For years, Singaporeans have ignored the yellow queue boxes on train platforms and public announcement reminders telling them to move into the centre of the train car.
But it seems all it takes is a rap video for people to start behaving a little more graciously on trains and buses.
The one-minute video, titled A Happy Journey Starts Like That, features Singapore's most famous Ah Beng contractor, Phua Chu Kang, shaking his booty and rapping to lyrics that urge passengers to be more considerate on public transport.
It is playing on MRT platforms and trains fitted with television screens, and will be screened on buses via TV Mobile in July.
With addictive opening lyrics such as: "Hey you over there, don't cut queue, don't you dare", the catchy melody of electronic beats paired with violin and piano has got commuters boppin' to the beat.
Civil servant T.S. Eng, 55, even found himself subconsciously giving way to alighting passengers because of the video.
Undergraduate Lee Wang Wei, 22, also gave it a thumbs up and said that it was a good effort to raise awareness. But he said the video loses its novelty after a while, and that "Phua Chu Kang has been used for a lot of campaigns".
The character also starred in a 2003 video about the severe acute respiratory syndrome and that video drew flak from the unamused public for trivialising the tragedies that arose from the disease. But this time, Singaporeans seem to get the joke.
The Land Transport Authority launched the video last month to remind people to give way to alighting passengers, give up their seats to those in need and move to the middle of the train cars and bus rears.
To avoid getting on commuter's nerves, SMRT plays it with audio only once every half an hour. The video without sound is played at regular intervals.
An LTA spokesman said: "The catchy melodies, humorous scenes and easy lyrics aim to create lasting awareness in the minds of the commuter."
He also said the rap was meant to appeal to youths. It has so far received 21,000 views since it was posted on YouTube last month, he added.
Ungracious public behaviour has plagued public transport operators for years and they have tried various tactics such as putting up signs and making frequent public announcements.
SMRT received 71 complaints from the public last year about inappropriate behaviour such as people not giving up their seats and another 10 in the first five months of this year.
Besides the video, posters of Phua Chu Kang and his wife Rosie reminding commuters to behave also adorn the glass panels at MRT platforms, and are found in trains and buses.
MediaCorp actor Gurmit Singh, who plays Phua Chu Kang, said his well-loved, larger-than-life character is a plus in getting across the message of being gracious without being seen as preachy.
Actress Irene Ang, who plays Rosie, said: "Since Chu Kang and Rosie are not the most gracious people on TV, it is good to hear that even they are trying."
tcheryl@sph.com.sg
Submit a one-minute video or animation about public graciousness to Stomp and you might stand to win a Canon camcorder and $1,000 in shopping vouchers.
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