Welcome to\u00a0Stomping Ground<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 a space where Stompers share reflections, personal essays and social commentaries that spark conversation and insight.<\/strong><\/p>\n Following a pregnant commuter\u2019s disappointment<\/a> at not being offered a seat on the train, one man has suggested a more \u201cfundamental shift\u201d in public transport campaigns.<\/p>\n While he agrees that the current system of fixed priority seats are well-intentioned, Stomper Henry <\/strong>believes this \u201cinadvertently creates a psychological bystander effect<\/a>\u201d.<\/p>\n Citing the pregnant commuter\u2019s experience, Henry said what bothered him was not just younger, able-bodied commuters refusing to give up priority seats, but passengers on other \u201cnon-priority\u201d seats also not doing the same.<\/p>\n \u201cBy labeling specific seats, we signal that all other seats are exempt from the expectations of basic civic courtesy,\u201d said Henry, who is in his 50s.<\/p>\n In his view, this leads to able-bodied passengers remaining glued to their devices, \u201csecure in the knowledge that they are not seated beneath a priority sticker\u201d.<\/p>\n The Stomper recalled an incident in which a seemingly able-bodied man on a priority seat was engrossed with his phone and did not give up his seat to an elderly commuter in front of him. Henry beckoned the elderly man to take his \u201cnon-priority seat\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m not sure why he was not offered a seat by those who were closer to him. Perhaps he looked too \u2018strong\u2019 to qualify as a person who needed the seat more?\u201d questioned the Stomper.<\/p>\n Henry suggested a paradigm shift: treating every seat as a priority seat.<\/p>\n This would transform the entire train carriage into a \u201cspace of communal care\u201d, where every commuter can proactively assess the needs of those around them, including those who may have invisible disabilities.<\/p>\n \u201cBy removing specific labels, we eliminate the excuse for indifference,\u201d the Stomper said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt shifts the internal dialogue from \u2018I am entitled to this seat\u2019 to \u2018Does someone else require this more than I do?\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Henry observed a tendency to \u201csize people up\u201d before deeming them worthy of a priority seat. With his proposal for universal priority seating, Henry believes this mindset will change.<\/p>\n \u201cWe should simply offer our seat to any elderly person just because we respect our seniors, or to a pregnant woman because we are concerned for her safety,\u201d he explained.<\/p>\n \u201cIf we remove the priority stickers, we are now getting everyone on the other non- priority seats to think of whether they can \u2014 and not should \u2014 give up their seats to others,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n \u201cAt the end of the day, we cannot compel those who still want to keep their seats to give them up for others. Only compassion for others can move them to do so,\u201d noted Henry.<\/p>\n Henry believes there is a need to review the success of current public transport campaigns, namely the Land Transport Authority\u2019s (LTA) The Thoughtful Bunch<\/a> initiative.<\/p>\n PHOTO: LAND TRANSPORT AUTHORITY<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n The Thoughtful Bunch is a group of five mascots calling for more gracious behaviour on public transport: Hush-Hush Hannah, Move-In Martin, Stand-Up Stacey, Bag-Down Benny and Give-Way Glenda.<\/p>\n Henry suggested: \u201cI think there should be just one Gracious Mascot to make it a more focused campaign. Like PUB\u2019\u2019s Water Wally.\u201d<\/p>\n Building a more caring and inclusive commuting culture, said Henry, should be a whole-of-society effort involving schools, organisations that work with people with physical and mental health conditions, and the media.<\/p>\n \u201cWe may need celebrities to take public transport<\/a> and be ambassadors for LTA campaigns!\u201d he added.<\/p>\n While a shift in public mentality requires time, Henry ultimately remains optimistic that such a transition is eventually possible \u2014 if we begin now.<\/p>\n Have your say on Stomping Ground! Write to us at stomp@sph.com.sg or WhatsApp 9384 3761.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/p>\n Have something to say? Join in!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Explore more on these topics<\/p>\n<\/div>\n See something interesting? Contribute<\/a> your story to us.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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<\/div>\n<\/div>\nEvery seat should be a priority seat<\/h2>\n
Relooking current public transport campaigns<\/h2>\n
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