It's not easy to express quite how unbelievably efficient Singapore's public transport system is. The country's urban rail system - know as the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) - does exactly what it says on the tin. Faced with a large population that resides predominantly in suburban 'high-rise towns' yet works in the city centre, the authorities in the 1980s invested millions to create probably the most efficient commuter network in the world. In contrast to the London Underground the MRT is decades ahead, and far cheaper: a single ride typically costs less than 30 pence! Trains are comfortable, frequent and never delayed by strikes or leaves on the line. The stations too are kept meticulously clean, with everything from the roof tiles to the escalators are polished and sparkling. In fact, Singapore's hygiene standards are so high I would feel confident eating my dim sum right off the platform.
The 25 minute journey from our accommodation to work everyday is ridiculously easy even though it is necessary to change lines en route. A welcome respite from the tropical humidity outdoors, the huge atrium-like stations are fully air conditioned and intelligently designed to handle the thousands of passengers passing through them every day; why can't our subways be like this! The automated announcer on the train informs riders of approaching stations in a sickly sweet tone, and kindly requests I please mind the gap whilst exiting the train. And here is the only fault I can level against an otherwise seamless travel experience - Singapore is just not designed with caucasian stature in mind! At 5 foot 11 inches I wouldn't exactly consider myself short, but I'm definitely not tall by European standards, yet everywhere in Singapore I am constantly at risk of being scalped by low doorways. On the upside, navigating crowds is a breeze as I can always see over the heads of Singaporeans to reach my destination. Getting around Singapore by MRT is effortless, but anyone taller than hobbit-size needs to mind their head as well as the gap when alighting the train!
