Propping feet on bus seats carries $400 penalty in 'Fine City' Singapore

Riders who eat on public buses or put their feet on the seats could face a nearly $400 penalty in Singapore, officials said Monday, a new example of no-nonsense regulations in "Fine City".

The rules are even stricter for "soiling" a bus or causing a danger to other passengers, with a maximum fine of Sg$5,000 ($3,900), said the Land Transport Authority (LTA). The penalty for propping feet on seats is up to Sg$500.

The regulations do not explicitly list individual offences, but official enforcement guidelines indicate that soiling refers to severe cleanliness breaches, which in practice cover actions like vomiting, urinating, spitting, or spilling bodily fluids on seats, floors, or handrails, as well as smearing them with food, mud, or grease.

Singapore tightly regulates public spaces with an already extensive list of penalties for littering or smoking in prohibited areas, inspiring its "Fine City" nickname.

The moniker, which can also be a compliment to Singapore's tidiness, is often seen printed on tourist souvenirs.

Singapore famously banned chewing gum in 1992 after discarded gum caused metro train delays due to some commuters sticking it on the doors, interfering with the sensors.

The new regulations bring buses into line with the Mass Rapid Transit network and aim to create a "safer, more considerate and pleasant public transport environment", the LTA said.

The authority said officials would exercise "discretion and fairness", particularly in cases involving commuters with physical or mental health conditions.