Another campaign from SBS Transit

Back in February 2007 when SBS Transit launched its third campaign, I postulated that the next campaign would be "Press the bell early campaign". I was proven wrong.

Today, SBS Transit launched another campaign again. This new campaign takes on the same spirit as the previous campaigns of educating passengers or road drivers to exhibit desirable behaviour to improve bus operations. The essence of the campaign is all summarised in its punchline campaign title of "Stop Bus Captain Assaults Campaign".


In the press release (attached below), SBS Transit justifies its effort in promoting a stress free environment for its Bus Captain: that the abuse rate on its bus drivers has increased more than 100% compared to last year. Passengers are urged not to be coward and should lend a helping fingers to the bus drivers by dialling the Police to report the abuse.

My comments: it is better still if we can lend a helping arm/hand to the bus drivers -- by separating the abuser from the bus drivers (not adding on to the punches which is a criminal offence by Singapore Law!). [Thanks Samuel for his suggestion which provided the punch/kick needed for this post.]

SBS Transit Launches Campaign to Stop Bus Captain Assaults
21 June 2007

The punches rained down on his head without warning - all because he declined to hold up an entire busload of passengers for one guy who wanted to finish his cigarette at the bus stop.

Such brutish behaviour is inexcusable - especially since it is causing hurt and injury to people who are just doing their job.

In the first six months of this year, there have already been 18 cases of assault on Bus Captains - more than the 14 in the entire year of 2006. There have been incidents of Bus Captains being slapped, punched and even kicked.

It is for this reason that SBS Transit has decided to launch a campaign to stop Bus Captain abuse. From today, posters will be put up on all of its 16 bus interchanges and 18 terminals. The interior panels of SBS Transit's 2,800 buses will also be installed with the pin-ups to encourage commuters to lend a helping hand to Bus Captains by reporting to the Police any assault that they witness.

SBS Transit Chief Operating Officer, Mr Gan Juay Kiat, said: "Our Bus Captains like anyone else, have the right to work in a safe environment. They should not have to work in fear as they carry out their daily duties. We are dismayed and at disgusted at what some commuters have done to our Bus Captains. Therefore, to protect our Bus Captains, we will take action against their assailants where appropriate."

"While the incidents may not be rampant, they are significant enough to be a cause for concern. We know that there are many good Samaritans out there who have tried to stop such abuse and we thank them for their help. We continue to seek their assistance of all commuters to report such abuses to the Police should they witness any," he said.