Thought it would be fun to see which jingle our posters found most effective in the recent courtesy campaign on our train system.

These are the audio clips of our latest public transport courtesy campaign known as "Love Your Ride", led by local cabaret group Dim Sum Dollies.

(1)this plays when trains arrive (Train is coming): http://publictransport.sg/media/PlsQ.mp3
(2)this plays in the trains after crowded stations (Inside): http://publictransport.sg/media/Movein.mp3
(3)this plays in the trains randomly to make those seat-hoggers embarrassed (Give up): http://publictransport.sg/media/Giveupyourseat.mp3
Deskoh, hope you don't mind me using your post as a guide.

None of them seem to be working. From what I see, no one lines up (or they do so in a very half-hearted, disorderly, disorganized way), no one moves in during rush hours, and the hardcore seat-hoggers just continue to hog their seat.

To make matters worse, the jingles are annoying as hell and the tones of the DSDs' voices get on my nerves. I can't travel on a train without an iPod on at full blast anymore.

Did anyone see the stickers being pasted on the windows where there are no seats underneath? Idiots.

^^ I think your comments are a little pessimistic.

There are considerate people who move in and give way, and people with 'devil may care' attitudes, standing and doing nothing. This campaign does little to change essentially what are people's characters but that doesn't mean the campaign isn't horrible. If you don't like the way the Dim Sum Dollies' music, you don't like the 1960s retro music.

No need to make personal attacks.

On a side note, there seems to be a separate courtesy campaign being run at SMRT - the happy/sad face one. Has anybody seen it?

no worries mrtfreak. I got the jingles off publictransport.sg anyway :)

I still stand by the belief we need something more visible to make people follow rules. we just need to have these structures in place for a week or so and we should be able to see visible results due to herd mentality.

the happy/sad face is the same LTA love your ride campaign. I thought its a lot more effective than the "train is coming". the sad little boy smiling after everyone giving way is such an "aww..." moment".

Contrary to mrtdude, I do see people giving more clearance around doorways now actually. A bit hard to tell if its due to the Train is Coming jingle, or the happy/sad video though. But I think its slowly getting to people. Yesterday overheard 2 ladies (working women) talking for about 10 minutes about the campaign (one even managed to recite Give up, give up, give up your seat). As I left the train, they were still talking about it. :lol:

I've said this before on YouTube - the people in the happy/sad video aren't even standing in what I'd call a queue! Have ANY of you ever been to Taipei? THAT's what I call lining up, not what the people here do.

While a little fun is always nice, the Dim Sum Dollies just seem to overdo the "cuteness" (especially the "to those in need" part of the "Give Up Your Seat" jingle - it's just plain annoying), if you know what I mean. Hell, most of my class thinks that the whole thing is some joke and they mock it constantly - is that what the campaign is supposed to do? I won't hesitate to admit that this campaign is much better than the PCK one last year in the fact that they are making a much bigger effort this year, it's just that I'm disappointed that it's not working as well as it should.

I think the most effective campaign would be to start caning people -- in the MRT stations for all the commuters to see -- for being discourteous on the MRT. Probably the government won't do that because of the domestic and international political firestorms that would result.

I think the most effective campaign would be to start caning people -- in the MRT stations for all the commuters to see -- for being discourteous on the MRT. Probably the government won't do that because of the domestic and international political firestorms that would result.
As unfair as that sounds and as much as I despise corporal punishment, I'm inclined to agree. Or maybe fining might be a method, but we have too many fines already. :lol:

^^ Too many fines, too little enforcement. :) Still see people eating and/or drinking on trains/buses.

mrtdude5, if your class is joking and mocking the campaign, and not giving up their seats or moving in, I would think it'd be hypocritical.

I think there ARE an increasing number of people giving up their seats, moving in, et cetera but on the whole, I think some Singaporeans lack the 'common sense' and civility. We've become a society where the government is literally, telling people how to behave and some listen and some don't. Few stop to think about the rationale of being told to move in or to give up seats - it's a civic consciousness that has become ingrained in cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong (although I'm quite sure the PAs play a big part in fostering it) but even places like Bangkok where no such courtesy campaigns or PAs exists.

Overall, as I mentioned in the other thread before, I seem to travel in a Singapore that's remarkably different from other forumers. Or maybe it's me - sure, I don't need passengers to adhere exactly to the OB markers nor move in to the centre in an empty train but as long as I see initiative and intention, I'm satisfied.

I think the campaign is working. Certainly it isn't everyone's taste but I was telling my friend,

Me: Dude, I think I'm the only one who loves the songs lah
Friend: No no, trust me, there a lot of people that love it.
This random girl from Canadia: Don't worry. We like it too.

Haha. Though while I must say liking it doesn't really equate to people actually doing it. But at least I know on my part, I stand behind the yellow line, move in and give up my seat etc. It will catch on, but I guess as an individual you have to have your own civic consciousness on things.

I'd say a lot of people now a days are giving up seats and standing in q. Also I've seen much better pattern in City area compared to suburbs like AMK, Yishun. Though there could be some reasons on why this is so.

I've said this before on YouTube - the people in the happy/sad video aren't even standing in what I'd call a queue! Have ANY of you ever been to Taipei? THAT's what I call lining up, not what the people here do.
The issue seems to be bad social behaviour of Sporeans, but the main problem really is a lack of awareness, apathy, selfishness, unthinking, self-rightenousness, socially insensitive, etc.

This really, is a manifestation of a greater social problem, which scope is beyond transportation.

mrtdude5, if your class is joking and mocking the campaign, and not giving up their seats or moving in, I would think it'd be hypocritical.
They joke about because they KNOW how to stand in line and move in and give up their seats, because they have traits such as manners and common sense (probably should be called "rare sense" in this day and age :ohno:). It seems to me like people ask why people are doing the right thing instead of why aren't they. Quite frankly, it's pathetic that people didn't know how to do this already! C'mon, people! So many people criticize the people in Hong Kong for being rude, and yet they act more civilized than some of the people here.

I swear, if you all go to another country and live there for a few years, and then come back here, you'd have pretty much the same views as me. Because I have lived in another country, which makes all the inconsiderate people here stand out to me more. Like Brandonn mentioned, bad social behavior - I probably wouldn't notice any of this if there isn't such a big difference in other places.

It seems to me like people ask why people are doing the right thing instead of why aren't they. Quite frankly, it's pathetic that people didn't know how to do this already! C'mon, people! So many people criticize the people in Hong Kong for being rude, and yet they act more civilized than some of the people here.

Like Brandonn mentioned, bad social behavior.
I kinda agree with you on this. I saw an older man on the train today blatantly littering. Almost had a good mind to make a scene of it. Its not just plain throwing of garbage, he had a piece of paper, those kinds used in ring-spined notebooks. And he was plucking the little bits of the side that had been ripped off the spine to make it nice and neat - for himself. Yea, yea, respect the elderly and all. But how do I respect you if you're giving a bad example yourself? :ohno:

But well, the focus of this poll isn't so much is it working as which of all these produced is most effective?

those born in the post-independence period have gone through higher education and are more aware of the dos and donts of civilized people. its a phase every country has to go through. I do see most young people giving up seats, its just the keeping to the left and letting passengers alight that we have to work on. even hong kong dont have people queuing orderly or keeping to the left of escalators.

many have forgotten singapore has modernized rapidly and just 50 years back, we are at a stage where trying to feed your family is more important than say, spitting on the sidewalk. I trust a decade or two will do the trick. but again, we have a lot of migrants coming in and they do have to be educated so we can all progress together.

Well said. Though that uncle didn't look terribly old. Oh well. :)

even people of my parents age (mid 50s?) arent the most civic minded yet. my father is one of those who stands at the middle of the exit. but they didnt complete much education either and I guess there simply isnt someone (maybe except me) who made him realize it is a form of courtesy.

LTA needs to be more realistic.

Sarcastic songs will do nothing much to promote public graciousness.

Even the PCK one sounds A LOT better than DSD.

Just a side note, I was at Dhoby Ghaut Stn NSL side at around 1.30pm yesterday and the Marina Bay bound train arrive. This is what I heard "Train is coming. [silent for a few seconds] Please start queuing. [silence]" Since it's coming from the PA system, I can actually hear the announcement being cut off sound at the silent parts. Although it happened only once, are SMRT trying to cut down on the "Train is Coming" jingle?

LTA needs to be more realistic.

Sarcastic songs will do nothing much to promote public graciousness.

Even the PCK one sounds A LOT better than DSD.

which part of the DSD song is sarcastic? I think it's direct, relatable and honest. Like we all end our days pissed off at work or sad but that doesnt mean it should make us affect others. And thats exactly what the song says. just cos your day is horrible, doesn't mean you have to ruin others'.
:ohno:

^^ The Dim Sum Dollies campaign is actually straight to the point and it telling you to "love your ride" is pretty blatant.

I don't know why people say PCK sounds better because in all honesty, I've never actually heard it being played in the system. The ONLY thing there is to the PCK campaign, at least to me, are the stickers on the PSDs and train windows. Besides, more people were actually against the usage of PCK for the very fact that the character was no longer relevant today. The character had run its course and shows got progressively worse, culminating in a horrible movie that was based on the couple's stint in Malaysia which few people watched.

Personally, I think the campaign is cute but it's unnecessary. Maybe, the transport operators need to take a more hands-on approach. I remember there was a period where SMRT 'pushed' passengers, 'yelled' at them to move in at the busiest of stations, staff were onboard trying to change social order. It's painstaking and slow but I remember that commuters' behaviors had been altered not really because of civic consciousness but because of public embarrassment.

In addition, perhaps the operators could utilize what they've got. I don't know about SBST since their announcements always sound so muffled but SMRT could get Chan Hui Yuh to record a few more announcements - Hong Kong style. Hong Kong's MTR has announcements every moment telling passengers how to behave, from "train arrival" ones to "letting passengers exit first, mind the gap", "not to walk up the escalator", "suspicious articles", "transfer information", et cetera.

They joke about because they KNOW how to stand in line and move in and give up their seats, because they have traits such as manners and common sense (probably should be called "rare sense" in this day and age :ohno:). It seems to me like people ask why people are doing the right thing instead of why aren't they. Quite frankly, it's pathetic that people didn't know how to do this already! C'mon, people! So many people criticize the people in Hong Kong for being rude, and yet they act more civilized than some of the people here.

I swear, if you all go to another country and live there for a few years, and then come back here, you'd have pretty much the same views as me. Because I have lived in another country, which makes all the inconsiderate people here stand out to me more. Like Brandonn mentioned, bad social behavior - I probably wouldn't notice any of this if there isn't such a big difference in other places.

Finally, someone else who thinks the common sense in Singaporeans are vanishing. I sometimes am amazed at the kind of rudeness I see/get while on the MRT; I have to say "excuse me" when I get off the train to get people to stay clear of the doorway, and I was once pushed by some inpatient commuter while getting off the train, causing me to shout "Don't push!" to whoever who did that.

The public transit system here can be annoying enough; the commuters here really make it worse. And yet we still dare to complain about how bad it is, when we are the ones making it bad.

That said, does anyone find this current campaign annoying? I have to pull out my MP3 player and blast music into my ears at full volume (never mind the potential for ear damage) just to shut out those pesky jingles; it really sounds very childish, greatly clashing with my perception of a railway system as being a serious, somber place.

THE TRAIN IS COMING MWAHAHAHA DIE OR LOVE YOUR RIDE

;)

Well, as someone who has a very long commute on MRT, I have to say that I absolutely hate the jingles. They sound like a cheap and tacky transplant from some 50s TV show and are not only are irritating themselves, but are absolutely too loud. When I hear that piercing tone, standing in the sleepy, 7am crowd and the cymbals come in I feel like putting the one who came up with it inside a sound chamber and making him listen to them for the entire day non stop.

And I don't think it will do ANY improvement in terms of passenger behavior. Those who are considerate don't need these stupid jingles and those who are not, won't care anyways.

... I feel like putting the one who came up with it inside a sound chamber and making him listen to them for the entire day non stop.

Go do it. I will be cheering for you. :nuts: :lol:

you all can go listen to your mp3s on full blast. love your ride is replaying on my itunes.