Rules regarding transporting bicycles in the MRT

[baru]

This is another communique by Singapore Amateur Cycling Association dated 20 Aug 2004 on the details of the SMRT reply to its queries on whether standard bicycles can brought into the MRT. The SMRT reply indicated that only foldable bikes without protruding parts (hey, that sounds like the Strida!) are allowed into the MRT.

http://www.cycling.org.sg/Communiques/Rules_Regarding_Transporting_Bicycles_In_The_MRT_(20.8.04).pdf

[maclife]

This is another communique by Singapore Amateur Cycling Association dated 20 Aug 2004 on the details of the SMRT reply to its queries on whether standard bicycles can brought into the MRT. The SMRT reply indicated that only foldable bikes without protruding parts (hey, that sounds like the Strida!) are allowed into the MRT.

http://www.cycling.org.sg/Communiques/Rules_Regarding_Transporting_Bicycles_In_The_MRT_(20.8.04).pdf

So far they have not made any amendment to the rules... I hope. It will be a test this week as I will attempt to take the Strida onto the trains this Thurs and Fri at peak hours : ) and see what the control station will say. I think if I place it into the bike bag it would be more camofluaged, but then why buy a Strida and have it hidden : )

[Strida Singapore]

hey, i tried taking the strida with me during peak hours, the best place to stand is just in front of the door. eveytime the train reached a station, i just get out of the train and stand one side to let others get off, then i move into the train again......goes on and on....

[maclife]

hey, i tried taking the strida with me during peak hours, the best place to stand is just in front of the door. eveytime the train reached a station, i just get out of the train and stand one side to let others get off, then i move into the train again......goes on and on....

So sad that I didn't get the opportunity to try moving into the trains, but took it in the car till Dhoby Ghaut. I had to try ridng it on the roads, so started my biking from Dhoby Ghaut to and fro to Sim Lim Square, as well as shopping within SLS. I guranteed that people had they eyes on the Strida : )

[Tinman]

Hi all,

I live in Pasir Ris and has taken the Strida on to the MRT many times without any hassle from the SMRT staff apart from curious stares.

The trick to a comfortable ride whether sitting down or standing up is to lock the wheels by locking the brakes, that way the Strida wont move.

regards
Tinman

[maclife]

Hi all,

I live in Pasir Ris and has taken the Strida on to the MRT many times without any hassle from the SMRT staff apart from curious stares.

The trick to a comfortable ride whether sitting down or standing up is to lock the wheels by locking the brakes, that way the Strida wont move.

regards
Tinman

What is usual time that you use the MRT ? Was it during peak office periods or non-peak periods ?

[awcute]

I have used strada a lot of time in MRT. My strida colour is yellow so it is very noticable and I get in and out from Toa Payoh, AMK, Dhobi Ghaut, Cityhall, and Raffles Place all are very busy station and nobody seems to care. Not even the security guards.
I went into plaza singapura with my strida and nobody cares.
I have even tried bus a couple of time. 

[Strida Singapore]

hey man, finally you are in the forum. seems like you had a lot of fun with the Strida.

[awcute]

Yeah lots of happening in the past 2 months. moving house, moving office (will move again this month) - not change job, the office is too full we got shuffled around while company is trying to fit us in, my mum is here, IT show, submission for PSS course, etc...
Anyway, will be waiting for the bike trip. I am now in AMK and now and then enjoy the ride to Bishan park.

[Ngo]

Hey all, got my strida last year jun. Had to have it imported from taiwan cause the singapore agent wasn't set up yet....... anyway main thing i started using the strida on the first day i got it and basically i cycle to serangoon MRT, get off at farrer park and cycle to my office. All was well (cept for the stares i get....) till about 3 mnths later, the station master (politely) chased me out of the station saying " Please use another form of transport for my folding bike.". I had already got into the gantry and was waiting for the train but nope he caught up wif me...

The station master said that i can only bring in items not exceeding 1m x 1m x less than 1m and that my strida is too dangerous to bring into the train (although it was at 2pm that day.....)
He gave me a number to call and i did but guess what.... the lady behind the phone told me that if the officer felt that it was dangerous they will back the officer. The lady than said she doesn't recall any size limit specifications but rely on their officers to gauge.

i was sent out again a 2nd time and seems like nobody could give me an answer so i stopped ridding my strida to the MRT. kinda wasted coz i bought the strida mainly to act as a mixed commuting tool...

Still enjoy it though coz it feels totally different from my MTB.

[chucky]

Hi Ngo,
Sorry to hear your experience, i personally feel that the Serangoon MRT control person is too much. you are already inside and waiting for train and he chases you out? i mean if you are entering the gantry & he stops you.. its another story. i will go Serangoon MRT and give it a shot myself. any idea what's the name of that guy? anyway got one article from a topic here which may be useful for your future MRT ride.

Pub Date: Jul 14, 2006     Pub: ST        Page: H12
Headline: Why bicycles are not allowed on trains
:Heading: FORUM, STRAIT TIMES
Type: LETTER

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I REFER to the letters, "Allow bikes in last cabin of MRT train" by Nuryusman Ibrahim (ST, June 27), "Provide more MRT trains and let bikes on-board" by Jenson Chen Zhirong (ST Online, June 30), "Allow bikes in last cabin of MRT" by Andy Ab Samad (ST Online, July 5), "Bikes in trains could lead to problems" by Heng Cho Choon (ST Online, July 5) and "Disciplinary action needed on some MRT commuters'' by Paul Chan Poh Hoi (ST Online, July 7).

Currently, only foldable bicycles are allowed on board our trains. Irrespective of a suggested fare charge, standard bicycles, being fairly large, pose problems of space as well as safety, particularly when the train is crowded.

In addition, there are other concerns, such as the transportation of bicycles from the concourse, through the fare gates and up onto the platform, the soiling of station and train premises due to mud, grime or grease from bicycle wheels, as well as the consideration of other commuters.

With regard to the suggestion of having a dedicated train car for bicycles, we would like to share that during peak hours resources are already fully deployed to run trains at a regular frequency to meet demand. Hence, designating special train cars to cater to a specific group of commuters will affect train capacity and schedules.

On train service frequencies during peak hours, these are planned and reviewed after careful consideration of travel demand and the need to optimise train operations and efficiency. Over the last two years, we have increased train service frequencies during peak and off-peak hours for both the East-West and North-South lines. In particular, during peak hours, our train service frequencies range between two and six minutes. This takes into account the need to maintain a minimum distance between trains.

Regarding the perception of congestion, we would like to share that SMRT is ranked among the top five, with one of the lowest densities of passengers on our trains when benchmarked against 15 of the world's top metro operators from major cities. During peak hours, we have an average of four passengers per square metre, as compared to six for metros located in other densely populated cities.

Notwithstanding this, our MRT network is designed to transport a large number of commuters, hence due consideration must be given to the safety and needs of other commuters when discussing the issue of allowing bicycles on trains. As for the issue of eating, drinking and littering in the trains, we take a serious view of commuters who flout the rules in our system and we do deploy
staff to be on the lookout.

When our staff conduct random checks and observe passengers eating, drinking or littering in the trains, they will advise them not to do so. Commuters are liable for a fine of up to $500, and up to $5,000 for littering under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations. Last year, 137 commuters were fined for consuming food or drinks in the SMRT system. From January to June this year, 89 people were fined.

We would like to remind commuters to help keep the SMRT system clean, and not to obstruct the doorways and passageways in the trains by sitting on the floor. As it is not possible for our staff to conduct checks at stations and in trains at all times, commuters are advised to report rule breakers and inconsiderate commuters to our station staff.

We thank the writers for their feedback.

Dawn Low (Ms)
Senior Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications
SMRT
Corporation Ltd

[awcute]

It seems like NEL is plagued by this.

I was told by another "attendant" or whatever they call themselves at harbourfront MRT station, at the end of my Sentosa Solo trip, that I cannot bring in bicycle. My strida was folded. So we went to station control and station control says this is OK.

Grrr...

[baru]

It seems like NEL is plagued by this.

I was told by another "attendant" or whatever they call themselves at harbourfront MRT station, at the end of my Sentosa Solo trip, that I cannot bring in bicycle. My strida was folded. So we went to station control and station control says this is OK.

Grrr...

I think some of the newer staff at NEL may not be told that foldable bikes are allowed.  Strida Riders have gone into and out of Potong Pasir, Buangkok, Compasspoint, Boon Keng, Clarke Quay, Chinatown MRTs ok; in fact, the Buangkok MRT station master knows our bikes so well, sometimes he even chats with us! And we have had the in-train customer service officers talk to us during our way home. Kembangan and Kallang MRT definitely can, cos many of us alight and board at this stations when going to East Coast Park. The foldable bikes cannot have protruding parts in the MRT or they will also not be allowed. 

[Ngo]

 hi Chucky!
can't remember his name but it was a malay man middle to late 30s wearing glasses. anyway, i will get the strida bag and try again.... as the energizer man says " never say die!" or something like that...

[Strida Singapore]

last friday i had a ride with one of our member, leongfm. after having dinner at Hong Lin food center we took the train from NEL China Town Station back to Boon Keng. One officer on board the train came to us and said "I don't think you are allowed to bring your bike into the train!"....... sounds like he is not sure himself. I told him that SMRT allowed folding bikes on the train and he should radio check with the control station to confirm. I sounded so sure about it that he started saying sorry to us with a smile.

I guess, we ourself need to be sure.

[leongfm]

Hi All

I tried searching both SMRT and SBS websites to see if I could find any rules on foldable bikes but got nothing so I called up SMRT and SBS hotlines. Before I go on please note that the NEL is run by SBS Transit while the rest of the MRT networks are run by SMRT (I am not sure about the LRT systems though...).

Anyway, here are the responses I got so far:

SMRT: A lady who answered the phone initially said that foldable bikes are not allowed on MRT trains but after I probed further she checked and said yes but within certain size (she quoted suitcase size). She even asked me the size of my folding bike. I told her to give me a firm answer as she initially said no but later said yes on the folding bike quesiton. She said she would check further can get back to me and will get back within a day or two (l left my mobile number with her).

SBS: A lady who answered replied straight away that folding bikes are not allowed on trains. When probed further she checked and came back with quite a firm no - she even mentioned that someone has asked this before and was clarified to be a no. I said I would like to write in to get a formal answer so she gave me an e-mail address.

The SMRT reply on forum confirming that foldable bike is ok on trains seems to apply only on SMRT networks.  On the NEL networks SBS Transit seems to adopt a different position.

Please take note of this. Any suggestion on what we should do next?  Press for a formal answer from SBS Transit???


Leong

[leongfm]

Just an update to my earlier posting... The lady from SMRT just called back to confirm that foldable bikes are allowed in MRT trains but she said "please try to limit to off peak hours" and when I asked about the size limitation she said "try to limit to luggage size". When probeb about the dimensions of luggage size she said 81x51x30cm. The folded size of a standard Strada is 114x51x23cm.

[awcute]

Why a different standard. I mean look at singapore size. So small. But the red dot cant even has a standard!
And if they are telling us about sizes, what about those bringing baby prams? Sometimes the prams is there not to put the baby but treated like a trolley, with so many shopping stuff.

[Ngo]

Well, that "other person" sure wasn't me.. the lady that replied to me said she wasn't sure herself but would approve of any decisions made by the officer at the time of conflict.

I told her that there were baby prams that folded larger than the strida and they were allowed in but all i got was ".....i see." 

[baru]

Hi All

I tried searching both SMRT and SBS websites to see if I could find any rules on foldable bikes but got nothing so I called up SMRT and SBS hotlines. Before I go on please note that the NEL is run by SBS Transit while the rest of the MRT networks are run by SMRT (I am not sure about the LRT systems though...).

Anyway, here are the responses I got so far:

SMRT: A lady who answered the phone initially said that foldable bikes are not allowed on MRT trains but after I probed further she checked and said yes but within certain size (she quoted suitcase size). She even asked me the size of my folding bike. I told her to give me a firm answer as she initially said no but later said yes on the folding bike quesiton. She said she would check further can get back to me and will get back within a day or two (l left my mobile number with her).

SBS: A lady who answered replied straight away that folding bikes are not allowed on trains. When probed further she checked and came back with quite a firm no - she even mentioned that someone has asked this before and was clarified to be a no. I said I would like to write in to get a formal answer so she gave me an e-mail address.

The SMRT reply on forum confirming that foldable bike is ok on trains seems to apply only on SMRT networks.  On the NEL networks SBS Transit seems to adopt a different position.

Please take note of this. Any suggestion on what we should do next?  Press for a formal answer from SBS Transit???


Leong

I wrote by email to SBS Transit twice on folding bikes in NEL since last Dec. I haven't heard from them.  I think it is something they rather not be too officially clear about.  However perhaps they will follow the commonly held view, that is, if SMRT says yes for the last few years, they should too.  A bit bizarre if one has to take a train from Kembangan to Dhoby Ghaut and then at the MRT interchange, we are unable to continue the ride with the Strida on the NEL.  Same bike still, on same kind of train. 

[chucky]

It seems like NEL is plagued by this.

I was told by another "attendant" or whatever they call themselves at harbourfront MRT station, at the end of my Sentosa Solo trip, that I cannot bring in bicycle. My strida was folded. So we went to station control and station control says this is OK.


Grrr...

the MRT attendants should attend to our needs and assist us.. not to kapo kapo and anyhow make people angry.. 

[chucky]

i like the reference on baby pram! if a unfolded baby pram is allow, why not a strida? since the size is that of a folded pram.

[awcute]

Well, that "other person" sure wasn't me.. the lady that replied to me said she wasn't sure herself but would approve of any decisions made by the officer at the time of conflict.

I told her that there were baby prams that folded larger than the strida and they were allowed in but all i got was ".....i see." 

I will ask back, "I am sorry, you see what?"

[davidtch]

I think on MRT, u could even c unfolded pram being pushed into d train.  I hav only taken my strida on MRT once during morning peak hour 2 Raffles Place.  A lot of ppl give a strange look inside d train & in d station.

[awcute]

Unfolded pram is so common even in busy mrt station like toa payoh. So full already still go in push pram. Ppl give way coz got child inside pram. Funny thing is after they are inside, the child dont want to sit in the pram, instead want to pole dance in the MRT train. Dont care if it packed with people already.

[chucky]

Unfolded pram is so common even in busy mrt station like toa payoh. So full already still go in push pram. Ppl give way coz got child inside pram. Funny thing is after they are inside, the child dont want to sit in the pram, instead want to pole dance in the MRT train. Dont care if it packed with people already.

Not that i dun like kids, but i always imagine myself giving those kids who monkey around the pole... and making much noise in MRT a good stare and telling those idiot parents off

[awcute]

may be we should video it and sent it to america funniest home video?

[Ngo]

 LOL pole dance! 

[Strida Singapore]

  well, nothing will stop us from taking the Strida on a train.....just put it in the bag. What else can they say now???

[awcute]

then the security staff will ask what is that, then want us to open, then ... if you met the one who met Ngo, then back to square one: cannot bring bicycle into mrt.
it will be fun if some reporter come and cover the story then on newpaper tabloid headline:

Man caught by MRT security officer tried to smuggle bicycle in oversized bag at Serangoon MRT station.