By Fawwaz Baktee
The Labour Movement has never failed to appreciate workers who sacrifice their holidays for us on Lunar New Year’s day.
This year was no different. And land transport workers were in the limelight.
The National Transport Workers’ Union, with NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing, kicked-off the first day of the Lunar New Year with the tradition of visiting bus workers in the wee hours of the morning. At 4am, in fact.
The union went to thank SBS Transit and SMRT bus workers at their respective depots in Ang Mo Kio. They then headed to Bukit Batok Interchange to see how bus captains at Tower Transit were doing on the first day of the new year.
SMRT bus captains celebrate the first day of the Lunar New Year with colleagues.
SBS Transit bus captains await their turn to meet and greet NTUC Secretary-General Chan Chun Sing and the NTWU Executive Committee.
NTWU Executive Secretary Melvin Yong and Tower Transit bus workers ring in the new year with some lohei.
While at the SBS Transit depot, I met bus captain Huzaini Abdul Hamid, 50, waiting to start his workday. He told me he feels proud to serve the nation in his own way and doesn’t really mind working on holidays like Lunar New Year. Mr Huzaini also had a message for Singaporeans.
“I hope the public tries to understand the challenges bus captains face every day. We are human and have feelings too. I hope you don’t scold us when we make mistakes or are delayed for whatever reason. We are doing our best to serve you. I hope everyone has a Happy Lunar New Year,” said Mr Huzaini.
Mr Huzaini has been working as a bus captain for the last eight years. Before that, he drove a taxi for a living.
Visits to Gali Batu and Tuas Depot
As the sun rose, the NTWU Executive Committee and Mr Chan made their way to SBS Transit’s Gali Batu Depot.
There, they linked up with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his entourage of Labour Movement representatives such as NTUC President Mary Liew and Central Committee members. Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng was also at the visit.
Together, they met workers who perform maintenance and inspection tasks on trains. The Prime Minister also observed how the Downtown Line train network operations are managed at the Operations Control Centre.
PM Lee Hsien Loong, his entourage tour the Rolling Stock Depot at Gali Batu MRT Depot.
PM Lee Hsien Loong and NTUC President Mary Liew giving out oranges and red packets to workers at the SBS Transit Operations Control Centre.
Gali Batu wasn’t the only train depot the Prime Minister visited. He also toured the various sections in the workshop of SMRT’s Tuas Depot, where he met with over 60 workers who work on specific train components.
Over 60 workers are on duty at SMRT's Tuas Depot on the first day of Lunar New Year.
At the sideline of the visits, Mr Lee said: “I came to visit transport workers today … Train operations have particularly been in the spotlight this last year, with a few incidents. Actually, the workers have been working very hard, and they have been making quiet progress with their management, LTA [Land Transport Authority], and MOT [Ministry of Transport].
“I look at the data every month to make sure the trends are in the right direction. We can see that there is progress – steadily and gradually, we are getting the reliability up, and the faults down, and the MBKF [Mean Kilometre Between Failure] are improving … We are making progress, and we have to sustain that,” said Mr Lee.
He also asked Singaporeans to support the country’s transport workers in their job.
“Help them and work with them so that we can continue to maintain first-class operations in Singapore,” he said.
What about Taxi Drivers?
Since this year is all about land transport, then it wouldn’t be complete without having taxi drivers in the picture.
The National Taxi Association (NTA) also organised an appreciation event. Together with Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee and Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng (yes, he went straight to Gali Batu right after), went down to Changi Airport to appreciate taxi drivers and even airport staff who continue to work during this festive period.
NTA Executive Advisor Ang Hin Kee and Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee appreciating taxi drivers for their hard work.
Second Minister for Transport Ng Chee Meng greets airport staff at Changi Airport Terminal 4.
As you read this piece, these workers are most likely still at work, doing their best to serve us. Well, I personally want to thank them, and to wish all of you a Happy Lunar New Year.
