Less than 1/3 of bus captains are S'poreans, recruitment & retainment biggest challenge to expanding bus service network

[zetraw]

COE so high. MRT reliability drops. No locals want to be bus captain as career. Nobody wants their local children to be bus captain as career.

And quota is there to prevent foreigners from taking over as bus drivers.

What are the ministers thinking? PWM does not solve the problem, and as government put it, PWM is to increase the salary of the locals who are already in the job. Not motivating the future generations to take up career in PWM.

There are some jobs that are best just let the foreigners take up (think domestic helpers)

 

[AndroidComa]

https://mothership.sg/2025/10/bus-captains-one-third-singaporeans-recruitment-challenge/

Lmao...in tis type of employment will dare to separate Singaporeans from foreigners. Others will say residents

While raising the salaries of bus drivers is one option, that has to be done in tandem with the operating costs of the network, as the costs of funding these salaries come from either the taxpayers or raising the fares, he said.

Hinting at another fare hike coming?

Check all the transport operators profits first then say

They're not running at a loss for sure

 

[AndroidComa]

This is a very clear cut case of supply and demand. If you pay enough, they will be lining up for an interview.

The government ultra accelerates the cost of living here, salaries can't keep up. People aren't stupid. They put two and two together, crunch the numbers, and realize they'll get a better deal either in another job, or another country.

Captain Obvious clearly states that the government cannot have its pie (record budget surpluses) while eating it too (continuing to pay peanuts and expecting the monkeys to accept it).

Unless of course, you're Singaporean and stuck here with no mobility options. Then one can only go to to the voting box and hope for a freak result that will cause the government to rethink its bullying.

Still 4g went to polls and 一边倒

 

[dambio]

Check all the transport operators profits first then say

They're not running at a loss for sure

They making profits also increase 1 la

 

[Joseph12]

https://mothership.sg/2025/10/bus-captains-one-third-singaporeans-recruitment-challenge/

Lmao...in tis type of employment will dare to separate Singaporeans from foreigners. Others will say residents

While raising the salaries of bus drivers is one option, that has to be done in tandem with the operating costs of the network, as the costs of funding these salaries come from either the taxpayers or raising the fares, he said.

Hinting at another fare hike coming?

Matter of time

Heard its up to $5000 and even more
Not typo

Many Malaysians will take it up I'm sure

 

[dambio]

Matter of time

Heard its up to $5000 and even more
Not typo

Many Malaysians will take it up I'm sure

Yea not low like last time. Jhks alr alot but maybe losing flavor. Hence now also alot of tiongs driving.

 

[vee4044]

when in doubt, just blame singaporeans again

Mostly Criminal is Singaporean. Dun argue. The Dementia VVIP say.

 

[Wu-Han Clan]

is this an article to pin blame on sinkies for picking higher paying jobs and hiaming the lower paying jobs???

 

[marshalTan93]

Same as Nurses situation.

Low pay, expect top tier workers.....

 

[buttbERry]

not surprised with this

 

[pwongkk]

Those millions must see how much went to bonuses.

Calling them bus captain is to elevate their status psychologically n make them feel more proud of their job.

Profits should be after deducting the bonus payout since the bonus is considered an expense.

 

[DulanMax]

Its a trap

They cant wait to replace all bus drivers with AI. Just that technology not there yet

 

[Notbbfa]

are grab drivers going to pivot to being bus drivers?

 

[Ronaldo88]

Reduce population, reduce freq,

 

[eAtNeAt]

Juz double the pay?

 

[mastermember]

let the bus driver earns $10k per month instead of those sitting at the office

Cannot. Like that comparable to those Capt in the air. They No dignity

 

[itedino]

https://mothership.sg/2025/10/bus-captains-one-third-singaporeans-recruitment-challenge/

Lmao...in tis type of employment will dare to separate Singaporeans from foreigners. Others will say residents

While raising the salaries of bus drivers is one option, that has to be done in tandem with the operating costs of the network, as the costs of funding these salaries come from either the taxpayers or raising the fares, he said.

Hinting at another fare hike coming?

Open to Myanmar or taiwanese sure enough of bus driver

 

[yuzu28]

I see a lot PRC ATB bus drivers and i don't mind them.

Alot of ah cek are very satisfied with their driving, will smile and greet them whilst very angish toward our local male drivers.

Frankly, some atb bus drivers are very nice and helpful. I met one who is very friendly when I pushed my wheelchair-bound lao peh up bus. Also met one young jhk bus driver very nice too. Sg lao ah pek driver are the worst most of the time.

 

[jeff79]

The bus operators kept posting record profit every year. Surely can increase lowest ranks salary and still maintain last year profit.

Or govt use the ＂social enterprise＂ hawker centre model mandate operators that bid public transport operator must be ＂social enterprise＂

 

[zetraw]

Our education minister should change our system to encourage new generation to aspire as a bus captain for their lifelong career.

And if they are on it, also aspire them to have lifelong career listed in the PWM.