More people are exchanging goods for money after engaging in peer-to-peer buying and selling of stuff online. You see it all the time.

Their favoured venue for transactions? MRT stations, mostly because it is convenient.

So, MRT stations are reminding commuters of the rules:

Ok so no more Carousell transactions to be done between the unpaid & paid MRT gantry area ? pic.twitter.com/Tekysb6NJr

— Xavier Lur (@xavierlur) July 31, 2016

However, this regulation is, in fact, not new.

It can all along be found in the Rapid Transit Systems Regulation (page 9, point 31.[2]):

(2) No person shall for the purpose of any trade or business transfer any article or goods

between the paid area and unpaid area unless the article or goods is taken by a person through a

ticket gate.

And it was even brought up in January 2014 by a forum letter writer who was complaining that

"... not many know that it is an offence to pass items between the paid and unpaid areas without going through the fare gates. I often see people doing just that."

This promoted the Land Transport Authority to respond:

Similarly, the regulation that states that items should not be passed between the paid and unpaid areas is intended to prevent the MRT from being used for trade or business purposes. As the primary purpose of the MRT is that of a people mover, it is important to minimise the use of the MRT system for the delivery of goods, which would impede commuter movement and add to crowding.

So, the proper way to conduct the transaction is for both the buyer and seller to be tapped in/ out? Perhaps, but that obviously wouldn't make much sense unless they have concession travel passes.

But how far will MRT stations go to enforce the rules on not allowing transactions on its premises?

In the 2014 official LTA reply, it was mentioned that regular reviews of regulations are made to take into account the severity of the breach in relation to the impact it could have on the safe and reliable operation of the rail system.

Not saying much but now you know.

Photo by Xavier Lur

If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates.