Rite and Ritual - Part 2

I padded myself

Daily, at the start of the shift duty; I padded myself to keep me sane and centered.

I will use my right hand, cross it over to my left chest, to pad my “heart” in the process. While doing that, I mentally, reminded myself to be mindful that, I have a mission to fulfill for today. That is “Moving People, Enhancing Lives”. This vision statement by the Company, has been an excellent motivator that, keep me going on till to date. This is a magic pill to cure all my heartaches related to the different types of passengers on board the bus.

My Pair of Gloves

My pair of white glove serves three main purposes.

To date, I have used some 50pairs of white gloves. Initially, some senior colleagues teased me and started calling name. They call me, “traffic policeman” or “Mr. White Glove Man”.

I know the reason why I am wearing it and spending my hard earned money to replace it from time to time. It is S$2.20/pair of white hand glove. My real initial motive was for safety. Back then, I am just a white belt into driving a 12M Bus; one of the most dreaded responsibility is to take the bus from a 4th-lane-outer-left, cut it over all the way to the outer 1^st-right-lane in order to make a right turn as the next coming cross or T-junction.

As a novice public bus driver, for me, this is a very challenging and at times scarce the hell out of me, to do this quick lane change.

However, with the white glove “on” and couple with the long red sleeve shirt, that I am wearing; vehicles at the back of me can easily spot me and read my intention when I showed them my right hand; to cut those lanes from 4-3-2-1. In this way, overall safety is assured for all.

The next point is for mental conditioning and hygiene; at the start of the shift before I touched the steering wheel, I put on this white glove; my driving confidence will spontaneously level-up with a sudden rush of adrenaline; this hormone, been secreted by the pituitary gland, pours into my blood system and I am ready for the day of bus driving business.

Hygiene factor is the third consideration. The standard operation is that Bus Captains are expected to share buses with all other colleagues. Initially, while still in the training phase, I was not allowed to wear glove; and when I accidentally touched my eyes with my finger; I use to have red eyes quite frequently.

Nowadays, a pair of white glove is indeed my good companion.

Rite and Ritual – Part 1

Dawn Driving

I love morning (AM) shift duty. I am an early bird. Previously, my last job starts officially at 0830hr. I will most probably be the second or first staff to arrive at the office daily.

The dawn period from 0500hr to 630hr is very meditative and spiritually uplifting. The air is fresh and the overall noise level is low. Traffic volume is not dense and the roads are not so congested and commuter or pax is lesser for this non-peak period.

Distant from afar, at around 0700hr, the morning glory of the sunrise is pretty nice to look at.

Whenever, I make a stop at the bus stop to pick up some pax, I hear and recognize those vented yellow tail bulbuls blasting away their soothing melody near the bus stops.

 Some time, I will just pause a little longer at the bus stop; to listen to the singing birds, before I close the bus doors and roll off.

Smile and Good Morning

Daily, mentally I tell myself that, I must enjoy my work as a BC. Whenever, I am on AM shift, and especially on my 1^st revenue-able service trip; when the pax board my bus; I will take the opportunity to look at their face for a potential eyes contact.

However, majority of the pax are shy and do not want to have eye-to-eye contact with me. Perhaps, I am not handsome lah. Once the linking is established, I will wish the pax good morning and smile to them. There was once, a male pax that I have greeted him, but I resent it. As he is boarding the bus and tabbed his fare card, I greeted him “good morning”, he replied, “what so good about the morning?”, he added that, I should drive faster as he is late for work. Oops.

As a whole, till to date, I still practice 1^st trip morning ritual as I believe; this will have a positive impact to myself for the next 9hours or so of my work. However, I still remembered very clearly in my mind on one particular day, that I could not smile for the entire shift work.

I also did not care to look at the pax face when they boarded the bus. I just looked at the road afar and the traffic.

That day, is Monday, the date is 23/3/2015; Singapore has lost an utmost respected statesman.

I am on AM shift duty. I heard the news of the passing of Bapa Singapura, from a fellow BC while I was performing my 1^st parade task at around 0438hr.

The late Mr. Lee Kuan Yew has passed away earlier at around 0318hr. I was frozen for a moment, recompose myself, and recited a short prayer for Him. The feeling inside me was then very unpleasant; and my face is just saddened to smile or wish anyone boarding the morning bus, good morning. 

Bus Captain's Identification

What perplexed me most is that, you will not be addressed by name whenever you what to identify yourself or to be called upon. In this public transport industry, I am now known as BC19xxx as this is my worker’s identification number and not at all be addressed as Wong Kam Wah for once till to date! Amazing, right?

I still do not understand how this current identification standard operational procedure did come into practice, in the first place. Perhaps, it is already started back in the olden days in Hock Lee Bus… 1960s. (or perhaps, I am wrong)

Is it appropriate to address someone just by a number? Or is this the most pragmatic, effective and efficient form of looking for the Bus Captain? Either you are from China, Malaysia or Singapore; you will be addressed by your work identification numbers or employment number. Perhaps, a veteran Bus Captain, that are reading this blog post; could help to shed some lights on this preferred identification method.

To date, I have worked some 30yrs, and this is the 1^st time that, I am been addressed as such or been paged by the public address at the interchange. Of the last 30years, some 20years, I worked with MNC; and I will always been addressed either by my given name or my abbreviation, KW.

I don’t think, this is acceptable by Western cultured company; and I will keep in view and see what will be the standard operational practice preferred by Transit Tower (TT), a London transport based company on this subject matter.

Note: Tower Transit Singapore Pte Ltd is a London based transport company that had been awarded the 1^st bus contracting model by LTA and including some 380 buses. TT is now the 3rd public bus operators here in Singapore; and service operation is expected to be by Q2 2016. TT will take over the bus services of Bukit Batok Interchange, Jurong Interchange and Clementi Interchange.

            I will stay tuned on this subject….come Q2 2016.

Four Letter Words – 4LW

“Anger is an internal formation, and since it makes us suffer, we try our best to get rid of it.” Psychologists like the expression, “getting it out of your system.”

….Ven. Thich Nhat Hanh

Working with my BC colleagues is a cultural shock for me.

I did grow up in the Chinese Kampong (New Village) during my younger days. In those days, 4LW is also a norm then. The Kampong’s folks will use it like drinking water. However, for the last 30years of my adult working life; I have the privilege to work with so many professional of having a least a diploma, degree or master; that go about discharging their professional work duties, without using any “ flowery” 4LW.

The Chinese PRC BC will use the phase “his Mother”.

I not sure why, “the mother” is involved. I observe that they too have started to use our local Hockkien, 4LW version frequently now.

The local and Malaysian of Chinese, Malay and Indian origin will use more “powered” 4LW. It will be spoken when never there is a gathering of two or more BC on the ground.

The colleagues, in general, could not, start to speak a proper sentence, without  a 4LW, as  preface or introduction; and followed by another utterance of  4LW in the middle of the sentence, and finally putting a full stop to the sentence with another 4LW.

I speak Cantonese do my parents, and I am too embarrassed by those Cantonese speaking, BC; their 4LW is par excellence; and is the most deplorable and degradable one.

It is too, embarrassed and shameful for me to translate it into English literally (word by word).

Even though, I am constantly exposing myself to this kind of “flowery verbal” words; I am glad that, till to date; I still can hold my speech door in good stead and observed reasonable decorum on the choice of my words. 

I came to understand that, the 4LW been frequently uttered by those colleague, is actually as a means or a form of skillful means of venting out their much bottle up frustration.

Bus Captain will encountered much frustration and dis-satisfactoriness in the course of their jobs. I now can empathize with them.    

But the question is; is there a need to utter such flowery 4LW, which unfortunately and somehow, always involved the innocent and beloved “Mother”. Perhaps, a simple “WTF” will do, right? 

When is it used at the peer level, they seem to harbor no anger or resent on what the other party is saying. However, the other day, one of the Group Supervisor (GS), also uttered this dreaded 4LW to one of his subordinate, a Bus Captain, BC.

The BC immediately, got very angry, and shouted back to the GS; I want to complain you to the Manager. You have no right to scold me in this manner (i.e using 4LW). I was stone cold for a moment of what I just heard. I guess, this is what it is called the natural law of “Cause and Effect” or something close to what been proclaimed by Newton’s Law (every action, there is equal and opposite reaction).

Personally, if appropriate, to vent out, I guess, the “WTF”, will suffice.

I still remembered from the very last part of the Movie, “the Core”. Whereby the Prof. already been left alone in the dislodged cabin inside the Earth’s Core; he still took out his voice recorder to record what he considered (his odyssey), as beneficial for his University student; however too soon, he realized, that he is about die, and he uttered this “WTF” and throw away, the voice recorder and pickup, I guess, his last puff and to die inside the Core, happily lah.

On one occasion this year, 2015,“What shocked me most was that, for an entire week; starting from 23/3/2015, the amount of 4LW spoken was reduced to almost not been heard at all”.my colleagues, indeed has backbone! And a Kind Heart to go with!!

People will remember that on this day (23/3/2015), in Singapore’s modern History; it is a very sad day for Singaporean on the passing of our dear Bapa Singapura, Mr. Lee Kuan Yew.

(a lot of Bus Captain, signed on this condolence book)

For those whom not familiar with the Chinese Mourning Period Culture, and yet have the urge to use the 4LW, was promptly reminded by others, to refrain from using it. This speaks volume of them, on how much respect and gratitude they have for Bapa Singapura.

          ba shi  Che Zhang, wan shui

Forum Writer of the Week, 28/9/2015, Straitstimes

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/writer-of-the-week-12

Dear Friends,

It is not something I do for satisfying my ego; Giving my time and effort and dedication (in writing this blog), can also make a difference. I do not have to give

   away $$$$ to make a difference.

Thank You for reading the above forum-writer-of-the-week and my blog posts.

Warmest Rgds,

Kam Wah

Writer Of The Week

Mr Wong Kam Wah feels writing to the Forum page is the least he can do to help make Singapore a better society.PHOTO: COURTESY OF WONG KAM WAH

PUBLISHED

SEP 28, 2015, 5:00 AM SGT

Who: Wong Kam Wah, 53, bus driver.

My family: Married to a mother tongue teacher, 51, with two sons, aged 26 and 23.

My home: A five-room flat 

My passions: Sports and reading up on financial news.

I first started writing to the Forum page...: About 15 years ago.

What I write about: I normally write about things that promote moral virtues and fairness in our dealings with others, as well as on issues such as patriotism.

Why I write: There are many social issues faced by the community which have yet to be adequately addressed.

I am writing out of compassion and for the benefit of my fellow countrymen in the hopes that when these issues are brought to light, our lives overall might improve.

I write because this is the least I can do in contributing towards the betterment of Singaporean society.

I read the Forum page because...: It enables me to keep up with the current state of affairs in Singapore.

I believe there are always three views to reflect on for any issue - your view, my view and the correct view.

My wish for Singapore:

I embrace the ethos of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for an "inclusive society".

However, I hope more can be done for those whose working hours are "beyond" normal.

For example, the working hours for those in the public transport industry are indeed beyond normal.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on September 28, 2015, with the headline 'Writer Of The Week'. Print Edition | Subscribe

TOPICS: 

• WRITER OF THE WEEK
• PUBLIC TRANSPORT
• WONG KAM WAH

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The Vagabond

There is this man, very frequently, during the day time, will use bus stops along  Woodlands Avenue 7 at Blk 825, Blk 853, and across over to Bus Stop Blk 888 for his meal and sleeping time.

For the past 4 months, early this year; I have observed how he survived himself; he would pick-up throw away foods and half emptied bottles from the dust bin for his meal and drink. For one instance, while my wife was waiting for Svc 913, she saw him picking up a moulded bread to eat; he will tear away, the portion of the bread that already been moulded before eating it. He also pick-up passenger’s thrown away undone cigarette to smoke, to get some “high”.

Whenever, he is using a particular bus stop to rest, he will carry with him several bags of things. He will sleep on the entire cemented seat.  Because, he did not bath (I suspected), to avoid his bodily stench; passengers waiting at the Bus Stops were stand at a distant from him.

For as long as I have started to observe him; he has been wearing the same old and worn out shirt and short pants. There may be a thousand of residence have encountered with this man; however, I have no idea, whether anyone, have informed the proper authority to take some humanitarian action to assist this man.

I am sad to know of this man plight (however, whether it is “real” or “wayang”, I do not know and I did not investigate further, sorry lah just too exhausted at time to kayboh); Nevertheless, I am bit shocked and surprised to see such incident happening at my neighbourhood or backyard.

So in June this year (3 months before GE2015); I tak boleh tahan anymore; I wrote an e-mail to our Woodlands MP for help. MP promptly shared my e-mail with MSF. Soon after, I got an email from MSF that, the leg ground work has been mobilized to contact this man and talk to him to understand his “plight”. MSF staff will be at the said bus stops to investigate and interview him.

Happy to inform that, for the last 2 weeks of June 2015, I did not see this man anymore at the said mentioned bus stops; and I assume, those MSF folks may have got everything in control.

To the MSF staff, I thank You and hopefully, as our country, Singapura, progresses and via the Ministry of MSF, no man is left behind.

Thank You.

Health Screening

Yearly, for the past 15yrs, I have been doing my annual medical checkup with a reasonable comprehensive package that covers; my lipid (fat) profile, diabetes, liver, bone, kidney, urine biochemistry and microscopy, thyroid function, tumour markers, haematology(about blood stuff), and stool examination immunological (aka looking for telltale signs for Colon Cancer etc).

Having changed a new career profession from Engineering to driving bus; After working in this new career for 6 month, I did do a health screening.

The results from the report almost make me jump up with joy. Previously, all the above mentioned screening subjects matter; I am either on the upper specification limit or at the lower specification limit of my health condition. From the most recent health screening report; I am almost in the middle of the specification for all the above mentioned subjects.

I guess previously, while sitting (prolonged) in the office, the only real physical movement that I have is, moving the CAD mouse and typing on the keyboard. However, today working condition is totally a different ball game altogether; it is the real stuff of aerobic exercise, and I am truly glad and thankful that, my health have improved leaps and bound since becoming a Bus Captain, BC.

Perhaps this phenomenon (frequent bodily movement, while driving the bus), can be considered as one of the benefits of been a BC.

The company does have a medical allowance of $150/- entitlement per year. This $150/- is not able to fully offset the cost of my comprehensive health screening package, and the balance amount, I will pay it out of my own pocket.  

Via yearly routine health screening practice, I hope, any potential cancer arising can be “nipped on the bud”; clinically speaking, if cancer is detected early, for example at stage 1 or 2, it is usually highly curable. 

Next week, i will be visiting my GP to have blood samples collected for a comprehensive health screening....

URTI

When my stress level is increased due to lack of rest and sleep or fatigue from long working hours; I am prone to frequent bout of Upper Respiratory Tract Infection “URTI”.

Start off with high fever, nose block, running nose and finally cough. I am not sure why, usually, right after the running nose has been cured, prolonged coughing will set in. The most difficult and annoying part of the coughing is that to get the 1^st successful phlegm out of my lung; and if I consume the drowsy cough syrup; it will make me sleepy and it is a struggle to drive a bus safely.

I was not well for the entire week of 14^th June; as I was on PM shift for this week; and due to lack of sleep, even though, I self-medicated with antibiotics, cough and flu medicine;  I could not fully recovered from this bout of URTI.

Both of my eyes started to become very red; and when I woke up in the later part of the morning, I could not open my eyes to see my way to the bedroom attached toilet.

Since my health condition is getting from bad to worse, in pain, I summoned my courage to visit a Polyclinic Doctor in the morning of 22/6/2015.

On 21/6/2016, I was on PM shift duty. I end shift duty at 0145hr on 22/6/2016. I reached home and hurried to bed by 0300hr. I keep reminding myself, that I must get up by 0730hr, and to be at the Woodlands Polyclinic to collect my Q number by 0800hr.

The ground rule is that my company only recognizes MC issued by Polyclinic, not private clinic. I have no other choice and have to wait for my allocated consultation time at 1145hr. Found a chair and surrounded my some other 600 patients at that time; I am tired, sick and just patiently waited for my number to be called.

Eventually, at 1220hr; my Q - no. pinged and I finally got my chance to see the Doctor. The consultation was quick and over in just less than 5mins. In my heart, I was actually not disappointed for waiting some 4 long hours to get a chance to consult the doctor. The doctor is actually very caring and without my asking; issued a 2 days MC and told me to go to the pharmacy counter to collect my medicine.

To my surprise, there was a long Q at the pharmacy counter too. After joining the Q for about 15mins, the public address informed us that, a 2 hour Q time is needed further before, I can collect my medicine.

Since, I am already half dead by now due to lack of sleep and started to get grouchy; having waited for 4 hours to see the doctor earlier, and now I have to wait for another 2 hours to collect my medicine; I just give up and drove back home to sleep and continued to self-medicate for one more day.

On 23/6/2015, I went back to the Polyclinic to collect my medicine in the morning, in less than 20mins. While in the hurry, to beat the anticipated Q; I was fined for parking offence of SGD30/- for not putting a car coupon earlier.

Previously, all I need is 30mins to see a private and family GP and certainly been issued with a  recognized MC to go by. 

Moving forward, I am still learning how to take extra precaution of not catching an URTI. I will be mindful to eat extra fresh fruit and more vegetable to boost up my immune system. 

However, what still puzzle me most is that, my purpose of visiting the Doctor is to get well soon or asap; however, because of the long waiting time to consult a Doctor and then to collect my prescribed medicine, its actually, making me more weaker as such…..