‘I don’t get why they have to act like this’: Elderly PMD user forces his way onto packed MRT, accidentally runs over passenger’s toe

SINGAPORE: A commuter took to social media to share her frustration after an elderly man with a personal mobility device (PMD) forced his way onto a crowded MRT train.

In a post on the r/asksg subreddit on Saturday (Oct 25), she said the incident happened during her journey from Bugis at around 6 p.m., when the train was already packed and passengers were “all squeezed together.”

“The train was fully packed,” she said. “And in one of the stops, an old man with one of those 3-wheeled motorcycles looking PMD asked for space. When we didn’t give him space because there wasn’t any, he ended up just rushing in with his PMD and ran over my toe.”

In the comments section, the commuter later added that she and the others in the train “actually shoved each other” when the elderly man charged towards them.  “I don’t get why they have to act like this and be so entitled,” she wrote.

“PMD + elderly folk combo is the worst.”

Concerned that incidents like this could become more common, many commenters urged her to take action.

One said, “Wow, I’m sorry that happened to you. He seems so self-entitled, selfish, and a complete idiot overall. Did you do anything? Doing nothing will encourage them to continue their ways.”

Another pointed out the safety risk, saying, “It’s dangerous for inconsiderate PMD users to dash into a crowded train during peak hours. For public safety, SMRT should tighten measures and only allow PMDs to board a train with assistance from a service ambassador during peak hours. If you’re injured, I suggest you file a report of the incident to SMRT.”

A third wrote, “Oh my. That is really unfortunate. You should highlight it across and press the emergency button in the train. Are your toes ok?”

A fourth shared a similar experience, writing, “PMD + elderly folk combo is the worst. I once had an experience on the bus—an uncle on a PMD wanted the whole wheelchair area to himself. Didn’t let anyone stand behind or beside his PMD; he would shoo people away using his hands and make ‘paggro’ noises. It was peak hour. Freaking selfish.”

In other news, a part-time worker at a food establishment in Holland Village took to social media to share that he was scolded and publicly humiliated by his manager while he was on break on his first day.

Writing about his experience on the r/SGexams subreddit on Friday (Oct 17), the worker, who had been hired through an agency, shared that he was about 25 minutes into his break when his manager suddenly called him over to help pack some vegetables.

Read more: ‘Reminder that I am the one giving your salary!’: Part-time F&B worker claims manager scolded and humiliated him in public