Singapore will fine bus passengers up to S$500 for placing their feet on seats and playing loud audio
Quick Look
- The Land Transport Authority of Singapore announced new regulations that impose fines of up to S$500 on buses for placing feet on seats, playing loud audio, eating or littering, and fines of up to S$5,000 for more serious violations such as obstructing others or soiling public facilities.
- Authorized bus staff can issue fines, and drivers focus on driving safely.
- This move is consistent with the current regulations of the subway and aims to create a safer, considerate and enjoyable public transportation environment.
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Why It Matters
Singapore has already imposed penalties on subway passengers for eating and drinking in carriages, but the relevant regulations on buses are mostly bus company policies and are enforced by the driver, who can ask violating passengers to get off the bus. The new regulations officially classify disorderly behavior as a legal crime, and violators can be fined on the spot.
Bus passengers in Singapore now face fines of up to S$500 (US$391; NT$2,608; NT$12,200) if they put their feet on their seats or play audio loudly, eat or drink on the bus or litter.
For more serious offenses, such as causing an obstruction or danger to other commuters within a bus terminus, or "fouling any part of a public bus, bus interchange or terminal", fines of up to S$5,000 will be imposed.
"This will create a safer, more considerate and more enjoyable public transport environment for everyone," Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a press release.
The new regulations, announced on Monday, are in line with existing regulations on Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network.
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Singapore has already had penalties for subway passengers eating and drinking in carriages, but on buses, the relevant regulations are usually just the bus company's policy, enforced by the driver, who can ask violating passengers to get off the bus.
These disorderly behaviors are now officially classified as legal offences, with offenders punishable by on-the-spot fines.
According to Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) regulations, authorized bus staff, such as ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, can issue formal penalty notices to passengers suspected of violating the rules.
As for bus drivers, known as "captains" in Singapore, they will not be granted the same power, allowing them to focus on safe driving. However, they can still ask passengers to stop causing nuisance behavior; if passengers refuse to cooperate, they may be asked to get off the bus, and in serious cases, police may even need to intervene.
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Singapore is not the only place trying to improve the quality of public transport. As transportation networks continue to expand, cities around the world are stepping up efforts to crack down on misconduct and provide passengers with a more comfortable commute.
Earlier this year, the Polish city of Kraków introduced similar regulations. Passengers who "disturbing the peace of the carriage" by using mobile phones or other electronic devices can be fined up to 200 zlotys (US$52; 370 yuan; NT$1,650).
In the UK, current legislation also prohibits "anti-social behavior" on trains and stations, including the unauthorized use of equipment that makes noise and causes a nuisance to others.
Some politicians even advocate that there should be special penalties for so-called "headphone dodgers". These people play loud music or videos on public transportation. The proposals cover all public transport including buses, with fines up to £1,000.
The practices of Singapore, Krakow and the UK reflect that local transport authorities are increasingly actively involved in protecting the rights and interests of passengers.
Open Questions
- When will the new regulations be fully implemented?
- Will there be a grace period or publicity period?
- Will there be a grievance mechanism during the implementation process?
