S'pore bus uncle shields passengers from rain with umbrella, touches hearts

Rain has been observed in most parts of Singapore these days, but even the rainy weather couldn't dampen one Singaporean's act of kindness.

TikTok user @vannytelly recently shared how a bus driver's kindness on New Year's Eve touched her heart.

Held umbrella to protect passengers from the rain

Speaking to Mothership, the TikTok user also known as Vanny said she was boarding bus 972M from opposite Takashimaya to Dairy Farm when she noticed the bus driver had opened an umbrella for her and other passengers boarding the bus to protect them from the rain.

This "warmed" her heart, as she had been drenched in the rain when waiting for the traffic light while others with umbrellas "stood by nonchalantly".

It didn't help that the wait for the red light to change for pedestrians was "slightly longer than usual".

"Not that I'm entitled to be offered (an umbrella)," she shared. "But I would have asked if I saw someone else being drenched in the rain without an umbrella."

"Thank you for your kindness"

She observed that throughout her journey, the bus driver continued to hold his umbrella for boarding and alighting passengers to shield them from the rain.

"I said thank you (to the bus driver) both times, up and down the bus," Vanny expressed. "Thank you for your kindness."

She also wished the driver "Happy New Year" when getting off the bus.

"I think he [replied] Happy New Year and bye after I said my wishes," Vanny recounted.

@vannytelly Before that I was standing by the traffic light drenched in rain while by-standers with umbrellas ☔️ stood by nonchalantly. (Not that I’m entitled to be offered but I would have asked if I saw someone else being drenched in rain without an umbrella) When this kind bus driver uncle opened up a brolly for his passengers up & down, it warmed my heart. Thank you for your kindness. 🩵✨ · · · · · #fyp #kindness #kind #kindactions #busdriver #smrt #smrtbuses #buscaptainstorytimes #buscaptain #storytime #touched @SMRTTrainsSG ♬ End of Beginning - Djo

"We are proud of [him]"

In response to Mothership, SMRT Managing Director Tan Peng Kuan said that Bus Captain Segar S/O A. Subramaniam has been a driver with SMRT for eight years.

"We are proud of [him] for going the extra mile caring for the passengers by sheltering them from the rain," Tan said.

"His act of service excellence exemplifies our SMRT's WeCare service ethos which prioritises the safety and well-being of our passengers."

Top image via @vannytelly/TikTok