THE New York Metropolitan Transport Authority is punishing selfish bus and train commuters.

Those who don't give up reserved seats to the elderly or the disabled can be jailed for up to 10 days and fined between US$25 ($36) and US$50 ($72).

Recently, as part of the new public transport graciousness drive, some seat signs on trains have been changed to read 'reserved seating' instead of 'priority seating'.

Still, complaints about commuters not giving up their seats to the needy continue to flood newspaper and Internet forums.

Should train operators here follow in the footsteps of their New York counterparts and fine ungracious commuters?

No plans for fines

In an e-mail reply, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it has no plans to introduce fines to encourage gracious behavior.

A spokesman said: 'We would prefer to see changes in behaviour through public education. Punitive measures are a last resort.

'Instead, we have launched the public education programme to promote graciousness on public transport named A Happy Journey Starts Like That!.'

Launched last month, the programme aims to change such behaviour as not giving up seats to those who need them more.

Transport experts feel that fines are not the way to go.

Instead, use public pressure and shaming, said Tampines GRC MP and former deputy chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport, MrOng Kian Min.

'Not giving up seats is not an offence. Instead, it's a matter of public courtesy,' he noted.

'Shaming by the media has proven to work well. The case of misusing handicap parking lots generated many opinions through forum letters.

'I think this is a better way of encouraging gracious behaviour.'

His sentiments are shared by MP for Pasir-Ris-Punggol Charles Chong, who currently sits on the Transport GPC.

'Giving up your seat is part of good manners and common courtesy. Doing it out of fear is not the way to go,' he said.

'I like to believe we have moved away from being nicknamed the 'fine' city. It will be a sad day when Singapore has to fine commuters who don't do the right thing.

'I think social pressure, in the form of fellow commuters reminding each other about being gracious would be a less draconian way to solve the problems.'

Most commuters we spoke to were also against fines for those who do not give up their seats.

Undergraduate Ang Yin Chong, 23, said that courtesy and consideration for those in need should come from the heart, instead of being a legal obligation.

'Imagine an old lady getting a seat from a grumpy young man simply because he has to offer it up,' he said.

He added that fines would be tough to enforce.

'If 10 people see the same pregnant woman but do not give up their seat, then who should be fined?' he asked.

'To have the person nearest to her bear that responsibility would not really be fair.'

A 49-year-old secretary, who wanted to be known only as Madam Tan, also felt that fines were too harsh.

'There are already so many fines in Singapore, and we have a reputation because of it. Why add another one to the list?' she said.

'We should encourage gracious behaviour through public education and publicity campaigns instead.'

A few people, though, see fines as a good way to punish ungracious behaviour.

Housewife Lo Ah Nia, 72, said: 'It's not right that pregnant ladies and the elderly are standing on buses and trains, while strong and healthy young people get the seats.

'I've had the experience of a young man in his 20s fighting with me for an empty seat.'

Benita Aw Yeong, newsroom intern

This article was first published in The New Paper.