Bad: being caught in a train delay, breakdown or disruption.

Worse: being accused or suspected of being up to no good because of said train delay, breakdown or disruption.

Four years ago, train breakdowns were happening so frequently that train operator SMRT started printing stacks of excuse chits, that look like these:

When stuck in a train delay, breakdown or disruption, commuters needed to simply proceed to the Passenger Service Centre to pick up one of these, which would be initialled, dated and chopped by station staff.

Some time has passed since then, however, and The Straits Times ran a report on yet another service delay afflicting the Circle Line on Wednesday.

The newspaper quoted a commuter, Ashley Wu, who said SMRT should issue slips that employees can show to their employers as proof that, well, it isn't their fault they are late for work:

"Commuters who were affected yesterday included public relations executive Ashley Wu, who said she was late for work by half an hour.

...Ms Wu said the information was not comprehensive or given quickly enough, and that she would have made alternative arrangements if she knew about the glitch before taking the Downtown Line.

"Breakdowns are inevitable, but SMRT needs to communicate better and also support affected commuters with breakdown slips which they can show their employers," she said. "My company is strict about punctuality. And I'm sure many out there are as well."

She said she lived in Japan for two years, and it is a practice to give out such breakdown slips there.""

SMRT responded to the report on their own Facebook page to remind commuters that excuse chits have all along been available:

Some of you might have come across an article in The Straits Times today relating to the Circle Line service delays yesterday morning. A commuter shared in the article that SMRT should support commuters with breakdown slips which they can show their employers. We would like to share that we do provide excuse chits, as proof that commuters were delayed because train services were affected. These slips are readily available at our Passenger Service Centres. In the event that you need one, please approach our station staff.

So folks, gentle reminder:

If you need a cover-up/excuse for being late are ever stuck in a train breakdown, delay or disruption, do remember to pop by the Passenger Service Station to take a chit for your angry wife/husband/mom/dad/boss when you meet them later on.

Confirm + chop ok one.

Top images from izreloaded.blogspot.sg

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