Supporting New Career Options for Taxi and Private Hire Car Drivers in the Public Bus Sector

1.          The Ministry of Transport (MOT), Skills and Workforce Development Agency (SWDA), and public transport operators, have rolled out a new Point-to-Point Driver to Bus Captain (P2P-BC) Pathway under the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Public Transport Professionals. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) facilitated the development and implementation of the pathway, which was developed in consultation with the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and its affiliated Platform Work Associations (PWAs) — National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and National Taxi Association (NTA) — and the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU). The programme offers taxi and private hire car drivers a structured and customised route to becoming bus captains, enabling them to pursue new career opportunities.

Supporting Drivers in a Changing Transport Landscape

2.          Drivers continue to play an important role in Singapore’s transport ecosystem, and their experience remains highly valued as the sector evolves.

3.          Singapore is progressively adopting autonomous vehicle (AV) technologies to improve connectivity especially in remote and underserved areas, expand commuters’ transport options and complement the existing taxi and private hire car ecosystem. With the number of autonomous vehicles numbering in the hundreds in the next two years, job displacement is not imminent. Nonetheless, to give drivers more options to diversify their skills and improve career progression, the Government and tripartite partners recently announced a support package tailored to drivers’ needs, comprising structured employment pathways through CCPs, a new training incentive scheme, and enhanced outreach and career guidance.

4.          As part of the support package, a CCP for AV Specialists was rolled out to equip drivers with industry-relevant technical and operational skills for roles in the AV sector, including safety operators, remote operators and fleet management positions. The new P2P-BC pathway under the CCP for Public Transport Professionals will provide another option for P2P drivers who wish to pursue careers as bus captains but require more flexibility and support during their transition. Both programmes are administered by the Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF).

Point-to-Point Driver to Bus Captain Pathway under CCP for Public Transport Professionals

5.          Under this pathway, P2P drivers transiting to the public bus sector can choose to train either on a part-time or full-time basis, which gives them more flexibility to balance work with their personal responsibilities. The programme will last two to six months, including on-the job training and building emerging and adjacent skills, such as in electric vehicle diagnostics, or bus interchange operations. Drivers who already hold a Class 4 licence are eligible for a shorter training programme and can make a faster transition.

6.          In shaping this pathway, NPHVA, NTA and NTWU had highlighted the realities faced by P2P drivers and bus captains. Many P2P drivers value P2P work for its flexibility to balance work and personal or caregiving responsibilities. Government, industry and unions have worked together to build flexibility for the P2P-BC pathway, including part-time on-the-job training.

7.          Ms Sun Xueling, Senior Minister of State for Transport and National Development, said, “As technology reshapes our transport sector, we want to ensure that our P2P drivers are well-equipped to seize new opportunities. The new P2P-BC pathway offers drivers a flexible route into a stable and meaningful public transport career, while building on their driving experience and equipping them with future-ready skills. The development of this pathway shows how Government, industry and unions can work together to expand career opportunities for our drivers.”

8.          Ms Dilys Boey, Chief Executive, Skills and Workforce Development Agency said “As Singapore's transport landscape evolves, it is important that our workforce has access to different pathways to grow their careers. The new P2P-BC pathway under the CCP for Public Transport Professionals is designed with the realities of P2P drivers in mind, offering structured training that builds on their existing driving experience while equipping them with emerging competencies needed in the broader transportation industry. SWDA is committed to ensuring that drivers have the support they need to transition their careers with confidence, and we encourage P2P drivers to take advantage of the various opportunities to unlock new career possibilities."

9.          Ms Yeo Wan Ling, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General and Advisor to NPHVA, NTA and Executive Secretary of NTWU said, “There will continue to be a need for P2P drivers, even as AVs are progressively introduced. Our drivers have told us that flexibility is important, especially as many have caregiving responsibilities. NPHVA, NTA and NTWU worked closely with our tripartite partners to ensure that the new P2P-BC pathway provides this flexibility, including in how drivers undergo training. This gives interested drivers another option to broaden their skills and career possibilities, while retaining the flexibility that matters to them. We are also working with the public transport operators on flexible work arrangements, so that drivers have the option of balancing bus driving and other work opportunities. As mobility evolves, we will continue working to create more opportunities and pathways for our drivers, so that the future of mobility provides flexibility, viable livelihoods and meaningful choices for them.”

10.        The newly announced pathway complements the Government and tripartite partners’ broader efforts to attract and retain local bus captains. Participants will also be eligible for the increased starting salaries and enhanced sign-on bonuses for new local bus captains, which will take effect from 1 January 2027. Applicants interested in the P2P-BC pathway can apply for bus captain positions directly with the public bus operators or visit go.gov.sg/av-transition-package ↗ (opens in new tab) to find out more.

11.        Drivers play an important role in Singapore’s transport system. As the sector evolves, the Government remains committed to providing every taxi and PHC driver with the opportunities and skills to navigate this transition – supporting drivers early, so they can adapt and thrive. We thank our tripartite partners for working closely with the Government to develop this support package and help drivers keep pace with industry changes.