In recent years, there have been complaints of our public transport system being inefficient, overcrowded and slow.
However, many have failed to consider how it is more accessible and economical compared with those in other cities.
I have travelled to major cities such as Jakarta and Los Angeles, and must admit that Singapore has got it right.
A large part of Singapore's success is owed to the country's small geographical area, which allows public transport network usage to be maximised. This is unlike cities like Los Angeles which are extremely spread out.
Also, despite the recent increase in fares, public transport here is still cheaper than in other cities.
The design of our transport system also makes travelling very convenient.
Not many people think about how the fact that the MRT has specific lines for trains going to the same destination makes navigating our transport network a lot easier.
In many other cities, such as San Francisco, the subways have multiple lines sharing the same track, making it difficult for first-time tourists to navigate their way through.
The mobility we enjoy as a result of a highly accessible and inexpensive transportation network has provided Singaporeans with a special sort of freedom that many people around the world lack.
We should remember this the next time we complain about the transport system here.
Siu Lum Wong