Transport workers' union urges public not to 'shame or doxx' SBS bus captain after incident with S'pore mother

The National Transport Workers' Union urged the public against shaming or doxxing following an incident that occurred on Jan. 12 between a SBS Transit bus driver and a commuter.

"With the incident posted online, we urge the public to refrain from shaming or doxxing, as this causes distress," said the Union.

The Union added that there are channels available for commuters to seek recourse.

"Going on social media will cause more distress, be it for commuters or public transport workers, and is always regrettable."

Inappropriate remarks

The incident began when a Singaporean mother of two was left incensed after a bus captain allegedly made a rude remark to her when she confronted him about having the bus door shut on her two kids in a stroller.

The mother-of-two, Athirah Khairwan, told Mothership that she was travelling alone with her two kids in a double stroller at the time of the incident.

She boarded bus 145 at Trellis Towers on Jan. 12 at about 10:26am.

As she was in the midst of getting her kids in the stroller onto the bus, the door suddenly shut.

Her kids and the stroller were caught in between.

She yelled at the bus captain, but he did not respond.

Things were made worse when the bus arrived at Toa Payoh interchange.

There, the driver had parked the bus so far from the kerb that it made it difficult for her to alight her two kids in the stroller on her own, Athirah alleged.

Angered, she confronted the bus captain.

According to her, the captain showed no remorse and replied, "You tell me, what I do?"

When she continued pressing the captain about what happened, he allegedly made an inappropriate remark to her.

"He then answered me, 'Your husband never give you last night, that's why you very angry?" she claimed.

Athirah took to TikTok to share her experience and commented, "So, we must respect the bus captain, when they don't even respect the commuters?"

Counselling

The union did mention that an "inappropriate and offensive" remark was made.

But it added, "Many of our transport workers are themselves parents too, and online negativity affects them and their families."

It added that SBS Transit is providing the bus captain with mental health counselling.

"We appeal for restraint and for the matter to be resolved through the established channels."

Previously, Grace Wu, SBS Transit spokesperson, said that SBS Transit has looked into the incident and empathises with Athirah for the difficulties she faced.

"Our bus captain could have done better. He should have exercised better judgment by parking his bus closer to the kerb at the interchange berth to enable easier alighting for her with the stroller," Wu said.

"This is definitely not in line with the service standards we expect of our employees and we extend our sincere apologies to Ms Athirah for the distress and inconvenience caused," she continued.

Top photos via National Transport Workers' Union & Athirah Khairwan