Taking an idyllic trip to work seems unlikely given Singapore’s infrastructure crunch now. Public transport is a twice-daily nightmare for commuters who endure having their faces squashed against train doors, and are packed like sardines in buses and trains.

The ever-increasing ERP prices and gantries are not making things easier for cab drivers and passengers either. SMRT and SBS Transit’s commuters often complain that there are too few buses plying the common routes, long or unpredictable waiting times, and SMRT’s frequent constant revision of fares upwards.

Faced with these problems, it is no wonder that some favour cycling and travelling by foot. If you don’t get seasick easily, how about taking a river taxi as an alternative, innovative mode of transport?

Singapore River Explorer

Operates daily from 7am to 10pm. They come in 10-minute intervals during peak hours and 20-minute intervals during off peak hours, and cost a flat-rate fare of $3 for a one-way trip.

They cover two loop services from Jiak Kim (next to Zouk) to Clifford Pier for $3 one-way, or the Marina Bay area for $4.

The stops in between are along Kim Seng, Havelock, Fort Canning, Eu Tong Sen, North Bridge, Raffles Landing, Raffles Place MRT, Marina Bay City Gallery, Bayfront North, and Promenade.

There is no ERP, and no traffic congestion to slow you down or add to, with a scenic route along Singapore River to boot. It was launched in Jan 2013, and you can pay using your EZ-link card.

In a few years’ time, people living near Kallang MRT and Lavender MRT will also be able to travel via water taxis at Kallang Riverside, as the Rochor Canal and Kallang River waterways will converge.  

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