Italian TikToker says he is 'so thirsty but can't drink' on MRT train, gets schooled by netizens
Can you drink water on the MRT train in Singapore?
Italian TikToker @simon_koellemann posted a video lamenting about being "so thirsty" during a train ride "but you are in Singapore and can't drink". He said he was on a 1.5-hour journey as he had taken the wrong train.
In the video, Simon also sighs and looks around wistfully while holding up a bottle of water.
Many netizens responded to Simon's video and informed him that drinking plain water on the train is acceptable.
One said: "We close one eye for plain water, it's the unspoken MRT bro's code."
Another user, who identified herself as "ex-transportation staff", said plain water is allowed and sweet drinks are not.
Someone else explained: "Simply because sweet drinks attracts ants, insects... Same reason for food which is not allowed. This is to keep the train clean, for the sake of all passengers."
Under the Rapid Transit Systems Regulations, consumption of food and drinks is not allowed on trains and at stations. Offenders may be fined $500.
This is not the first time Simon has been corrected by locals.
His most-viewed TikTok video is one that he posted in November 2024 when he called the EZ-Link card he had bought "just useless".
At that time, he had been in Singapore for two months and realised that "you can just use your phone to pay at the MRT".
He asked: "Does this have any, like, special feature or like, why does it even exist, like why do people buy it?"
Netizens explained that the EZ-Link card can be used for other purposes such as making purchases at 7-Eleven and buying food at McDonald's.
One user pointed out: "It's useful for kids who are not old enough to have credit cards."
The video garnered over 283,000 views and almost 1,000 comments.
