- New regulations announced on Monday make nuisance behaviors on buses official legal offenses with immediate fines.
- Fines up to 500 SGD can be imposed for behaviors such as loud audio, feet on seats, eating, drinking, and littering.
- Serious offenses like causing danger to fellow commuters or soiling bus parts carry fines up to 5,000 SGD.
- Authorized bus staff can issue official notices to passengers suspected of committing an offense, while bus drivers cannot.
- Previously, bus rules were company policies enforced by drivers who could ask commuters to alight.
- The new penalties align with pre-existing rules on Singapore’s subway system.
Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has implemented new regulations targeting disruptive behavior on public buses, with fines reaching 500 SGD for offenses like playing loud music, eating, or placing feet on seats.1
The crackdown aims to enhance the commuting experience, as public transport is a shared space, according to the LTA.
Serious violations, such as causing danger to fellow commuters or damaging transit infrastructure, could lead to fines of up to 5,000 SGD (approximately $3,900).
Previously, rules against such behaviors were enforced by bus drivers, but now authorized staff can issue fines directly.5
The LTA stated, “These will foster a safer, more considerate and pleasant public transport environment for all.”
This initiative aligns with existing regulations on Singapore's Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system, which has long prohibited eating and other disruptive actions.
Similar measures have been adopted in other cities, such as Kraków, where fines are imposed for disturbing the peace on public transport.
The LTA emphasizes that every commuter plays a role in maintaining a respectful environment, and those who refuse to comply with requests to stop disruptive behavior may face police intervention.
The new rules reflect a growing trend in public transport systems worldwide to address anti-social behavior and ensure a pleasant commuting experience for all passengers.
“The new penalties align with existing rules on Singapore's MRT network, but previously bus rules were company policies enforced by drivers. Now authorized bus staff can issue official notices, while drivers can only ask commuters to stop or alight, with police intervention for severe cases.”
BBC
