Incredible £87.1bn underground system in Asian city that’s ‘learned lessons from Europe’ | World | News
An incredible underground system in an Asian city has “learned lessons from Europe”. The Singapore Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is a rapid transit system serving the city-state of Singapore.
It is a key component of Singapore’s public transportation network, providing efficient and reliable connectivity across the island.
Many of Asia’s great cities have reportedly benefited from lessons learned by the early subway builders in Europe and North America.
Instead of tiny tunnels and cramped, stuffy trains, commuters in cities such as Singapore enjoy larger profile trains and spacious stations acting as vibrant community hubs.
The MRT system began operation in 1987 with the opening of the North-South Line, making Singapore one of the first cities in Southeast Asia to have a rapid transit system.
Despite only opening 37 years ago, Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) is southeast Asia’s oldest metro network – as well as its busiest.
High land values in the densely packed city-state also made it the world’s most expensive metro to build, with construction costs reaching £87.1 billion ($111.5) billion by 2021.
Over the years, the system has expanded significantly to cover more areas of the island.
The system is operated by SMRT Corporation and SBS Transit, both of which are public transport operators in Singapore.
SMRT operates the North-South, East-West, and Circle Lines, while SBS Transit operates the North-East, Downtown, and Thomson-East Coast Lines.
The MRT system is known for its punctuality, cleanliness, and safety. Trains operate at high frequencies, especially during peak hours, ensuring that passengers do not have to wait long for their train to arrive.
Additionally, the system is equipped with modern amenities and features, such as air conditioning, platform screen doors, and real-time train arrival information.
Fares for the MRT system are calculated based on the distance travelled. Passengers can use contactless smart cards known as EZ-Link cards or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for their journeys.
There are also options for tourists, such as the Singapore Tourist Pass, which offers unlimited rides on public transportation for a fixed duration.
