Four SMRT employees have been recognised for their teamwork and compassion after helping an elderly commuter with Parkinson’s disease who appeared unwell at Bayfront MRT station.
The incident happened on October 15, 2026, at around 4pm, when a contractor from Marina Bay Sands approached the station’s passenger service counter to request medical assistance for a man in distress.
The commuter, believed to be in his late 60s, was using a motorised wheelchair and experiencing severe trembling when station staff attended to him.
Senior station manager Abdul Rahman, 38, recalled that he immediately alerted his colleagues after realising the man needed assistance.
The commuter explained that he had Parkinson’s disease and had not taken his medication.
SMRT Employees Work Together to Assist Commuter
Rahman and his colleagues, senior assistant manager Muhammad Faris, 29, and assistant manager Suhaimi bin Mohamad, 36, brought the elderly man to a safer area and bought him a meal.
The contractor who first noticed the commuter also stayed behind to help facilitate communication between the man and the SMRT employees.
For the next two hours, the staff continued looking after him while attempting to contact his helper.
Their assistance extended beyond providing food and ensuring that he was comfortable. When the man needed to use the washroom, the employees worked together to help him out of his motorised wheelchair and guide him to an accessible toilet.
Faris said the task required extra care because the commuter was experiencing tremors, making it difficult to move safely.
Despite the situation, the elderly man remained positive and continued communicating with the staff. He repeatedly apologised for causing them trouble, but Rahman reassured him that helping passengers was part of their responsibility.
Staff Coordinate His Safe Journey Home
After the man’s helper eventually arrived, another senior assistant manager, Ren Xue Qi, 38, accompanied them to the platform.
Ren also alerted staff at Buona Vista MRT station about the commuter’s condition so they could be prepared to assist when he arrived.
The coordinated response ensured that the elderly man was not left to manage the journey alone after receiving help at Bayfront.
The four employees later reflected on how the experience gave them a better understanding of the challenges faced by commuters living with Parkinson’s disease.
Suhaimi said the incident had taught the team valuable lessons that could help them respond more effectively when similar situations arise.
SMRT Staff Encourage Passengers to Ask for Help
Rahman reminded commuters that station employees are available to assist passengers who become unwell or encounter difficulties while travelling on the MRT network.
He emphasised that passenger safety should always come first and encouraged members of the public not to hesitate to approach station staff when someone appears to need assistance.
The incident also highlights how seemingly routine acts of kindness can make a significant difference, particularly for elderly passengers and people living with medical conditions.
For the four SMRT employees, helping the commuter involved more than responding to an emergency. It required patience, coordination and consideration for someone who was experiencing a difficult moment away from home.
Their actions serve as a reminder that public transport safety depends not only on infrastructure and procedures, but also on people willing to step forward when others need help.
