Ever had foreigner friends visiting Singapore, the first comment when they landed in our island, they said "Singapore is a very clean and beautiful country". But to me, this beautiful country immediately turn ugly when you take the MRT trains service especially in the morning or evening peak hours.
What you usually expect to see?
Many commuters will crowd around each cabin door as if they are having a camp fire at the doorway. Once the door open, you will always see a handful of people try to rush into the train without even allowing the commuter inside the train to exit first. The worse nightmare is that you thought these people who rushed in will go into the center of the train, well... NO! they will rush and slow down once one of their foot enter the train and often a few will just stand at the side of the door and not moving inwards. This is crazy! First of all, the commuters who are exiting the train face difficulties in making their way out. Secondly, the people who slow down and stood at the doorway prevent more commuter to enter the train smoothly.
My personal experience: Because of people who don't move to the center yet slow down at the entrance of the cabin, I got hit by the door (as it close) while i tried to enter the train.
The whole scene just look like a Bull Fight where people inside the train dash out (afraid that they won't be able to alight) and people entering the train dashing in (afraid that they might miss the train).
The DRAMA inside the Train...
Most common one are the giving up of seats to the elderly, the pregnants, those with special needs... As my sis is expecting her first child, she feels the most for this. Often I seen her showing her frustration by updating her facebook status on the countless times whereby people ignore her existence.
Maybe Singapore lifestyle is alway been very busy, so many people will make use of this excuse to "act busy", pressing their mobile vigorously, sleeping - taking a quick nap, or even kissing and hugging away. That's not all, frequently you will see people leaning against the pole! that's the most frustrating one! HELLO!!! The poles are for commuters to hold on, to keep a balance and its not for leaning!!! When you thought everything would be better if its non-peak hours, you too see free shows.. Kids running inside the cabin and doing "pole dancing"!!! Needless to mention about the noise level when children screaming, adults chating (whether its on the mobile or to one another)...
If only everyone do a Part...
I always thought that asian chinese are the culprit to all these issues, however during my trip to Taipei last April, I got a shock! Their systematic queue and "escalator rules" make me drop my Jaws...
This is how systematic that Taiwanese are. They will queue up according to the markings on the floor no matter if it peak or non-peak hours. On the escalator, they will all keep to the Right (whereas in Singapore, we should be keeping to the Left) and allow those who are rushing for time to go by the Left.
Imagine if we too follows the simple rules and be systematic, it will not only reduce the chances of accidents and unhappiness but also been time-efficient! For those who need to rush for time, they can still do so by taking the 'express way' and for those who is enjoying their ride, they can also enjoy the 'sceneries' while not obstructing other's way.
We should also keep our volume low, educate the young ones - not to make too much noise so as not to become a nuisane to commuters and of course it will also prevent them from any possible injuries.
Nonetheless, moving to the center of the cabin and giving up seats to the people with special needs, which I believe its been taught in all local primary schools, is a MUST!
If everyone were to put all this into practise, there won't be conjestion in the MRT and of course no one will be afraid of moving into the center of the cabin as you will definitely be able to alight when everyone been considerate and giving ways.
Finally, Singapore will really be Gracious and Beautiful from the 'inside' to the 'outside'...
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