From Wednesday, 23 September 2026, some inconsiderate behaviour on Singapore’s public buses will no longer just earn you annoyed looks from fellow passengers.
Commuters who cause a nuisance or annoyance by putting their feet on seats or playing audio loudly can face a maximum penalty of S$500 under new regulations announced by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) on Monday, 21 September.
Littering and eating or drinking on public buses will also be offences carrying a maximum penalty of S$500.
More Serious Offences Can Carry Up to S$5,000 Fine
The rules are not limited to what happens inside a bus.
More serious offences include causing an obstruction or danger to other commuters at bus interchanges and terminals. Such offences can carry a maximum penalty of S$5,000.
Soiling any part of a public bus, bus interchange or bus terminal also carries a maximum penalty of S$5,000.
LTA said the penalties are aligned with those already found under regulations governing Singapore’s rail system.
The new rules come under the Bus Services Industry (Control of Conduct and Activities – Public Bus) Regulations 2026 and the Bus Services Industry (Control of Conduct and Activities – Bus Interchange) Regulations 2026.
They follow legislative changes passed by Parliament in October 2025 to bring the rules on nuisance and disruptive behaviour across buses and trains more closely in line with one another.
Bus Captains Will Not Be Issuing the Offence Notices
If you are wondering whether bus captains will now have to drive, watch the road and moonlight as enforcement officers, the answer is no.
LTA said bus captains will not be authorised to issue Administrative Notifications of Offences, as their main responsibility should remain safely operating the bus.
Instead, authorised employees of public bus operators, such as ticket inspectors and staff at bus interchanges, may issue these notices to people suspected of committing an offence. LTA will then carry out follow-up investigations.
Bus captains can still tell passengers to stop nuisance or disruptive behaviour under existing Conditions of Carriage.
If a passenger refuses to comply, the captain may require the person to alight. If the passenger still refuses to cooperate, the captain can seek assistance from the Bus Operations Control Centre or, in serious cases, the police.
LTA Says Discretion Will Still Be Used
The new maximum penalties do not mean every incident will automatically result in the highest possible fine.
LTA said it and the public bus operators would continue to use discretion and fairness when dealing with inconsiderate behaviour, particularly in situations involving commuters with physical or mental health conditions.
The authority said the aim of the regulations is to create a safer and more considerate environment on public transport while ensuring that dealing with disruptive passengers does not unnecessarily interrupt bus services.
