Singapore has just announced stricter regulations for passengers on public buses, with hefty fines now being imposed for putting feet on bus seats or making the vehicles dirty.
Singapore has just announced stricter regulations for passengers on public buses, with hefty fines now being imposed for putting feet on bus seats or making the vehicles dirty. According to AFP, Singapore’s Land Transport Authority announced new and stricter regulations for passengers travelling on public buses on September 21. Under the new rules, passengers who eat or put their feet on bus seats could face fines of around $400 (more than 10 million VND). A fine of up to $3,900 (more than 101 million VND) will be imposed for soiling buses or putting other passengers at risk. The enforcement guidelines state that soiling a vehicle includes serious hygiene violations such as vomiting, urinating, spitting, or spreading bodily fluids on seats, floors, and armrests. It also includes using food, mud, or grease to dirty the vehicle.
The Singapore Land Transport Authority emphasized that the new regulations bring buses in line with standards similar to those of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network. The aim is to create a "safer, more civilized and more pleasant public transport environment." However, enforcement officers will exercise discretion, particularly in cases involving passengers with physical or mental health conditions. Singapore is known as the "Fine City," a play on words referring both to a "fine city" and a city known for imposing fines. The island nation is known for strict controls on behavior in public places, including heavy fines for littering or smoking in prohibited areas. The country has also banned chewing gum since 1992, after some passengers stuck gum on train doors, causing malfunctions in sensor systems and disrupting train services.
