the seats are equipped with call buttons, making it very convenient for passengers to press. Similarly, passengers waiting to board a bus need to signal the driver with a wave when there are no other passengers around, indicating that someone wants to board. If the driver does not see any indication of a passenger wanting to board, and no one waves, the driver may pass the stop without stopping if there are no passengers getting off. This flexibility, scientific approach, and human-centric design improve efficiency and conserve energy. Sometimes, when a bus arrives at a stop and sees a passenger running from a distance, the driver will patiently wait. Only after the passenger boards will the driver start the bus.
Singapore's buses are in excellent condition, both inside and out, and are very comfortable. There are even Mercedes-Benz buses. In mainland China, boarding a bus often requires climbing two or even three steps, which can be quite strenuous for passengers. In Singapore, however, just one step is sufficient. The interior of the buses is very comfortable, with the flooring typically made from a single molded piece, and the corners are rounded. The armrests of the seats are very comfortable to the touch. The design of the seats and backs is very user-friendly, making it quite comfortable to sit. Unlike in mainland China, where various advertisements clutter the buses, Singapore's buses are very clean, with almost no advertisements except for some informational signs.
In mainland China, seniors over 70 years old can use a bus card for free rides. In Singapore, however, seniors' bus cards are not free but offer discounts, which are quite low. This may reflect the capitalist nature of the country, which does not implement "free lunches." However, this also encourages people to consider their economic situation when going out, unlike in mainland China, where a free card allows for casual bus rides, leading to some elderly individuals taking buses for leisurely strolls around the city.
Singapore's bus drivers include Malays, Indonesians, but more commonly, Indians. Some drivers are quite elderly, even gray-haired, yet they continue to drive buses. This reflects that everyone in this country plays their part. Thus, the overall enhancement of the country's economic strength is not surprising.
