Singapore-bound workers face S$500 fines for bus offences
JOHOR BARU: Malaysians working in Singapore and relying on public buses for commute will face fines of up to S$500 (about RM1,600) for offences such as playing loud music, putting their feet on seats, littering, and eating or drinking.
Malaysian workers commuting to Singapore via public buses will now face potential fines of up to S$500 (RM1,600) for various offenses, effective tomorrow. These penalties apply to actions such as playing loud music, placing feet on seats, littering, and consuming food or beverages onboard. The new rules harmonize Singapore's bus network regulations with existing commuter conduct guidelines for its rail network.
Severe violations, like obstructing or endangering fellow passengers at bus interchange points or defiling any part of a bus or facility, can incur a maximum S$5,000 (RM20,380) fine. Malaysian commuters who traverse the Causeway on a daily basis to work in Singapore must acquaint themselves with these additional commuter regulations during their journeys.
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) disclosed these amendments, which stem from parliamentary approvals in October last year. The objective was to establish a more uniform framework for addressing inconsiderate behavior across Singapore's public transport system. Offenses encompass littering, eating and drinking, and causing disturbance or annoyance through loud music or videos on mobile devices.
Authorized personnel from public bus operators, including ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, possess the authority to issue Administrative Notifications of Offences to suspected offenders, with the LTA conducting subsequent investigations. However, bus captains will not be granted enforcement authority as they must prioritize safe driving.
They can, nonetheless, request disruptive passengers to cease their behavior or depart the bus, with non-compliance potentially leading to referral to the bus operator's control center or, in extreme cases, the police.
Initial indications of this enforcement were observed in March of the previous year, followed by the introduction of signs urging commuters to maintain low noise levels, occupy a single seat, and refrain from sitting on the floor. The LTA emphasized that the exercise of enforcement would be carried out with discretion, particularly in instances involving commuters with physical or mental health conditions.
The authority reiterated that public transport serves as a shared space, and everyone bears responsibility in maintaining its pleasant atmosphere. For the thousands of Malaysian workers embarking on their daily commute into Singapore, non-compliance with these rules now carries a tangible consequence.
Written by urgent.news from New Straits Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
