Local SMRT bus captains can now earn S$3,500 a month

SINGAPORE — SMRT has introduced a new progressive career scheme for its bus captains which could see Singaporean drivers taking home up to S$3,500 a month, the company said in a release today (Nov 7).

The SMRT Bus Captain Scheme aims to train bus captains to provide better service to commuters and increase their productivity, and includes the restructuring of salary ranges, productivity and performance incentives, as well as a refreshed training plan to enable career progression into supervisory positions.

Under the scheme, the average Singaporean SMRT bus captain will be able to earn up to S$3,500 a month after overtime and with performance incentives — which will be awarded for punctuality and meeting high safety and customer service standards.

The scheme was developed as a result of an ongoing collaboration between SMRT’s management and the National Transport Workers’ Union.

“The ability to retain talent and maintain our staff’s workforce health is key in ensuring that SMRT continues to deliver an excellent travel experience to commuters,” said Mr Desmond Kuek, SMRT Corporation President and CEO.

“The new BC scheme takes a progressive approach to training our bus captains beyond basic driving skills to include service and supervisory skills. In doing so, they can also progress in their careers to drive more complex routes, provide better service, and even move into supervisory and trainer/mentor roles.”

The new career progression framework will also set out a clear route of advancement for bus captains into supervisory positions such as Master Bus Captain, which includes group supervisor and instructor responsibilities.

“Previously, competent drivers hit their career ceiling after three promotions when they become Chief Service Leaders,” said Mr Ong Chin Ang, Executive Secretary of National Transport Workers’ Union.

“We also recognised that there is still room for current wages to move up. By adopting the Labour Movement’s Progressive Wage Model concept, the union worked together with SMRT management to relook and restructure the scheme to help bus captains achieve better career progression and wages, and ensure its sustainability.

“With the new model in place, traditional front-line roles are transformed and bus captains can look forward to training and advancement opportunities to supervisory positions with higher wages.” In May last year, SMRT announced an upward revision of the basic monthly pay of its Singaporean bus drivers by 35 per cent to S$1,625, which the company said would enable them to take home an average of about S$2,500 each month after factoring in overtime, allowances and incentives.