Written Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan to Parliamentary Question on Updates on Commuter Graciousness Index and Plans to Engage in Public Education

Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked the Minister for Transport 

a.     what are the latest Commuter Graciousness Index results;

b.     what is the frequency of these surveys; and

c.     whether there are plans to engage in public education at regular intervals to remind all commuters to be gracious.

Reply by Minister for Transport Khaw Boon Wan:

1.     The Land Transport Authority (LTA) conducts the Commuter Graciousness survey every one to two years. The latest survey shows that the percentage of commuters noticing gracious behaviour on public transport has increased, from 52% in 2016 to 56% in 2018.

2.     Fostering a gracious and caring commuting culture takes time. We will press on with our efforts to promote gracious commuting behaviour. Since 2009, LTA and its partners have been organising the annual Graciousness Campaign. For this year's campaign, LTA worked with students from the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) to conceptualise trendy new outfits for LTA's public transport mascots, also known as the Thoughtful Bunch. The new styles convey the message that anyone can be like the Thoughtful Bunch. The refreshed publicity materials and engagement activities help to create greater awareness among our commuters.

3.     There are also efforts led by the Public Transport Council (PTC) to encourage commuters to step forward and lend a helping hand to fellow commuters. For instance, PTC and the Singapore Kindness Movement recently announced a new Caring Commuter Award to recognise caring acts by commuters. PTC is also expanding its Heart Zones to more MRT stations and bus interchanges, to connect commuters with other commuters who need help travelling to their destinations.

4.     Ultimately, we all have a role to play to look out for one another, and to make all commuters feel welcome.