Welcome to <\/b><\/span>Stomping Ground<\/b><\/span><\/a><\/span> \u2013 a space where Stompers share reflections, personal essays and social commentaries that spark conversation and insight.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n A man feels it is unfair that while some hawker centre toilets don’t charge for use, others do.<\/p>\n Stomper Anonymous<\/b><\/span> said it is not about the money but consistency.<\/p>\n “Most hawker centres’ public toilets are free but some charge,” he said.<\/p>\n “This must standardise.”<\/p>\n The Stomper provided examples of free toilets in Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre, Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market, and Tampines Round Market and Food Centre.<\/p>\n He also shared a photo of one toilet in Cheng San Market & Cooked Food Centre, with a man sitting at the toilet entrance to collect 10 cents.<\/p>\n “These toilets are washed by cleaners and not by the fee collectors at the entrance. The cleaners also install the free toilet paper,” said the Stomper.<\/p>\n “So practically, the collectors are doing nothing sitting there to collect entrance fees without contributing to the cleaning and supply of toilet rolls.<\/p>\n “So why charge while most don’t?<\/p>\n “I also observe that it’s free for hawkers. Why the double standards?”<\/p>\n He added: “I am not here to quarrel over the miserable 10 cents, but as a matter of principle, this entrance fee is unfair.”<\/p>\n It should be noted that none of the hawker centres mentioned are operated by the National Environment Agency (NEA).<\/p>\n Both Bedok Interchange Hawker Centre and Block 216 Bedok Food Centre and Market are managed by East Coast Town Council.<\/p>\n Tampines Round Market and Food Centre is under Tampines Town Council, while Cheng San Market & Cooked Food Centre is managed by Ang Mo Kio Town Council.<\/p>\n Town councils may impose a fee for various reasons, according to The Straits Times<\/a><\/span>.<\/p>\n One town council said it created the “toilet caretaker” job for needy senior residents. These residents who take up the position are paid a salary and they also get to keep the cash from toilet admissions, 10 cents per entry, that they collect.<\/p>\n The town council said the 10-cent collection is meant to motivate them to do a good job and to give them a sense of job ownership.<\/p>\n Have your say on Stomping Ground! Write to us at stomp@sph.com.sg or WhatsApp 9384 3761.<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n![\"Free](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/stomp\/ab9b25a85f41067450cc574198eeb06fe4b3f1dbaab312c5acaf8daa9c215601\/bar3.jpg?w=360&f=webp)
<\/picture>![\"Toilet](\"https:\/\/cassette.sphdigital.com.sg\/image\/stomp\/9c3751cda767e8f6a4ad35b9fb662dc703efcb6ddf3f4e3a2089182e9cc18502\/WhatsAppImage2026-01-03at121032PM.jpg?w=360&f=webp)
<\/picture>
\n