Singapore man jailed 11 months for punching SBS Transit bus captain after missing stop

An SBS Transit bus in Singapore. A passenger has been jailed for 11 months after punching a bus captain while the vehicle was still moving. — AsiaOne pic

First Published: Saturday, 03 Oct 2026 9:22 AM MYT

SINGAPORE, Oct 3 — A man was jailed for 11 months after he punched an SBS Transit bus captain, SBS Transit said in a Facebook post on Thursday.

The incident took place on June 8 on board bus service 30, the post said.

The bus operator said the man had been distracted by his phone and failed to alight at the stop he had wanted to, so he went to the captain and demanded that he be dropped by the roadside.

The bus captain declined, citing safety issues.

Then the passenger turned violent, SBS Transit said, adding that he punched the bus captain while the vehicle was still in motion.

To ensure the safety of other commuters, the bus captain immediately stopped the vehicle.

Police and ambulance subsequently arrived on scene and the bus captain was provided with medical assistance, SBS Transit said.

“Our bus captains work hard every day to keep Singapore moving safely,” the bus operator added.

“They deserve to be treated with respect while carrying out their duties. Violence against our frontline staff is completely unacceptable.”

SBS Transit also said that it “stands united” in supporting its staff, inclusive of any legal action that it decides to take.

“Let’s treat our bus captains, and all frontline workers, with the respect and kindness they deserve as they go about their work to keep Singapore moving.”

Third incident in three months

This incident marks the third incident of a public bus driver being assaulted within three months — the other two incidents involve Go-Ahead Singapore bus captains in May and in August.

On August 16, a bus captain driving bus service 2 was allegedly assaulted, disrupting the trip.

He sought medical help at Changi General Hospital and subsequently recovered, returning to work.

On May 23, a bus captain allegedly received verbal and physical abuse after a commuter missed his stop.

The attack purportedly left the bus captain with blurred vision, although his injuries were not severe. — AsiaOne