Loud audio, feet on seats to draw fines on Singapore buses

Singapore: Singapore will introduce fines of up to 500 Singapore dollars (392 U.S. dollars) for disruptive behavior on public buses from Sept. 23, including putting feet on seats, playing audio loudly and littering, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said on Monday.

The LTA said in a statement that the new regulations will apply to public buses, as well as bus interchanges and terminals, and are intended to foster a safer, more considerate and pleasant public transport environment.

More serious offenses, such as causing obstruction or danger to commuters at bus interchanges or terminals, or soiling any part of a public bus, interchange or terminal, carry a maximum penalty of 5,000 Singapore dollars.

Authorized staff, including ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, may issue Administrative Notifications of Offenses to people suspected of committing an offense. The LTA will conduct follow-up investigations.

Bus captains will not be empowered to issue the notifications, so as not to affect their core duty of safely operating the bus. However, they may advise passengers to stop disruptive behavior or require them to alight if they fail to comply.

The LTA said it would continue to exercise discretion and fairness, particularly in cases involving commuters with physical or mental health conditions. Enditem