The Land Transport Authority (LTA) in Singapore has rolled out stricter penalties aimed at curbing disruptive conduct on public buses. Under the new rules, commuters who play audio at high volume, place feet on seats, litter, eat or drink on board can be fined up to 500 Singapore dollars (about $390).

Heavier penalties for serious offenses

More serious violations – such as actions that endanger fellow passengers or cause damage to any part of a bus or transit infrastructure – carry a maximum fine of 5,000 Singapore dollars, roughly $3,900. The LTA emphasized that public transport is a shared space and that every rider has a responsibility to maintain a courteous and pleasant commuting environment.

Context and comparison

These penalties align with existing rules on Singapore’s subway system and reflect the city‑state’s long‑standing emphasis on order, cleanliness and efficiency in public spaces. Similar bans on eating, drinking and playing music without headphones are common across many Asian transit networks. For example, Japan’s rail operators consider loud conversation rude, and cities such as Beijing, Kraków and Toronto have also prohibited loud audio without headphones, though enforcement varies.

International perspective

London’s transport authority recently launched an etiquette campaign urging riders to use headphones on the tube, after a poll found that about 70% of London commuters found loud music or speaker‑phone conversations disruptive. In February 2025, a man in France was fined $200 for taking a loud phone call on speaker in a train station after refusing to turn the speaker off.

While some offenders may receive a verbal warning, others will now face the newly announced fines, reinforcing Singapore’s commitment to a peaceful and orderly commuting experience.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.