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Disbelief over LTA survey findings on public transport

22 Aug 2013|5,607 views

Survey findings by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on graciousness in public transport has been greeted with some scepticism.

Surveyors interviewed commuters aged 15 and above at bus interchanges and MRT stations islandwide in June and last month

The findings have attracted some disbelief and some say the real situation in trains and buses is less rosy, and question if there is a disconnect between what the respondents said and actually do.

Online, several netizens expressed scepticism about the poll. "Please tell the 94 percent action speaks louder than words!" said netizen Steven Koh.

However, another netizen, Leonard Chew said that he has seen gracious acts by some commuters, which he found heart-warming. He noted that selection bias is hard to avoid in surveys - for instance, less gracious commuters might not bother participating.

Singapore Kindness Movement General Secretary Dr. William Wan agreed that behaviour on public transport can be improved. However, he feels that the survey findings are 'probably correct'.

"Ungracious behaviour tends to get a lot more exposure, especially on social media. This forms an impression that commuters aren't as gracious as they are," said Dr. Wan. "Out of the millions who travel every day, many people give up their seats and move to the centre but no one says anything," he added.

From today, the LTA will put up a series of posters and stickers islandwide incorporating the survey results - such as the percentage of commuters who said they would give up their seats - to highlight and promote positive behaviour.

To foster graciousness, the LTA has also turned to social media, put up YouTube videos and launched a Facebook app for commuters to share positive public transport experiences.

The Straits Times reported that in a recent poll conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to gather feedback on its annual graciousness campaign, 94 percent of 1,000 commuters said they give up their seats to those who need them more, while 98 percent said they queue up and give way to alighting passengers. In addition, 96 percent said they move in for others to board the trains.

The findings have attracted some disbelief and some say the real situation in trains and buses is less rosy, and question if there is a disconnect between what the respondents said and actually do.

Online, several netizens expressed scepticism about the poll. "Please tell the 94 percent action speaks louder than words!" said netizen Steven Koh.

However, another netizen, Leonard Chew said that he has seen gracious acts by some commuters, which he found heart-warming. He noted that selection bias is hard to avoid in surveys - for instance, less gracious commuters might not bother participating.

Singapore Kindness Movement General Secretary Dr. William Wan agreed that behaviour on public transport can be improved. However, he feels that the survey findings are 'probably correct'.

"Ungracious behaviour tends to get a lot more exposure, especially on social media. This forms an impression that commuters aren't as gracious as they are," said Dr. Wan. "Out of the millions who travel every day, many people give up their seats and move to the centre but no one says anything," he added.

From today, the LTA will put up a series of posters and stickers islandwide incorporating the survey results - such as the percentage of commuters who said they would give up their seats - to highlight and promote positive behaviour.

To foster graciousness, the LTA has also turned to social media, put up YouTube videos and launched a Facebook app for commuters to share positive public transport experiences.