HUIXIAN

Too high, too slippery
Commuters complain about MRT bum rests

THESE bum rests are getting a bum rap from train commuters.

Also known as back rests, they were installed last month at seven high-traffic MRT stations such as Orchard, Somerset, Dhoby Ghaut, Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar.

A SMRT spokesman told The New Paper that the structures 'are intended to be bum rests and not seats'.


'They have been installed to supplement the present seating capacity at high-traffic stations.

'During off-peak hours, the existing seats would be sufficient for passengers. But during peak hours, the bum rests provide passengers with a place to rest while they wait for their trains,' the spokesman added.

But since the rests are located near the seating area, they have been mistaken for seats. People slide off them when they try to sit.

The rests are of the same height, slightly more than 80cm.

Those at bus stops come in two different heights, which cater to commuters who are smaller-built.

Unlike a seat or bench, a bum rest at the station is narrower in width and installed close to the wall.

The New Paper spoke to 10 commuters at four different MRT stations. All complained about the bum rests.

Madam Rokinah Abdul Hamid, a chambermaid in her 50s, said: 'For me it's very hard to sit. I can't lean back because it's too close to the wall and my legs are left dangling.'

Miss Jacelyn Sim, 20, a student, agreed.

'For kids or shorter people like me, it's tough. We can't rest properly.

'They might as well not install (them),' she said.

Mr Tay Lye Suat, 50, a chef, suggested having non-slip strips on the surface.

He said: 'I've seen tall tourists sitting comfortably but not me.'

But Mr Barry Edmonds from England, 59, who stands at 178 cm, said the rests are too slippery.

SLIPPED RIGHT OFF

The first-time visitor to Singapore said: 'With the surface and angle, I slipped right off. Everything I've seen so far is good, but this is rubbish.'

The SMRT spokesman said: 'With regard to the design of the structures, it is in line with our intention for passengers to use them as bum rests.

'The proper way to use a bum rest is to lean on it, using the legs as support. Hence, the surface of the bum rest is sloped to support the body.'

Nevertheless SMRT has received feedback from passengers regarding the height of the rests, and is in the process of reviewing them.

The spokesman declined to comment on how much the rests cost.

Triglav

well it will not be the first time they do something that is not totally logical.zzz bum rest,why not just make them proper seats,does it really takes that much more space?

The present bus stops,i am also not really happy about them,one of the long bench seat is really too high...trying to be funny in their designs but end up the product has functional problems.To think they waste money rebuilding all these present bus stop when the version b4 that had very very high functionality.Total waste of tax payers' money

mrleech

Why rest bums? Seats better right?

akizake

ya,seats are better.what for make a bum rest when we can also rest our bum when we are sitting down also.

GreenSn0w

i think the smrt ppl really stupid lor..not tt i wanna say..
ytd when i read tt news right..it pisses me off immediately..
img old ppl who were tired after some walk and reached the mrt juz to find "bum rest"..oh well..might as well don put 'em there..

stupid ppl..

finaldust

erm i feel it is ok and not slippery bah lol i think if really wan i think dont put bum or seat better can allow more ppl inside bah

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to start a relationship is always simple
to build it, is always tough
to maintain it, is 'better said than done'
to break off, is 'easier said than done'
to remain friends after u broke off, is never possible
to forget the memories is 'always doing but never succeeding'
to heal the pain within is hard and tough and never near simple
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Shyraiiyann

its stupid. i tried the damm thing too, i tot i was the onli one.

EXCUSE ME, IF UR BUILDING SOMETHING LIDAT, WHY NOT MAKE IT LOWER SO THAT PEOPLE CAN SEAT?

ITS NOT LIKE IF UR leaning UR BUTT on the damm thing more people can lean against it.
a butt is a butt, u cannot overlap on the person even if he.she is standing.
just make it into a seat la. wah lau.

nonsencial way of doing things la.
u know ppl need seats still do standing one, got difference ma?!

-.- might as well dun build, waste time lor,
ended up slippin up and down den the train come liaos- .- """"""""""

SG FTW!

mrleech

Seems like a complete waste of $$$$

GreenSn0w

ya i totally agree with u..scarely they increase our mrt fares juz to make those useless stuff..sianz..sometimez i really wonder how these ppl'z mind work..juz like u know the traffic light??? the pedestrains have to press the button so tt will hv green man then can cross if not the other vehicles honks at u..well..tt'z another STUPID creation..totally lame n useless..

funnysnow

wah liew.. everything also want to complain..

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Triglav

well that is the result of no competition,people start coming up with stupid ideas.....

GreenSn0w

>.>
that'z my train of thought ma..

Shyraiiyann