More than 160 offence notices issued in 6 months after new anti-nuisance signs put up on public transport: LTA

More than 160 offence notices were issued to errant commuters within six months after new anti-nuisance signs were introduced on public transport in Singapore, according to the Land Transport Authority (LTA).

The new signages were progressively introduced from December 2024 as part of LTA's stepped-up enforcement against inconsiderate behaviour on the rail network.

The signs urge commuters to keep noise levels down, avoid hogging seats and refrain from sitting on the train floor.

An LTA spokesperson told Mothership that LTA issued more than 160 notifications of offences (NOOs) between December 2024 to May 2025.

This is about four times higher than the NOOs issued from June to November 2024, the spokesperson added.

Penalties

Signages about noise appear on both MRT trains and buses, while reminders to refrain from sitting on the floor and seat-hogging were only seen on MRT trains.

Train commuters who receive a notification of offence can be fined up to S$500 per prohibited act.

More egregious offences such as soiling the railway premises can result in a fine of up to S$5,000.

In February, a man touched himself on an MRT train and flicked bodily fluid on a fellow commuter's clothing.

He was arrested in May after the woman made a police report and swabs of the stains on her clothing were analysed at the Health Sciences Authority.

The man pleaded guilty to one charge of public nuisance and was sentenced to three weeks’ jail on Jul. 2.

What about buses?

From Mar. 10, LTA introduced guidelines for safe, considerate and commuter behaviour on buses, referred to as "Conditions for Carriage".

Bus commuters are reminded not to speak loudly or blast sound from their devices, engage in personal grooming, or put their feet or footwear on bus seats, handles or grab poles.

Commuters who breach the terms may be asked to alight from the bus.

By 2026, LTA's regulatory framework against inconsiderate behaviour will be aligned across trains and buses, said then-Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng on Mar. 5.

Offenders will face penalties based on the severity of the impact on other commuters, with higher penalties for repeat offenders, Baey added.

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Top image from Mothership reader