Transport within Singapore is mainly land-based. Many parts of Singapore are accessible by road, including islands such as Sentosa and Jurong Island. The other major form of transportation within Singapore is rail: the Mass Rapid Transit which runs the length and width of Singapore, and the Light Rail Transit which runs within a few neighbourhoods. The main island of Singapore is connected to the other islands by ferryboat services.

Singapore also has many links to the rest of the world. There are two bridges which link Singapore to Malaysia – the Causeway, and the Second Link. The Singapore Changi Airportis a major aviation hub in Asia, and Singapore is a major transshipment port. According to the study conducted by London consulting firm Credo, Singapore has one of the most cost-efficient public transport networks in the world.^[1]

Singapore has one of the most cost-efficient public transport networks in the world, according to a study by London consulting firm Credo.^[8] Public transport covers a variety of transport modes such as bus, rail and taxi. This is a result of great emphasis by the Government of Singapore to promote its use over private transport. About 5.308 million trips are made on a daily basis on the public transport system and at least half of its population utilises it daily.

The public transport system is the most important means of transportation to work and school for Singaporeans. About 52.4% of Singaporean residents (excluding foreigners) go to work using public transport according to the Singapore Census of Population 2000, with 41.6% using private transport and the remaining 6.1% not requiring any form of transport. Amongst school-going residents, 41.5% of them go to school by public transport, 24.9% by private transport, and a further 30.1% do not require any form of transport at all.

A slight dip has been noted in the number of Singaporeans and permanent residents using public transport compared to 1990, which had 55.0% and 46.3% of them going to work and to school respectively. The government aims to reverse this trend such that the total average number of commuters on public transport rises above 75% of all trips made.^[2]

Buses[edit]

Main article: Bus transport in Singapore

SMRT Buses MAN A22

SBS Transit Scania K230UB

Public Bus transportation:

SBS Transit

• Routes: 195 routes (2016)
• Fleet: More than 3,000 buses (2016)

SMRT Buses

• Routes: 77 routes (2016)
• Fleet: More than 1,400 buses (2016)

Tower Transit Singapore

• Routes: 26 Routes (2016)
• Fleet: 380 Buses (2016)

Go-Ahead Singapore

• Routes: 25 routes (2016)
• Fleet: 380 buses (2016)
• Go-Ahead Singapore will commence the operation of 24 services in two tranches. 13 bus services will begin on 4 September 2016, while another 11 on 18 September. Another route will be introduced in 2017, and details of the route will be announced closer to the implementation date.

Rail[edit]

Main article: Mass Rapid Transit (Singapore)

A C751B train at Eunos MRT Stationon the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, one of eight heavy rail passenger transport lines in Singapore

In 2016, the rail lines present are

MRT/Metro/Subway lines under SMRT:

• North South MRT Line (Red)
• East West MRT Line (Green)
• Circle MRT Line (Yellow)
• Bukit Panjang LRT Line(Light Rapid Transit)(Grey)

MRT/Metro/Subway lines under SBS Transit:

• North East MRT Line (Purple)
• Downtown MRT Line (Blue)
• Sengkang LRT Line (Light Rapid Transit) (Grey)
• Punggol LRT Line (Light Rapid Transit) (Grey)

Sentosa:

• Sentosa Express monorail

Upcoming lines:

• Tuas Link MRT Station (Tuas Link Extension)
• Thomson-East Coast MRT Line
• Circle Line Stage 6 Circle MRT Line
• New Canberra station on North South Line
• Cross Island MRT Line (Under Planning)
• Jurong Region MRT Line
• Downtown Line extension
• North East Line extension
• Kuala Lumpur–Singapore High Speed Rail

Taxis[edit]

Main article: Taxicabs of Singapore

Taxicabs are a popular form of public transport in the compact sovereign city-state of Singapore, with fares considered relatively low compared to those in most cities in developed countries. As of December 2014, the total taxi fleet in Singapore is 28,736 taxis, operated by six taxi companies and 178 independent drivers. Taxis may be flagged down at any time of the day along any public road outside of the Central Business District (CBD).

The public transport system is regulated by the Land Transport Authority, which oversees the three main modes of public transportation. Fare regulation and bus service standards are under the purview of an independent body, the Public Transport Council, while TransitLink, established by SBS Transit, SMRT Trains and SMRT Buses, helps to create an integrated multi-modal system with a common fare-payment mode, information platform, and a physical network without duplication of services.

The policies of the Land Transport Authority are meant to encourage the use of public transport in Singapore. The key aims are to provide an incentive to reside away from the Central district, as well as to reduce air pollution. Singapore has a Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and Light Rail Transit (LRT) rail system consisting of five lines. There is also a system of bus routes throughout the island, most of which have air conditioning units installed due to Singapore's tropical climate. Buses without air conditioning installed are gradually being phased out. A contactless smart card called the EZ-Link card is used to pay bus and MRT fares.

Public transport for tourists[edit]

Launched in December 2007 by Land Transport Authority, Singapore Tourism Board and EZ-Link, the Singapore Tourist Pass^[9] offers unlimited travel for tourists to Singapore on Singapore's public transport system. For $8 a day, tourists can take any number of rides on buses and trains operated by SBS Transit, SMRT Buses and SMRT Trains. Certain buses like Night Rider are not applicable. The Singapore Tourist Pass is available at selected MRT stations.