Follow us on Telegram for the latest updates: https://t.me/mothershipsg

The Covid-19 pandemic has made it mandatory for everyone in Singapore to wear a mask when they step out of their homes.

One male passenger on SBS Transit bus service 54, however, refused to comply with the rules, leading to a heated argument with the bus captain.

Bus driver approached passenger three times

According to Shin Min Daily News, the incident happened at around 6:19pm on Aug. 8 at the bus stop of Block 245 Bishan Street 22.

A witness told Shin Min that she saw the driver approach a man sitting at the back of the bus, advising him to wear his mask properly.

Apparently, it was the third time the driver had asked the passenger to do so.

When the man refused to listen again, the bus driver then went back to his seat and informed the operations control centre.

"I will make you lose your rice bowl"

The man then approached the driver to reason with him, but the duo ended up arguing.

The driver parked the bus by the roadside and the quarrel lasted for about eight minutes, Shin Min reported.

The passenger eventually left the bus after the driver threatened to call the police.

However, before he left, he told the bus driver: "Believe it or not, I will make you lose your rice bowl."

After alighting, he continued scolding the bus driver, spewing profanities, pointing his middle finger and spitting at the driver twice.

SBS will be filing a police report

Responding to queries from Mothership, SBS Transit explained that the bus captain had repeatedly asked the passenger to wear his mask.

Apparently, the man kept taking his mask off.

After advising him for the fourth time, the bus captain reported the incident to the operations control centre for assistance and was threatened by the man.

Tammy Tan, the senior vice president of SBS Transit's corporate communications, added:

"We do not take this incident lightly and have filed a Police report against the man for breaching current regulations and for verbally abusing our BC (bus captain). We will also be sharing the relevant CCTV footage with the police.

We ask that passengers treat our staff with civility. Bus Captains are front line staff who come into contact with many strangers every day and they, like many other frontline personnel, deserve better treatment.

We would also like to remind commuters that it is mandatory to wear a mask when travelling on public transport."

Related story

Top images courtesy of Shin Min Daily News.