MRT priority seats a bad idea

Source: http://motoring.asiaone.com/Motoring/News/Transport/Story/A1Story20100506-214540.html


IT IS almost like a comical musical- chair routine, played out on Singapore's public-transport services.

A passenger boards the bus or MRT train and rushes to occupy seats other than the priority seats, which are usually a different colour from regular ones.

The 'slower' ones who get the priority seats had better give them up to pregnant, old or disabled people who board the bus after they do.

Otherwise, they will be bombarded by disapproving stares from other commuters, who hope to force them to give up their seats.

These priority seats have been causing much hoo-ha since they were launched here two years ago, with the public comparing the success of the move with similar initiatives in Japan and Taiwan.

Yet, has Singapore really become more gracious?

Or have we merely shifted our civic responsibility to others?

Priority seats actually absolve people from the responsibility of being the first to perform a gracious gesture.

Just take a look at the 662 articles on citizen-journalism website Stomp from indignant Singaporeans, illustrated with photos of priority-seat campers.

The offenders ignored the stares and refused to give up the seats to people in need.

Some of these campers refused to vacate the seats even when requested, sparking suggestions to fine them, as practised in cities such as New York.

Add angry headlines, and watch the drama and indignant online comments come thick and fast.

Are these articles and comments proof of commuters here becoming more gracious, as claimed by a recent Singapore Kindness Movement survey?

That is highly doubtful.


How i feel:
After reading this article, i feel ashamed. Ashamed to know that most Singaporeans are 'forced' to give up their seats for those who really need it. I think giving up your seats for people who need it (pregnant, old or disabled people) is a kind act from the heart --courteousness/graciosity, NOT something to stress over.

And to be fair, the public shouldn't put the blame totally on the people sitting on priority seats for not giving up their seats to the needy people because the people seating on normal seats should share the blame. So what if you're seating on normal seats? You have every right to give up your seat to an old lady and not waiting for someone sitting on priority seats to make the first move. I agree with the writer that priority seats isnt a very good idea because Singaporeans have not become more gracious/kind. They merely push the responsibility to people on priority seats and most people wouldn't giving their seats willingly.

I think the government should organise more campaigns to promote kindness and encourage Singaporeans to be more gracious and courteous to our fellow compatriots.


KAHMIN