Because Singapore places great emphasis on the systematic and holistic planning of its road traffic, daily commuting is extremely easy and convenient, a level of efficiency that most other major cities in the world cannot match.
Highly efficient rail and bus systems effectively transport large volumes of passengers, while ingeniously designed road and traffic systems, along with strict policies limiting private car ownership, have largely alleviated traffic congestion.
Driving in Singapore
The biggest difference between driving in Singapore and in China is that Singapore requires vehicles to be driven on the left side of the road, whereas in China, vehicles are driven on the right. Singapore's traffic rules strictly regulate driver behavior, including the requirement to wear seat belts while driving, the prohibition of using bus lanes during specific hours, and the mandatory use of hands-free devices if a mobile phone must be used while driving. For comprehensive information on local traffic rules and penalties for violations, please visit the Singapore Police Force website.
Due to Singapore's limited land resources, the government has imposed certain restrictions on the private purchase and use of cars. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) effectively controls the number of motor vehicles on the road through the Vehicle Quota System and issues a fixed number of Certificates of Entitlement (COE) for new cars each month.
Owners purchasing new cars must obtain a COE through a bidding process. The COE is valid for 10 years, calculated from the date of vehicle registration.
In addition to buying a car, renting a car may be a good option, especially for employees on fixed-term contracts with Singaporean employers. If you plan to explore Singapore thoroughly, both car rental and carpooling are ideal choices for your travels.
Singapore has adopted various innovative measures to effectively alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours. This includes the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) system, which collects tolls through electronic gantries located on major expressways and arterial roads throughout the city. Vehicles in Singapore are uniformly equipped with In-vehicle Units (IU) for inserting cash cards. If you pass through an ERP gantry during your journey, you simply need to have a cash card inserted into the IU, and the corresponding fee will be automatically deducted from the card. Most convenience stores and gas stations provide cash card top-up services.
When parking in most shopping malls and building parking lots, you only need to insert your cash card into the IU, and the parking fee will be automatically deducted, which is very convenient. However, some public parking lots (especially open-air and roadside parking lots) generally use parking coupons (commonly known as "parking coupons" by Singaporeans) for payment. The denominations of parking coupons are 0.50 SGD, 1 SGD, and 2 SGD (for overnight parking), and each denomination must be purchased in sets of 10 or 20 coupons. When using a parking coupon, simply tear off the coupon of the appropriate denomination based on the parking duration and place it on the dashboard. To learn where to purchase and how to use parking coupons, please click here.
Driver's License
Non-Singapore citizens who have resided in Singapore for 12 months or intend to become permanent residents are required to convert their foreign driver's license into a Singapore driver's license. However, before the conversion, they must pass the Basic Theory Test conducted by the Traffic Police. You can go to various driving schools to take this test, and after passing, you can process the license conversion application at the following driving schools:
Singapore Safety Driving Centre Ltd
Bukit Batok Driving Centre Ltd
ComfortDelGro Driving Centre Pte Ltd
Taxis
Hailing a taxi (commonly known as "taxi" by Singaporeans) in Singapore is usually very convenient. You can wait at a taxi stand, book one via phone/online, or hail one on the street (except in the Central Business District). Compared to other major cities in the world, taxi fares in Singapore are relatively affordable, but the fare may include surcharges for Electronic Road Pricing (ERP), peak hours, midnight hours, public holidays, etc., as well as additional fees for pickups from specific locations such as Singapore Changi Airport and the Singapore Expo. All taxis use meters, and surcharges are often listed at the top of the total fare.
Singapore has an advanced fleet management system, so it often takes only a few minutes from the time a passenger calls for a taxi until it arrives, and the passenger only needs to pay a small booking fee. The booking hotlines for major taxi companies are as follows:
Citycab Pte Ltd 6552 2222
Comfort Transportation Pte Ltd 6552 1111 / 6552 2222
Premier Taxis Pte Ltd 6476 8880
Smart Automobile Pte Ltd 6299 1551
SMRT Taxis Pte Ltd 6555 8888
Trans-Cab Services Pte Ltd 6287 6666
Yellow-Top Cab Pte Ltd 6552 1111 / 6552 2222
If you wish to enjoy a comfortable driving journey and first-class chauffeur service, you might consider booking a limousine taxi. You not only have the opportunity to enjoy one-way or multi-trip rental services, but you can also enjoy hourly chartered services.
Each taxi company has a customer service hotline. For complaints or feedback, please contact them directly via the hotline.
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
In Singapore, taking the MRT is currently one of the most convenient and fastest ways to travel. The Singapore MRT has four lines with 71 stations, covering most parts of Singapore. The trains are not only safe and reliable but also clean and hygienic, with an operating interval of 3-8 minutes and daily operating hours from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM.
Light Rail Transit (LRT) trains provide feeder services, with 14 stations, mainly serving residents of Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang.
When taking the MRT and LRT, you can either purchase single-trip tickets or use the more convenient EZ-link card. The EZ-link card is a stored-value card that can be used for both MRT/LRT trains and buses. If you transfer multiple times, you can also enjoy transfer discounts. Tickets and EZ-link cards can be purchased at any MRT or LRT station.
For more information on MRT routes, fares, and operating hours, please visit the SMRT website.
Buses
Buses in Singapore (commonly known as "buses" by Singaporeans) are not only safe and comfortable but also clean and hygienic. Bus routes cover every corner of the island, so you can take a bus to areas not yet covered by the MRT, or take the MRT first and then transfer to a bus to reach your destination, which is very cost-effective. Due to Singapore's holistic planning of the public transport system, bus stops are usually located near MRT stations, making the MRT plus bus method one of the most efficient ways to travel.
Bus intervals are very fixed, with an average waiting time of 10-20 minutes. Daily operating hours are from 5:30 AM to midnight, and single-trip fares range from 0.80 to 1.80 SGD. When taking a bus, you can drop the fare directly into the coin box next to the driver's seat (no change given), or use the EZ-link card that can be used on the MRT/LRT. Similar to taking the MRT, using an EZ-link card on the bus not only allows you to enjoy discounted fares but is also very convenient.
Singapore's two major bus operators, SBS Transit Ltd and SMRT Buses Ltd, are responsible for the operation and management of most buses. You can check bus routes and fares on their websites. If you need to take the bus frequently, you can carry a very practical Transit Link Bus Guide, which lists the operating hours and routes for all buses and the MRT. You can purchase this guide at any MRT station. In addition, you can also find the most convenient transport routes on the SBS website.
If you have a preference for premium bus services, the premium bus services provided by SMRT are your ideal choice. They make your commute more comfortable, but the fares are slightly higher than regular buses. These premium buses generally run between the Central Business District and residential areas during weekday peak hours.
