Passengers on Singapore’s public buses can now be fined up to S$500 for playing audio at loud volume, putting their feet on seats, littering, or eating and drinking on board, under new regulations that took effect on Wednesday 23 September 2026, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) says. More serious offences, such as causing obstruction or danger to other commuters at bus interchanges and terminals, or soiling any part of a bus or interchange, carry a maximum penalty of S$5,000.
The rules bring Singapore’s buses in line with those already in force on its MRT rail network, Yahoo News reports. For visitors, the practical change is simple: keep audio on headphones, keep food and drinks packed away, and keep your feet off the seats on buses as well as trains.
- In force: since Wednesday 23 September 2026.
- Up to S$500: loud audio, feet on seats, littering, eating or drinking on board.
- Up to S$5,000: obstruction or danger at bus interchanges and terminals, or soiling a bus, interchange or terminal.
- Who enforces: ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, not bus drivers.
- Same as MRT: the penalties match the existing rules on Singapore’s rail network.
Singapore Bus Offences and Fines
Under two new sets of regulations covering public buses and bus interchanges, nuisance and disruptive behaviour is now an offence. The LTA lists causing a nuisance or annoyance to other passengers by placing your feet on seats or playing audio at loud volume, as well as littering, eating or drinking on buses. Each carries a maximum fine of S$500, about $390 according to CNN.
The heavier S$5,000 maximum covers causing obstruction or danger to fellow commuters within bus interchanges and terminals, and soiling any part of a public bus, bus interchange or terminal. The rules come under the Transport Sector (Miscellaneous Amendments) Act, which Parliament passed in October 2025.
How the New Rules Are Enforced
Staff from Singapore’s public bus operators, such as ticket inspectors and bus interchange staff, can issue an Administrative Notification of Offence to anyone they suspect of breaking the rules, and the LTA follows up with an investigation. Bus captains, as drivers are known in Singapore, will not issue these notices so they can focus on driving safely.
Drivers can still advise passengers to stop disruptive behaviour and require those who do not comply to get off the bus. If a passenger refuses, drivers can call the Bus Operations Control Centre or, in egregious cases, the police. The LTA says it and the operators will use discretion and fairness, especially where passengers have physical or mental health conditions.
What Visitors Should Change on Buses
Many visitors use Singapore’s buses to reach neighbourhoods, attractions and hotels that are not right next to an MRT station, so the new rules apply to typical tourist trips too. Use headphones for music, videos and calls on speaker, finish snacks and drinks before you board, and keep bags and feet off the seats. If you are heading to or from Changi Airport by bus with luggage, keep it clear of aisles and doors, particularly in busy interchanges.
Singapore has been nudging bus etiquette for some time. Signs introduced on buses in December 2024 asked passengers to keep noise down, occupy only one seat and not sit on the floor, according to Yahoo News. The new fines put those expectations into law.
Similar Rules on Other Transit Systems
Singapore is not alone. Kraków in Poland began banning phones and other devices on speaker on buses and trams in January, with fines of up to 200 zloty, Yahoo News reports. Transit systems in Beijing and Toronto also ban loud audio without headphones, though enforcement varies, and Transport for London has run an etiquette campaign urging riders to use headphones on the Tube, CNN notes.
| If you are | What to do |
|---|---|
| Listening to music or video on a bus | Use headphones; loud audio can bring a fine of up to S$500. |
| Carrying snacks or drinks | Finish them before boarding; eating and drinking on buses is an offence. |
| Travelling with luggage | Keep it off seats and out of the way at interchanges. |
| Asked by staff to stop | Comply; staff can issue a notice and drivers can require you to get off. |
Buses match MRT rules. The same conduct rules now apply on buses and trains.
Real fines. Up to S$500 for common nuisances and S$5,000 for serious offences.
Staff enforcement. Ticket inspectors and interchange staff can issue notices.
Can I eat or drink on a bus in Singapore?
No. Since 23 September 2026, eating or drinking on public buses is an offence with a maximum fine of S$500.
Is playing music on a Singapore bus illegal?
Playing audio at loud volume in a way that causes nuisance or annoyance to other passengers is an offence with a fine of up to S$500. Use headphones.
Who can fine me on a Singapore bus?
Authorised bus operator staff, such as ticket inspectors and interchange staff, can issue a notice, and the LTA then investigates. Bus drivers do not issue notices.
