Singapore’s Vibrant Nightlife In Jeopardy As High-cost Transport Forces Partygoers And Workers To Rethink Late-night Plans – New Update

Published on October 24, 2025

In 2022, Singapore’s beloved NightRider autobus work was discontinued owed to a dependable driblet successful ridership, leaving galore to wonderment really nan city’s vibrant Singapore nightlife could past without affordable carrier options for late-night commuters. As nationalist carrier ceases aft midnight, galore partygoers and workers are now near to trust connected costly ride-hailing services. This raises an important question: Can Singapore proceed to support its estimation arsenic a 24-hour metropolis without reliable, affordable late-night transport?

The Importance of nan NightRider Bus Service for Singapore Nightlife

The NightRider autobus service, introduced successful 2000, was a lifeline for those who enjoyed nan late-night buzz of Singapore nightlife. It provided an affordable and reliable measurement for group to recreation crossed nan metropolis aft nan MRT lines stopped running, offering a safe way location betwixt 11:30 PM and 4:30 AM. The work quickly became a captious portion of nan city’s carrier infrastructure, connecting nan metropolis halfway to neighborhoods crossed Singapore. For many, it was nan go-to option, particularly for those moving precocious shifts aliases partying into nan early greeting hours.

At its peak, nan NightRider autobus work boasted 22 routes, including connections betwixt nan heartlands and nan downtown area. However, complete time, ridership began to dwindle. By 2022, nan work was discontinued, leaving late-night commuters pinch less options. Now, pinch nan absence of nan NightRider autobus service, late-night carrier has go a costly affair, relying chiefly connected costly ride-hailing services for illustration Grab and Gojek, which are often unaffordable for regular use.

Can Extended Liquor Licensing Thrive Without Affordable Transport?

Singapore has precocious extended liquor licensing hours successful nightlife hubs specified arsenic Clarke Quay and Boat Quay, hoping to inject life into Singapore nightlife. But experts are divided connected whether this strategy tin win without nan backbone of affordable carrier options. While extending liquor licensing hours whitethorn look for illustration a bully move for attracting much patrons, without accessible nationalist transport, galore group whitethorn not beryllium consenting to enactment retired late.

The discontinuation of nan NightRider autobus work has made it harder for group to bask a afloat nighttime out. For late-shift workers successful industries for illustration hospitality and entertainment, it’s moreover much difficult. With nationalist carrier options unavailable aft midnight, nan costs of utilizing ride-hailing services make it harder for these workers to make a living, particularly erstwhile they are already connected tight budgets.

A Global Perspective: Can Singapore Be a 24-Hour City?

Across nan globe, cities for illustration London, New York, and Tokyo person embraced nan conception of a 24-hour city, pinch nationalist carrier systems that proceed to run passim nan night. These cities understand that reliable late-night carrier is basal for supporting a thriving nightlife and economy. In contrast, Singapore’s nationalist carrier strategy shuts down astir midnight, making it challenging for group to bask Singapore nightlife good into nan early hours.

While nan NightRider autobus work was an effort to capable this gap, its cancellation has near nan metropolis lagging down different awesome world cities. In places for illustration Tokyo and Hong Kong, wherever nationalist carrier operates astir nan clock, late-night carrier is affordable, making it easier for group to support enjoying nightlife without nan interest of steep carrier costs. Unfortunately, Singapore is yet to connection a akin solution, limiting nan existent imaginable of nan 24-hour metropolis exemplary here.

The Need for Affordable Late-Night Transport

Affordable late-night carrier is simply a cardinal constituent of immoderate thriving 24-hour city. Dr. Alex Li, a proscription master from nan National University of Singapore, believes that if Singapore offered much affordable late-night carrier options, much group would enactment retired later and walk much money astatine venues. This could thief boost nan economy, particularly successful nan nightlife sector, which already contributes importantly to nan city’s tourism revenue.

For late-night workers successful nan nutrient and beverage industry, affordable carrier is not conscionable a convenience—it’s a necessity. Many of these workers trust connected nationalist carrier to get location aft their shifts. Without an affordable action for illustration nan NightRider autobus service, they are forced to return costly ride-hailing services, which cuts into their already constricted income. This, successful turn, affects businesses that dangle connected these workers to support their venues unfastened precocious into nan night. Without accessible nationalist transport, nan nighttime system could suffer.

Conclusion: Can Singapore Truly Become a 24-Hour City?

The extremity of becoming a 24-hour metropolis is still a activity successful advancement for Singapore. While nan extended liquor licensing hours astatine Clarke Quay and Boat Quay are a measurement successful nan correct direction, nan metropolis will proceed to struggle without a reliable and affordable late-night carrier option. The nonaccomplishment of nan NightRider autobus work has near galore commuters pinch nary prime but to trust connected costly ride-hailing services, which limits nan accessibility of Singapore nightlife.

For Singapore to afloat clasp its position arsenic a 24-hour city, it needs to reintroduce affordable carrier options for illustration nan NightRider autobus service. Only past tin nan metropolis guarantee that Singapore nightlife remains vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable for everyone, from partygoers to late-night workers.