Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Thursday announced it will impose up to $500 fines on bus passengers who play loud music or eat onboard. The fine can rise to $5,000 for serious offences such as obstruction or littering in bus terminals.
LTA said, "Public transport is a shared space, and every commuter must play a part in maintaining a courteous environment." The new rules aim to foster safer, more considerate commutes.
While the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) system has long fined passengers for eating, bus rules were previously enforced by drivers, who could merely ask commuters to alight. The LTA’s move standardises penalties across all public transit.
Enforcement will be carried out by authorised bus staff, including ticket inspectors and bus interchange personnel. They can issue official notices to suspected offenders, a first for bus operations.
Singapore is not alone. Earlier this year, Krakow, Poland introduced a $200 zloty fine for similar behaviour, and in France a man was fined $200 for a loud phone call on a train.
The LTA has briefed inspectors for immediate implementation, but an exact effective date has not yet been announced.