By Muneerah Bee Mohamed Iqbal
About 200 public transport workers from seven MRT stations and one bus interchange will welcome special guests early in the morning today, the first day of the Lunar New Year.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and NTUC's Central Committee members will travel to various stations to express their appreciation to the train officers, bus captains, customer service officers, station managers and maintenance staff of SMRT and SBS Transit who work tirelessly to service commuters in Singapore.
SMRT Train Officer Sugvendar Kaur, 48, is among the 3,000 SMRT employees on duty today. She said: "I feel very excited to be at work as the atmosphere is very exhilarating, seeing those celebrating Chinese New Year dressed in their new clothes. I am not Chinese, so it is only fair to give priority to those celebrating the New Year to have the day off."
However there are Chinese workers, like SBS Transit Chief Bus Captain Lim Poh Suan, 54, who do not mind working during the Lunar New Year: "As a bus captain, it is my duty to keep our public bus services going, and I'm happy to ferry passengers to their destinations for their Lunar New Year visits. I can still get to enjoy the festivities with my family during my off days."
NTUC Central Committee Member and National Transport Workers' Union President Mohd Rasi Taib described Lunar New Year as a very special occasion, especially for those with a family.
He said: "The time we spend with our loved ones on the first day of the Lunar New Year is so precious that it can't be replaced. For the transport workers, this is also true and to forgo those precious moments in order to serve the public speaks highly of the person. You wake up while the rest of the family members are still sound asleep, you step out to work while it is still dark. To all our transport workers, you have our utmost respect and gratitude. Your contributions and sacrifices can never be replaced with dollars and cents."
For the media release, please click here
