Cabbies, PHV drivers can take up bus driver jobs by signing up for new training programme

Published Sep 28, 2026, 11:00 AM

Updated Sep 28, 2026, 11:00 AM

SINGAPORE – Cabbies and private-hire drivers keen to make the transition into a career as bus drivers can now sign up for a programme that will help them adapt to a fast-changing transport sector being reshaped by technology.

The programme will be offered part-time or full-time, and last two to six months, including on-the job training and building related skills such as in the field of electric vehicle diagnostics or bus interchange operations.

Trainees will have the flexibility to juggle their work and personal or caregiving responsibilities while completing the course.

Speaking to the media during a visit to the Singapore Bus Academy at Ulu Pandan Bus Depot on Sept 28, Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling said while technology has made transport more accessible and convenient for commuters, it also impacts jobs.

“That is why we are preparing in advance. We want to make sure that as we transform the industry, we are also helping our workers at the same time,” she said.

When asked if this programme was something that point-to-point drivers had asked for, Sun said many workers had concerns about autonomous vehicles (AVs) affecting their jobs.

The career conversion scheme is one of several options available, including one for those transitioning to careers as AV specialists.

The scheme, which was first announced in Parliament in July, is part of a driver support package that aims to help drivers anticipate technological advancements while being able to seize new job opportunities.

On Sept 28, the Ministry of Transport, the Skills and Workforce Development Agency, and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) said in a joint statement that the career conversion programme will last between two and six months.

Drivers who already possess a Class 4 licence to operate heavy vehicles will be allowed to undergo a shorter training period, it added.

Besides on-the-job training, individuals who take up the scheme will also pick up other skills relevant to their future careers, including electric vehicle diagnostics, as well as managing operations at bus interchanges.

Those interested in making the transition can apply directly with any of the four public bus operators – Go-Ahead Singapore, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses and Tower Transit Singapore.

The joint statement also said the programme complements current efforts to attract and retain local bus drivers, noting that those who choose to pivot their careers will be eligible for the increased starting salaries and higher sign-on bonuses that kick in from Jan 1, 2027 , for new local bus drivers.

From that date, the Government will fund a $450 monthly salary increase for new Singaporean and permanent resident bus drivers, along with an additional $2,000 in sign-on bonuses.

In doing so, the average monthly pay for new public bus drivers will increase from about $3,600 currently to more than $4,000, after including overtime pay and allowances.

Existing bus drivers will receive a one-time pay bump instead.

Yeo Wan Ling, who is NTUC’s assistant secretary general, said the unions had worked closely with its tripartite partners to ensure the new career conversion pathway afforded point-to-point drivers flexibility.

“This gives interested drivers another option to broaden their skills and career possibilities, while retaining the flexibility that matters to them,” said the Labour MP, who represents Punggol GRC.

Yeo, who is also advisor to the National Private Hire Vehicles Association and the National Taxi Association, as well as the executive secretary of the National Transport Workers’ Union, added that discussions are ongoing with the bus operators to accommodate flexible work arrangements “so that drivers have the option of balancing bus driving and other work opportunities”.

Aqil Hamzah is a transport journalist at The Straits Times. He is also interested in issues related to crime and technology.

发布于 2026 年 9 月 28 日上午 11:00

更新于2026年9月28日上午11:00

新加坡——出租车司机和私召车司机如果想转型成为公交车司机，现在可以报名参加一项计划，该计划将帮助他们适应正在被技术重塑的快速变化的交通运输行业。

该计划将提供兼职或全职学习方式，持续两到六个月，包括在职培训和培养相关技能，例如电动汽车诊断或公交枢纽运营领域。

学员在完成课程的同时，可以灵活地兼顾工作、个人事务或照顾家人的责任。

9月28日，交通部高级政务部长孙雪玲在参观乌鲁班丹巴士总站的新加坡巴士学院时对媒体表示，虽然科技让通勤者的出行更加便捷，但也对就业产生了影响。

“所以我们提前做好准备。我们希望确保在推动行业转型的同时，也能帮助我们的员工，”她说。

当被问及该计划是否是点对点司机所要求的时，孙表示，许多工人担心自动驾驶汽车 (AV) 会影响他们的工作。

职业转换计划是众多选择之一，其中包括为那些转型成为 AV 专家的人员提供的选择。

该计划于 7 月在议会首次宣布，是司机支持计划的一部分，旨在帮助司机预见技术进步，同时抓住新的工作机会。

9月28日，交通部、技能与劳动力发展局和全国职工总会（NTUC）在一份联合声明中表示，职业转换计划将持续2至6个月。

公告还补充说，已经持有 4 级重型车辆驾驶执照的驾驶员将被允许接受较短的培训期。

除了在职培训外，参加该计划的人员还将获得与未来职业相关的其他技能，包括电动汽车诊断以及公交枢纽站的运营管理。

有兴趣转行的人士可以直接向四家公共巴士运营商中的任何一家申请——Go-Ahead Singapore、SBS Transit、SMRT Buses 和 Tower Transit Singapore。

联合声明还表示，该计划是对当前吸引和留住本地公交车司机的举措的补充，并指出，选择转行的司机将有资格获得更高的起薪和更高的签约奖金，这些待遇将从 2027 年 1 月 1 日起生效，适用于新的本地公交车司机。

从该日起，政府将为新入职的新加坡公民和永久居民巴士司机每月增加 450 美元的工资，并额外提供 2000 美元的签约奖金。

这样一来，新入职的公交车司机的平均月薪将从目前的约 3600 美元增加到 4000 美元以上，其中包括加班费和津贴。

现有公交车司机将获得一次性加薪。

全国职工总会助理秘书长杨婉玲表示，工会与三方合作伙伴密切合作，确保新的职业转换途径能够为点对点司机提供灵活性。

“这为有兴趣的司机提供了另一种拓展技能和职业发展前景的选择，同时保留了对他们来说重要的灵活性，”代表榜鹅集选区的工党议员说道。

杨先生同时也是全国私租车辆协会和全国出租车协会的顾问，以及全国运输工人联合会的执行秘书。他补充说，目前正在与巴士运营商进行讨论，以制定灵活的工作安排，“以便司机可以选择平衡巴士驾驶和其他工作机会”。

阿基尔·哈姆扎是《海峡时报》的交通记者。他也对犯罪和科技相关议题感兴趣。