Alvin Tan commented
Alvin wrote: "Its not experience that makes the ride smooth, its the professionalism & pride in service that makes the ride smooth.
In Europe, Australia, Japan etc, the service providing staff pride themselves in giving commuters a good experience by; greeting them when they board, calling at all stops (regardless flagged or not) briefly, take a moment to check on elderly/ disabled passengers, and they enforce all passengers to be seated (nobody should be standing) etc. And they never swing out of bus bays recklessly.
Here in Sg, everything that's wrong by service & safety standards is attempted almost to perfection."
Recently, there was a news report that a large number of foreigners employed as bus drivers had resigned after they learned that they are paid lower wages that the locals. This is one problem with the Government's policy of "differentiation".
ReplyDeleteA better solution is to reduce the cost of living and housing, so that the locals can afford to live in Singapore with their current wage, rather than apply this type of arbitrary measures that have other uncontrollable consequences.
I wonder if a disgrunted bus driver might deliberately jerk the bus?
I can't imagine how tiring it will be to greet all passengers when they board the whole day.
ReplyDeleteStopping at all stops regardless of being flagged or not will just irritate all the passengers on board.
Sometimes basic service standards is enough.
I personally find the service standards of public bus drivers to be satisfactory. And I commend their job.
This is called "Discriminatory Hiring Practices" based on Nationality.
ReplyDeleteAlready for FWs, after accounting for high living costs here, they they dun have much left to send home,
and conclude the balance pay is not much different than own country, may as well head back home. Also the working hours here are much longer and inhuman.
In most developed countries, the bus drivers are paid quite well. So, they have the pride in their work. But, in Singapore, the focus is to reduce cost and wages - so we get bus drivers that are generally not so motivated.
ReplyDeleteI cannot help but "laugh " at the last sentence.
ReplyDeleteIt cannot be furthur from the truth.
Here in Singapore, everything that is a must for most other country, is perfectly denied.
Maybe, I am too much.
When the Bus driver are paid well, high standard of services and behaviour can be expected. I remembered one of our Minister said that when we pay anyone peanuts, we get monkeys!!
ReplyDeleteIncreases in salaries or high salaries does not equate with competencies or desirable behaviours.
ReplyDeleteA sense of belonging, duty, attitudes are important factors.
Employer's business focus and the work environment are factors that can alter the attitudes, sense of belonging and duty.
But more often than not, employers choose not to spend time and money here. It all boils down to costs and RoI.
It is only because of legislation that work conditions have improved, otherwise, if left to employers, we would be working non-stop.
You can be proud of the company you work for if you are treated well. When you feel proud, your attitude towards work changes.
On 23/6/2002 9pm-10pm, I take Service No 851 from People Park Center to Nee Soon Bus Terminal.
ReplyDeleteThe brand new bus was fully packed.
Human warm was arising, cabin temperature was with bad odeor.
I almost fainted!
When bus arrive Katik MRT Station,
I rush out of the bus and take a train instead.
I have heared a lot about this but today after reading this blog I came to know some of the essential aspects about it. Lovely information on bus service. Keep it up
ReplyDelete