Singaporean MRT 101: A First Timer’s Journal
The conference has ended in Day 1 at Singapore, and it was time for me to explore this foreign area for the first time. Like I always do, I like to try taking up public transport, instead of being accompanied to my hotel by the event organizers. Good thing I was about to change my Philippine pesos into Singaporean dollars at Lucky Plaza (yes, the Filipino’s bailiwick in Singapore) and had time to walk along Singapore’s tourist row. Then came a challenge—how to get back at my hotel in Novena Square? Take the MRT lah!-Singapore’s answer to subways!
Singapore’s MRT-IMO, the most reliable public transport in this city state.
I headed to the Singapore Tourism office in Orchard and got the information I need. Off to Somerset!
Inside Singapore’s MRT, heading to Yishun
While there are buses plying Singapore’s roads, the tourism officer recommended to me not to take it—or you’ll get lost due to multiple routes (just like Baclaran-UE Letre is different from Baclaran-Malanday).
Look for the nearest MRT in Singapore
Swift Current of People
Somerset Station is located inside a mall, unlike back home where stations are very obvious. People walk fast—and I just went with that rapid current of the multitude towards the concourse area. There are times that I have to catch my breath. Even the escalators and walkalators in Singapore seems to be in a sugar rush frenzy. If you thought that was fast, a bit of advice though—be at the left side of the pathway or escalator. The right side is for people who are in a hurry. Kumbaga, it’s the fast lane.
Singapore’s MRT are just like expressways on rush hour! Unlike in Manila wherein you have no choice when the person in front of you is slow. In Singapore, you have to be at the one side of the pathway to make way for the “people on the rush.”
Purchasing Ticket
If you are a resident or working in Singapore, most likely you’ll purchase a stored-value card for the MRT. However, for quickie tourists just like I did, I purchased a single-journey ticket card—and mechanics here is different than that in LRT-Cubao! An average cost of MRT trip in Singapore is pegged at least SG$1 to SG$4. My destination (Novena) is only $1.30. There is the machine, I have $14. What should I do? Good thing there was a Singaporean lady with her family who helped this hopeless dork in the middle of confusion.
Raffle’s Place Station Entrance
First, press the “Purchase single-journey ticket on the left touch screen,” then select the station of destination at the map of the machine below. It’ll display how much you need to pay for the fare.
Do you know where you at lah?
Second, insert coin or bill at the slot (please have some lose change. Having SG$2 is good). Take note that it’ll charge you a dollar more for the card’s deposit fee (same principle as buying a 1 liter cola in sari-sari store). Then wait…
Then voila! There’s your ticket card. Keep it until you reach your destination.
And by the way, you have to tap that ticket card on the turnstiles, just like in a corporate office in Makati. You won’t be seeing any slots to insert it!
The Journey
The MRT is color coded and most stations have maps to guide the tourists and first timers, so it is easy to navigate. I took the red line from Sommerset to Novena, which was only 6 minutes away from each other.
Again, you know where’s the nearest MRT station…
I’ve noticed one thing in my journey though…although I hear a lot of people speaking English (Singlish), Mandarin, Bahasa Malay, and Tamil (the official languages of Singapore), among the multitude—Filipino (may it be Tagalog, Bisaya, Ilonggo, Ilocano) is very obvious! We got a lot of kababayans here, working or just having a vacation.
Singapore MRT Fare matrix and map
The MRT train is mostly underground—or subway as we all know. The train though reminds me of the LRT that runs from Recto to Santolan, one big continuous air-conditioned caterpillar. Also, there is a PA that reminds you of the station, if the door is opening, closing, or there is a technical problem. Efficient!
Be wary though that like in Manila, Singapore’s MRT can be very crowded during rush hours—especially during Fridays and Mondays.
The MRT platform at Tanah Merah, transit point to Changi Airport
Singapore, being known as a “Fine City,” people are not allowed to smoke, drink, spit, or eat inside. Fines here are no joke. It hurts the pocket.
The Destination
Upon reaching Novena, I alighted and went on to the ticket vending machine. Once there, I pressed the “Deposit Ticket” option on the left touch screen panel, then inserted the card at the slot, then a coin dropped at the claim slot. Yes! I got my SG$1 back!
Changi Airport Express — God, I just wish Manila has one too!
Transit to Changi
On my last day, I opted not to be sent to Changi International Airport by taxi. Instead, I prefer riding the Singaporean way—through the MRT.
Heading to Changi Airport
After that sumptuous dinner with fellow Pinoy Travel Blogger and friend Ron Cruz of FlipTravels, we part ways. He took the Red Line while I took the Green Line, both intersect at Raffle’s Place Station. Travel time to Changi is more or less 45 minutes with a stopover at Tanah Merah. The ride cost me SG$2.30!
It wasn’t of a hassle. Long queues inspecting bags with magic wands!
The languages of Singapore — English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil, at the MRT door.
This is something I hope Manila should replicate in mass public transport—most especially from the existing lines (LRT and MRT) to the airport. NAIA and the MRT are already suffering from so much criticism, should get its act together and have it improved.
And as for the Singaporean MRT transit, all I can say is—wow! The MRT itself perhaps is the best way to get around the Lion City without the hassle and the expense.
To get more information on Singapore’s public transport, log-on to http://www.smrt.com.sg/.