Steering Their Way to Rewarding Careers in Bus Operations
For senior bus captain Abdul Lathiff Mohamed Rafi, who is 50 years old, driving isn’t just a job – it’s a source of pleasure and pride, which he derives from providing guidance to newcomer bus captains and by ensuring a safe and comfortable ride for all passengers.
Having enjoyed driving all types of motor vehicles since he was a young man, he joined SBS Transit in 2000 after working in a family business and as a head cashier at a department store.
A typical day for Mr Lathiff starts at 5am, when he arrives at Ulu Pandan Bus Depot to either fulfil his driving responsibilities or take on mentoring duties. “As a mentor, I provide guidance to newcomers as well as bus captains who may require extra attention,” he explained.
As a standby bus captain, Mr Lathiff (left) takes on mentoring duties in addition to his driving responsibilities.
With 23 years of experience as a bus captain, Mr Lathiff is not just well-versed in the job’s routines – he has also memorised an impressive 42 different bus service routes in his role as a standby bus captain. Achieving this feat is the result of his extensive experience and passion for operating buses. “Learning these routes by heart enables me to be flexible and ready to operate any of the services when needed,” he said.
He added that more than just memorising where to go, knowing a route well involves understanding its particular challenges and being able to anticipate passengers’ needs. His knowledge of service routes comes in handy when passengers ask for directions and, whenever possible, he goes the extra mile to ensure they’re on the right bus.
"SEEING PASSENGERS’ SMILE WHEN THEY BOARD THE BUS IS INCREDIBLY REWARDING. IT’S HEARTWARMING TO RECEIVE THIS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, KNOWING THAT THE WORK WE DO IS VALUED AND APPRECIATED."
– MR ABDUL LATHIFF MOHAMED RAFI, SENIOR BUS CAPTAIN, SBS TRANSIT
Mr Lathiff’s dedication to providing excellent service also involves paying attention to the little things that make a difference: “During trips, I always prioritise allowing the elderly, pregnant and other vulnerable passengers to be seated comfortably before moving off.”
Having memorised an impressive 42 service routes, Mr Lathiff is well-positioned to provide assistance to passengers who ask for directions.
Mr Lathiff added that the most enjoyable aspect of his role is the variety it offers, as he is often assigned to different routes to assist with operational needs. “It keeps every day unique and engaging,” he explained.
WHAT ARE SOME ESSENTIAL QUALITIES A
BUS CAPTAIN SHOULD POSSESS?
A: “Patience and a strong commitment to safety. Patience comes in handy not only when dealing with unexpected traffic, but also in understanding passengers’ diverse needs.
Safety is my top priority. I am committed to driving safely and ensuring the well-being of my passengers.”
Mr Abdul Lathiff Mohamed Rafi, senior bus captain, SBS Transit
INVESTING IN PEOPLE AND SERVICES
Bus captains can rise through the ranks to reach the position of chief bus captain. Alternatively, they could pivot to a career path in interchange or depot operations, the bus operations control centre or training.
To gain the necessary skills needed to excel and progress in their careers, they can rely on training programmes offered in-house and at the LTA’s Singapore Bus Academy.
For health-conscious Mr Lathiff, his company’s health screening and coaching programme stand out as among the most valuable perks of the job.
These sessions have given him the knowledge and motivation to monitor and improve his health and fitness.
“Maintaining good health enables bus captains to carry out their responsibilities effectively, as our profession demands our full attention while driving,” he said. “I want to ensure that I’m in the best condition to perform my duties safely and efficiently.”
Mr Lathiff’s enthusiasm hasn’t waned in his third decade on the job. “Being a bus captain is very rewarding and I am always appreciative of a friendly greeting. Whenever I meet my regulars, we would greet each other warmly. As this is my passion, I always have the mindset that everything is manageable and achievable,” he said. “My family and my commitment to delivering exceptional service are the driving forces that motivate me to do well in my job.”
ENSURING A SMOOTH START FOR COMMUTERS BEHIND THE SCENES
Unlike Mr Lathiff, Mr Mohammad Asri Murat’s job does not involve interacting with commuters, but his work is just as important in ensuring that they arrive at their destinations on time.
At 4.30am, while most of us are still comfortably tucked in bed, Mr Asri would have arrived at Bulim Bus Depot, ready to start his day overseeing the running of the earliest bus services.
The 28-year-old bus service controller at Tower Transit Singapore rotates between the morning and evening shifts. While he admitted that the early call time for the morning shift initially took some getting used to, Mr Asri has no regrets: Joining this industry is the natural outcome of his passion for buses – an interest that was cultivated during childhood when his parents took him out for joyrides on the public bus network.
Mr Mohammad Asri Murat, a bus service controller at Tower Transit Singapore, says that his interest in the public transport industry was kindled when he was a young boy.
These bus rides sparked a lifelong hobby that eventually became his career. From posting on local forums for bus enthusiasts and running a social media account dedicated to Singapore buses, Mr Asri took the plunge to become a bus service controller after completing his National Service in 2021, having graduated with a Diploma in Electrical and Computer Engineering in 2019.
On his scope of work, Mr Asri shared: “A service controller plays a crucial role in maintaining consistency and addressing unexpected events in bus services. This includes managing delays caused by traffic or roadblocks, ensuring that there are sufficient buses available to meet passenger demand.”
Being a bus service controller involves anticipating the unexpected and keeping a cool head when things get hectic, says Mr Asri.
Two years on, he says that being a bus service controller is far from a simple office job. It involves anticipating the unexpected and developing the resilience required to make critical decisions.
“You must have a certain steadfastness to supervise many bus captains at the same time,” he explained. “While it’s sometimes inevitable for them to arrive at the respective stops earlier than scheduled, we work closely with them to regulate their speed and ensure bus frequencies are adhered to.”
MOVING PEOPLE IS WHAT KEEPS HIM GOING
With the support of his family – who were delighted that he had secured his dream career working with buses – and the help of his colleagues, Mr Asri has developed greater confidence in his role.
“My colleagues are like my family,” he said. “They are very helpful in times of crisis, ever ready to swoop in to ease my stress.”
Mr Asri works in a tight-knit team and says that his colleagues are always ready to render assistance when needed.
When things get hectic, Mr Asri keeps a cool head and swings into action by deciding on the next steps to minimise service delays. For example, when a tree fell along Paya Lebar Road in September 2023, causing a traffic obstruction, he was quick to seek approval to divert the affected buses plying the Service 853M route.
Even after getting approval, Mr Asri had to provide guidance to bus captains who were unfamiliar with the new route, keeping in mind that commuters whose journeys had been affected were counting on his actions.
“Thankfully, the situation was resolved very quickly as we work together as a team. Staff on the ground were quick to render assistance as well,” he recalled.
"I FEEL A GREAT SENSE OF ACCOMPLISHMENT WHEN I MANAGE TO GET OUR SERVICES BACK ON TRACK AFTER A MAJOR TRAFFIC DELAY. BY EMPLOYING SERVICE CONTROL STRATEGIES AND WITH A LITTLE LUCK, SOMETIMES THE STARS ALIGN AND WE’RE ABLE TO GET OUR BUSES TO ARRIVE AT THE BUS STOPS IN A TIMELY MANNER, AS IF NOTHING EVER HAPPENED. THAT FEELING IS MAGICAL!"
– MR MOHAMMAD ASRI MURAT, BUS SERVICE CONTROLLER, TOWER TRANSIT SINGAPORE
Minimising delays and inconveniences to commuters are also top priorities
when Mr Asri is called upon to deploy buses for a bridging service during
train disruptions. In these situations, he and his colleagues would have
to rush to identify bus captains who are available to man the service.
“During such emergencies, it’s crucial to remember to stay composed, take a moment to calm down and to breathe,” he said. “This helps you to regain control of your thoughts and actions.”
As his career progresses, Mr Asri is open to taking up new opportunities in the bus operations control centre, or in the fields of bus operations or management. For now, he plans to continue learning and growing in his role as a bus service controller.
He added, “While this job can be challenging for newcomers, it becomes very fulfilling once you learn the ropes.”