Over 4 million rides are taken on our buses and mrts daily. And on average, more than 83% of these rides entail unpleasent, surprising or startling events for the unassuming rider. Apparently, many of us Singaporeans, don't know what it is to expect, and be expected of, during a short-and-sweet ride in a bus or the mrt.


It is time we turn back to our objective, empirical and proven friend - Mr. Science to curb this ignorance. For enlightenment, I propose this new-age course of instruction: The Science of Travel ~ fundamental principles which can explain the phenomena experienced during the average public transport journey.


1. Air is compressible:- The bus driver is NOT mad for asking you to leave the entrance and move in to the back of the empty bus to make way for others.


2a. In a packed structure, particles can move only AFTER voids occur:- Please wait for the doors to open before pushing to get out of crowded trains. Chances are, if the people left, right, infront and behind you don't have room to move, you don't either.


2b. And in addition, every action has an equal and opposite reaction:- such stupid behaviour (see part 2a) can prove to be doubly unhelpful - disgruntled passengers who were incessantly nudged on tend to move twice as slowly to give way to you once the doors ARE actually open.


3. Objects with mass have inertia:- If there is a sudden break or change in direction, you ARE going to jerk in the opposing direction. Please do not look so surprised. Handrails DO have a purpose.


4. An object will tend to rotate if its centre of mass falls out of its base:- Seats exist to be sat on fully. Do NOT balance your butt precariously on the edge, and then proceed to throw dirty looks at the passenger whose lap you fall on when the train jerks.


6. Sound waves propagate:- We CAN here your secret conversations about your failed love life.


7. And no, psychologically stable people do NOT want unfunny songs blasted at them in the morning:- Shut up pck.