All of the MRT stations are underground and very clean. To pay for the MRT, you buy a small card called an EZ-Link card. You put money on this card (I put around $20 at a time) and when you arrive at the MRT station, you just scan your card at a machine and you can hop right on. Before you exit the station at your destination, you scan your card again so the system can charge you according to the distance traveled. I love the MRT because it is very fast and takes me all the way into the city from my campus, just with one scan of my EZ-Link. It costs about $2 to travel from my campus into the heart of the city. What's not to love?
The MRT is important to the people of Singapore and their culture. The government makes every effort to keep the city clean so both residents and tourists can enjoy the beauty of the city. It is illegal to eat or drink on the MRT. One time when I was riding the MRT, I got very thirsty. I was about to drink water from my water bottle, but a friend kindly reminded me that I should wait until we arrive at our destination. There are signs posted inside the train cars to remind riders that eating or drinking will result in a $500 fine. This may seem harsh, but it is very effective in helping people keep the trains clean. Furthermore, encouraging people to use public transportation is better for the environment and creates less pollution. This helps to keep the air in and around Singapore much cleaner than other cities in Asia.
