SMRT Staff Goes Rogue Over Skateboarder at Esplanade MRT
Picture this: the night of August 21, a bright‑yellow rider wheels toward the stairwell of Esplanade MRT, skateboard gleaming under the station lights. A staff member in a red jacket spots the action, decides it’s a “no‑skate zone” rule violation, and—rather than a calm “you can’t skate here” reminder—charged straight into the flow of commuters, sending the skateboarder flying off the board.
What Went Down
- Time‑stamp: ~10:25 pm, Friday.
- Location: The entrance stairs at Esplanade MRT station.
- Event: Staff member “runs” toward the skateboarder, knocks him off.
- Result: Staff member is suspended, investigation underway.
SMRT released a terse Facebook statement that the employee is cooperating with the Public Transport Security Command. They also admitted, “Sorry our staff member overreacted.”
Video Evidence](Check it out here)
A clip posted on Instagram’s “sgfollowsall” page shows the whole drama unfold: yellow top rider, red jacket staff, and the skateboard tumble. The video got plenty of views on social media, adding fuel to the story.
Back to the Past
SMRT’s incident isn’t the first time a train operator caught a staff member jabbing at a rider. In 2019, a Certis officer knighted a scooter‑rider with a kung‑fu kick, racking up a 12‑month conditional warning and an eventual dismissal from Certis. This time around, the company says the same mistake needed an earlier apology and formal suspension.
What It Means
- SMRT is pushing for “no skateboarding” enforcement in stations.
- Employees are under training to handle infringements more calmly.
- Recent social‑media backlash shows that commuters dislike over‑the‑top enforcement.
So, if you’re heading to Esplanade next, keep your skateboard in the park and maybe bring a helmet for the moment. And remember, a bit of patience goes a long way—no one wants a “getting knocked” surprise!
