LTA invites Instagrammers to share photos of public transport, trainspotters cry 'discrimination'

It seemed like an innocent enough post.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) shared photos of MRT trains and double-decker buses on Instagram and invited others to share their own snaps.

"Spotted any interesting perspectives or aesthetic sights featuring our public buses, bus stops, trains or MRT stations during your #WalkCycleRide commutes?" asked the post on Feb 15.

"Snap a photo and tag #SGTransportInAction and @ltasg for a chance to be featured on our IG page!"

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Land Transport Authority (@ltasg)

Who could take offence to such a cheery post?

Unfortunately, it hit a raw nerve with the trainspotting community in Singapore.

Stomper Ethan said: "The post sparked controversy in the comments section. Many called out LTA for gaslighting the known issue of security discrimination in the public transport network.

"More often than not, in practice, transport enthusiasts face a challenging and discriminatory issue of staff and transit security policing, chaperoning, threatening and fear-mongering the enthusiasts for taking such photo and video content and making them feel like they are 'terrorists' with the intention to endanger Singapore's 'national security'."

He added: "Official responses repeatedly maintain that transit security and staff have a discretionary right to stop photography and video activities as they deem fit so long as safety and security of the rail or bus operations are compromised.

"This leaves many factors open to interpretation and ease of leverage for a staff member to be absolute in rules and deliberately make things difficult, wanting to watch enthusiasts suffer for the sake of doing so."

In January, an LTA spokesman told The Straits Times that taking photos and videos at MRT stations, trains and bus interchanges is not prohibited, but people should “ensure that such activities do not interfere with operations, cause any inconvenience, or violate the privacy of other commuters”.

He added that transit staff may conduct interviews to ensure that photographs and videos taken are not malicious or intended for use in criminal activities.

“Our transit staff reserve the right to stop the activities and may ask for specific or whole photographs and video recordings to be deleted due to operational and security reasons,” he added.

The Stomper pointed out the irony that "Singapore's most passionate and committed individuals who take photos and videod as part of documenting our land transport history are the ones facing the flak from powers of authority".

Trainspotting enthusiasts navigate security rules in pursuit of hobby https://t.co/n88SSrj0E2

— The Straits Times (@straits_times) January 17, 2024