I saw this article at, http://voices.todayonline.com/letter/EDC090114-0000001/bed_bugs_on_bus.html
Bed bugs on bus
January 14, 2009
Letter from Cheah Boon Loon
IN JANUARY last year, I travelled on SMRT’s bus Service 61. After
the bus ride, I experienced extreme itchiness in my mid-torso and I
noticed a series of insect bites. I assumed it was some allergy and
paid no attention to it, but minutes later, another series of
extremely itchy insect bites started to appear around my
chest.
In the end I caught a tiny insect which I later confirmed
was the nymph of a bed bug. I had to seek medical advice as
apparently I am allergic to bed bug bites and the bites swelled up
considerably.
I submitted my feedback to SMRT informing them of the
infestation on that bus and requested they clean out the bus to
eliminate the bed bugs. The customer relations officer informed me
that the bus would be scheduled “back to the depot for a thorough
check on its cleanliness”.
Aware that bed bug infestations can occur on seemingly clean
places, I told the officer that merely scheduling the bus back was
unacceptable as many more passengers could have travelled on the
bus before it returned to the depot, and meanwhile the infestation
could spread. I was brushed off and they insisted on keeping the
bus in service until it was due back for cleaning.
On Dec 17, I again experienced a series of bed bug bites on
my neck after travelling on SMRT bus Service 853. This time, it was
an adult bed bug (see attached picture) that was the
culprit.
Again I informed SMRT of the bed bug infestation, making
reference to the earlier complaint. There was no response to my
latest feedback from SMRT.
On Dec 22, I decided to escalate the matter by writing to
the Public Transport Council (PTC). Kudos to PTC for replying to my
feedback on Dec 24, urging SMRT to take relevant actions. However,
to date — more than half a month later — I have yet to get any
response from SMRT.
The impression I got from this public transport service
provider is that customer feedback is not taken very
seriously.
Bed bug infestations can be a nightmare to control. In some
countries, if a customer suffers bed bug bites from a service
rendered (such as in hotels or on public transport), the service
provider will be held liable and open to legal action, and the
necessary hotel room or vehicle will be taken out of service to
ensure infestation does not spread.
Why does SMRT condone waiting for its “cleaning schedule” to
be met and risk more passengers falling victim to these
pests?