Singapore bus driver threatened by passenger, union condemns abuse of public transport workers, Digi Mart USA News (Singapore): The National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) said it strongly condemns any form of intimidation, threat or abuse directed at public transport workers after a Go-Ahead Singapore bus driver was reportedly verbally abused and threatened.
The incident occurred on Nov. 4 and involved a bus driver operating service 136 along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, the union said in a social media statement on Nov. 7. The NTWU said it has contacted the affected driver, who is a union member, and is in contact with Go-Ahead Singapore to ensure he receives necessary assistance and support, including legal support where needed.
The union said it understands a police report has been lodged. The Straits Times has contacted police for more information.
In video footage of the incident, taken by another commuter and uploaded to Instagram, a man is seen confronting the driver while the bus is moving. At one point, he makes a gesture with his arm that appears to be close to punching the driver.
As of 7 p.m. on Nov. 7, the video had garnered more than 129,000 views, with many social media users criticizing the man’s behavior.
Some commenters said confronting a driver while the vehicle is in motion could have caused an accident and argued the driver should have stopped the bus to ensure the safety of passengers and road users. Others noted that no one came to the defense of the driver.
In its statement, the union said: “Our bus captains work hard every day to keep Singapore moving, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.” It said members of the public with concerns or complaints about public transport services should raise them through proper channels. “Threatening or intimidating our transport workers is never acceptable,” the union said.
The union added that it will continue to stand behind Singapore’s transport workers and work with public transport operators to ensure their safety and well-being.
The Nov. 4 incident is the latest in a string of reported assaults and threats against public transport workers. On Aug. 16 at about 5:20 p.m., another Go-Ahead bus driver was assaulted while operating service 2, which runs between Changi Village Terminal and Kampong Bahru Terminal.
Go-Ahead Singapore said in an Aug. 27 social media post that the trip was disrupted and the driver sought medical attention at Changi General Hospital.
On May 23, a passenger angered that his bus stop had been missed verbally abused and physically assaulted a Go-Ahead driver operating service 2. Go-Ahead Singapore said in a May 26 social media post that the trip was disrupted and the driver sought medical attention at Changi General Hospital.
The NTWU said the driver reported experiencing blurred vision after the incident.
The Straits Times has contacted Go-Ahead Singapore for more information.
