Singaporeans need to be educated on basic courtesy, says STOMPer Mabel, who is pregnant but often finds herself having to stand in the train because of able-bodied but inconsiderate commuters.

On one such instance, the lady occupying the priority seat was playing games on her phone and conveniently fell asleep when she noticed the STOMPer standing in front of her.

Later, when the woman alighted, another woman rushed to grab the seat and also fell asleep immediately.

In an email, a disappointed Mabel says:

“I am a 5-month pregnant woman and these are unpleasant encounters I would like to share with readers.

“I usually take a train back home after work.  My work is taxing and stressful, and at most times, I am totally worn after a long day in the office.

“On one occasion, I boarded a crowded train as usual. An auntie in her mid-forties (not carrying anything heavy or humongous) was standing beside me, facing some seats.

“Seated on a priority seat was a working lady in her early thirties, not pregnant and very healthy.  She was initially playing with her Nokia hand phone but as soon as she saw me standing in front of her, she pretended to sleep.

“When she alighted, the auntie beside me ‘choped’ the seat without any hesitation and closed her eyes.

“Everyone around was looking at her but did not say a word.

“Sadly, throughout the whole journey, I stood all the way from the West to the East and it was almost 16 stops before I reached home.

“On another occasion (again on a crowded train), a girl and a boy in their early twenties were seated and talking loudly about their personal life. They noticed my presence but continued talking as if I was transparent.

“They didn’t even offer their seats to an old lady standing in front of them.

“Again, the crowd in the train was staring at them but these two students didn’t seem to have a sense of guilt or social consciousness to give up their seats.

“What do Singaporeans think the reserved seats are for? Some don't even understand simple drawings.

“Should SMRT/SBS/LTA do something about it? Maybe they should paste a huge decal on the seat if these people are too blind to notice the priority signs.”