Osong Ligaw goes to Singapore

Singapore, a fine city they say. It really is. It's clean, it's pleasant, and it has a crazy SMRT ride. For first timers, at least.

Since backpackers, tourists, and seasoned travellers will save a lot of money when they use the SMRT, I  decided to make a quick review of SG's most convenient and efficient, and not to mention most affordable transport system.

• EZ Link Card. The first thing you need is the EZ Link Card which can be purchased at the Ticketing Office at any SMRT stations. One can simply load up their EZ-links for convenience.  Usually, my human load up S$10, but you can also do S$50 or use your coins. The minimum amount that your EZ link should have is S$3. 

After you have loaded your EZ link cards, you just have to tap it onto the card reader on the bus and at the SMRT stations. If the card reader flashes green, that means you have less than S$5 in your card, but if it turns red, it means you have insufficient amount in your card. You just have to tap twice, when you enter and exit regardless if you switch lane or not. 

~You can use your EZ link card on SMRT, buses, and taxi cabs, too. I've heard that you can also use it on some establishments, but my human is a little too "dyahe" to ask. 

• SMRT Map. Once you have purchased your EZ link, I highly recommend that you ask for a free SMRT Map from the ticketing officer. This will serve as your guide to your travel around Singapore. 

The SMRT map

As you have noticed, the lanes at the SMRT are divided into 4 different colours: Red (North South), Green (East West), Purple (North East), and Yellow (Circle). You can easily transfer from one colour or lane to another to reach your desired destination. 

~When asking for directions, you have to use the real names of the lines and not their colours. For example, you have to look for the North East signage if you're looking for the purple line.

• The Interchange Station. Some lines are interchange stations. This means, you can transfer from one line (or colour) to another. This is marked by the circle on your map. 

For example, you can go to Bishnan Station using either the North South or Circle line. Moreover, if you're using the North South Line but wish to transfer to Circle Line, you can simply alight at Bishnan to do so. 

Some Interchange stations are *Choa Chu Kang *Jurong East *Buona Vista *Outram Park *Harbour Front *Raffles Place *City Hall *Marina Bay *Paya Lebar *Seranggoon *Tanah Merah *Sengkang and *Punggol. 

~Dhoby Ghaut is a special case because it has three intersecting lines: North South, North East, and Circle lines. Well, good luck finding your way out of Dhoby Ghaut. 

• Remember where each line ends. Often, when you've figured out which line to take, you will then be confused on which train to board. That is why it is important that you know where each train is going: North South (Jurong East - Marina Bay), North East (Punggol - Harbour Front); East West (Boon Lay - Pasir Ris/Changi Airport); and Circle (Dhoby Ghaut - Harbour Front). 

~ For example, if you were at Woodlands and wish to go to Dhoby Ghaut, you need to take the train that says, Marina Bay. If you take Jurong East, it will pass by Marsailing, Kranju, Yew Tee, and so on. It will not go to Dhoby Ghaut until it has been to Jurong East. 

• Reserved Seating. Be mindful also of the Reserved Seating sign. There are numerous seats reserved for the elderly, pregnant women, passengers with child/children, and the injured/disabled. If by any chance you are seated on these seats, you have to be ready (and willing) to give up your seat unless you can bear to be glared at by a lot of passengers all through your trip. 

Thankfully, I will never have such problems of giving up my seat. 

You may also wish to visit the following websites for more information on EZ Link Cards and on SMRT. And if you ever get lost, you may ask the friendly Police officers to call your hotel or host family for you.