| Sir Stamford Raffles, who had served as Lieutenant-Governor of Java, founded Singapore as a free port in 1819.
In 1826, the Straits Settlements was formed by the East India Company - by whch Singapore was united politically) with the Malaya peninsula.
In 1903, the Kranji spur-line rail link to the docks was opened, but it was not until 1923 that the causeway - for freight trains - was built between Singapore and the Malay peninsular.
In 1942, Singapore fell to the Japanese army of occupation. At the end of World War II, British rule was restored, and in 1946 Singapore - which was detached from the Straits Settlements - became a separate Crown Colony.
In 1959, internal self-government was achieved, and in 1963 Singapore joined the new Federation of Malaysia - only to secede in 1965 to become the Republic of Singapore.
Singapore, which was founded on the notion of an entrepot economy, is today the leading trade hub of Southern Asia, and by shipping tonnage (c. 2001) the world's busiest port.
The island rail's terminal at Keppel Station is linked to the Malaysian rail network - KTM - across the 1.2 km causeway to Johor Bahru on the mainland.
Keppel Station
From the Keppel station terminus, the regular KMT service operates between Singapore-Kuala Lumpur-northern Malaysia. . . From the same terminus, the weekly Eastern Oriental Express plies between Singapore-Bangkok, and onward to Chang Mai in Thailand.
As the traveller approaches Singapore's Keppel Station, the British Colonial architecture of the edifice seems to belong, not only to another era, but to another country. . .
The observation turns out to be more than fanciful: Keppel Station and the 16-mile (23km) rail corridor to the Strait rests on Malaysian soil - a tangible witness to an extraordinary deal brokered during Singapore's secession from Malaysia 1965 (see above.) . . .
For some time now, negotiations between the two nations have been under way in regard to the prospect of a modern terminal at the head of the Strait.
Malaysian Railways - KMT - and the Singapore connection
In 1885-86, the first railway in Malaya linked Johor with Kuala Lumpur. By 1909, the link had been extended north to Penang. In 1918, the link with the Kingdom of Siam was made at Padang Kesar on the Malay border. . . The rail network was extended southward into the island of Singapore with the construction of the causeway in 1923. . .Keppel Station in Singapore remains part of the Malaysian network, and is operated by Pentadbiran Keretapi Tanha Melayu (KMT) - the Malayan Railway. . .
From Singapore, the East Coast route from Singapore-Kuala Lumpur takes about six hours. North of KL, the route is KL-Ipoh-Butterworth-Hat Yai (Thailand). From Butterworth, the International Express (36) train travels - via Padang Besar on the Malaysian border - to Bangkok. . .
From Singapore, the mid-peninsular route travels via Johor Bahru to Gemas-Gua Mesang-TUMPAT (far north west of Malaya peninsular.) REMARKS: KMT passes for overseas visitors using the Malaysian network costs: US$120 (30 days) or US$55 (10 days).
Tourist Rail Passes do not include berth charges on night express trains. For details and timetables, visit URL: http://www.ktmb.com.my
Eastern Oriental Express: Singapore-Bangkok . .and beyond
The Eastern Oriental Express, passing through three separate countries, is among the world's great rail journeys . . . Yet the possibility of a direct Singapore-Bangkok route did not become a reality until the luxury train was inaugurated in 1993. . . The air-conditioned Eastern Oriental Express now departs weekly from Keppel Station in Singapore, and travels the 1,262 miles via Johor Bahru-Kuala Lumpur, across the Thai border, to reach Bangkok . . .A journey undertaken in high style, the E&OE conjures up the great age of colonial rail travel through the landscapes of South East Asia . . .
Reservations: Tel. UK 0845-077-2222
Online: http://orient-express.com
Mass Transit Systems
The Republic of Singapore's modern commuter traffic is borne by the Rapid Mass Transit system and (MRT) and the Light Rapid Transit systems (LRT).
In 1983, construction started on the automated MRT, and the first sections were completed in 1987 and 1990: Jurong East-Marina Bay and Pasir Ris-Boon Lay. The MRT now has 48 stations over 83 km, and carries over one million passengers daily. There are two more prestigious projects, scheduled for completion in 2002. There are: The North East Line (16 stations over 20km) links the World Trade Center (south of island) to the north-east of the island at Pungool; the East-West Line link-up over 6-km with Changi Airport.
The LRT system provides suburban passengers with fast access to the MRT system. The first LRT project, opened in 1999, provides Bukit Panjang residents with access to the Choa Chu Kang MRT station. . . LRT projects for Pungool and Sengkang are under construction.
Responsbility for Singapore's transport projects is vested with the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Website: http://www.lta.gov.sg
Posted: 5 August 2002
The author lived in Johore Bahru (1964-67) and Singapore (1970-71).
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