Commuters more gracious on public transport: LTA

SINGAPORE — More commuters were seen queueing for public transport as well as giving up their seats and moving in to allow others to board the train or bus last year, compared to the year before, indicating more thoughtful commuters, said the Land Transport Authority (LTA) today.

Releasing the results of its latest Commuter Graciousness index, the LTA noted that that graciousness levels have risen for the third year running — from 38.6 per cent in 2012 and 42 per cent in 2013 to 61.3 per cent last year.

The index measures the perceived change in behaviour of commuters on public transport based on three “thoughtful behaviours”, namely queuing up and giving way to fellow commuters, giving up seats to those who need them more and moving in on public transport.

“The findings suggest that Singapore’s public transport commuters have taken a more thoughtful journey to heart,” said the LTA, adding that character advocates that encourage people to give way or move in, such as Give-Way Glenda and Move-in Martin, have proven inspiring to commuters.

Graphic: LTA

A post-2014 campaign survey of 1,000 participants showed that more than 70 per cent of commuters noticed their fellow commuters queuing up for public transport and giving way, a jump of about 20 percentage points, said the LTA.

Similarly, 63 per cent of participants noticed that more people gave up their seats last year, a jump from 45 per cent in 2013.

Half of the respondents said commuters were moving in to allow others to board the train or bus. Respondents also noticing that more commuters put their bags down and keep their volumes down while on public transport. ANJALI RAGURAMAN