using public transport & life without a car

[aster]

Lastly, I've only been here 10 months, but I think I'd go insane without the ability for a quick weekend road-trip. Singapore gets immensely boring rather quickly.

They have this place on the east coast that is home to these magical birds that can take you to all sorts of places.

I think the automobile used to be a symbol of freedom for the previous generation, but for myself it's more like a burden than anything. Being able to hop onto a SQ flights to Barcelona or Bali is my idea of freedom, but then living in Singapore has different limitations and different needs than living in the US, Europe or Australia.

[zzm9980]

Lastly, I've only been here 10 months, but I think I'd go insane without the ability for a quick weekend road-trip. Singapore gets immensely boring rather quickly.

They have this place on the east coast that is home to these magical birds that can take you to all sorts of places.

I think the automobile used to be a symbol of freedom for the previous generation, but for myself it's more like a burden than anything. Being able to hop onto a SQ flights to Barcelona or Bali is my idea of freedom, but then living in Singapore has different limitations and different needs than living in the US, Europe or Australia.

Without a kid, I'd agree completely. I'd use that stipend to travel somewhere at least every month.

[carteki]

That only 10% of the population have cars speaks volumes.

The rest just can't afford one!

I don't have kids, so can't comment on strollers etc on busses and mrt's.
It depends on what your lifestyle is. A taxi will always be way cheaper than owning a car to get you places that the bus / mrt won't. If your lifestyle revolves around the CBD and shopping centres then don't bother with a car. If, however, you want to get away from it all and visit off the beaten track places like the fish farms and mangrove reserves or Malaysia on a regular basis - then get a car. Taxi's won't help you there.

Taxi's are not perfect - there are multiple threads on this topic. Drivers will take you on the long route - if they know where you want to go and they drive horrendously badly (car-sick children are a common complaint on this forum)

[JR8]

That only 10% of the population have cars speaks volumes.

The rest just can't afford one!

Oh I agree. My point was more that despite that they manage somehow. And since they aren't on the net and writing to the papers whining about it you'd imagine they do not find having children and being without a car too much of a challenge.

[sundaymorningstaple]

perxactly!

[x9200]

They probably also do not have too much problems with people jumping ques, squeezing in front of you to get to the bus/lift/mrt/whatever first, and occupying priority seats in the buses. Probably they have no idea that it can be different than this so are they really a part of the same equation?

[zzm9980]

That only 10% of the population have cars speaks volumes.

A taxi will always be way cheaper than owning a car to get you places that the bus / mrt won't.

Actually, I priced out taxi to/from work every day. It came out only about $100-150 a month less than the car payment. Even without the kid I'd think long and hard, just so I didn't have to deal with always trying to find a taxi... So depending on your commute, not always...

[zaceffs]

Hi

My husband is in Singapore at the moment, he is in a Serviced Apartment, doesn't have far to travel to work and has only good things to say about the MRT. We are moving from London so in comparison the public transport in Singapore is a dream.

I am moving out with in the summer with our 2 children who will be 5 and 1 years old. We will not be buying a car.

I am looking forward to exploring our new surroundings but I will need to get about with a baby in a buggy.

Is it easy/accessible to travel with a buggy on the bus system?
Are there lifts and easy access on/off the MRT?

What are your experiences of public transport with small children in tow?

How have you adapted to your new life without a car?

Thank you in advance.

you will never have a problem. as long as you avoid peak hours, travel is a breeze

[sundaymorningstaple]

That, of course, means driving only between the hours of 3 and 4 am in the wee hours of the morning or between 3 and 4 p.m. in the afternoon.

[zzm9980]

you will never have a problem. as long as you avoid peak hours, travel is a breeze

And you don't live somewhere that either A) Has other people who also like to use the taxi or B) taxi drivers don't really want to go.

I didn't believe it until I took your position on this forum either. But I swear the week after I said "I never have a problem getting a taxi!" I was waiting 30-40 minutes every morning.

[the lynx]

you will never have a problem. as long as you avoid peak hours, travel is a breeze

And you don't live somewhere that either A) Has other people who also like to use the taxi or B) taxi drivers don't really want to go.

I didn't believe it until I took your position on this forum either. But I swear the week after I said "I never have a problem getting a taxi!" I was waiting 30-40 minutes every morning.

Haha jinxed!

[zzm9980]

you will never have a problem. as long as you avoid peak hours, travel is a breeze

And you don't live somewhere that either A) Has other people who also like to use the taxi or B) taxi drivers don't really want to go.

I didn't believe it until I took your position on this forum either. But I swear the week after I said "I never have a problem getting a taxi!" I was waiting 30-40 minutes every morning.

Haha jinxed!

Is that better or worse than being lynxed??

[sundaymorningstaple]

Guess we'll have to wait for the next Eagle's Gathering to find out! (unless she cops out again)

[syamsulstar]

Hi

My husband is in Singapore at the moment, he is in a Serviced Apartment, doesn't have far to travel to work and has only good things to say about the MRT. We are moving from London so in comparison the public transport in Singapore is a dream.

I am moving out with in the summer with our 2 children who will be 5 and 1 years old. We will not be buying a car.

I am looking forward to exploring our new surroundings but I will need to get about with a baby in a buggy.

Is it easy/accessible to travel with a buggy on the bus system?
Are there lifts and easy access on/off the MRT?

What are your experiences of public transport with small children in tow?

How have you adapted to your new life without a car?

Thank you in advance.

You might want to look into car sharing. I have been using their service for a little over a year now. It is pretty convenient, and still cheaper than owning a car for occasional driving needs.

http://www.honda.com.sg/cars/kahshare/

http://www.carclub.com.sg/