We should not need government chaperoning and chiding with an "official" sticker to become a more considerate and compassionate society.
If we need a seat on a bus or train, we should just simply and politely ask for one.
And if the person asked is reluctant for whatever reason to yield the seat, then the nearby passengers can do so.
When this happens we can then honestly say we have made some progress as a civilisation.
Thomas Lee Hock Seng (Dr)
ST Forum, 19 Dec 2019
Improve 'yellow sticker' priority seating scheme
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) recently launched the "yellow sticker" pilot initiative to cater to the needs of commuters with less visible medical conditions such as chronic pain and heart disease.
Commuters can obtain a bright yellow sticker at MRT stations, bus interchanges and TransitLink ticket offices, and use it to let other commuters know that they have medical conditions and require priority seating.
This initiative is commendable and I have some suggestions to improve it and promote it more widely.
First, the need for a medical certificate or doctor's letter to support the request for the sticker is rather restrictive. This may lead to additional cost and inconvenience for some commuters.
I failed to get the sticker for my son when I presented his Developmental Disability Registry Identity Card issued by the National Council of Social Service, even though the card clearly states that he has slight mobility issues. He was given one only after I received the LTA's written confirmation that he is eligible for the scheme.
I suggest that the stickers be freely available to anyone, without a need for proof of medical condition. The chance of ineligible people abusing the scheme is very low.
Second, the sticker is very small, with only the words "Excuse me, may I have a seat please?". It does not bear an official stamp from any authority. People will just dismiss it as a random sticker given at some events and will not take any notice.
The sticker should be bigger and also include words such as "I cannot stand for too long because of a medical condition" and "This is an LTA initiative".
Third, not many people are aware of this "yellow sticker" scheme even though it was launched more than two months ago.
The LTA should publicise the scheme in the media and at community events. Information on the scheme should also be included in the "priority seat" signs in buses and trains.
Lastly, I hope the general public will consistently demonstrate graciousness to seniors, expectant mothers, parents with young children and special needs people, regardless of whether there are any government initiatives to promote social graciousness.
Betty Ho Peck Woon
ST Forum, 16 Dec 2019
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) recently launched the "yellow sticker" pilot initiative to cater to the needs of commuters with less visible medical conditions such as chronic pain and heart disease.
Commuters can obtain a bright yellow sticker at MRT stations, bus interchanges and TransitLink ticket offices, and use it to let other commuters know that they have medical conditions and require priority seating.
This initiative is commendable and I have some suggestions to improve it and promote it more widely.
First, the need for a medical certificate or doctor's letter to support the request for the sticker is rather restrictive. This may lead to additional cost and inconvenience for some commuters.
I failed to get the sticker for my son when I presented his Developmental Disability Registry Identity Card issued by the National Council of Social Service, even though the card clearly states that he has slight mobility issues. He was given one only after I received the LTA's written confirmation that he is eligible for the scheme.
I suggest that the stickers be freely available to anyone, without a need for proof of medical condition. The chance of ineligible people abusing the scheme is very low.
Second, the sticker is very small, with only the words "Excuse me, may I have a seat please?". It does not bear an official stamp from any authority. People will just dismiss it as a random sticker given at some events and will not take any notice.
The sticker should be bigger and also include words such as "I cannot stand for too long because of a medical condition" and "This is an LTA initiative".
Third, not many people are aware of this "yellow sticker" scheme even though it was launched more than two months ago.
The LTA should publicise the scheme in the media and at community events. Information on the scheme should also be included in the "priority seat" signs in buses and trains.
Lastly, I hope the general public will consistently demonstrate graciousness to seniors, expectant mothers, parents with young children and special needs people, regardless of whether there are any government initiatives to promote social graciousness.
Betty Ho Peck Woon
ST Forum, 16 Dec 2019
Commuters with medical conditions can get LTA stickers signalling they need seats on buses, trains
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 1 Oct 2019
Commuters with medical conditions will now find it easier to travel on MRT trains and public buses.
From Tuesday (Oct 1), they will be able to obtain a sticker at all MRT stations, bus interchanges and TransitLink ticket offices and use it to let other commuters know that they have medical conditions and require priority seating.
The sticker is part of a new Land Transport Authority (LTA) pilot to cater to the needs of commuters with less visible medical conditions, such as chronic pain, heart disease and arthritis.
The scheme also covers those recovering from stroke or physical injuries, those undergoing cancer treatment, users of prosthetic limbs, and early-stage expectant mothers.
These commuters can bring medical certificates or doctors' letters to the Passenger Information Centre or Passenger Information Office as evidence, if they feel comfortable doing so, the LTA said on Tuesday.
The pilot will be reviewed by the middle of next year.
"Commuters have consistently demonstrated graciousness to the elderly or expectant mothers on public transport. However, there is another group of commuters whose conditions are often hidden and yet they need seats just as much," said Ms Priscilla Chan, LTA's deputy group director of public transport.
"We are embarking on this visual identifier pilot to bridge the gap between commuters with invisible medical conditions and fellow commuters who now will not need to second-guess the needs of these commuters."
By Jean Iau, The Straits Times, 1 Oct 2019
Commuters with medical conditions will now find it easier to travel on MRT trains and public buses.
From Tuesday (Oct 1), they will be able to obtain a sticker at all MRT stations, bus interchanges and TransitLink ticket offices and use it to let other commuters know that they have medical conditions and require priority seating.
The sticker is part of a new Land Transport Authority (LTA) pilot to cater to the needs of commuters with less visible medical conditions, such as chronic pain, heart disease and arthritis.
The scheme also covers those recovering from stroke or physical injuries, those undergoing cancer treatment, users of prosthetic limbs, and early-stage expectant mothers.
These commuters can bring medical certificates or doctors' letters to the Passenger Information Centre or Passenger Information Office as evidence, if they feel comfortable doing so, the LTA said on Tuesday.
The pilot will be reviewed by the middle of next year.
"Commuters have consistently demonstrated graciousness to the elderly or expectant mothers on public transport. However, there is another group of commuters whose conditions are often hidden and yet they need seats just as much," said Ms Priscilla Chan, LTA's deputy group director of public transport.
"We are embarking on this visual identifier pilot to bridge the gap between commuters with invisible medical conditions and fellow commuters who now will not need to second-guess the needs of these commuters."
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