SINGAPORE: Another incident of disruptive behavior on the MRT has caused a stir among Singaporeans as a man was caught on video lying across multiple train seats.

The unsettling video was uploaded on TikTok by a user named @o0_.kirbz._0o, who tagged SMRT in their post, urging the company to take immediate action.

"SMRT, your staff should perform random checks to prevent such behavior," the user commented, accompanied by a green vomit emoji, clearly expressing their frustration.

Incident Details

The incident took place on the Thomson-East Coast MRT (TEL) Line on November 2. The video depicted a heavyset man dressed in an orange shirt and short black pants, reclining across several seats, engrossed in his mobile phone. His right foot, in a slipper, occupied one of the seats, while his left leg was propped up against his knee, disregarding the proximity of other commuters.

Though the train was not crowded, with some passengers standing, the man’s behavior sparked outrage among viewers. The footage captured at least two people standing nearby who seemed oblivious to the disruption. What followed was a wave of outrage from the online community, as the video amassed over 143,000 views since its upload on November 9.

Public Reaction

Many TikTok users echoed the sentiment that SMRT staff should actively monitor passenger behavior to uphold the decorum of public transport. Some recommended that the user report the incident to train staff, stating, “I’ve seen staff ignore inappropriate behavior while passing by,” indicating a lack of enforcement in maintaining order on the trains.

Others suggested innovative solutions, such as the installation of a button for passengers to report disturbances directly to staff. This could enable staff to review camera footage and take appropriate action, including fines for offenders.

Defending the Behavior

However, there were also defenders of the man’s actions, with one commenter arguing that if airline passengers are allowed to occupy vacant seats, the same should apply to train passengers.

Conclusion

This incident raises broader questions about public behavior on Singapore's MRT network, a transport system known for its efficiency and high standards. As the city-state strives to maintain its reputation for civility and public order, the call for proactive measures from SMRT has never been more urgent. How will the authorities respond to ensure that all passengers can enjoy a comfortable and respectful travel experience? Stay tuned as this story develops!