Why I Blog

"I would only have contested (the Presidential Election for Singapore) out of duty, not ambition," 

wrote Mr. George Yeo. "It should not be an exercise in self-justification."

Similarly,

The spirit of those letters above is also the motivation for me to write for your sharing.

The many coming postings are written with actual personal encounters or incidences detailing from the moment of my point of entry (my enlistment day) into this industry; right up to today. At first I thought this kind of job would be a “Piece-of-Cheese Cake” for me; just drive here and there. However it turns out to be a complete shock, lost and later I am humbled by the overall experiences. The job pre-requisite, the kind of work life to be expected; its struggle and sacrifices are to be shared for the many coming days.

Here what I have seen so far, in Singapore, whether it is more dignified and appropriate to call someone piloting a Public Bus as Bus Uncle, Bus Driver or Bus Captain (BC) is not that important. The primary concern for me is that, in this current situation, Singaporean is no longer form the “core workforce” for this industry. Even though the job entry requirement is not high; but the take up rate by local or Singapore Permanent Residence (SPR) as BC is extreme low. Moreover, even though locals did come on board, their attrition rate is extreme fast also. 

From the interviews that I have conducted recently with my fellow BC colleagues.I came to the conclusion that, at this moment, Singaporean/SPR BC, constituted no more than 25% of the approximate 12,000 strong Public Transport workforce, driving some 5,000 buses. The ratio is 1 local to 4 foreigners. If further discount off those senior local BC (60yrs and above) for retirement age pending, the actual percentage will drop further to 15% or 1:6.To me the definition for “core” is 2:1 that is at least 2 local to 1 foreigner. I suspect, with 1:6 ratios, Singapore Public Transport Industry for the locals have reached a point of no return, and something fast has to be taken to revert this state of affairs.

Not meant to be Kurang Ajar or rude  and no offence to the FWT* community, the secondary concern for me is the issue of National Economic Defence. Public Transport woes were one of the major points of concern during the last GE 2011. Soon after the GE has been concluded, there was this industrial AWOL or Strike by some 171 Chinese PRC Bus Captain. This industrial action by the Chinese PRC BC caught me by surprise, and Singaporean did not prepared for it. This industrial action has affected the commuters very badly for a couple of days. Since I am living in the Northern part of Singapore, out of concern, I actually drove to their hostel and then to the Admiralty Prison to take a look and “feel” about what is the real issue or causes that had resulted for the Chinese PRC BC to act in this manner. If my memory is correct, I believe, beside the Hock Lee Bus Strike in 1964 (I was then only 2 years old), it has been almost 50 long years that I do not see this kind of public transport worker strike.

So to satisfy my curiosity, I quest to know the “real fact” for both concerns discussed above; I told myself; whenever there is an opportunity for me to enter into my pre-retirement phase of my adult career life; one of my priority, will be to take up the job as a BC.

To the reader (especially the locals), my wish is that,  after you have read these forthcoming writings, you will be more informed with better understanding on the demand of this industry. You will be prepared for what is needed and expected of you if you are planning or considering coming on board lah.

To the commuters, at the end of the day, my wish is that, to all those public bus commuters, that you will have a better understanding now on us a BC. Lastly I seek your empathy (tong qing), on the plight of this Bus Captain. Please do not stereotype them further, and kindly do not too quick to scold them or point your middle finger to them even though when the Bus Captain did closes the door on you and pull away from the bus stop while you still are running fast and hard to catch it.  Salute.

*FWT = Foreign worker talent