Eating or drinking is not allowed in stations and trains

"Eating or drinking is not allowed in the stations and trains. Thank you for helping us to keep the stations and trains clean for the comfort of all passengers" the PA system in the MRT stations and trains says. We hear this everytime when we board the train. So, to what extent is drinking and eating is not allowed? Is it really what the PA system says, totally not allowed? Apparently, commuters are not allowed to even drink plain water or eating sweets. The reason is because of the potential risk of spilling of sweet drinks and might cause a fall of commuters and the attraction of ants and pests if there is spillage of food and drinks.

However, why plain water? When I first know that drinking plain water was not allowed, I was a little bit surprised and shocked. Do plain water causes any inconvenience to other commuters? I found out the reason, the staff could not identify whether the drink is sweet drink or just plain water unless they really try it. Therefore, they might as well ban plain water. There are also FINES, starting from July.

I do agree with the act of the SMRT to fine those who violate the ban. This is to ensure a conducive environment for commuters. If the ban is not strengthened, not many would take the ban seriously and continue with drinking and eating in trains and stations. Imagine that it is the peak hour and someone accidentally spill some plain water on the floor. People would not want to step on the puddle of water and nobody would be able to occupy the space of the puddle. Furthermore, when people accidentally step on the puddle of water, shoe prints will follow them and the floor will be dirty and wet. I would certainly not want to enter a train like that.

Especially in trains, people are more prone to spill water as the train might be unstable. Therefore, I agree with the actions of SMRT. However, what if there is an emergency? For example, babies might want to drink water or milk, or patients might want to eat their medicines, acompanying with some water. Especially for babies, the feeding time should not be delayed or else the baby would cry and create disturbance to others. It would be very troublesome for them to alight from the train and leave the station. I suggest that they could allow such cases to eat or drink in the trains since the SMRT staff would confront them first before any fines are made.