LTA Staff Deployment Pilot Programme for Peak Hour Commuter Etiquette Interventions at Busy MRT Stations

Written Reply to Parliamentary Question

Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Acting Minister for Transport beyond passive signage, whether LTA will pilot more active behavioural nudges and station-level interventions at busy stations like Hougang MRT station, including deploying on-site staff during peak hours to (i) urge considerate behaviour to other commuters when boarding or alighting and (ii) encourage better commuter etiquette, such as moving to the carriage centre and removing backpacks.

Reply by Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow:

1.      Public Transport Operators deploy staff during peak hours at the platforms of busier stations to manage crowds and encourage gracious commuting behaviour such as giving way to alighting passengers, and allowing wheelchair users and other passengers who are less mobile to board first.

2.      As announced at the Ministry of Transport's COS, more prominent priority queues for boarding trains and lifts will be introduced to nudge commuters to give way to those in need. The Public Transport Council and the Land Transport Authority will also continue with their public education efforts, including leveraging the Thoughtful Bunch characters "Move-In Martin" and "Bag-Down Benny" to amplify our messages as part of our broader effort to promote gracious and caring commuter behaviour.