The speeding, jerky driving & sudden braking by a lot of public bus captains worry me, whenever my elderly parents or my children have to rely on SBS/TIBS, if I am not free to ferry them. I recall my school days, when I experienced being flung by abrupt braking - often deliberate as the driver would do that at the slightest 'provocation' i.e. more than one passenger pressing the bell to alight! Gosh!
Yoon Hoong - There are over 2000 public buses serving the whole Singapore each day. Surely not everyone is driven that way. Instead of making a wild sweeping complain, why don't you note down the driver's name or bus number and be more specific in your complaint. Such wide, broad brush complaint don't help in anyway and the bus company can't do much about your feedback. They cannot take action against every of their drivers.
Speeding, jerly driving and sudden braking by public bus drivers were much more prevalent in the 80s, into the 90s. But much less so now. While there will always be some in existence, I agree with betterment that they shouldn't be used as an indication of the general driving skills of all bus drivers. Make a complaint so that SBS Transit or SMRT can take action. You're not only helping yourself, you're also helping other commuters who may not know how to voice out their concerns.
Thank you for the response from readers. However I am not blaming all the drivers for their bad driving habits. Indeed I have met drivers who are very courteous and careful drivers. Often when I board the bus at six in the morning, I have exchanged friendly greetings with them. There are still some who are very brash drivers. I witnessed a case, in which a lady fell and complained to the driver asking for his particulars, in order to lodge a claim. There was an argument and in anger, the driver was very rough with his driving. As I have to jump in and out of buses so often, it would be difficult to take down the errant bus numbers. I only hope that the bus operators will take heed and improve on the driving standard and also improve on the bus signage.
paulchoy - if you are the letter writer, then I suggest you be very specific on your complaint. Note down the particulars and complain directly to the bus company with appropriate evidence so that they can act on it. Giving broad brush complains are not very helpful or useful. Also, if you encounter good drivers, don't forget to write to the bus company and give your compliments as well.
February 02, 2009 Monday, 06:57 AM
