Keeping song birds has long been a unique part of Singapore culture.

It is a hobby that brings people from many different ethnic groups together every weekend to hear their birds sing.

Hence, I was surprised when my friend, who is in his 70s, was told to get off a Tower Transit bus because he had his two small Oriental White Eye or Mata Puteh birds with him.

Why aren't small animals such as birds and hamsters allowed on public buses?

This would be a great help to our senior citizens, most of whom are retirees and do not have the income to travel by private transport.

Ng Aik Sing