Syaz Mohd Salim became a full-time public bus captain right out of Nova Scotia, and has been for nearly three years. | Photo: Syaz Mohd Salim
When you think of a Singapore bus driver, what usually comes to mind is the image of a friendly, older uncle. But if you happen to travel regularly by bus in the north, chances are you’ll be greeted by an equally friendly but surprisingly younger guy.
Meet Syaz Mohd Salim, 24, a public bus captain from Tower Transit Singapore who is used to passengers doing a double take while tapping their cards. affectionately called “adik” by his colleagues, he is one of the company’s youngest bus captains, having joined the industry straight out of national service.
While it’s a rather peculiar profession for a Zoomer, Syaz considers it a dream job, having developed a passion for buses growing up. Not only does he collect toy vehicles as a hobby, but he always enjoyed riding public transport as a kid.
We chat with our bespectacled bus pal about being surrounded by older colleagues, memorable and meaningful encounters with passengers, and what a typical day looks like behind the Ferris wheel.
How long have you been driving buses and what inspired you to pursue a career as a bus captain?
I’ve been a bus captain for three years now. As a child, I always loved bus rides and often imagined myself driving the bus I was on.
The sound of the engines was another thing that amazed me. When I got on a double decker bus, I would rush to the top deck just to get a front row seat – for a “first person” view! 😂
How does it feel to be a younger person in this business? And how have bus companies made work more attractive for young people?
I entered at the age of 21, just after completing my national service. often called “adik” [“younger brother”] Where “budak kecik” [“little boy”] by colleagues, I have learned to humble myself and listen to the experiences of older people more than I share my own. But I have the advantage when it comes to learning new ways, technologies and procedures haha!
I have passengers who turn their heads twice to look at me. Some start a conversation by asking me my age and if I’m Malaysian or Singaporean. Some even mistakenly call me “uncle” when thanking me or asking me for directions. It’s a bit boring at first but something I laugh about after a while.
Different people have different needs. For my part, I find the salary offered to be quite competitive – not fantastic, but a reasonable range given the nature of our work and its long hours.
What other misconceptions do you have about your job?
Many think that our job is simply to get people from point A to point B. In addition to driving safely and keeping passengers safe, we have to constantly adjust our speed. The control center will occasionally remind us to do this.
Factors such as travel time, crowd level, dynamic road situations and bus spacing influence service efficiency. Missing a green light at a junction can also make a difference, so if we left you chasing the bus, please don’t take it too badly 🙏
Tell us about a typical day at work. Do you use one bus line or several?
I work six days a week in rotation. I drive 10 different routes (and that counts, because I want to know more). Driving different routes every day allows me to enjoy different views.
A single shift can be as short as 7 hours or as long as 11 hours. Some tasks overlap, where you may conduct more than one service that day. As the buses leave at different times, a morning shift can start as early as 4:30 a.m. while an afternoon shift can end as late as 2 a.m.
The number of trips in a shift depends on the distance of the service. The shorter the distance, the more trips we make.
What are some of the most memorable encounters you have had while driving buses?
A question that I always have trouble answering because there are too many meetings! I will share a positive.
There was once during Circuit Breaker when a man was running to catch my bus. He thanked me for waiting and went to sit behind. As I was driving he came over and said he forgot to wear a mask, which I didn’t realize at first either.
I handed him an extra mask (which I brought for the passengers in case they forgot one). He explained that he was rushing for a job interview and totally forgot to put on a mask when he left the house. He wanted to pay for the mask but I said it was not necessary.
About a week later, the same man got on my bus. He remembered me and happily shared that he got the job he applied for! I’m not going to lie, but this news made me smile instantly. I was so happy for him! It was indeed a difficult time for many people.
There was a recent Tik Tok (@yourbuscaptain) video where a bus driver running the 975 bus line is driving through dark roads in Lim Chu Kang. Have you had any scary encounters yourself?
@yourbuscaptain 975 always gave me goosebumps 👻 #SGBus ♬ Paris – 斌杨Remix
First of all, my respect goes to the 975 bus captains. So far I haven’t had any creepy encounters (apart from creepy passengers haha!) – just goosebumps going through some roads after midnight.
Once or twice the bell rang – but there were no passengers on board. I took it as a mechanical problem (although such faults are rare) and kept driving.
Ouch! Alright, let’s talk about something else! What is the most rewarding thing about being a bus driver?
For me, it’s satisfying to see a crowd on the bus. It feels good to know that I played an essential role in the daily movements of around 400 to 500 people. I finish each shift with a sense of accomplishment despite my mental and physical fatigue.
What advice would you give to someone who would also like to consider a career as a bus driver?
You must enjoy what you are doing. Long hours and negative encounters can wear you down, but if you can find joy in this craft, it won’t just be good for yourself, it’ll also be a good public service for the commuters who use our transportation system. each day. daytime.
This article first appeared in Wonderwall.sg.
