Originally Posted by
alphaod
So about two years ago I asked a thread on driving in Singapore and I got a good amount of replies all telling me it was expensive, a hassle, etc.; basically it was to dissuade me from doing it at all since Singapore has an excellent public transit and taxi system. Yes they do. So I didn't drive and didn't know better.
However I have found driving isn't the hell that it's been portrayed to be.
A few things I agree on and many I don't: it's expensive to rent a car, but it's also expensive to buy one. There are ERP gantries everywhere, but each charge is only like $1 or less; it's not like they charge you every block; it's only on very few roads and usually only for a few hours a day. Parking is very easy everywhere. On the street as long as you looked up the laws online, it's the same everywhere; there is nothing cost prohibitive about parking on the street or in a garage, and there are a lot of garages. I loaded a NETS cash card with S$100 thinking I was going to blow it in a week, but I barely spend S$30 in ERP and parking charges. I'm sorry, but when I lived in NY, I'm pretty sure that was the amount of tolls I had to pay getting to the the city. In NY parking an hour is like $30 whereas in SG it's only like $1.90.
Another thing I was warned about was traffic and such. There is no traffic in SG; I'm sorry there just isn't any real jams unless there is a pile up (which would make it the same anywhere in the world); I've seen plenty of traffic in my lifetime and SG isn't bad at all. Roads are wide, drivers are mostly organized, people actually follow the rules and the lights. The speed limits are reasonable and there is absolute no interference from law enforcement. I was worried one night after having a glass of wine, but there aren't even any check points anywhere and I've asked the locals about this too.
There is also the major convenience factor. I can hop into the car and drive to my destination, often taking no more than 15-20 minutes to cross town. If I was to take the subway, it sure save me a few dollars, but it takes me 10 minutes just to walk to the station, another few to wait for the train, then another 10 minutes on the train itself, and more walking. And SG is hot and humid. If I take a cab in morning they want some stupid rush hour charge, plus ERP fees, and more. I'm sorry if anyone thinks any of these charges are reasonable because I certainly don't think so.
The whole point of what I'm saying: yes it cost money to drive in SG, but it's not really that cost prohibitive if you compare to most other major cities around the world. If you compare to a village in the outskirts of China, SG is a rip-off, but compared to major cities like NYC it's all within means. Traffic is fine and people mostly are reasonable drivers. I have not been honked or flashed at once, even when I drove like a total lunatic because I was late to an appointment. Just this morning walking 10 minutes to work in China I've been honked at at least a dozen times and all when I have the right of way! One thing I do agree on is petrol is expensive.
The important lesson is if you understand the cost of the driving, it really isn't that bad at all.
And I will be driving again next time I go there.
It might not be "bad"for you - but I believe for 99% of tourists it will be quite tough and make no sense when you have public transport that is dirt cheap, convenient and highly efficient. Taxis are really cheap and you didn't consider that as an alternative to hiring as far as I can see - and they are still cheap duing rush hour. We've also found that buses seem to go from everywhere to everwhere and there are great apps that know where you are, you enter where your going and it tells you the nearest bus stop and route, cost and when the next one is due. I rarely have to walk more than a few yards to get a bus withoutneeding to change buses in order to take me exactly where I want to go ... and they have bus lanes which you in your car can't use. Actually the ipad app has changed everything for us because I hadn't realised I'd been taking taxis when buses were exactly as convenient going the same route - perhaps 5 minutes longer - but with virtually no cost at all ... and a lot of fun. You see something on the way and get off and explore. You can also drink a few beers without worrying.
Hiring a car is going to be considerably more expensive and more inconvenient for the majority of tourists visiitng Singapore. I've never heard anyone suggest this is preferable before.
Out of interest, why have you decided after two years to raise this subject?
