For the last decade I have hardly taken any public transportation in Singapore. I was living overseas for the earlier part and when I came back I have my own transport. I decided to the MRT to work this morning because my car is at the workshop and I do not want to ride bike to work today because I have to dressed up for an appointment in the morning. So I use my son’s blue color farecard and took the MRT from a station in the West to Eunos.

I arrived at about 8:50am at Eunos MRT. At the exit, I placed my farecard on the RFID reader pad at the gantry but the swing gate did not open for me. Then, I approached the Station Control for assistance. There were three SMRT staff at the station control, an Indian lady, a middle age man who is busy working on something below the desk and a Malay lady.

Over the window, I told the Indian lady that the exit door would not open for me and then I passed her my farecard for verification. Throughout my entire conversation with her, she sat about 2 metres away from the glass window, I could barely hear her and I had to bend and arch my body towards the window to communicate with her. The lady then told me that there is not enough money in my farecard and that I have top up $10 before I am allowed to exit.

I then ask politely for the reasons and she told me that I have only $2.57 in the farecard which is insufficient. Confused, I told her that it should be more than enough since the a single trip cost only $2 and that I have more than that plus whatever cash deposit there is. I also checked with her if the money could have already been deducted and it was some error that caused the door not to open. Then she told me (in manner that anyone would consider to be rude when speaking to a customer) that I should have known the $3 store value  minimum and then she threw both her hands in the air and said to me that everyone should know that! I am offended  at her rudeness  but kept my composure. I told her I really do not understand her and since I have already  entered the station with the same farecard, boarded a train to arrive here with no issues. She then ignored me and went on to look at the computer screen. Then the middle aged man who was very polite and professional told me to pay for a single-trip fare instead and instructed the Indian lady to check on the fare.

I obliged to that and ask the Indian lady how much do I need to pay and I told her that I have only some coins with me, hoping  that it is enough, if not I will need to withdraw cash from any ATM nearby. At this moment, she looked frustrated (from her facial expression and body language) with me. Then she proceeded to attend to another customer who was queuing behind me. I saw the station control staff exchanging some words but I could not hear what they were talking about. I waited for about a minute or two and then proceeded to ask them again what is going on but the lady just replied “you wait” and then turned away from me.

I waited till about 9am, feeling impatient because I am late for the appointment and frustrated by the lack of service from the control staff, I then told the Indian lady that it is ridiculous to keep me waiting for so long without  telling me the  reason. Not knowing when or what is going to happen next, I then told her I will go now and will come back to settle the matter later. I walked through the handicap exit gantry beside the station control and carried on my walking journey to the office.

About 10 meters from the station control and opposite a crowded coffeeshop, I was stopped from behind by the Station Manager of Eunos MRT and five heavily armed policemen! I was shocked that I  was surrounded by them. Station manager started shouting aggressively at me as though he has just caught a terrorist or something. Then I saw the policemen have their hands on their weapon and standing in a standby position. “Oh ****, what have I done?” I asked myself.

I was treated like a big time wanted criminal. After exchanging some angry words, the police officer then requested me to follow them back into the station which I agreed. I was been escorted back to the station like a terrorist or some pervert that has taken upskirts pictures. Upon reaching the station office, the Station Manager left and I explained to the police what had happened.

Five minutes later, the Station Manager barged into room and rudely shouted at me acusing me of cheating and says he is going to issue me summons. “TWO summons”, he shouted proudly in front of the policemen there. He was gesturing at me, pointing fingers, talking loudly and saliva spitting out all over. One of the senior policemen then told the Station Manager to calm down and speak properly.

Station Manager insists that I cheated on purpose and that everyone in Singapore knows about the $3 rule. He told me not to pretend that I do not know anything about this rule. I am angry and argued my case and explained that I hardly ever took public transport. This angered him further, ignoring my explanation, Station raised his voice at me many times, he was very rude, not listening to me, told me to “SIT DOWN and LISTEN!” and he was pointing his fingers at me and constantly shouting and acusing me for cheating. Throughout the conversation, the police officers witnessed it but did nothing. The summons were issued and I took the tickets and left.

Pardon me for the long story, I needed to be clear and precise about what had happened and I want to let you know the kind of **** I went through. This came as a shock to me and that I am still angered by the language, tone and words used on me.

Yes, maybe I should not just leave the station like that but I have already explained the situation to the station control staff, I have offered to pay but not knowing how much to pay and they just made to wait for no apparent reasons. I have sufficient funds in the farecard to pay for the trip, there is no reason to say I am cheating. Why do I want to cheat and ruin my morning for $2? The exit door would not open for me and I tried to seek assistance from the station control but nothing is done. I am not obliged to wait for no reasons given and that is why I left the station without settling the due.

I am still affected and aggrieved by the treatment. What have I done to be treated in such a manner? Could things have been simpler if the staff at the station control were more helpful and customer oriented? Is there anything wrong with the RFID reader? Or improve the screwed logic of payment ?

The reaction from SMRT staff at Eunos station was totally uncalled for. No one should be treated in such a manner. We are customers!

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