SMRT response: using train emergency button for food violations is inappropriate

My letter about eating and drinking on Singapore's trains, published in the Straits Times Forum on July 16, elicited a response from SMRT.

In their response, SMRT did not directly address the idea of a 'hotline' for reporting violations. However, SMRT confirmed my suspicions that activating the emergency communication button for food violations is inappropriate.

SMRT's response was published in the Straits Times Forum on July 25, 2011 and is quoted below in its entirety.

Jul 25, 2011

Report food or drink violations to SMRT staff

WE THANK Mr Imran Ahmed for his feedback ('Disrupting the train journey for a food or drink violation is inappropriate'; July 16).

The best course of action if you spot someone eating or drinking in the MRT is to report the violation to our station staff. This will allow them to inform our staff at the next station to take immediate action against the offender.

The emergency communication button is for commuters to report security- and safety-related incidents. Activating the button will cause delays to train services, and it should not be misused.

Bernadette Low
Senior Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications
SMRT Corporation