Opening Remarks by Acting Minister for Transport, Mr. Chee Hong Tat at the Launch Event for SBS Transit’s 50th Anniversary Exhibition

Mr Bob Tan, Chairman, SBS Transit
Mr Jeffrey Sim, Group CEO, SBS Transit
Mr Mak Mun Whai, General Secretary, NTWU
Ladies and gentlemen,

1.     Good afternoon. I am happy to join you to celebrate SBS Transit’s five decades of excellence in public transportation and the launch of SBS Transit’s anniversary exhibition. 

SBS Transit’s Transformation Story 

2.     Let me go back to 1973, when Singapore Bus Services (SBS), the predecessor of SBS Transit, was formed to consolidate the private bus companies and improve service standards. 

3.     Bus services in the 1960s and early 1970s were run by about a dozen companies, where commuters had to put up with hot, crowded and often dirty buses, which broke down frequently and either arrived late or not at all. With each bus company setting its own timetables, routes and fares, commuters wasted time and money waiting and transferring between different buses to reach their final destinations. Through painstaking effort, the SBS team worked with the Government to restructure the public bus system. 

4.     Some of these pioneers, like senior Bus Captain Mr Ong Guan Beng, are still with SBS Transit today. Mr Ong still remembers the days when buses only had one door and no air conditioning. Today, we have modern, comfortable buses with new technologies, and more staff welfare benefits. To Mr Ong, this job has given him more than a steady paycheck, but also the satisfaction of being part of a company that has transformed itself over the years to keep Singapore moving.

5.     Today, SBS Transit has grown to become a multi-modal operator, operating more than 200 bus routes and a rail network spanning more than 80 km across the North-East Line, Downtown Line and Sengkang-Punggol LRT loop. On average, SBS Transit’s rail and bus services account for more than 3 million passenger trips daily.

6.     Looking ahead, SBS Transit will continue to be a key partner in three areas: (i) providing safe and reliable public transport journeys, (ii) improving the environmental sustainability of public transport services; and (iii) ensuring our public transport system remains inclusive.

Providing safe and reliable journeys

7.     Throughout the years, SBS Transit has remained steadfast in its commitment to provide safe and reliable journeys for commuters. One such initiative is the Hazard Awareness Training Test, which was developed in-house by SBS Transit to train Bus Captains in recognising hazards on the roads. There will be a demonstration of the test in the exhibition, so I encourage everyone to give it a try!

Investing in a greener fleet

8.     SBS Transit has also been pushing the boundaries in environmental sustainability. In 2010, it was the first public transport operator to put on trial hybrid electric buses. Today, SBS Transit runs a fleet of 30 electric and 25 hybrid buses. With time, we hope that operators and LTA can work together to introduce more of these greener buses.

Making public transport more inclusive 

9.     Since 2017, all of SBS Transit’s bus services are wheelchair-accessible. More recently, SBS Transit launched a new audio-based app to assist visually impaired commuters with wayfinding at bus interchanges and MRT stations. While the app is being piloted in Tampines, I am heartened to hear that SBS Transit has plans to extend coverage to other interchanges and MRT stations. These initiatives demonstrate SBS Transit’s commitment to make public transport services more inclusive.

Investing in its people 

10.    SBS Transit would not be where it is today if not for the strong tripartite partnership between SBS Transit, NTWU and the Government in ensuring win-win outcomes for the company and its workers. In particular, the dedicated ground staff, from bus captains to interchange and station staff and the maintenance crew, are the everyday heroes behind our public transport system. One of them is Master Technical Specialist Mr Chew Wi Meen, who has been repairing buses for the past 50 years. What kept Mr Chew going was not just his passion in buses, but the opportunities to upgrade himself continuously. 

11.    With SBS Transit’s support, Mr Chew won a SkillsFuture Award and attended lessons at ITE learn how to operate and repair electric buses, and returned to share his knowledge with other colleagues. Thanks to Mr Chew and his colleagues, SBS Transit’s bus passengers can get to their destinations safely and reliably. 

Encouraging more gracious behaviour

12.    Commuters can also play a part in ensuring a better travel experience for all. I am glad SBS Transit has teamed up with the Singapore Kindness Movement to promote kind and gracious behaviours on public transport.  I invite everyone to visit the AR photo booth at the exhibition and join in the pledge to be better commuters. Singa will be there to take photos with you too!

13.    I want to leave you today with the message that how we treat other commuters on public transport makes a huge difference to their journey. My hope is that everyone can work together to make our journeys more gracious and pleasant. When we see a senior who needs help, or a pregnant lady who needs to sit down, or even someone who is not feeling well, all of us can play a part to reach out and provide help. This is not something that we can mandate by law or prescribe through rules – it has to come from our heart.

Conclusion

14.    As you explore the exhibition, I am sure you will learn more about SBS Transit’s rich history and witness for yourself the remarkable story of SBS Transit’s transformation journey. 

15.    I would like to congratulate SBS Transit on the past five decades of excellence in providing safe and reliable journeys for Singaporeans, investing in a greener and more sustainable fleet, and helping to make public transport more inclusive.  

16.    I would also like to thank all SBS Transit staff for their dedication and professionalism. Here’s to the next 50 years and more as we shape the future of public transportation in Singapore together. 

17.    Thank you!