SINGAPORE - Public transport commuters are displaying more graciousness to one another, going by a study released by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Wednesday.

The Commuter Graciousness Index, now in its third year, found that graciousness levels rose to 61.3 per cent in 2014, up from 42 per cent the year before. In 2012, the index stood at 38.6 per cent.

The index measures the perceived change in behaviour of commuters on public transport, and looks at three core behaviours: queuing up and giving way to fellow commuters, giving up seats to those who need them more, and moving in to allow more passengers to boardthe bus and train.

Out of the 1,000 respondents who took part in the latest study, 71 per cent said they had noticed fellow commuters queuing up and giving way. This is up from 49 per cent in 2013.

Sixty-three per cent also said that more commuters were giving up their seats, an improvement from 45 per cent.

Half of the respondents noted that more commuters were also moving in to allow other passengers to board the train or bus, an increase from 41 per cent in 2013.

In 2014, the LTA launched five cartoon mascots to promote more gracious behaviour among commuters: Stand-up Stacey, Give-Way Glenda, Move-in Martin, Bag-Down Benny and Hush-Hush Hannah.

They will continue to front the graciousness campaign, the LTA said, with a new three-dimensional look.