Trains, buses and MRT stations decorated with grinning snakes, festive murals for Year of the Snake

SINGAPORE – Some trains, buses and MRT stations here have been adorned with Chinese New Year-themed murals and motifs to welcome the Year of the Snake.

The cabins of five trains plying the six MRT lines have been decorated with murals that depict familiar festive scenes, such as people visiting relatives and children exchanging mandarin oranges with elders.

These illustrations are done by creative consultancy Studio Grain. Its lead designer Jerry Goh said the trains symbolise snakes going into the heartland to showcase Singapore’s unique Chinese culture.

Five MRT stations here have been specially decorated with these murals, which also show Chinese New Year festivities. The stations include Bukit Panjang, Serangoon and Marine Parade, among others.

Another four MRT stations – Punggol, Bedok, Buona Vista and Woodlands South – have been decorated by the People’s Association (PA) with illustrations of the multicultural Chingay parade.

Meanwhile, some bus services here have also been decorated with grinning snakes surrounded by gold coins or enjoying hotpot.

Mr Goh told The Straits Times that his team’s designs were meant to show off Chinese culture in a progressive and modern way, adding that he hopes the designs appeal to the younger generations.

Pointing to the snakes featured in the illustrations, which were depicted grinning, holding oranges and eating hotpot, he said: “People commonly associate (the) snake with something dangerous or mysterious, so we really wanted to change and refresh this impression, and let people know that they are not so scary.”

The newly decorated trains, buses and stations are part of an initiative involving various organisations and agencies, that started on Jan 14 and will last until Feb 13.

The organisations and agencies include the Land Transport Authority (LTA), public transport operators, the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre (SCCC) and PA.

Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng launched the initiative on Jan 14, when he boarded a CNY-themed bus from Shenton Way Bus Terminal to Shenton Way MRT station.

“The CNY is an important festival, and I am happy to see all the very interesting designs featuring the Snake but also the useful information that people can find on the panels and screens, about Chinese culture and how Singaporeans celebrate CNY,” said Mr Baey.

At the Shenton Way station, the CNY murals also have a QR code that commuters can scan to learn more about CNY traditions and practices.

SCCC chief executive Alvin Tan said he hoped commuters would learn something about these traditions as they take public transport to visit relatives during the festive period.

“This helps to promote intercultural understanding and allows commuters to learn more about Chinese culture,” he added.

2025’s CNY period begins on Jan 29. It is typically celebrated for 15 days.