SBS Transit is reviewing the layout of the male toilet at Farrer Park MRT station after concerns surfaced online about the lack of space afforded to the six urinals there.
Specifically, World Toilet Organization founder Jack Sim criticised the toilet in a Facebook post on Wednesday (2 Sept), questioning how its design was approved.
Source: Jack Sim on Facebook
Mr Sim said when he first saw the photos online, he thought they might have been digitally generated.
Thus, he visited the toilet to see it for himself and found that the claims were true.
Each set of three urinals was installed on walls directly opposite each other, with a very narrow space in between.
This means that it is “impossible” for two men to use opposite urinals without touching each other’s backs, he noted.
Source: Jack Sim on Facebook
Mr Sim also pointed out other problems due to the lack of space in between the two sets of urinals.
If one of the outermost urinals was being used, it was “impossible” for others to get past to use the other urinals inside, he said.
And if someone decided to use the innermost urinals next to the wall, and another person later used the outermost one, the first man would have to wait for him to finish before getting through.
Source: Jack Sim on Facebook
Similar concerns have been raised by netizens on social media platforms such as Facebook and Reddit.
Mr Sim questioned the layers of bureaucracy it must have gone through, asking which architecture firm designed the toilet and how the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) could have approved it.
He also wondered why the contractor didn’t express any doubts when the toilet was built, and why the transport operator did not raise objections.
He called for building codes to be changed to avoid similar problems cropping up in future, and asked members of the public to send in photos of other toilets that were “illogically” or impractically arranged.
Source: Google Maps
In response to queries from MS News, SBS Transit, which operates the North-East Line (NEL), said it is aware of the matter.
The transport operator is reviewing “possible improvements” to the layout.
However, any works will need to be “carefully planned” to minimise inconvenience to commuters, SBS spokesperson Grace Wu noted, adding:
We seek commuters’ patience and understanding as this may take some time.
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Jack Sim on Facebook.