New initiatives aim to encourage commuters to show appreciation for these unsung heroes
Saying thank you to public transport workers
By Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 13 Oct 2018
From bus drivers to train station managers, public transport workers here help ensure commuters safely get to school and work - and back home again - every day of the week, all year round.
Now, a series of initiatives is being introduced to recognise the efforts of the unsung heroes who make these daily journeys possible.
Among the initiatives is a campaign by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) that will use outdoor posters, walkway banners and bus advertisements to encourage people to thank public transport workers.
Commuters can also show their appreciation online by using the hashtag #ThankYouPTWorkers on social media posts.
The campaign will be launched by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng on Oct 21 with an event at Tampines MRT station and bus interchange.
LTA will partner various community organisations and businesses in these efforts, while the four public transport operators - Go-Ahead, SBS Transit, SMRT and Tower Transit - will organise their own initiatives for employees.
This year, the Singapore Kindness Movement has also been conducting activities at schools and student care centres as part of its Friend of Singa and Seed Kindness Fund Junior programmes.
The annual Transport Gold Awards event, which recognises transport workers who have shown "exemplary acts of service", will also be held at the Istana for the first time this year on Nov 1, with President Halimah Yacob in attendance. Awards will be given to 445 transport workers at the ceremony.
In a Facebook post, National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) executive secretary Melvin Yong noted that NTWU was the first to suggest an appreciation campaign for public transport workers. It launched the inaugural Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Day in November last year. That effort was "very well received" by transport workers, he said.
"Thus, we are really happy that LTA, working with various partners, is launching a series of initiatives at the national level this year to show appreciation to our workers," added Mr Yong, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
LTA chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping said: "Our public transport workers are the heart of a people-centric public transport system.
"They work behind the scenes, round the clock, to ensure our public transport system is safe, reliable and comfortable for commuters."
Saying thank you to public transport workers
By Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 13 Oct 2018
From bus drivers to train station managers, public transport workers here help ensure commuters safely get to school and work - and back home again - every day of the week, all year round.
Now, a series of initiatives is being introduced to recognise the efforts of the unsung heroes who make these daily journeys possible.
Among the initiatives is a campaign by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) that will use outdoor posters, walkway banners and bus advertisements to encourage people to thank public transport workers.
Commuters can also show their appreciation online by using the hashtag #ThankYouPTWorkers on social media posts.
The campaign will be launched by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Baey Yam Keng on Oct 21 with an event at Tampines MRT station and bus interchange.
LTA will partner various community organisations and businesses in these efforts, while the four public transport operators - Go-Ahead, SBS Transit, SMRT and Tower Transit - will organise their own initiatives for employees.
This year, the Singapore Kindness Movement has also been conducting activities at schools and student care centres as part of its Friend of Singa and Seed Kindness Fund Junior programmes.
The annual Transport Gold Awards event, which recognises transport workers who have shown "exemplary acts of service", will also be held at the Istana for the first time this year on Nov 1, with President Halimah Yacob in attendance. Awards will be given to 445 transport workers at the ceremony.
In a Facebook post, National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU) executive secretary Melvin Yong noted that NTWU was the first to suggest an appreciation campaign for public transport workers. It launched the inaugural Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Day in November last year. That effort was "very well received" by transport workers, he said.
"Thus, we are really happy that LTA, working with various partners, is launching a series of initiatives at the national level this year to show appreciation to our workers," added Mr Yong, an MP for Tanjong Pagar GRC.
LTA chief executive Ngien Hoon Ping said: "Our public transport workers are the heart of a people-centric public transport system.
"They work behind the scenes, round the clock, to ensure our public transport system is safe, reliable and comfortable for commuters."
Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Campaign
New campaign launched to encourage people to greet and thank public transport workers
Boarding the bus? Say 'thank you' to the driver
By Benson Ang and Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 22 Oct 2018
At 3am, when most people are fast asleep, Ms Azlillawati Abdullah's day is just beginning.
After preparing breakfast for her two children aged 11 and seven, the SBS Transit bus driver, 40, heads to Seletar Bus Depot, where she starts her first route at 5.40am. She drives Bus 851 to either the Yishun or Bukit Merah bus interchange.
She then runs the services between them until about 3pm.
Ms Azlillawati is among the 22,000 public transport workers here, including bus captains and rail engineers, that are the subject of a new campaign launched yesterday.
Called the Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Campaign, it features outdoor posters, walkway banners, bus advertisements and digital engagement efforts, such as contests on Facebook, which are aimed at encouraging the public to thank public transport workers.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng, who launched the campaign yesterday, said transport workers here work very hard, rain or shine, to provide efficient and reliable service, whether on the bus or MRT network.
"If you can spare a thought, give them a smile. Greet them," said Mr Baey, who visited public transport workers at Tampines MRT station and bus interchange.
"When the bus captain waits for you, just say 'thank you' as you board the bus. It will really make their day, and these gestures will motivate them to deliver better service to the public."
Besides front-line transport workers, there are also others behind the scenes - such as engineering and cleaning staff - who keep the services working, said Mr Baey, who is an MP for Tampines GRC.
For example, The Straits Times spoke to Mr Don Ng, 36, a chief controller with SMRT, who oversees a team of 10 train service controllers and is in charge of regulating train services and maintaining the frequency of trains. This helps ensure safe and reliable journeys for commuters, he said.
When issues arise, such as the MRT tunnel flooding incident or delays that occurred during the introduction of the new signalling system on the North-South Line last year, Mr Ng often pitches in to help, even when he is off duty.
"I believe we should support each other when incidents happen," he said, adding that he sees his work as part of providing an essential service to the public here.
Commuters can also show their appreciation to the public transport workers by sharing their messages online, using the hashtag #ThankYouPTWorkers.
The campaign is jointly organised by the Land Transport Authority and Ministry of Transport.
It is supported by the National Transport Workers' Union, Singapore Kindness Movement, as well as public transport operators SBS Transit, SMRT, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore.
19th National Kindness Award – Transport Gold 2018: Cabby who shielded passenger in crash among public transport workers lauded at awards ceremony
By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 1 Nov 2018
When ComfortDelGro cab driver Ng Chin Yiau knew a crash was imminent, he put his hand in front of his passenger to cushion the impact of being thrown forward.
The 32-year-old front-seat passenger, who gave her name only as Ms Lim, escaped unscathed, though she was visibly shaken.
On Thursday (Nov 1), Mr Ng, 42, was one of 25 public transport workers to receive the Outstanding Award at a Transport Gold awards event held at the Istana where President Halimah Yacob was guest of honour.
Recalling the incident which happened in July last year, Mr Ng said he was driving along Sembawang Road when a car suddenly veered into his lane. When he was forced to slow down, it resulted in a lorry hitting his taxi in the back.
Not only did Mr Ng shield his passenger, he took her to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for a check-up and then sent her to her home in Woodlands.
It was only later that he realised he had sustained injuries in the process of protecting her. The back of his left hand had been badly bruised, and it only healed after a week.
"Someone has entrusted their life and safety to me. It is my responsibility to make sure that she is fine when an accident happens," said Mr Ng, a former salesman who has been driving taxis for about three years.
On Thursday, 445 transport workers from sectors such as bus, rail and taxi operations were commended for their acts of kindness on the job.
Into its 19th year, the Transport Gold awards event is organised by the Land Transport Authority and Singapore Kindness Movement, and supported by public transport companies and associations.
Besides Mr Ng, SMRT station managers S. Nadarajan, 53, and Muhammad Noh Abdul Sukor, 35, also received the Outstanding Award.
Mr Nadarajan, while working at Bras Basah MRT station in March, had noticed an elderly commuter at the station in distress during the morning rush hour.
It turned out that he had soiled himself as he was ill.
Mr Nadarajan helped him to the toilet to clean himself, and got him a new pair of trousers as well as rubber sandals.
"(The commuter) was initially very helpless and did not know what to do, but I was glad that he could move on and carry on with his day's tasks after that. It's part of our duty to look out for situations like this at the MRT station," said Mr Nadarajan, who has been with SMRT for 30 years.
As for Mr Muhammad Noh, he received a letter of appreciation from the Bedok South Neighbourhood Police Centre for his professional handling of a molestation case earlier last year.
A female passenger in her 30s had approached him at Tanah Merah MRT station and said she was molested on the train.
When he went to investigate, the suspect had already been pinned down by two men at the station's underpass.
Mr Muhammad Noh noticed that the suspect had cut his forehead in the scuffle and was bleeding from the forehead.
While waiting for Public Transport Security Command officers, he gave first aid to the suspect and stood guard over him to prevent him from escaping.
Asked why he tended to the suspect, he said: "Whether you are a suspect or not, we are all humans (and deserve to have our needs looked after)."
Dr William Wan, secretary-general of the Singapore Kindness Movement, said that the unceasing efforts of Singapore's 22,000 public transport workers are behind the herculean task of making six million commuter journeys possible every day.
"In the wee hours of the morning, while most of us are still asleep, at the height the noonday sun, while we are having our lunch... you the bus captains, train and cab drivers, the timekeepers, the station masters and assistants, technicians, mechanics and engineers, are all hard at work - making sure that we are efficiently served."
"For that, you deserve our salute," he said.
RelatedNew campaign launched to encourage people to greet and thank public transport workers
Boarding the bus? Say 'thank you' to the driver
By Benson Ang and Zhaki Abdullah, The Straits Times, 22 Oct 2018
After preparing breakfast for her two children aged 11 and seven, the SBS Transit bus driver, 40, heads to Seletar Bus Depot, where she starts her first route at 5.40am. She drives Bus 851 to either the Yishun or Bukit Merah bus interchange.
She then runs the services between them until about 3pm.
Ms Azlillawati is among the 22,000 public transport workers here, including bus captains and rail engineers, that are the subject of a new campaign launched yesterday.
Called the Public Transport Workers' Appreciation Campaign, it features outdoor posters, walkway banners, bus advertisements and digital engagement efforts, such as contests on Facebook, which are aimed at encouraging the public to thank public transport workers.
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Culture, Community and Youth Baey Yam Keng, who launched the campaign yesterday, said transport workers here work very hard, rain or shine, to provide efficient and reliable service, whether on the bus or MRT network.
"If you can spare a thought, give them a smile. Greet them," said Mr Baey, who visited public transport workers at Tampines MRT station and bus interchange.
"When the bus captain waits for you, just say 'thank you' as you board the bus. It will really make their day, and these gestures will motivate them to deliver better service to the public."
Besides front-line transport workers, there are also others behind the scenes - such as engineering and cleaning staff - who keep the services working, said Mr Baey, who is an MP for Tampines GRC.
For example, The Straits Times spoke to Mr Don Ng, 36, a chief controller with SMRT, who oversees a team of 10 train service controllers and is in charge of regulating train services and maintaining the frequency of trains. This helps ensure safe and reliable journeys for commuters, he said.
When issues arise, such as the MRT tunnel flooding incident or delays that occurred during the introduction of the new signalling system on the North-South Line last year, Mr Ng often pitches in to help, even when he is off duty.
"I believe we should support each other when incidents happen," he said, adding that he sees his work as part of providing an essential service to the public here.
Commuters can also show their appreciation to the public transport workers by sharing their messages online, using the hashtag #ThankYouPTWorkers.
The campaign is jointly organised by the Land Transport Authority and Ministry of Transport.
It is supported by the National Transport Workers' Union, Singapore Kindness Movement, as well as public transport operators SBS Transit, SMRT, Tower Transit and Go-Ahead Singapore.
19th National Kindness Award – Transport Gold 2018: Cabby who shielded passenger in crash among public transport workers lauded at awards ceremony
By Yuen Sin, The Straits Times, 1 Nov 2018
When ComfortDelGro cab driver Ng Chin Yiau knew a crash was imminent, he put his hand in front of his passenger to cushion the impact of being thrown forward.
The 32-year-old front-seat passenger, who gave her name only as Ms Lim, escaped unscathed, though she was visibly shaken.
On Thursday (Nov 1), Mr Ng, 42, was one of 25 public transport workers to receive the Outstanding Award at a Transport Gold awards event held at the Istana where President Halimah Yacob was guest of honour.
Recalling the incident which happened in July last year, Mr Ng said he was driving along Sembawang Road when a car suddenly veered into his lane. When he was forced to slow down, it resulted in a lorry hitting his taxi in the back.
Not only did Mr Ng shield his passenger, he took her to Khoo Teck Puat Hospital for a check-up and then sent her to her home in Woodlands.
It was only later that he realised he had sustained injuries in the process of protecting her. The back of his left hand had been badly bruised, and it only healed after a week.
"Someone has entrusted their life and safety to me. It is my responsibility to make sure that she is fine when an accident happens," said Mr Ng, a former salesman who has been driving taxis for about three years.
On Thursday, 445 transport workers from sectors such as bus, rail and taxi operations were commended for their acts of kindness on the job.
Into its 19th year, the Transport Gold awards event is organised by the Land Transport Authority and Singapore Kindness Movement, and supported by public transport companies and associations.
Besides Mr Ng, SMRT station managers S. Nadarajan, 53, and Muhammad Noh Abdul Sukor, 35, also received the Outstanding Award.
Mr Nadarajan, while working at Bras Basah MRT station in March, had noticed an elderly commuter at the station in distress during the morning rush hour.
It turned out that he had soiled himself as he was ill.
Mr Nadarajan helped him to the toilet to clean himself, and got him a new pair of trousers as well as rubber sandals.
"(The commuter) was initially very helpless and did not know what to do, but I was glad that he could move on and carry on with his day's tasks after that. It's part of our duty to look out for situations like this at the MRT station," said Mr Nadarajan, who has been with SMRT for 30 years.
As for Mr Muhammad Noh, he received a letter of appreciation from the Bedok South Neighbourhood Police Centre for his professional handling of a molestation case earlier last year.
A female passenger in her 30s had approached him at Tanah Merah MRT station and said she was molested on the train.
When he went to investigate, the suspect had already been pinned down by two men at the station's underpass.
Mr Muhammad Noh noticed that the suspect had cut his forehead in the scuffle and was bleeding from the forehead.
While waiting for Public Transport Security Command officers, he gave first aid to the suspect and stood guard over him to prevent him from escaping.
Asked why he tended to the suspect, he said: "Whether you are a suspect or not, we are all humans (and deserve to have our needs looked after)."
Dr William Wan, secretary-general of the Singapore Kindness Movement, said that the unceasing efforts of Singapore's 22,000 public transport workers are behind the herculean task of making six million commuter journeys possible every day.
"In the wee hours of the morning, while most of us are still asleep, at the height the noonday sun, while we are having our lunch... you the bus captains, train and cab drivers, the timekeepers, the station masters and assistants, technicians, mechanics and engineers, are all hard at work - making sure that we are efficiently served."
"For that, you deserve our salute," he said.
Joint News Release by the Land Transport Authority (LTA) & Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) - Shining the Spotlight on the Very Best of Singapore’s Transport Workers -1 Nov 2018
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