Money Saving tips on transport

Do i have real need to own a Car?

One of the most expensive items in Singapore is the car. Before you decide to buy the car, ask yourself whether you real need for it. If you cannot fully utilise the car, it will be sitting idle and continue to depreciate away. In general, car prices had doubled over the last 2 years. The price of a Toyota Corolla 1.6 has rocketed from $55,000 two years back to about $110,000 today. The bigger Camry 2.0 has gone from $78,000 to $152,000. Economics aside, it is relatively painless time to give up buying a car because Singapore's MRT expansion programme is back on track. The Circle line is up and running, improving connectivity and convenience for thousands of households along its 33.3 kilometres alignment. And with one rail project scheduled for completion every single year till 2017, the need for car is no longer a dire need as before.

Avoid the surcharge when taking the cab.

Most of us is aware that surcharge is applicable if we take a cab during peak hours and midnight. During peak hours, the surcharge is 35% of metered fare while the midnight surcharge is 50% of metered fare. What it means is that if you make a trip from Seng Kang to Ang Mo Kio and the metered fare is $8, you will need to pay a surcharge of $2.80. Your fare for the trip will be $10.80. If you have make the same trip just after midnight, your fare will be $12. So the next time you intend to take the cab, do plan the trip to avoid the surcharge.

Peak Hour Surcharge
Monday - Friday : 7.00am to 9.30am	35% of metered fare	35% of metered fare
Monday - Saturday: 5.00pm to 8.00pm	35% of metered fare	35% of metered fare

Applicable at the time of boarding. Not applicable on Sundays and Public Holidays

Midnight Surcharge
Midnight - 5:59am	50% of metered fare

Enjoy early bird discount on SMRT

You are entitled to a 30 cents discount if you travel on SMRT's train lines before 7.45am. The discount applies to commuters who enter the train system from stations on the North-South, East-West lines and Bukit Panjang LRT lines, which is run by SMRT. The discount does not apply to SMRT's new circle line. To enjoy lower fares, commuters must also exit at nine city stations: City Hall, Lavender, Bugis, Raffles Place, Tanjong Pagar, Outram Park, Dhobby Ghuat, Somerset and Orchard, before 7.45am. Though the saving may not be significant, every penny counts.