MRT – a beginner’s guide

The MRT (stands for Mass Rapid Transit) is the underground/subway system in Singapore and is the transport method of choice for most visitors to the city. It is safe, efficient, clean, cheap and most importantly, air-conditioned.

Signage
The MRT is fairly idiot-proof, with English directional signage leading to exits, trains, and line interchanges. The train lines are colour-coded to facilitate usability.

Note that many MRT stations have several exits, with main roads and landmarks highlighted to make it easier to choose your exit.

At most exits, you will find a locality map to help find your way once you leave the station.

Payment System
Single-fare tickets for the MRT can be bought from the ticket machines in the train stations. The price includes a $1.00 deposit which will be refunded when you return your card to the machine at the end of the journey.

The ticket machines use touch screen technology and are pretty straight forward:
1. Select which ticket type you want (eg. Adult single)
2. Press on the station you are travelling to on the map
3. Insert the amount of money requested.
Machines only give a maximum of $10.00 change so you will need to change larger notes at the passenger service counter.

If you plan to do lots of exploring, your best bet is to buy an EZ-link card, which can be bought from any MRT station passenger service counter. This will save you having to go to the machine every time you want to get on a train. The card costs $15 which includes $10 of travel credit and cards can be topped up (minimum top-up is $10.00) at the ticket machines in the train stations. Fares on the trains range from .70¢ to $3.00, but you need to have a minimum of $3.00 stored value on your EZ-link card to start any journey.

The EZ-link card can also be used on buses – remember to tap your card on the reader as you enter and exit the bus, and some SMRT taxis.

How to Ride
There are four different train lines, and each has a name (eg. North-East Line) and colour (eg. Purple). The direction of train is displayed on the platform above where the doors will open. This is determined by the name of the last station at the end of the line. It will also be displayed on the TV screens on the platform – note not all trains continue to the end of the line, and this will be indicated by the station name on the TV screen.

Announcements on the train are made in English and Mandarin (and sometimes in Malay and Tamil also), and some of the newer trains have flashing lights on the line map to show your current location.

Trains run from 05.30am – 00.30am, with last trains varying with each station.

Etiquette
As with underground travel around the world, it makes everybody’s life a little easier if you show some basic good manners:
- Stand aside to let other people off the train first, before you try to get on

- Priority seats closest to the entrance are clearly marked and should be given up for the elderly, injured, heavily pregnant or passengers travelling with small children.

- When standing on escalators, stand on the LEFT. You will notice that most other passengers ignore this rule – but it doesn’t mean that you have to!

- Strictly no eating and drinking is allowed on the MRT – this includes on the train and on the platform. You risk a fine of $500.

Warning – anti-social behaviour also runs the risk of being named and shamed on Singapore Seen.
You have been warned!

Happy Travelling!