I refer to the letter “Govt should ensure most bus drivers are S’poreans” (May 26). Of late, I have observed that more locals are working as bus drivers and the bulk seem to be mature workers.
This is encouraging and can probably be attributed to the revamped salaries and better perks, which show that bus operators have made good efforts to draw Singaporeans to this vocation.
Our bus operators should also consider offering part-time driver positions, which may attract more locals. Still, Singapore needs to continue recruiting foreign bus drivers. As the writer stated, public transport is “the backbone of a country’s economy”.
To depend solely on a limited pool of locals willing to work as bus drivers would hinder this essential service. Long delays in bus arrivals are no different from a strike.
We should appreciate that foreign bus drivers are willing to work long hours, weekends and public holidays, enabling us to get around at night and on our days off. That their low wages have helped maintain bus fares at affordable levels should not be taken for granted too. These are all reason enough for bus operators to recruit foreign bus drivers, so our public buses run with no hiccups.
From my work experience with work permit holders, I have found that most of them pick up simple English by and by, sometimes even with Singlish, from interacting with customers.
PRISCILLA POH BENG HOON
*Article first appeared on TodayOnline Forums (4 Jun 2014)