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Modes of Transportation on the Island of Singapore

Singapore is a city rich with cultural activities, water parks and aquariums, and festivals. For the tourist or business traveler there are many various options for dining out, for entertainment and many options for places to stay, many options for booking nights at one of many Singapore luxury hotels. And for the traveler, there are many options for getting around the island for business and for pleasure. For travel to the island of Singapore one may take any number of cruises as Singapore has a major port. And the main international airport, the Changi Airport, services many major airline companies. And once on the island one can travel quick and efficiently, or a bit more romantically by some of the older traditional means.

Until WWII, the main form of public transportation was the rickshaw. Where as the rickshaw is a cart with two wheels pulled by a human running, the trishaw has three wheels and is fitted with a bicycle seat, a chain and pedals. Invented by the Japanese, this form of travel became popular in Singapore during the early 1920′s. Some of the passenger cars are situated behind the driver, while others are positioned to the side in a sidecar. While this form of travel may not be the quickest way to get from one place to another, it is a very enjoyable experience. Bringing a bit of tradition and history into the beginning or the end of any night out on the town. Singapore has just one cable car company, which runs from one end of the island to the other, letting people off at one of the major tourist attractions, Sentosa, which is a sea-side, resort town. And as far as accessing some of the smaller islands off the coast, there are two bridges and a ferry boat, also a great way to leisurely get to one’s destination.

For those wanting more direct and faster means, roads connect all of the major and most of the smaller towns on the island. Expressways were built as a means to get people out of the downtown district. The idea being that if the outlying towns were easily accessible, people would move to the outskirts of the city and commute. Thus spreading out the population and relieving the over-population of the central business district. And now many of the expressway into and out of the area have become toll roads, providing the transportation department the means to provide the up keep and construction. Singapore also has three rail lines as part of the mass transit system, and a light rail that was was opened in 1988. And within the next year, the circle line is to be completed. And of course, as in any major city there are buses that run frequently and taxi stands on just about every corner, as well as a sufficient number to hail should one need. Singapore is an island with much to see and experience and the various modes of transportation provide the means to do so.

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2. Singapore is a Melting Pot
3. Options for Family Fun in Singapore
4. Conservative Singapore
5. Outdoor Activities in Singapore

Tags: island, Singapore, transportation

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