On 2 June 2021, Mr Tay Jun Jie was on the train towards Joo Koon MRT station when he assisted an elderly man with dementia to get home safely.

The elderly man had forgotten his way home after visiting a barber at Holland Close. Fortunately, he remembered his son’s (Mr Derrick Khoo) name and mobile number and Mr Tay took the initiative to call Mr Khoo. Mr Tay also proactively took a selfie with the elderly man and sent the photo to Mr Khoo via WhatsApp to confirm his father’s identity and to assure him that it was not a scam call.

However, Mr Tay realised that Mr Khoo was not at home and kindly offered to arrange a Grab ride for the senior Mr Khoo to get home. Mr Tay also kept in touch with Mr Khoo via a WhatsApp video call all the way to the pick-up point, and informed the Grab driver of the elderly man’s dementia so that the driver can provide assistance if required. He also provided Mr Khoo with the car’s Vehicle Registration Number and ride details, so that the latter could arrange for his mother to wait at the destination for her husband. Mr Tay even paid for the elderly’s ride home!

Mr Tay Jun Jie receiving the Caring Commuter Award 2021 from Minister of Transport S Iswaran at National Kindness Award - Transport Gold 2021 held on 1 Dec 2021.
Photo: Singapore Kindness Movement

The Caring Commuter Award recognises commuters who have demonstrated acts of care to others in need during their daily commute on public transport.

Jointly launched by the Public Transport Council and Singapore Kindness Movement in 2019, the award is presented as part of the Caring SG Commuters movement.