Hear Me Out: It Shouldn't Take A $500 Fine To Make Us Considerate On Public Transport

Back in the 1990s, there was a Singapore novelty T-shirt that went viral. It was white with the words, "Singapore is a fine city", followed by various iconography of infractions that people could be fined for.

Now, T-shirt designers can add a few more items to that list, because the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has revealed new fines for public transport commuters who fail to provide "a gracious and pleasant commuting environment”.

From 23 Sep 2026, bus passengers who "play loud audio, put their feet on seats, litter, or eat and drink on public buses" can face fines of up to $500, the LTA said.

"More serious offences, such as causing an obstruction or endangering other commuters at bus interchanges and terminals, or soiling any part of a public bus, interchange or terminal, will carry a maximum penalty of $5,000," it added.

Personally, I agree with some of these measures.

You could be made to pay $500 for putting your feet on seats or spilling drinks in the bus. | IMAGES: FACEBOOK/JENNIFER AW, SINGAPORE COMPLAINT

We shouldn’t put our feet up on public transport seats, even if they aren't stinky (and yes, that lady on the 851 bus last Saturday from Yishun to Thomson, I’m talking about you). Not obstructing other commuters – that's pretty much common sense too, right?

When it comes to blasting the latest AI micro drama on the phone at high volume, I understand wanting to be entertained on boring commutes. But choosing these micro dramas is a sin against good taste. And if you forgot your earphones that day – surely that’s a “you” problem. Don’t make it everyone else's.

What other public transport fines exist in Singapore?

The LTA said the new bus rules are aligned with those under existing Rapid Transit Systems Regulations (RTSR), which goes to show that Singapore has long regulated behaviour in public transport spaces.

If you’ve done any of the following examples, you may have already broken Singapore’s public transport rules – you just didn’t get caught.

Going the wrong way on an escalator is a no-no in the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations. | IMAGE: DAILY RECORD TIKTOK

Let’s say you’re rushing to work. Though the train is packed and ground staff are telling you not to enter, you still squeeze into the carriage. Doors close. You're on your way. Lucky, right?

But guess what? That’s against the RTSR, Part IV, Section 12, which states, “where any authorised person determines that a train is full, no person shall enter or remain in the train if directed not to do so” by said authorised person. Fine: $500.

Or what about that time you met your Carousell buyer at the MRT station to sell him your pre-loved coffee maker?

You've infringed on Part IV, Section 21(b), which states that “no person, while in or upon the railway premises shall, without the written permission of the Authority or its licensee … sell or offer for sale any article or goods, or carry on any business.” Fine: $1,000.

And if you’ve ever, for the sake of content, walked down the “up” escalator (whether or not there are people on it), you’ve flouted Part V, Section 23.3: “No person shall travel, or attempt to travel, upon any moving escalator or travelator in the railway premises in a direction other than the direction in which the escalator or travelator is moving.” Fine: $500.

I don't know about you, but that's way more than what my EZ-Link card contains.

The reason we need these fines

This brings us back to the new fines. Now, I'm not questioning whether the fines will stop such behaviours. Or whether disallowing loud audio infringes on our right to, er, noise pollution.

I think there's a bigger issue people aren't asking, and that's the real reason these fines have been introduced.

LTA previously launched a Gracious Commuting campaign featuring mascots like Move-In Melvin and Give Way Glenda. | LTA WEBSITE

I understand punishments for criminal or immoral actions. But to impose fines because we’re inconsiderate? That’s just sad. It's like we need the authorities to attach consequences to behaviour we know is inconsiderate.

I can forgive someone for not giving up their seat on the MRT or bus. There may be extenuating circumstances we can't see. But that feet-on-seat thing? That’s a choice.

In a 2025 CNA report, some experts suggested that ignorance and indifference were the likely causes for such behaviour.

Dr Janice Tan, a clinical psychologist with the Singapore University of Social Sciences, said people behaved that way because "there might be no immediate consequences" and "the transient nature of public transport can lower personal accountability”.

So... because nobody saw me do it, it's all good. This mentality won’t do us any favours.

Neither will the fact that we can't be considerate until we're made to do so.

A speaker at a self-help talk I attended once said, "Choices have consequences". If these fines are the consequence of us choosing to behave as we currently do on buses, so be it.

According to writer Dale Carnegie, best known these days for having his quotes pop up in memes, to be considerate, you just need to keep doing it day after day.

The best part? "It won't cost you a penny in the world.”

Being inconsiderate, however, can cost you $500 in Singapore.

But it’s your money. You choose.

For the latest updates on Wonderwall.sg, be sure to follow us on TikTok, Telegram, Instagram, and Facebook. If you have a story idea for us, email us at [email protected].