By Fawwaz Baktee
“These were given to me by the company to commend me for my work. I actually have six in total, but I’m only wearing four today,” said 68-year-old SBS Transit Senior Bus Captain Hoe Soo Hiong proudly in Mandarin, pointing to the gold badges pinned neatly on the collar of her uniform.
Being an exemplary model for her colleagues, Mdm Hoe has been nominated for the May Day Model Partnership Awards.
“To me, it is more important that I learn to do my work well. If I am unsure, I make it a point to learn and learn again, especially when it comes to new things and upgrading,” she continued.
Having been with the company since 1975, Mdm Hoe saw a need to adapt and to do it quickly, given the ever evolving bus industry. Since the beginning of her career, Mdm Hoe has driven so many bus models that she has lost track of them.
“I’ve even driven the buses with the engine right next to the driver. It was usually very hot, so I had to cover it with a piece of cloth or gunny sack. It’s so much better now… Things have changed greatly, and all for the better.
“In the past, we used to have to manually switch the route number metal plates for our buses… but now, we just key our route numbers into the electronic system. It is automatic now which is so much easier on all of us,” said Mdm Hoe.
To help bus captains learn new skills, SBS Transit frequently sends them for training. When Mdm Hoe faced challenges learning IT-related equipment, she turned to her colleagues for help.
She also took it upon herself to learn 11 bus routes although she is only required to know two.
“It was necessary to learn more bus routes so that I can help my fellow colleagues operate the routes if they are on sick leave or need to attend to urgent matters,” said Mdm Hoe.
Value-Added Service
Mdm Hoe is also known for going the extra mile for her passengers.
Mdm Hoe said: “At first, I felt bad seeing my commuters getting drenched in the rain, so I started making it a point to drive as close as I can by the bus stop, and to bring out an umbrella to shield them as they board and alight the bus. I guess after a while, it became a habit for me.”
Retirement
Under the regulations set by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), Mdm Hoe would have to retire in less than two years’ time as the maximum age of bus captains allowed to hold the vocational license to drive buses is 70.
On whether she would retire earlier than that, Mdm Hoe said: “Never, I enjoy my job. My job makes me happy… I want to drive for as long as it is possible.”
Source: NTUC This Week
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