Although the rule against transactions across train fare gates has been a long-standing one, it is business as usual for most people meeting up to close deals. Some, however, have made an effort to be more careful. Under the statutes, doing so could lead to offenders being removed from the station or fined up to S$2,000. But when TODAY visited the Beauty World, Raffles Place and City Hall stations over two days last week, 11 of the 19 transactions observed were conducted over the barrier. When interviewed, the people who were closing deals at the stations questioned the basis for the rule and cited the inconvenience of tapping in and out for transactions that usually conclude within a minute. Enforcement standards also differed between stations. At Beauty World station on the Downtown Line, staff could be seen stopping over-the-barrier transactions or politely questioning individuals who had been waiting at the station for a long time. Raffles Place and City Hall stations, run by SMRT, did not have signs warning commuters or station staff intervening.... Continue Reading