Buses connect various corners of Singapore. SBS Transit, Singapore’s largest bus company, has a useful bus route finder on their home page, but it does not show services run by competitor SMRT, which has its own search system.
You can pay cash (coins) in buses, but the fare stage system is quite complex (it’s easiest to ask the driver for the price to your destination), you are charged marginally more and there is no provision for getting change. Payment with ez-link is thus the easiest method. The system works like this: tap your card against the reader at the front entrance of the bus when boarding, and a maximum fare is deducted from the card. When you alight, tap your card again at the exit, and the difference is refunded. Inspectors occasionally prowl buses to check that everybody has paid.
After midnight on Fri, Sat and before public holidays only, the NightRider services are a fairly convenient way of getting around, with seven lines running every 15 minutes. All services drive past the major nightlife districts of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay, Mohamed Sultan and Orchard before splintering off. Flat fare $3, EZ-link accepted. You can get a copy of the service guide showing details of the routes at all MRT stations along the East-West Line (green line) and North-South Line (red line). Alternatively, get a copy at Singapore Visitor’s Centre. Or download a softcopy at: http://www.smrt.com.sg/buses/documents/nightrider_serviceguide.pdf
The Night Rider service, which cater to people returning late at night, provides extended night services which cost slightly more.
