En:Singapore Tourist Guidebook/Taking Public Transport

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Public Transport[edit]

Methods Of Fare Payments when using Public Transport[edit]

All tourist above 0.9m (2ft 11in) must present a valid card for travel on public transport. No sharing of travel card or contactless card is allowed.

Families with kids under 7 years old as of that year, irregardless of birth date, may apply for a Child Concession Card at any SimplyGo Ticket Office. The card is free and enable the kids to travel free in the public transport system, except for Premium and special services (E.g. Bus Service RWS8). Otherwise, the child will need a valid full fare paying travel card for travel.

EZ-Link Card[edit]

You may purchase an EZ-Link card at any SimplyGo ticket office, which can be found at selected MRT stations including CG2Changi Airport station. Alternatively, EZ-Link card can also be purchased through the vending machine located at either exits of CG2Changi Airport station. An EZ-Link card cost $10, which include a $5 non-refundable deposit and a $5 top-up for your bus/train ride. A minimum of $3 is required to be stored in the card to use for travel.

Singapore Tourist Pass[edit]

The Singapore Tourist Pass is a special pass that allows you to have unlimited rides on basic bus services and train services.

Singapore Tourist Pass Types
Services Singapore Tourist Pass
Singapore Tourist Pass.png
SG Tourist Pass
SG Tourist Pass.png
Singapore Tourist Pass Plus
Singapore Tourist Pass Plus.png
Cost $12/$19/$24 $29 $48
Refundable Rental Deposit $10 None
Pass Duration 1 - 3 3
Purchasable From SimplyGo ticket office / Vending Machine at CG2Changi Airport stations Cheers (Changi Airport) outlets Changi Recommends
Free Gift from Changi Recommends
MRT/LRT Free Ride
Basic Bus Service Free Ride
Express Bus Service Free Ride
Bus Service RWS8 Free Ride

Notes: Pass duration is based on the number of consecutive day from the day you start using the card.

Contactless Cards (Credit/Debit Bank cards)[edit]

Commuters can also use their foreign-issued MasterCard or VISA bank cards for travel. Please activate your bank card contactless feature first prior to arrival. An administrative charge of SGD $0.60 applied for each charge posting to non-Singapore issued bank card.

  • MasterCard: Every 5 days or when SGD $15 travel fare is charged to your card.
  • VISA: Every day.

Comparison on which card to use[edit]

If you are unsure on which card to use, follow the steps below.

  1. Calculate the estimated travel fare for your stay using the following formula: (2 + [ Number of days in Singapore ] + [ Number of attractions you planned to visit ]) × SGD $2.
  2. If the estimated travel fare is more than the Singapore Tourist Pass AND your duration of stay is less than 3 days: Purchase the Singapore Tourist Pass.
  3. Otherwise, use Contactless Card / EZ-Link Card.

Taking a Bus[edit]

Before boarding[edit]

Step 1: Locate the nearest bus stop

Each bus stop in Singapore is given a name and a 5-digit code which can be easily searched through the MyTransport.sg mobile app. All bus stops will have a bus service panel and/or a bus stop pole for reference.

Bus Stop Pole Bus Service Panel
Bus Stop Pole.png

Legends:

  • Blue - Bus Stop Code
  • Grey - Bus Stop Name
  • Teal - Closest MRT station (within a certain radius)
  • Green - List of bus service calling at the bus stop
Bus Service Panel.png

Legends:

  • Top: Bus Stop Name & Code
  • Bottom: List of Bus Service & its calling stops (in boxes)
Step 2: Checking Bus Service (& Arrival Time)

All public bus services in Singapore are given up to 3-digit numbers, with an optional alphabet suffix behind it. The list of suffix denotation is as follows.

Suffix Meaning
A/B/C (E.g. 106A) Short-Working Trip

This service only stops up to a certain stop along the entire route without the suffix.

M/X (E.g. 53M, 170X) Modified (Supplementary) Service

This service run a slightly different route for some portion as compared with the one without the suffix.

G/W (E.g. 410G) Green/White plate

Commonly found in neighbourhood estate where one of it ply in an anti-clockwise direction, and the other ply in an clockwise direction.

E/e (E.g. 868E, 97e)* Express Service

Capital letter ‘E’ denotes the service does not have a service without suffix, while small letter ‘e’ denotes an express variant (does not call at all stops) of the service without the suffix.

Singapore Tourist Pass user are not eligible to board the free ride on this service. Commuters who board Express service had to pay an additional SGD $0.60 for taking such service.

T (E.g. 36T) Terminating Trip service

Commonly found in neighbourhood estate, and also some late night bus service. Such bus service will call at all stops along the route, up till the first Interchange calling stop. For example, Service 36T will terminate at Changi Airport Terminal 2 and will not continue its journey onwards to Orchard.

Notes:

  • '5xx' and '6xx' services are also Express service without the ‘E’ suffix.
  • '7xx' services are Premium service and operate by private bus operators.

You may use the MyTransport.sg mobile application to check the bus arrival time at your bus stop.

Step 3: Look out for your bus

Keep a look out for your bus. When you notice your bus arriving, raise your hands outwards (towards the road) to flag the bus to stop.

Step 4: Board the bus

Board the bus only at the front (first) door. If you are on wheelchair, or pushing baby params, ensure you flag the bus early and hint your intention to board at the rear (second) door.

Upon boarding, tap your card on the fare reader to pay max fare for the distance to the end-destination (terminus of the service).

Note: Do not top-up your card or use your card for any other purpose while onboard bus as this may interfere with the refund process later and max fare will be charged to your card instead.

Card Reader
EzLink Bus Card Reader.png

During your ride[edit]

Step 1: Observe the rules when travelling

Take note of the following rules (laws) to avoid being told off, or fined by the authority.

Rules Maximum Consequences
Eating or Drinking, including Sweets and Plain/Mineral Water Fine $500
Smoking Cigarettes Fine $1,000
Bringing Flammable objects (Example: Gasoline) Fine $5,000
Bringing Durian Get off the bus
Standing on Upper deck Move to the lower deck
Abusing/Scolding any Public Transport Staff Jail 12 months and/or Fine $5,000
Fare Evasion (not tapping in card / using the wrong card) Fine $50
Carrying bulky item exceeding dimension (120 cm by 70 cm by 40 cm) Denied Boarding or Fine $500
Not pressing the bell for alighting Missed your stop
Step 2: Checking your destination

Use an online map services, such as Google Maps or CityMapper to track your journey as not all buses have passenger information display and next stop announcement. Furthermore, the next stop announcement may be turned off by the bus driver.

Type of buses Features available
SBS8067G 10.jpg
SBS7656M 293T.jpg
No passenger information display & No Next Stop Announcement
SBS6330J 177.jpg
Only next stop announcement
SMB bus-plate only: SMRT-specification Passenger Information Display
SMB257L 663.jpg
SMB1H TRG Lush Green.jpg
SMB3532Y 334.jpg
SMB5889E 979.jpg
SMB8010D 800.jpg
PC8656A 825.jpg
SMRT-specification Passenger Information Display & Next Stop Announcement
Others LTA-specification Passenger Information Display & Next Stop Announcement
SMRT-specification PIDS LTA-specification PIDS
PIDS (SMRT).png

Legends:

  • TOP (Red): Bus Stop Name of the next/current stop
  • BOTTOM (Green): Someone has pressed the bell for alighting, and bus will stop at the next stop
  • PIDS will oscillate between top and bottom if there is someone who press the bus stop bell.
PIDS (LTA).png

Legends:

  • TOP-LEFT (With Box): Bus Service Number
  • TOP-RIGHT: End Destination
  • BOTTOM-LEFT (Before ">>>"): Bell Status
    • NEXT: Next Stop, without anyone pressing the bell
    • STOP: Next Stop, bell had been pressed
    • ARR: Current bus stop, when the door is opened.
  • BOTTOM-RIGHT (After ">>>"): Bus Stop Name of the next/current stop
Step 3: Alight the bus

Press the bus stop bell when you intent to alight at the next stop. Proceed to any of the rear door (for 3-door buses) for alighting.

Before alighting, tap your card again on the card reader for a refund of any unused travelled journey (distance).

Note: Do not top-up your card or use your card for any other purpose while onboard bus as this may interfere with the refund process and max fare will be charged to your card instead.

Bus Stop Bell Card Reader
Bus Stop Bell.png
EzLink Bus Card Reader.png