Passenger transport in Singapore - statistics and facts
The main passenger transport in Singapore comprises of the public bus, train system and taxis. A major form of transportation is rail: The Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) which now has more than 140 stations across six lines, and the Light Rail Transit (LRT) with 41 stations across three lines. The bus system is currently operated by four companies offering different types of transport services such as midnight bus service and feeder bus services that connects passengers within an estate. Currently, there are six taxi operators, and the taxis can be flagged along the street, at designated taxi stands or booked online.
Car sharing apps are also gaining traction in Singapore with the advent of more companies in the industry. Currently, the market leader is BlueSG with around 800 shared electric vehicles (EVs) in use. Additionally, the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform called ‘Drive lah’, allows private car owners to rent out their vehicles in Singapore. The industry experienced a boom after restrictions were lifted in June 2020 resulting in an increasing revenue for almost all car sharing providers in Singapore. Overall, the Singapore car-sharing industry is expected to reach a revenue of about 208 million U.S. dollars by 2029.
Public transport usage
In 2023, an average of 7.2 million passengers a day used public transport in Singapore. Compared to the previous year, this value slightly increased, with public transit use recovering with the end of COVID-19 restrictions. To pay for public transport, commuters in Singapore have the option to use contactless cards. With that and the penetration of mobile applications, the last decade was characterized by easy access to the system and accurate travel information for everybody.Singapore’s railway system
An average of about 3.24 million passengers a day used the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) in Singapore, while of approximately 202,000 passengers a day used the Light Rail Transit (LRT). Passenger capacity and breakdowns on the MRT in recent years have been mitigated with the roll-out of government-owned buses as part of the Bus Service Enhancement Programme. Furthermore, the Government took over all public transport assets, and improved signaling systems for trains to run at closer intervals. Three stations in the north of the island on the Thomson-East Coast MRT Line began operation in January 2020 and 11 new stations began operating in the second half of 2022. Construction of the Cross Island Line began in January 2023 and phase 1 is expected to be completed by 2030.Accessibility to car services
ComfortDelGro had the biggest taxi fleet in Singapore at around 6,500 taxis. The company’s global operations span seven countries – Singapore, Australia, China, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Vietnam and Malaysia. Taxi companies in Singapore have also partnered with other ride-hailing apps. In 2021, Gojek launched GoTaxi, to give commuters access to taxis directly through the Gojek’s ride-hailing platform. Similarly, Grab, Southeast Asia's leading super-app and Singapore’s most popular ride-hailing platform, plays a pivotal role in the transport sector. Grab offers a wide range of services, including ride-hailing and food delivery. The company has also taken significant steps toward sustainable transportation by expanding its electric vehicle (EV) fleet. Through partnerships with companies like BYD, Grab aims to provide up to 50,000 EVs across Southeast Asia, and in Singapore, GrabRentals offers EV options such as the Hyundai Kona Electric to driver-partners, promoting greener commutes and cost savings.Car sharing apps are also gaining traction in Singapore with the advent of more companies in the industry. Currently, the market leader is BlueSG with around 800 shared electric vehicles (EVs) in use. Additionally, the peer-to-peer car-sharing platform called ‘Drive lah’, allows private car owners to rent out their vehicles in Singapore. The industry experienced a boom after restrictions were lifted in June 2020 resulting in an increasing revenue for almost all car sharing providers in Singapore. Overall, the Singapore car-sharing industry is expected to reach a revenue of about 208 million U.S. dollars by 2029.
