Press Once Can Already - sticker artist strikes

Great story in the ST, good photo from the Straits Times' Cheryl Faith Wee, too. Comments are running wildly in favor of the "prankster" and against the LTA for complaining...

Funny? The LTA not amused by 'Press Once Can Already' prank

Straits Times, November 21, 2011

While passers-by have mixed reactions to the sticker (above), the LTA warns that individuals who are caught pasting signs or illegal advertisements can be fined $300 for the first offence. -- ST PHOTO: CHERYL FAITH WEE

By Cheryl Faith Wee

Some prankster may have pushed the right buttons when it comes to capturing a famously Singaporean quirk.

At the pedestrian crossing in front of Rendezvous Hotel Singapore in Bras Basah Road, a button on the pedestrian crossing has been covered by a sticker which admonishes: 'Press Once Can Already' - a Singlish phrase reminding people that repeated pushing of the button in the hope that the Green Man will come on faster is futile.

But the Land Transport Authority (LTA), which manages street infrastructure such as traffic lights, is not amused by the prank.

It warns that individuals who are caught pasting signs or illegal advertisements on street infrastructure can be fined $300 for the first offence and $400 for a repeat offence. If prosecuted in court, they may be fined up to $2,000.

A spokesman for LTA said: 'We urge the public to refrain from pasting such signs or illegal advertisements on street infrastructure. We hope the public will help to do their part to keep our streets clean and beautiful.'

Passers-by had a more relaxed reaction to the sticker. Student Cass Lee, 21, could not help grinning when she saw the sticker.

She said: 'It's interesting, but I think people would just keep on pressing the button anyway.'

Ms Noelle Goh, a translator who is in her 30s, said: 'I find it funny and harmless.'

But Ms Rainy Lee, 27, a retail development manager, thought the sticker was a bit 'pointless'.

Ms Iris Teo, 31, an engineer, felt that the use of Singlish was 'quite appropriate'.

However, salesman Kamchand Hemanbas, who is in his 50s, was concerned that the sticker would baffle tourists because it is written in Singlish.

He said: 'Locals know what to do - we press the button so the Green Man comes on. But foreigners will not get it.'