As graciousness drive starts, some want penalties
imposed
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/431545/1/.html
SINGAPORE: A new graciousness campaign has been launched
to get train commuters to give up their seats for the elderly and
make way for alighting passengers.
But given how some still refuse to do so, after years of gentle
reminders, is it time to bring the stick — in the form of fines and
penalties — into play?
Ms Jessie Tan, 28, definitely thinks so.
On her train trips home, she has seen seated commuters blatantly
ignoring elderly passengers who are left standing for most of their
journey.
"I'm all for a fine system, it would make people think more about
those around them," said the executive.
Mr Donnie Jei, 33, thinks of penalties as a good deterrent but
actual enforcement would be a problem.
"A lot of manpower would be needed. You'd have to hire inspectors,
and spend money so they can catch people who don't give their seats
to little old ladies," said the technician, who travels to work by
train every day.
Asked if it would consider imposing penalties in future,
the Land Transport Authority (LTA) declined to comment as it wants
to pursue the public education aspect of the public education
programme first.
A Public Transport Council's initiative, "A Happy Journey
Starts Like That!", was kicked off on Saturday morning.
Signs for priority seating on MRT trains have been standardised —
the new blue-and-white signs now indicate "Reserve Seating", as a
more forceful call for passengers to give up their
seats to the needy.
New floor queue lines have also been installed at 11 MRT stations,
with a green arrow for passengers exiting the trains, indicating
that they have the right of way.
Images of television icons Phua Chu Kang and Rosie also
appear on trains and buses, asking commuters to be
gracious.
PTC chairman Gerard Ee is confident the campaign will be
well received. Looking at the number of people blogging or posting
online their complaints about commuter behaviour, he told 938LIVE:
"People are more aware and beginning to say, 'look, enough is
enough, we want things to improve'."
With a graciousness campaign like this, "you're not accusing
anybody of being the guilty party. You're just saying 'these are
nice things to do, let's just all do it, and then all of us can
enjoy using the public transport system'."
Programme service ambassadors — comprising staff and volunteers
from the LTA, SBS Transit and SMRT — will be stationed at some MRT
stations during the morning and evening rush hours to help
commuters give way to those alighting.
