Ever since the local papers carried a report of a woman slapped with an NOO (Notice of Offence) for sipping water on the train, local Forum sites have been abuzz on whether SMRT is being too zealous in carrying out its duties. Previously, SMRT’s practice was to issue more warnings compared to NOOs (which lead to a fine), unless the offender repeatedly flouted rules. However, latest reports indicate tougher enforcement and more frequent patrols, with those caught consuming food to be issued with NOO slips instead of being let off with a warning.

I was first inclined to agree, having sat too often on sticky seats and once enduring the smell of cuttlefish from a teen calmly chewing this ‘chewing-gum of the Orientals’. However, then I remembered having such a bad coughing spree recently that I just had to gulp some H₂O – yes, on a moving train - to put an end to vile looks from all around.

SMRT has said that those with valid reasons would be asked to step out of public areas to finish their food before continuing on their journey, and that those who need to take medication during their journey can approach station staff for special arrangements to be made for them.

So does this mean that if you must have a drink of water to quench a prickly throat you would need to step out of the moving train, leave the station and then re-enter with a fresh ticket? Would mothers bottle-feeding their babies be asked to leave train carriages as well?

Unless SMRT staff cut commuters a little slack and issue NOOs only to those who are repeatedly defiant, I don’t see the number of NOOs dropping. Rather, some quarters may start exchanging tips on the art of ‘how to eat and drink on the train and get away with it’, from 'SIT' (Sweet In Tissue) to 'HID' (HIde and Drink).

Maybe there are some things that SMRT could do to meet commuters half-way. Throwing caution to the wind, I would venture these: How about setting aside a special ‘water drinking corner’–with no sustained eating or lingering allowed - within the transit/waiting area for commuters who simply had to take a gulp, swallow their medication or pop in a lozenge (similar to a ‘smokers’ corner)? Or how about allowing commuters to tap their tickets on a ‘temporary exit’ basis so they can quickly do what they need to and then get back onto the train a  few minutes later without having to pay for a fresh journey? 
 
As for commuters, maybe there are some some habits that we - and the young generation - could start to adopt. You know how kids are often encouraged to hydrate themselves before engaging in a sports activity? Now maybe we should start a new one – 'drink before you ride’, the train, that is (I can just see those bright MRT signages urging us to ‘Sip before you tap!'). Same goes for taking medication. The sucking lozenge bit is a bit tricky, but one cannot anticipate each and every scenario.... inevitably for some, a compromise is in order.

What do you think of SMRT's tougher measures? Should they ease up or crank it up? Do you think public education would help to reduce the number of offenders?  Share your comments below, we would like to hear from you.

Comments (5)

Drink at own risk
written by Justasip, July 17, 2009

With security, hygiene and health concerns, now there are so many rules on what we can and cannot do on the train. Some things we must ban but the water thing i am not so sure. If SMRT is worried that allowing plain water will make it hard to tell if someone is drink a clear, sugary drink, then start carrying strips that can test for sugar or additives lah. If you ask me, someone who has the flu and is coughing away without a mask on is a lot more harmful that a person drinking water. But do we see patrolling staff giving out masks to such people? Maybe they should start.

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written by Alexandria, July 17, 2009

As a mother of 2, I bet that my youngest child needs her milk along the way. And are they going to submit a NOO to me too? Perhaps they play by ear. *shrugs*

I used to have those uncomfortable issue when there's itch at this throat of mine and coughing consistently till tears welled. I need Strepsils as my saviour.

To me, there's too many rules to follow. Seriously~

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written by Yap, July 17, 2009

I drink on the trains, when and if I have water bottles with me. This no-drinking rule on the MRT has to be one of the most stupid, inane ones ever.

I mean: It's... water!

If it's food, of course a no-no.

We are too rigid with rules at times. Applying some common sense will work wonders.

Having said that, I think this crackdown leaves the mrt officers will little choice. But once the hoo-ha dies down, I hope common sense descends upon our land again..

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Understanding and Compassion
written by Gruvinek Tan, July 17, 2009

l do appreciate the concern SMRT is showing but l feel we all should respond and react according to circumstances and individual commuters involved.

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to do or not to do on board the mrt - that is the question
written by suaku auntie, July 23, 2009

while i do take pride on the cleanliness of our mrt , issuing a NOO to someone who needs a sip or two of water for his/her medication or to treat an uncomfortable throat is the most inert thing to do - this i cannot comprehend . so if i'm coughing my lungs out due to a bad throat irritation, am i expected to alight from the train, cough all my way to the nearest staff (probably not so near since i need to go to the control room) to ask for permission to drink some water? such rigidity - i mean, we are not talking about food or sugared drinks here. so does it mean also that if i'm suckling a fisherman's friend in my mouth (which i usually do when i'm seated inside the mrt), i'd be issued a NOO as well?

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