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Singapore

DOING BUSINESS AT MRT STATIONS COULD EARN YOU A FINE

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DOING BUSINESS AT MRT STATIONS COULD EARN YOU A FINE

Public transport operators are seeing increasing numbers of buyers and sellers
at MRT stations amid the growing popularity of online marketplaces, such as
Carousell

A security officer at Beauty World MRT Station yesterday informing two members
of the public that transactions are not allowed in the premises. Under the
Singapore Statutes, offenders may be removed from the stations or fined a
maximum of S$2,000. Photo: Robin Choo



By

TAN WEIZHEN

By Tan Weizhen
Published August 3, 2016
Updated August 3, 2016
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SINGAPORE — The growing popularity of online marketplaces — where deals are
struck online while transactions are usually carried out in person — is posing a
headache for the public transport operators: Increasing numbers of buyers and
sellers loitering around MRT stations, causing concerns for the operators about
commuter safety and security especially at busy stations.

It is not uncommon these days to see people exchanging money and goods at MRT
stations, often doing so across the fare gates so as not to incur any fare
charges. SBS Transit, which runs the North East Line and Downtown Line, has
reminded commuters that such a practice is prohibited.


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It has put up notices at Beauty World MRT Station, stating that “no person shall
for the purpose of any trade or business transfer any article or goods between
the paid area and unpaid area unless the article or goods is taken by a person
through a ticket gate”. Under the Singapore Statutes, offenders may be removed
from the stations or fined a maximum of S$2,000. The long-standing rule seeks to
discourage people from using public transportation for the delivery of
commercial goods.

In a response to TODAY’s queries, SBS Transit spokesperson Tammy Tan said
yesterday: “For commuter safety and security, we do not encourage loitering in
our premises particularly at stations with high passenger flow.” She added that
the notice was put up as the operator has seen “increasing numbers of commuters
loitering to conduct what appears to be transactions on our premises”.

SMRT declined to respond to TODAY’s queries. Online marketplace users who were
interviewed said they were unaware of the law against business deals at MRT
stations. One of them said: “It would definitely be more inconvenient for me if
I have to tap out, and it would cost me too. I understand the security risk, but
if it just takes a few minutes, I think it should be okay.”

Lawyers told TODAY that there is sound legal basis for the ban. Compared with,
say, a shopping mall, the human traffic is more concentrated at MRT stations,
said Mr Amolat Singh from Amolat & Partners. The stations also serve a more
essential purpose in comparison, he said. “The (human) traffic is very heavy, so
that would have been in the minds of the lawmakers. The overriding purpose of
the transit area is to facilitate public transport, for commuters to go in and
out, not such unregulated transactions,” he added.

Noting that the exchange of parcels at MRT stations could be a security concern
in today’s climate, Mr Singh added: “This must be becoming so rampant that the
operators have to take action.”


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Mr Jason Chan, director of Amica Law, reiterated that the station premises are
owned by SBS Transit or SMRT. “They can impose any condition for entry. For that
matter, the owner of any commercial building can impose conditions too,” he
said.

A spokesman for Carousell, one of the most popular online marketplaces here,
said many of its users “choose to transact in person and arrange for meet-ups to
close deals in order to have better assurance on the quality of the product and
delivery of payment”.

“Carousell encourages our users to be respectful of the guidelines when
transacting at public places. We are happy to work with the relevant authorities
to better ensure a safe and hassle-free experience for our community,” she said.

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