Go-Ahead bus driver allegedly assaulted; second case in 3 months

SINGAPORE – For the second time in three months, public bus operator Go-Ahead said one of its drivers was assaulted on the job.

In a Facebook post on Aug 27, Go-Ahead said the incident occurred on Aug 16 at around 5.20pm when the driver was operating bus service 2, which runs between Changi Village Terminal and Kampong Bahru Terminal.

It added that the trip was disrupted and the driver sought medical attention at Changi General Hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. He has since returned to work, with Go-Ahead noting that “we are continuing to provide him with our full support”.

The public bus operator said a police report has been lodged.

The post did not offer details of the incident.

The Straits Times has contacted Go-Ahead, the National Transport Workers’ Union and the police for more information.

In its post, Go-Ahead said public transport workers “deserve to be treated with respect and should never have to face abuse or violence while doing their job”.

The previous incident took place on May 23, when a bus driver was allegedly verbally abused and physically assaulted by a passenger who was angered that he had missed his stop.

That driver was also operating bus service 2, between Changi Village Terminal and Kampong Bahru Terminal.

The National Transport Workers’ Union said then that the bus driver reported experiencing blurred vision after the incident but added “fortunately, his injuries are not serious”.

Dilenjit Singh is a correspondent at The Straits Times’ breaking news desk.