MRT STATIONS

MRT STATIONS

**

(No eating and drinking rule): **

14.

Mdm Cynthia Phua asked the Minister for Transport in view of the tightening of the "No eating/drinking" rule in the MRT stations, (a) how many people were fined for eating and drinking in the MRT stations since May this year; (b) what is the guideline for the definition of "eating"; and (c) whether the Ministry will consider allowing passengers to put sweets in their mouth as some elderly people have to do this to overcome motion sickness.

**

**

15.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak asked the Minister for Transport in view of the recent case where a commuter was caught eating a sweet in an MRT train (a) what were the circumstances that led to the issuance of a fine; (b) why was the commuter’s explanation not accepted and the commuter not let off with a warning; (c) how serious is the problem of eating/drinking in MRT trains; and (d) whether there is a public education campaign to raise awareness about this regulation.

Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat: Under the Rapid Transit Systems (RTS) Regulations, passengers who consume or attempt to consume any food, drinks, chewing or bubble gum in the MRT stations and trains are liable to a fine of up to $500. Offences may be compounded by the LTA to lesser amounts such as $30. This Regulation has been in place since the start of MRT services in 1987, to ensure cleanliness and hygiene in the stations and trains.

Most passengers comply with the Regulation of not eating and drinking in stations and trains. However, there is a small but growing group of passengers who do not. The number of Notices of Offences issued in 2006 was 301. This had increased to 581 in 2007 and 646 in 2008. In the first six months of 2009, there were 281 offences. To put these numbers in perspective, there are nearly 1.5 million trips a day made on our train system. The percentage of offenders is low and most Singaporeans are considerate passengers who do not inconvenience their fellow commuters.

However, the operators decided to step up enforcement recently after a surge in public complaints against eating and drinking in trains. Let me give just one example. On 9th July 2009, Mr Loke Parc Sen wrote to the Straits Times Interactive, expressing concern that when a commuter was caught eating on the train, he: "dared the SMRT officer by saying: 'Fine me; I don't care.' Seeing that these are the kind of characters they are dealing with, SMRT should show no mercy. Letting them off with a warning or a meagre fine of $30 is a slap on the wrist. I suggest they be made to feel the full consequence of their choice – a $500 fine."

Mdm Phua and Dr Lim asked whether exceptions can be considered, for instance, allowing the elderly to eat sweets to overcome motion sickness, to manage diabetes or for other reasons. My Ministry, and I am sure the operators as well, recognise that there could indeed be extenuating circumstances. However, these are exceptional situations rather than the norm. Practically, it would be impossible to comprehensively define such circumstances upfront – they are, by definition, exceptional and should be dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

As I mentioned earlier, our principal aim is to ensure cleanliness and hygiene on the trains and stations for the benefit of all passengers. Thus, passengers should finish eating or drinking before entering the MRT station. If they really need to eat or drink for medical or other special reasons, they should approach the MRT station staff. The MRT station staff are trained to exercise flexibility and judgment. Sometimes, this may mean granting an exception; other times it may mean saying, no. If indeed there are genuine cases of service lapses, passengers can report them to the operators.

Dr Lim asked if there is a public education campaign to raise awareness of this Regulation against eating or drinking in stations and trains. Over the years, the rail operators have indeed undertaken several public education programmes to encourage gracious behaviour, including not eating or drinking in stations and trains. For example, SMRT and SBST engage the public through their on-going Learning Journey programmes with primary and secondary schools, the annual SMRT Courtesy and Safety Programme and SBST’s quarterly Community Engagement Programme. As recently as May this year, the Public Transport Council launched a public education programme, in partnership with the operators, to promote gracious behaviour on public transport. There are also regular audio broadcasts in MRT stations reminding passengers not to eat or drink. Through such efforts, we hope to raise awareness of the need to be considerate to other passengers. This will help provide a more pleasant travelling experience for all.