Man arrested for urinating near MRT station escalator; police investigating

A 41-year-old man has been arrested for public nuisance after he was witnessed urinating on the handrail of an escalator at Outram Park MRT station on Friday evening, 10 January 2025.

The incident occurred near Exit 3 of the station, which serves the North East Line (NEL). Witnesses reported the man, who was wearing a black T-shirt and grey pants, at around 10 pm. A witness rushed to the nearest passenger service counter to alert staff, while another kept an eye on the individual. However, the man noticed he was being watched and left the station via a lift before he could be confronted.

In a post on the Complaint Singapore Facebook group on 11 January, user Stella Kee shared her account of the incident, which she described as "disturbing." She included a three-second video showing the man standing near the escalator handrail.

In her post, Stella Kee raised concerns about the coordination between transport operators during the incident, suggesting that the separation of responsibilities between SMRT and SBS Transit (SBST) caused delays in addressing the issue. She highlighted that SMRT staff, upon being alerted, informed her that Exit 3 falls under SBST’s jurisdiction and could only notify the relevant operator instead of acting directly. This, she noted, allowed the offender to leave without immediate intervention.

Kee also expressed worry about the potential health risks posed to commuters during the time it took for the operators to coordinate a response. She urged SMRT and SBST to review their procedures to ensure that public hygiene issues are resolved promptly, regardless of jurisdiction, to prevent similar delays in the future.

According to LTA, however, it is said that transport operators SMRT and SBS Transit (SBST) acted swiftly after receiving the report. While SMRT staff at the Thomson-East Coast Line (TEL) station were initially alerted, they explained that CCTV access for NEL Exit 3 falls under SBST’s jurisdiction. SMRT promptly informed SBST staff, who reviewed the CCTV footage and helped identify the offender.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) confirmed in a Facebook post on 12 January that coordinated efforts between SMRT, SBST, and LTA led to the man’s arrest. LTA commended the teamwork and noted that the act posed serious health and sanitation concerns.

In response to queries by The Straits Times, police confirmed that a report had been lodged and the man was arrested for public nuisance. “Given the egregious nature of the act, the man was arrested,” they said. Investigations are ongoing.

LTA and transport operators have strongly condemned such behaviour, stating that it defaces public spaces and jeopardises commuter safety. LTA also confirmed its commitment to pursuing the maximum penalty for the offender.

Outram Park MRT station is a key interchange connecting the East-West Line, North East Line, and Thomson-East Coast Line. The incident underscores the importance of public cooperation, surveillance systems, and swift action by transport operators to address anti-social acts and safeguard commuter well-being.

Authorities continue to investigate the case and urge the public to report similar incidents immediately.