Forum: Set aside more MRT seats for seniors and those with mobility needs

Singapore cannot keep relying on goodwill alone to look after elderly commuters on crowded trains.

Our population is ageing rapidly. By 2030, around one in four citizens will be aged 65 and above. At the same time, public transport is carrying huge volumes of passengers. The Government has made it clear that accessible and affordable mass public transport, not car ownership, is the central pillar of Singapore’s transport strategy.

As a daily public transport user, I am noticing more elderly commuters left standing during crowded journeys because too few seats are designated for them. Many seniors will not ask for a seat even when they need one.

Designated priority seats exist across all train carriages, but increasing ridership on all train lines creates crowding. That is why more seats, not just more reminders about graciousness, should be set aside for seniors and commuters with mobility needs.

If Singapore expects more people to depend on public transport while our population grows older, then train interiors must reflect that reality. This is no longer just a matter of courtesy. It is a matter of planning for the country we have already become.

Shaun Ho (Dr)