Two university students were penalized by the Shanghai Metro after they were found drawing graffiti on the train, reports Shine.
The incident took place in April, when the two students realized they were the only passengers in the carriage and started drawing on the walls. After they completed their ‘masterpieces,’ they hung around for a while to examine their work.
Image via Kankanews
Surveillance cameras on the train recorded the entire act and police apprehended the students shortly after. It turns out the two are both art students. The graffiti they drew was actually an artistic signature they designed. Both of them admitted to committing the crime and expressed their regret.
Image via Kankanews
To remove the graffiti, five maintenance members and three cleaners from the Shanghai Metro spent nearly 10 hours scrubbing the walls. The cleaning even halted the operation of the trains.
Tools used to clean up the graffiti. Image via Kankanews
Based on relevant regulations, the students were initially fined RMB50 (USD7.23). Furthermore, they were ordered to pay the cleaning fee, which was roughly RMB7,000 (USD1,012). Considering they were still students and did not have much money, the Shanghai Metro agreed to let both of them complete 40 hours of volunteer work instead of paying the fine.
Their volunteer work started last month. You may still spot them maintaining order and preventing others from breaking the rules.
“It’s not a simple penalty,” said one operator of the Shanghai Metro. “By doing this, they can have a better understanding of what they have done… and can set an example for other passengers.”
Image via Kankanews
However, a great number of netizens think the punishment is too light.
“Shouldn’t they be detained if they do not have money?” asked one netizen. “Also, their drawing is pretty lame by the standard of art students.”
“80 hours of work for RMB7,000 (USD1,012)?” complained another. “That is RMB87.5 (USD12.65) per hour if my math doesn’t fail me. The salary is so high that I want to apply for this job.”
[Cover image via Kankanews]
