Carry first, think later?
A Singapore-based content creator, @swizzyinsg, turned a simple cost-saving decision into a full-on public spectacle.
In a TikTok posted on 18 April, she is seen lugging a large framed painting across sidewalks, escalators, and eventually into the MRT — all to avoid paying $40 for a Grab ride. The on-screen caption says it all: “POV: you refuse to pay $40 for a grab.”
At one point, she even pauses mid-journey to question her own life choices, jokingly asking why she was doing this to herself. Still, she presses on — painting in hand — navigating Singapore’s public transport system step by step.
Inside the train, she admits to feeling awkward, standing out with the oversized artwork among regular commuters.
Built for Everyday Life (and Unexpected Situations)
While the situation feels extreme, it also quietly highlights something else: Singapore’s transport system can handle it.
From wide station layouts to functioning escalators and frequent trains, her journey — inconvenient as it looked — was still entirely doable. And that’s not by accident.
Singapore’s public transport system has long been designed with accessibility in mind. Stations are typically clean, well-lit, and equipped with elevators and escalators, making it easier for commuters carrying bulky items, pushing strollers, or travelling with luggage.
Clear signage and a straightforward network also mean fewer headaches when navigating routes — even when you’re balancing a giant painting.
Still Among the World’s Best
Singapore’s MRT and bus network continues to rank among the top globally.
In 2022, the city placed fourth in the Urban Mobility Readiness Index by the University of California, Berkeley and the Oliver Wyman Forum — behind Hong Kong, Zurich, and Stockholm.
Even years later, the system remains known for its reliability, connectivity, and ease of use. Trains arrive frequently, buses fill in the gaps, and commuters can travel seamlessly using contactless payments — no tickets, no fuss.
The Real Takeaway
What started as a funny TikTok about avoiding a $40 ride ended up showing something else entirely. Yes, carrying a massive painting through the MRT might earn you a few stares. And yes, it might feel awkward. But in Singapore, it’s still possible.
And maybe that’s the point — whether you’re commuting to work, heading home with groceries, or hauling an entire painting across the city, the system holds up.
Watch the video here:
@swizzyinsg Pov: you refuse to pay $40 for a grab..🫠
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