MRT+Commuter Slams Guy for His PMA Taking Up Too Much Space, Saying He “+Didn’t Even Bother to Park Properly+” Singapore, November 24, 2023 – A commuter on the MRT+ train line has publicly criticized a man for taking up too much space with his personal mobility aid (PMA). The incident occurred during the evening rush hour on Thursday, November 23. The commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the man was standing in the middle of the train car with his PMA, which was folded but still taking up a significant amount of room. “He didn’t even bother to park it properly,” the commuter said. “He just left it there in the middle of the aisle, blocking the way for other passengers.” The commuter said that he tried to politely ask the man to move his PMA, but the man ignored him. “I was so frustrated,” the commuter said. “I had to squeeze past him and his PMA to get to my seat. It was really inconvenient.” The commuter said that he believes that the man was being inconsiderate and selfish. “He should have realized that his PMA was taking up too much space and he should have moved it out of the way,” the commuter said. “It’s not fair to other passengers who have to sacrifice their own space because of him.” The incident has sparked a debate on social media about the etiquette of using PMAs on public transportation. Some people believe that PMA users should be more considerate of other passengers, while others believe that PMA users have the same right to use public transportation as everyone else. “I think it’s important for PMA users to be mindful of the space they’re taking up,” one person commented on Facebook. “They should try to fold their PMAs as small as possible and they should park them out of the way of other passengers.” “I think PMA users should be allowed to use public transportation just like everyone else,” another person commented. “But they need to be respectful of other passengers and they need to make sure that their PMAs aren’t blocking the way.” The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has issued guidelines on the use of PMAs on public transportation. The guidelines state that PMAs should be folded and stored in a way that does not obstruct the movement of other passengers. PMAs are also not allowed to be used in crowded areas or during peak hours. The LTA has also advised PMA users to be considerate of other passengers and to follow the guidelines. “We encourage all PMA users to be considerate of other passengers and to follow the guidelines,” the LTA said in a statement. “This will help to ensure that everyone can travel safely and comfortably on public transportation.”Concerns Raised Over Large Personal Mobility Aids on Public TransportConcerns Raised Over Large Personal Mobility Aids on Public Transport A commuter has expressed concerns about the excessive size of a personal mobility aid (PMA) on an MRT train, citing its potential to hinder emergency evacuations and occupy too much space. The incident was captured in a photo taken on the East-West line on June 12 and shared with Stomp contributor Tan. The image shows a large PMA with a sizable individual seated on top. According to Tan, the user did not properly park the PMA, further obstructing the train’s space. He believes that the use of such bulky PMAs should be prohibited on public transport, arguing that they hinder rapid evacuation in emergencies and deprive passengers of space. While the Land Transport Authority (LTA) permits the use of PMAs on MRT and LRT trains, they must adhere to specific dimensions: 120 cm in length, 70 cm in width, and 150 cm in height. The total weight, including the user, cannot exceed 300 kg. The Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) has raised concerns about the misuse of PMAs by able-bodied individuals, including speeding and excessively large devices. In a proposal submitted to the Ministry of Transport in December 2023, AMAP recommended that only individuals with certified walking difficulties or medical needs be allowed to use mobility scooters. Additionally, they suggested reducing the speed limit for all PMAs from 10 km/h to 6 km/h. The concerns raised by the commuter and AMAP highlight the need for regulations and responsible usage of PMAs on public transport to ensure safety and accessibility for all.A commuter on the MRT took to social media to express his frustration with a man whose personal mobility aid (PMA) was taking up too much space. The commuter, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the man’s PMA was blocking the aisle and he had to squeeze past it. He added that the man “didn’t even bother to park it properly”. The commuter’s post has since gone viral, with many netizens expressing their support for his stance. Some have also called for stricter regulations on the use of PMAs on public transport. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has said that it is aware of the commuter’s concerns and is looking into the matter. The LTA has also reminded commuters to be considerate of others when using PMAs on public transport. In a statement, the LTA said: “We would like to remind commuters to be considerate of others when using PMAs on public transport. PMAs should be folded or stowed away when not in use, and should not be placed in a way that obstructs the passage of other commuters.” The LTA added that it will continue to monitor the use of PMAs on public transport and take enforcement action against those who do not comply with the regulations.