Singapore - Transportation
Many modes of transportation are used to get around in Singapore: two of the least expensive ways of getting around Singapore are by bus or Mass Rapid Transit (MRT). The public buses require exact change, unless a Singapore Explorer ticket is used which allows unlimited access to buses and trains. The MRT arrives every 3-8 minutes, runs from 6 am to midnight and has 42 stations. For visitors there is a souvenir ticket available. Alternatively a Transit-Link fare card can be used that is valid for both the MRT and buses.
Airports
Town Airport name ICAO IATA Usage Customs Runway IFR Runway length
Singapore Changi WSSS SIN Civ. Yes Paved Yes 13100 ft
Singapore Paya Lebar WSAP QPG Civ. O/R Paved Yes 12400 ft
Singapore Seletar WSSL XSP Civ. Yes Paved Yes 5300 ft
Singapore Sembawang WSAG Civ. Paved No 3000 ft
Singapore Tengah WSAT TGA Civ. O/R Paved No 8900 ft
Explanations on technical data
ICAO-code
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a 4-letter airport location indicator. The field above is left blank if no ICAO location indicator is available for the selected airport.
IATA-code
International Air Transport Association (IATA), a 3-letter identifier for the relevant airport. The field above is left blank if no IATA code is available for the selected airport.
Usage
Airports are classified in three categories: civil airports open for public use, military airports and private airports not open to the public. Airports that are for joint use, both civil and military, are shown as civil airports.
Civ. Civil airport, open to public use (including joint use).
Mil. Military airport, not open to public use.
Priv. PrivateAirport, not open to public use.
Customs
Yes Customs service available during airport operating hours.
No Customs service not available.
O/R Airport has customs service, prior notification is required.
Pot. Airport has part-time customs service available, not necessarily conforming to the airport hours.
ADCUS An airport within the USA for which the FAA 'ADCUS' method of prior notification may be used.
ADCUS O/R An airport within the USA for which the FAA 'ADCUS' method of prior notification may be used but where restrictions apply.
Runway
Identification of the surface of the longest runway available:
Paved Paved (hard surface) runway
Unpaved Unpaved (soft surface) runway (Only for lighter aircraft)
Water Water (for float planes,
IFR
This field indicates if the airport has any officially published instrument approach procedure.
Yes Instrument approach procedure is published.
No Instrument approach procedure is not published. (Airport not suitable for traffic during bad weather or darkness.)
Runway Length
If the airport has both hard (paved) and soft (unpaved) runways, the length of the longest hard surface runway is shown. If the longest runway is both, hard and soft surface, the length of the hard surface portion is shown.
Shipping Ports
The Port of Singapore refers to the collective facilities and terminals that conduct maritime trade handling functions in Singapore's harbours and which handle Singapore's shipping. Currently the world's busiest port overall in terms of total shipping tonnage, it also handles a quarter of the world's shipping containers as the world's busiest container port, and half of the world's annual supply of crude oil. In terms of total cargo tonnage handled, it is second only to Shanghai. Thousands of ships drop anchor in the harbour, connecting the port to over 600 other ports in 123 countries and spread over six continents.
The Port of Singapore is not a mere economic boon, but an economic necessity due to the fact that Singapore is lacking in land and natural resources. The Port is critical for importing natural resources, and then later re-exporting them after they have been refined and shaped in consumer ready manner, for example wafer fabrication or oil refining to generate revenue. Only then can the service industry such as hospitality services typical of a port of call, for example, restocking a ship's food and water supplies, take their role. It also is a link to Johor as the Straits of Johor is currently impassable by most ships.
The port is the world's busiest port in terms of shipping tonnage handled, with 1.15 billion gross tons (GT) handled in 2005. In terms of cargo tonnage, Singapore is ranked second behind Shanghai with 423 million tons handled. The port retains its position as the world's busiest hub for transshipment traffic in 2005, and is also the world's biggest bunkering hub, with 25 million tones sold in the same year.
Singapore was ranked first globally in 2005 in terms of containerised traffic, with 23.2 million Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) handled. High growth in containerised traffic has seen the port overtaking Hong Kong since the first quarter of 2000, and has led the race ever since, with an estimated 19,335 TEUs handled in the year up to October, compared to 18,640 TEUs handled in Hong Kong in the same period. A rise in regional traffic consolidating the port's position in Southeast Asia, and increases in transshipment traffic using the strategic East Asia-Europe route via Singapore helped the port to emerge on top at the end of the year, a title it had not held since overtaking Hong Kong once in 1998.
PSA Singapore Terminals
The world's largest container transshipment hub, handling about one-fifth of the world's container transshipment throughput; operates four container terminals and two multi-purpose terminals in Singapore.
Jurong Port Pvt. Ltd
37 Jurong Port Road, Singapore 619110
Multi-purpose port and service provider; services: container terminal operation, bulk and conventional cargo handling, and providing integrated logistics solutions to customers
- Pan United Ltd
9 Tampines Industrial Street 62, Singapore 528815
Company with interests in ports, shipping, industry and trading; operates the Changshu Xinghua Port in Jiangsu, China; operates container ships, tugs and barges; imports and distributes cement, ready-mix concrete, and asphalt premix.
· Portek International Limited
Port operator in Asia involved in leasing and sale of equipment, modification, modernization, and maintenance of port facilities, supply of crane and electronic control components, managing terminals in Indonesia and Algiers, and also energy production.
- Singapore Cruise Centre Pvt. Ltd
1 Maritime Square, Singapore 099253
Cruise & ferry terminal operator in Singapore, managing & operating 3 ferry terminals & 1 award-winning cruise terminal, and handling 8 million passengers/year; manages the use of commercial space in these premises.
Local Transport
Travelling around Singapore is a piece of cake. The island-wide transport system is very efficient and works with clockwork precision.
The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is known as one of the most efficient and the cleanest systems of the world, the MRT is a safe, modern, air-conditioned passenger train service with stations spread through the city. There are two main lines - one from MarinaBay to Jurong East via Woodlands and the other from Pasir Ris to Boon Lay. The trains operate between 5:30-24:00 (6:00-24:00 on Sundays and public holidays) with stations being served on average every six minutes. The MRT is an inexpensive mode of commuting. You can also travel to the suburbs for a taste of the local way of life. The tracks outside the city are above the ground, thus enabling the visitor to enjoy the scenery.
Transit Link fare cards or tourist souvenir tickets can be obtained from MRT stations and are valid on MRT as well as SBS and TIBS bus services. Information on the MRT and the bus services can be obtained from the Transit Link. Guides are available at most MRT stations, the bus interchanges and at major bookstores.
Coin-operated ticket-dispensing machines are located inside the main doors at each station. Money-changing machines for changing paper money to coins are located opposite the ticket machines. Enter the platform through the gates marked with green arrows. There you insert your ticket, arrow first (and facing up). The machine will open the gate and return the ticket. The same procedure is followed at your destination, except that your ticket will not be returned.
Please note that each ticket is time coded on entry, and you are advised not to spend more than half-an-hour in addition to travel time, because tickets can expire.
Rental Cars:You can rent cars by the day or the week; can be hired from a number of local operators. These are air-conditioned and can be hired for self-drive or with the services of a chauffeur. A valid international driving license is preferred for those wishing to self-drive. You can rent a car from any of the international firms or from local car hire firms. You will need both a national and an international license. Driving is on the left side of the road, and wearing a seat belt is required by law.
Ships and Ferries:Ferry and water taxi services departing from Cliff Pier, Jardine Steps and the World Trade Centre can take you to Singapore's outlying islands. The Singapore Cruise Centre is located at the World Trade Centre, about 10 minutes drive from the city centre. Harbour cruises and ferry services to Singapore's islands, Malaysia and the Indonesian Riau islands may be boarded at the ferry terminals located at the World Trade Centre and Tanah Me rah Ferry Terminal at Changi. A ferry for Sentosa, the most popular offshore island, leaves daily every 20 minutes starting at 0730. Major cruise lines to Singapore include Ocean Pearl, Cunard, Royal Cruise, Princess Cruises and the Royal Viking Line. See your local travel agent for more details.
Taxis are available 24 hours and provide reasonably priced travel throughout the city. Singapore has more than 15,000 taxis, which can be flagged down or picked up from designated taxi stands which are well-located throughout the city. Taxis can be booked at any time of the day or night. Fares are metered, and an S$3 surcharge is applied for all journeys from, but not to, the airport.
Trishaws: This traditional form of chauffeur-pedaled transportation is a fun and exciting way to tour the streets of Singapore.
Trolley Bus:The Singapore Trolley Bus provides a hop-on and hop-off service. It operates between the Orchard Road vicinity, Tanjong Pagar and Boat Quay and is a good option for exploring the cultural, entertainment and shopping areas of the city. The trolley bus is ideal for shopping during the day and pub-hopping at night. In fact, the fare includes interesting discounts at the nightspots and some other local spots which are en-route.