punch-up Peak hour
Woman hit after being accused of cutting queue at bus interchange
Ms Aishah's mother does not want to board the crowded bus, and steps aside to let commuters pass. She then steps back to the head of the queue to wait for the next bus. A woman behind accuses her of cutting the queue.
The woman, standing in the middle of the bus, shouts vulgarities at Ms Aishah's mother, who is seated at the front.
The woman dashes up to the front of the bus and punches her on the face and arms before she is stopped by other passengers.
The buses for these services arrive quite frequently. So many of them would choose to step out and wait for the next bus rather than board a crowded one, as they know that the next bus would come soon.
- Mr Jia Haolin, a Tampines resident
All the 52-year-old woman wanted was a seat.
What she got instead were bruises when she was punched on her arms and face.
Her daughter, who wanted be known only as Ms Aishah, because her mother is embarrassed by the incident, said it all began when her mother had moved aside in a bus queue at Tampines Bus Interchange.
She had just finished work last Monday at 7pm and wanted to take SBS service 293 home.
She moved aside to let other commuters behind her pass because she did not want to squeeze onto the crowded bus.
But when she moved back to the head of the line to wait for the next bus, she was accused of cutting the queue.
Ms Aishah, 24, said that when the next bus came, the young woman behind her mother accused her of cutting the queue and hurled vulgarities as they were boarding the bus.
Ms Aishah's mother, who was seated at the front of the bus by then, retorted that she was already at the head of the earlier queue. That was when the woman, who Ms Aishah's mother described as being in her twenties or thirties, snapped.
She shouted more vulgarities as she stood in the middle of the bus. Then she rushed up to Ms Aishah's mother and punched her. She landed blows on the woman's arm and face before she was stopped by other passengers.
The bus had not moved out of the bay and passengers were still boarding.
Ms Aishah's mother told the driver she wanted to make a police report. The two women went to the SBS Transit Office and the staff took their statements before allowing both to leave.
Ms Aishah's mother went to Changi General Hospital for treatment and was given a week's medical leave.
A police spokesman said they had received a call at around 7.30pm that day. Investigations are ongoing.
COMMON TO STEP OUT
Mr Jia Haolin, a Tampines resident who has been taking buses from the interchange for 14 years, said that for some services like 291, 293 and 31, it is common for people to step out of the queue and wait for the next bus.
He said: "The buses for these services arrive quite frequently. So many (people) step out and wait for the next bus rather than board a crowded one, as they know that the next bus would come soon."
Ms Aishah agreed: "It is quite common for my mother to do what she did. I'm shocked that such a thing happened."
She said that her mother, who had bruises on her jaw and her arm, was so traumatised she could barely sleep for a week. She was also too shaken to give a proper police statement.
Ms Aishah said: "I find it unjust that the woman was free to go. I feel I have to inform the public and create awareness that such things could happen."
IT'S ONE-OFF INCIDENT, SAY TRANSPORT GPC MEMBERS
This is likely an isolated incident, said Members of Parliament Gan Thiam Poh and Lim Biow Chuan.
They sit on the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport.
Mr Gan, who is also the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "These things are not new, but I won't confirm that there is an increasing trend."
Added Mr Lim, MP for Mountbatten: "I think people can get frustrated if they have to wait too long, but I don't think it needs to go to that extent.
"I have felt exasperated waiting for buses, but I wouldn't go punch someone because of that."
Mr Gan said that this incident could have stemmed from personal issues instead of the alleged queue-cutting.
NEED TO RUSH
He also pointed out that living in a highly competitive society with a fast pace of life could possibly have contributed to the need to rush.
Mr Gan suggested that commuters explore their options with an increasingly connected transport network.
On top of the ongoing additions to the MRT network, the Government has pumped in $1.1 billion in 2012 for the Bus Service Enhancement Programme to improve the public bus sector.
"Commuters can look forward to improved services and more alternative routes to make their journey home a more comfortable one," Mr Gan said.
Mr Lim pointed out that this incident is a "timely reminder" for all commuters to be gracious and more tolerant.
"Do unto others what you want done unto you. We should never resort to violence," he said.
IT'S ONE-OFF INCIDENT, SAY TRANSPORT GPC MEMBERS
This is likely an isolated incident, said Members of Parliament Gan Thiam Poh and Lim Biow Chuan.
They sit on the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Transport.
Mr Gan, who is also the MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "These things are not new, but I won't confirm that there is an increasing trend."
Added Mr Lim, MP for Mountbatten: "I think people can get frustrated if they have to wait too long, but I don't think it needs to go to that extent.
"I have felt exasperated waiting for buses, but I wouldn't go punch someone because of that."
Mr Gan said that this incident could have stemmed from personal issues instead of the alleged queue-cutting.
NEED TO RUSH
He also pointed out that living in a highly competitive society with a fast pace of life could possibly have contributed to the need to rush.
Mr Gan suggested that commuters explore their options with an increasingly connected transport network.
On top of the ongoing additions to the MRT network, the Government has pumped in $1.1 billion in 2012 for the Bus Service Enhancement Programme to improve the public bus sector.
"Commuters can look forward to improved services and more alternative routes to make their journey home a more comfortable one," Mr Gan said.
Mr Lim pointed out that this incident is a "timely reminder" for all commuters to be gracious and more tolerant.
"Do unto others what you want done unto you. We should never resort to violence," he said.
OTHER BUS BUST-UPS
MARCH 2014
Security base controller, Mr Kumar, 45, was punched by a fellow bus passenger.
The attacker appeared to be drunk. Mr Kumar suffered bruises and a swollen face.
The attacker got down at the next stop. A police report was lodged.
OCTOBER 2013
Juraimi Kamaludin, 48, who was accused of cutting the queue by a woman at Woodlands Bus Interchange, hurled vulgarities at her and spat repeatedly in her face.
He also tried to punch her, but was stopped by security staff. He was jailed for five weeks and fined $800.
AUGUST 2009
A woman in her 30s attacked a bus driver who told her she could not use a senior citizen's concession pass. She punched him in the face and sent his glasses flying.
She was escorted off the bus by a traffic inspector. It is not known what happened to her afterwards.
OTHER BUS BUST-UPS
MARCH 2014
Security base controller, Mr Kumar, 45, was punched by a fellow bus passenger.
The attacker appeared to be drunk. Mr Kumar suffered bruises and a swollen face.
The attacker got down at the next stop. A police report was lodged.
OCTOBER 2013
Juraimi Kamaludin, 48, who was accused of cutting the queue by a woman at Woodlands Bus Interchange, hurled vulgarities at her and spat repeatedly in her face.
He also tried to punch her, but was stopped by security staff. He was jailed for five weeks and fined $800.
AUGUST 2009
A woman in her 30s attacked a bus driver who told her she could not use a senior citizen's concession pass. She punched him in the face and sent his glasses flying.
She was escorted off the bus by a traffic inspector. It is not known what happened to her afterwards.
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