We people in Singapore asked for this fine to be in place on the MRT trains. Actually, I think they are lenient already. I thought it was already Fine $500 if caught eating/drinking?
The problem with people here is, they have to be constantly "caned" or fined in order to be shaped to have good behavior or responsibility.
In the first place, the no eating/drinking rule even without a fine is a bit riduculous. I don't know of any other country having this. Well, maybe a very small handful if we do some research. Even then, they probably will close one eye if someone takes out something small to munch or have a sip of water. We would have enjoyed this also, if not for jokers who treat the MRT like a picnic. I couldn't believe when I read what some commuters brought into the train to eat: nasi lemak, soupy noodles, etc! What were they thinking?
The problem with us (I'm speaking of the general, good if you are civic-minded) is, we don't have a sense of responsibility. We've been brought up with the thinking, As long as this does not beong to me, I won't care. So cleaniness on the train is not my problem. Once I alight, it's other people's problem. Silly as they are, the irrresponsible commuters don't realize they will have to use the trains on other occasions. Just as many low IQ commuters try to stand right in front of the doors before they open, not realizing that, if they don't give way to passengers inside the train, they can't get in themselves and more time will be wasted for everybody. Really dumb. Bad culture we have here.
For the same reasons, they ban chewing gums to help keep Singapore clean. They used to fine people $150 cos Singaporeans don't know how to flush toilets! Remember? Then they draw bright yellow lines inside MRT stations to tell people how to stand cos many Singaporeans don't know. And yet, many still don't know how!
I'd like MRT to perhaps implement a fine for those who stand right in the middle of the train doors before they open for inside passengers to get out. Ridiculous it may sound, but then, like I said, people here needs to be "caned" like kids otherwise they won't know how to do even simple things like these.