Passengers on Singapore public buses will face a fine of up to S$500 for “nuisance and disruptive behaviour” under new regulations to be introduced from Wednesday (23 Sept).
This includes playing audio at a loud volume and putting feet up on the seats, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) in a news release on Monday (21 Sept).
LTA said the new Bus Services Industry (Control of Conduct and Activities – Public Bus) Regulations 2026 and Bus Services Industry (Control of Conduct and Activities – Bus Interchange) Regulations would see fines issued to passengers who cause a “nuisance or annoyance” to other passengers.
Behaviour on buses that falls under this description includes:
The maximum fines for the above-mentioned offences will be S$500.
The new regulations also cover nuisance and disruptive behaviour at bus interchanges and terminals, as well as on board buses, LTA said.
Thus, a maximum fine of S$5,000 will be imposed for “more serious offences”, such as causing obstruction or danger to fellow commuters, as well as the soiling of any part of these locations.
LTA noted that these penalties are aligned with those under the existing Rapid Transit Systems Regulations, and are meant to encourage “positive commuter conduct” at public transport facilities, thereby fostering “a safer, more considerate and pleasant public transport environment”.
If a passenger is being disruptive, bus captains are empowered by the Conditions of Carriage to advise them to stop their behaviour, LTA said.
Passengers who do not comply may be asked to get off, and if they still refuse to cooperate, the bus captains can call Bus Operations Control Centre for help.
They may also call the police in “egregious cases”, LTA added.
Other staff, such as ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, may additionally issue Administrative Notifications of Offences (NOO) to those suspected of an offence.
However, bus captains will not have the power to issue an Administrative NOO “so as not to affect their core duty of safely operating the bus”, LTA noted.
LTA will investigate those who are issued an Administrative NOO.
LTA said that public bus operators will exercise “discretion and fairness” in managing inconsiderate commuters.
This is especially when handling those with physical or mental health conditions, it noted, adding:
LTA will also continue working with public transport operators and community stakeholders to encourage considerate behaviour, while taking enforcement action against nuisance and disruptive behaviour, to ensure a better commuting experience for all.
Also read: Woman arrested after putting feet on bus seat in 2023 filmed putting feet on bus poles in 2024
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Featured image from MS News.