TRANSPORTATION IN SINGAPORE

BUSES              CAR               MRT               TAXI

Singapore has more than 15,000 air-conditioned taxis, which provide comfortable, hassle-free travelling at reasonable costs. There are many well marked taxi stands outside most major shopping centers and hotels. All taxis run on the meter, but there are surcharges applicable when using the expressways and also if travelling within the Central Business District between 7.30 to 9.30 in the morning and 5.30 to 7 in the evening, weekdays.

An extra charge will be also be added for advanced booking. Bookings can be made via the phone, and normally takes about 5-10 minutes' to arrive.  Additional charges are capped to taxi bookings but some taxi operators are currently having promotions where bookings after 12 midnights are free.

All taxis display their taxi's registration number inside the taxi above the doors. If you left something in the taxi, you can call the taxi company first as the driver will usually hand it to them.

Taxis for hire are also available from the airport, with a levy surcharge of S$3. Take note that if a taxi displays a red sign on its dashboard, the driver is changing shift and will only pick up customers going in his direction. SMRT Taxis also offers ten cabs, which are wheelchair-accessible, to tourists and locals who need them.

COMMUTER DOS & DON'TS

DOS:

• Flag for the taxi in advance.

• Wait for a taxi at a safe distance from the road.

• Wait for the taxi to come to a complete stop before boarding it.

• Follow the maximum seating capacity regulations

• Buckle your seat belt.

• Tell cabby your preferred route.

• Inform cabby of multiple destinations at the start of the journey.

• Ask cabby to adjust the air-con temperature if it’s too hot or too cold.

• Request cabby to play some music if desired.

• Keep wet marketing or durians tightly wrapped and stored in the taxi boot for the comfort of other passengers.

• Ask cabby for help with bulky items if you need help.

• Cage up your pet.

• Inform cabby in advance if you only have large notes (eg $100) with you.

• Ask cabby to fetch you to a convenient retail outlet or petrol kiosk to break your note if cabby does not have sufficient change.*

• Understand if our cabby is unable to send you to your doorstep due to height restrictions at some areas. Taxis with taxi-top advertisement may not be able to access areas with height restrictions (eg basement carparks).

• Ask for a printed receipt if you need to make a transport claim.

• Check if you left anything behind.