Written Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran to Parliamentary Question on Mental Health and Support System for Drivers of Public Transport

Dr Tan Yia Swam asked the Minister for Transport whether there is a mental health and support system in place for drivers of public transport such as train, bus and taxi drivers.

Reply by Minister for Transport S Iswaran: 

1.     Our transport workers’ mental wellbeing is an important priority for the Ministry and our transport operators.

2.     Working with the unions, our transport operators provide and publicise channels through which transport workers can seek assistance. For example, taxi and private hire car (PHC) operators have set up driver relations teams to provide support and assistance to drivers. Supervisors are also trained to closely monitor the wellbeing of our bus and rail workers. Transport workers will be referred to medical professionals for psychological support and counselling if they are stressed or troubled, particularly those who may have experienced trauma such as serious accidents during their course of work.

3.     The Health Promotion Board (HPB) partners the transport operators and unions to provide customised workplace safety and health programmes. For example, HPB collaborated with the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU), the National Taxi Association (NTA), the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA) and the transport operators to organise mental wellbeing talks, workshops for transport workers, and training for leaders to build a supportive workplace environment.

4.     Our transport workers can also access public mental health resources such as Mindline.sg and other community-based hotlines, for further support and assistance.