SMRT Responds to Injured Passenger’s Claims on Bus Accident at Bukit Batok

An elderly passenger, Mr. Othman Ahmad, 65, was injured after a fall on an SMRT bus on January 17. The incident occurred around 7:20 p.m. on bus service 187 near Bukit Batok Central.

According to Mr. Othman, the bus "suddenly drove so fast" and braked abruptly, causing him to lose his balance. Despite attempting to grab a pole, he fell and briefly blacked out. Other passengers intervened, asking the driver to stop and assisting Mr. Othman, who sustained a head injury above his right eye.

Paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force transported him to Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, where his wound was stitched. He was discharged the same night with a medical bill of S$154, but later experienced lingering symptoms such as head pain and blurry vision.

SMRT’s Statement and Investigation

SMRT stated that CCTV footage showed the bus moving off normally without sudden acceleration or braking. Deputy Managing Director of Buses, Vincent Gay, reported that Mr. Othman released his grip on a grab pole before falling.

The bus driver rendered assistance until paramedics arrived. SMRT confirmed no other passengers were injured and emphasized the importance of holding onto grab poles and hand grips while on board.

Mr. Othman lodged a police report the day after the incident and initially struggled to contact SMRT’s customer hotline. SMRT’s care team eventually reached out to him after a friend contacted them on January 22. Compensation discussions for his medical expenses are now underway.

Passenger Safety and Employment Concerns

Despite his injuries, Mr. Othman returned to work on Monday without informing his employer, fearing termination due to the incident. He works in the logistics sector on a contract basis.

SMRT reiterated its commitment to passenger safety and urged riders to use grab poles and hand grips while traveling on buses to prevent accidents.

Broader Implications

This incident highlights the challenges of maintaining safety for elderly passengers on public transport and the importance of communication between transport operators and passengers following such events.

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