The Singapore government will fund a S$450 monthly salary increase and S$2,000 higher sign-on bonuses for new bus captains from 2027, alongside one-time pay adjustments for current drivers, in a joint effort with unions and operators to combat an aging workforce and attract more locals to the profession.
Singapore has announced a significant boost to the compensation package for public bus captains , aiming to address a persistent labour shortage and aging workforce in the essential public transport sector.
From January 1, 2027, the government will fund a monthly increase of S$450 (US$352) to the starting salaries for new Singaporean and permanent resident bus drivers. This is accompanied by a S$2,000 increase in sign-on bonuses. The combined effect means that in their first year, local bus drivers can effectively earn about S$600 more per month, raising the average monthly take-home pay, inclusive of overtime, bonuses, and allowances, to over S$4,000.
For current bus captains, public bus operators have committed to a one-time salary adjustment. This move is designed to manage pay differentials with new entrants, improve retention rates, and recognize the contributions of existing staff. The measures were announced jointly by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the National Transport Workers' Union (NTWU), and the four public bus operators. They emphasized the need for a "strong pipeline" of drivers to sustain services and enhance bus connectivity.
The joint statement also acknowledged the challenging nature of the job, which involves shift work, pressures of navigating busy roads safely and punctually, and historically has struggled to attract local talent. The statistics highlight the severity of the situation: for every local bus captain recruited, two leave the industry due to resignation or retirement.
Consequently, the proportion of local bus captains has declined from 54% in 2021 to 41% in 2025. To make the profession more sustainable, operators will implement improvements such as shortening continuous driving hours on long routes and reducing split-shift assignments, where drivers only work peak periods with an unpaid gap in between. The challenge of hiring Singaporean drivers is long-standing. Past efforts include a 15% wage increase in 2016 following discussions between SBS Transit and the NTWU.
More recently, operators like Go-Ahead Singapore, SBS Transit, and SMRT have been offering sign-on bonuses of up to S$20,000, while Tower Transit has provided a S$7,200 bonus since 2023. The new government-funded salary top-up marks a escalated, coordinated intervention. Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow, speaking in a parliamentary debate, stated there are "just not enough Singaporeans who want to be bus drivers," agreeing with NTWU executive secretary Yeo Wan Ling's call for higher starting pay.
He explained that a larger driver pool would enable better shift arrangements and make bus driving a more sustainable, long-term career.
"As we work to expand and improve bus services, we must also support the people who keep them running," he said, framing the policy as a commitment to care for public transport workers. Ms. Yeo expressed the NTWU's support, noting the enhancements recognize valuable contributions and are crucial for attracting younger Singaporeans as the workforce ages. She stressed the importance of maintaining a meaningful career with skills development and progression. The bus operators also voiced their support.
Go-Ahead Singapore's managing director, Leonard Lee, said the changes rightly recognize the value of drivers' contributions. SBS Transit's group CEO, Jeffrey Sim, called the wage increases a "meaningful move" to build a "strong local core of bus captains for the long term.
" The government is currently seeking comment from LTA on whether this is the first time it has directly funded salary support for bus captains and on the source of the funds. This comprehensive package combines immediate financial incentives with longer-term structural improvements to working conditions, representing a concerted push to reverse the declining local participation in a vital public service role
Bus Captains Singapore Salary Increase Sign-On Bonus Public Transport Land Transport Authority NTWU Workforce Shortage Aging Workers LTA
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