Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Tighter Enforcement for "Reserved Seats" on MRT Trains

Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked the Minister for Transport whether "reserved seats" on MRT trains can be better regulated and enforced as many able-bodied passengers who take up the seats are not giving up the seats to others who need the seats more.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     Since 2009, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has been organising annual Graciousness Campaigns to inculcate a gracious commuting culture. This includes encouraging public transport commuters to give up their seats to those who need them more, such as the elderly and pregnant women. These campaigns have yielded results. Around 70% of commuters now notice that more seats are being given up, compared to 42% in 2012, based on LTA’s perceptions survey.

2.     Promoting a gracious culture is a shared responsibility and requires commuters to play their part too. As commuters, we need to look beyond our own needs, and help fellow commuters in need. Commuters who need assistance should also feel free to seek help from those around them. As part of the recent Land Transport Master Plan 2040 public engagement efforts, we found that most Singaporeans agreed that individual commuters needed to take the initiative to be more gracious. This is the gracious commuting culture which we aspire to foster, that goes beyond relying solely on punitive measures.