Overcrowded MRT at peak hours

[hquek]

It’s easy to say ‘levy a fine’ but then how to execute it? And more importantly, how to ensure that we sustain the effort?


I think the best way is to enforce civic consciousness, start when kids are young and constantly drill into them.

And it helps if those who are in need ask politely those who are sitting if they can give up the seat. If done politely, the worse that can happen is a rejection.

I like that in Japan/Korea, those old pp assert their rights to seats on buses/trains; there is this respect for the elderly (although I recall one glaring incident when the grandma went overboard). Have we as Singaporeans lost the respect/empathy we should have for those weaker/in need?

[hquek]

tamarind:

Those making decisions probably do not travel by MRT.

I quite agree with this point. One of my pet wishes is for our ministers/MPs to take public transport - enjoy the long and unknown waiting times (buses), the closeness of the body to body contact, the agony of not being able to squeeze on the bus (no place even to stand on the steps) although one is really going to be late.

[tamarind]

There are cameras in every section of the train. I have read a news article where some passengers ate food and were fined. They do monitor the passengers through the cameras.

[Funz]

hquek:

tamarind:

Those making decisions probably do not travel by MRT.

I quite agree with this point. One of my pet wishes is for our ministers/MPs to take public transport - enjoy the long and unknown waiting times (buses), the closeness of the body to body contact, the agony of not being able to squeeze on the bus (no place even to stand on the steps) although one is really going to be late.

Problem is when an MP or minister does deign to take the MRT, the entire station will be cleared for them to 'enjoy' the ride.

[tamarind]

hquek:

I like that in Japan/Korea, those old pp assert their rights to seats on buses/trains; there is this respect for the elderly (although I recall one glaring incident when the grandma went overboard). Have we as Singaporeans lost the respect/empathy we should have for those weaker/in need?

When I was in Japan, I found that those reserved seats were always empty, even when the train was very crowded. No healthy young person dare to sit on those reserved seats.

[tamarind]

Funz:

hquek:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]Those making decisions probably do not travel by MRT.

I quite agree with this point. One of my pet wishes is for our ministers/MPs to take public transport - enjoy the long and unknown waiting times (buses), the closeness of the body to body contact, the agony of not being able to squeeze on the bus (no place even to stand on the steps) although one is really going to be late.

Problem is when an MP or minister does deign to take the MRT, the entire station will be cleared for them to 'enjoy' the ride.[/quote] :lol:

These MPs should borrow a 15kg kid and try to carry him and stand all the way from Boon Lay to Raffles place during peak hours.

[tankee]

hquek:

tamarind:

Those making decisions probably do not travel by MRT.

I quite agree with this point. One of my pet wishes is for our ministers/MPs to take public transport - enjoy the long and unknown waiting times (buses), the closeness of the body to body contact, the agony of not being able to squeeze on the bus (no place even to stand on the steps) although one is really going to be late.

:goodpost:

[daisyt]

tamarind:

hquek:

I like that in Japan/Korea, those old pp assert their rights to seats on buses/trains; there is this respect for the elderly (although I recall one glaring incident when the grandma went overboard). Have we as Singaporeans lost the respect/empathy we should have for those weaker/in need?

When I was in Japan, I found that those reserved seats were always empty, even when the train was very crowded. No healthy young person dare to sit on those reserved seats.

I find quite \"silly\" to leave it empty and not make use of the seats. But when see others who need it, must give up lah. Nowadays, more and more people, when have a choice, would choose NOT to seat on reserved seats. :lol:

Once, I saw an old uncle, headed to the a young boy seating on the reserved seat, tap him and pointed to him the sign. Then the boy stood up and gave his seat to uncle.

Another time, I misunderstood a big tummy lady as pregnant. I wanted to give her my seat and she looked at me in a strange look and waved her hand. After that incident, I always would see closely, trying to think and figure out if they are really pregnant. I feel bad to have embarassed her. :oops:

[tamarind]

daisyt:

tamarind:

[quote=\"hquek\"]
I like that in Japan/Korea, those old pp assert their rights to seats on buses/trains; there is this respect for the elderly (although I recall one glaring incident when the grandma went overboard). Have we as Singaporeans lost the respect/empathy we should have for those weaker/in need?

When I was in Japan, I found that those reserved seats were always empty, even when the train was very crowded. No healthy young person dare to sit on those reserved seats.

I find quite \"silly\" to leave it empty and not make use of the seats. But when see others who need it, must give up lah. Nowadays, more and more people, when have a choice, would choose NOT to seat on reserved seats. :lol:

Once, I saw an old uncle, headed to the a young boy seating on the reserved seat, tap him and pointed to him the sign. Then the boy stood up and gave his seat to uncle.

Another time, I misunderstood a big tummy lady as pregnant. I wanted to give her my seat and she looked at me in a strange look and waved her hand. After that incident, I always would see closely, trying to think and figure out if they are really pregnant. I feel bad to have embarassed her. :oops:[/quote]
That's the problem, sometimes a lady may just be fat, not pregnant. So in a civilized society like Japan, people leave the reserved seats empty. Then they don't have to waste any effort guessing whether a woman is pregnant or not and risk being rude.

All young and healthy males and females should have no problem standing in MRT. But in MRTs I still see so many young people pretending to sleep in the reserved seats. So their excuse is that they are asleep, so they cannot see those people in need.

But then our society is certainly not as civilized as Japan, so unless a fine is imposed, people will not give up their seats. This is the society we live in, there is no choice.

[daisyt]

tamarind:

daisyt:

[quote=\"tamarind\"]
When I was in Japan, I found that those reserved seats were always empty, even when the train was very crowded. No healthy young person dare to sit on those reserved seats.

I find quite \"silly\" to leave it empty and not make use of the seats. But when see others who need it, must give up lah. Nowadays, more and more people, when have a choice, would choose NOT to seat on reserved seats. :lol:

Once, I saw an old uncle, headed to the a young boy seating on the reserved seat, tap him and pointed to him the sign. Then the boy stood up and gave his seat to uncle.

Another time, I misunderstood a big tummy lady as pregnant. I wanted to give her my seat and she looked at me in a strange look and waved her hand. After that incident, I always would see closely, trying to think and figure out if they are really pregnant. I feel bad to have embarassed her. :oops:

That's the problem, sometimes a lady may just be fat, not pregnant. So in a civilized society like Japan, people leave the reserved seats empty. Then they don't have to waste any effort guessing whether a woman is pregnant or not and risk being rude.

All young and healthy males and females should have no problem standing in MRT. But in MRTs I still see so many young people pretending to sleep in the reserved seats. So their excuse is that they are asleep, so they cannot see those people in need.

But then our society is certainly not as civilized as Japan, so unless a fine is imposed, people will not give up their seats. This is the society we live in, there is no choice.[/quote]I was not sitting on the \"reserved\" seat during that time.