Speech by President Halimah Yacob for the Inaugural Caring Commuter Week

Mr S Iswaran, Minister for Transport

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning. I am delighted to join you for the launch of the inaugural Caring Commuter Week and the Our Caring Commuting Journey Report.

Singapore’s public transport network has been a cornerstone of our city’s development. Our rail network has more than doubled in the two decades since 2001. From 85 stations spanning one LRT and three MRT lines, we now have 189 stations spanning three LRT and six MRT lines. When the Thomson-East Coast Line, Jurong Region Line, and Cross Island Line are completed by the early 2030s, our rail network would have grown to 360 kilometres. Its density would be comparable to that of London and New York City.

Expanding our public transport infrastructure is only one aspect of improving the commuting experience. As we develop the hardware, we must also cultivate the ‘heart’-ware that puts people at the front and centre of the commuting journey. A small act of civic-mindedness can multiply and have a far-reaching influence on every commuter. For example, being thoughtful by giving up seats to those in need can make the difference between a pleasant or an unpleasant journey. Simple gestures such as greeting fellow commuters and public transport workers can uplift their spirits and spur them on for the day.

There are many who have shown care and concern for other commuters by going out of their way to help one another. Let me share the example of Mr Tay Jun Jie. He was on the train towards Joo Koon MRT station in June this year when he met Mr Khoo, an elderly man with dementia who had forgotten his way home after visiting the barber. Fortunately, Mr Khoo remembered his son’s name and mobile number. Mr Tay took the initiative to call Mr Khoo’s son, and kindly arranged a private hire ride for the senior Mr Khoo to get home.

Commuters like Mr Tay show that Singaporeans have tremendous capacity to care. This is what the Caring SG Commuters Committee aims to harness. Working in close consultation and collaboration with the public and other stakeholders, the Caring SG Commuters Committee aspires to transform our public transport system into one that is more caring, welcoming, and inclusive. This is an ambitious goal, but one that will surely create a positive impact.

Through conversations with commuters from all walks of life, the Committee found that some commuters who need help may not feel comfortable asking others. Others who wish to help may not feel equipped to assist. With this understanding, the Committee has co-created various initiatives with community partners to bridge such gaps, with a view to growing and sustaining a caring commuter culture.

One recent initiative is the ‘May I Have A Seat Please’ identifier, where commuters with invisible conditions are able to alert others to offer their seat. Another initiative, Heart Zones, serves as a platform for commuters to lend a helping hand to fellow commuters who need assistance.

For commuters who wish to help others but may not know how, the Committee has started to recruit ‘Caring Commuter Champions’. These champions undergo training by SG Enable on how to ask, assess, and assist commuters with disabilities. I am heartened to hear that around 400 people have signed up since its launch in December 2020. I hope that more will step forward to become Caring Commuter Champions.

I am also encouraged to see ground-up collaboration. Under Project CompassioNATION, students from Republic Polytechnic worked together with the community to develop solutions for the elderly and families with young children. The solutions reduce the potential inconveniences faced by these groups of commuters when travelling on public transport.

The Committee’s efforts have culminated in the Our Caring Commuting Journey Report, which will be launched today. The report provides recommendations on how to foster a caring commuting culture in Singapore, through informing, involving, and inspiring our commuters and community.

Caring commuter efforts should be recognised and commended. These are steps in the right direction to build a caring commuter culture. However, the Committee cannot create this culture on its own. From our public transport workers to our commuters, all of us have to play our part in transforming our public transport system into a caring, welcoming, and inclusive one. I am glad to hear that the Committee is looking to involve more in the community to drive this movement forward.

As we launch the Caring Commuter Week today, let me also take the opportunity to recognise and thank our public transport workers. They have kept our trains and buses running amidst a pandemic. Many have also gone beyond the call of duty, from helping commuters who need additional assistance to reuniting families with loved ones who have lost their way. They have continued to demonstrate the kindness and patience that we should all seek to emulate as we journey the battle against COVID-19.

To conclude, I would like to encourage organisations and individuals who have stories or ideas to share on how to foster a more gracious and caring commuting culture to contribute through the Caring SG Commuters Portal. Together, we can build a truly world class transport system with a caring commuter culture at the heart of it.

Thank you.