Practical Information of Singapore

Public Transport

Singapore has a well-established integrated Public Transport System (Transit Link) integrating fare, information and networks of the trains MRT and LRT and the buses SBS and Tibs.

The new ez-link Card available at any TransitLink Ticket Office (TO) means commuters can travel on all trains and buses 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.

Taxis can be flagged down easily unless it is raining, late Friday afternoon or before midnight, when everybody wants to get home, or 5pm when offices close and taxi drivers change shifts.

Taxis are metered and connected to a radio dispatch. The base rate (when you flag down a taxi) is S$2.80 and S$5.00; other surcharges apply - after midnight, Electronic Road Price (entering city districts during peak hours), on the eve of and on Public Holidays.

For further information see: Visitsingapore.com

Driving a Car

Cars in Singapore are right hand drive. Driving and owing a car in Singapore is very expensive. This has been made purposely expensive by the Singaporean Government to control traffic on the small island. The Vehicle Quota Scheme for a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) of 10 years from the date of registration limits the number of cars considerably and increases the costs.

Hire purchase is a viable alternative to buying a car. You pay a fixed monthly sum over two or more years. Servicing, road tax, insurance and any accident claims are taken care of by the leasing company and a replacement vehicle is also provided. At the end of the lease period you can exercise your option to purchase the car.

Note: drivers not used to driving on the left hand side should be extremely careful when driving in Singapore.

Converting a Foreign Driving Licence to a Singapore licence, you have to pass the Basic Driving Theory Test to familiarise yourself with Singapore's highway code.

To do the conversion, you need to apply in person at the Traffic Police Department.

For further information, please contact: Traffic Police Department
Republic of Singapore Police
Ministry of Home Affairs
No. 10 Ubi Avenue 3
Singapore 408865
Tel: (65)-6547 0000
Fax: (5)-6547 4900
Website: www.spinet.gov.sg/aboutus/org.tp

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