By Cheryl Chia

MOST commuters interviewed welcomed the news of the creation of a new command to improve security on public transport.

Of the 20 commuters polled by my paper yesterday, 14 said that they were heartened that measures were being taken to keep them safe while they travel on buses, the MRT and the LRT.

The rest said that it did not make a difference to them whether or not security was being beefed up on the public transportation system.

They had been asked to respond to the Singapore Police Force's announcement yesterday of the creation of the Public Transport Security Command (TransCom).

The command will replace the existing Police MRT Unit, and expand on its work.

It will double its number of officers. Meanwhile, it has increased the areas patrolled to include LRT stations and bus interchanges, besides MRT stations.

It will also improve on security and contingency plans, and the training of officers to prevent and deal with terrorist attacks on the public transportation system.

The hope is to keep tragedies, like the 2004 Madrid train bombing that killed 191 people and the 2007 Mumbai train bombing that killed 66 commuters, from happening here.

It is a sentiment that is appreciated by commuters such as businessman Cheung Wen Ming, 55, and factory worker Siti Abdullah, 45.

Madam Siti said: "With attacks in other countries, I'm glad that we are doing something to ensure our safety."

Accounts executive Lisa Ng, 27, added: "You can never be too safe. Having more measures will not trouble anyone."

But other commuters were indifferent to the news, because they already felt safe.

Sales assistant Kevin Tan, 23, said: "Were there even guards? Maybe I was too oblivious. Even if they were to deploy more guards now, it will be just another sight to get used to."

For more my paper stories click here.