Another reason why I'm not investing in SMRT...

...the company has plenty opportunity to bring in more cash if only the fine of $500 is enforced against those uncivilised, snack-biting commuters. What is it about the fine being only $30?!?! SMRT ought to be firmer!

Commuters are caught munching or sipping at drinks at the Orchard MRT station at least five times a day.

Curry puffs, biscuits and soft drinks in plastic cups are the snacks of choice in the no-eating, no-drinking zones that are MRT stations.

'Their favourite excuse is that they rushing somewhere and this was their dinner,' said Mr Ng Chee Siang, an SMRT officer of two years who does a patrol every hour.

The majority of commuters are apologetic when caught, and stop eating or drinking immediately. They are let off with a warning.

Then there are the recalcitrant.

Said Mr Ng, 34: 'One student was blatantly eating a burger on the train and when I told him to stop, he said 'Just fine me, I don't care'.'

The fine is usually $30, even for repeat offenders.

But if the case goes to court, the offender may be fined up to $500.

Last year, 626 commuters were fined for eating and drinking, more than double the 280 in 2006.

In 2007, 548 people were fined.

From Straits Times, "More eating on MRT".

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Update on 15/07: Okay, the latest news about the outright fines should prompt me to rethink in investing in SMRT.

It will be outright fines from now on for those caught eating and drinking in MRT trains and stations, as train operator SMRT said it will no longer issue warnings to offenders.

Over 500 station staff will issue Notification of Offence slips to commuters caught in the act. This is unlike the past practice where commuters were first warned and only fined if they persisted in eating or drinking.

Chia Chun Wah, deputy director of Stations Operations at SMRT Trains, said: "We are trying to eradicate this (habit of) eating and drinking both in the stations and the trains. We have been doing a lot of advisories to the passengers.

"Obviously, there's a certain limit where we can educate the passengers. Now we're going to this enforcement scheme and trying to educate passengers further and to refrain from eating and drinking in the systems."

Fines range from S$30 to S$500, depending on the number of times the commuter has flouted the rule. He will have to pay the fine to the Land Transport Authority directly.

Over 590 notifications were issued in 2008, more than double the 276 issued the previous year.

From Channel NewsAsia, "Outright fines for commuters caught eating & drinking in MRT trains, stations".