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"Rude and Unprofessional Behavior from Bus 197 Driver"
I would like to share my unpleasant experience with the rude and totally unprofessional bus driver of Bus 197. Normally, I drive, but on Friday, 2 May 2025, around 1:10 p.m., I decided to take public transport for a short journey from Bukit Merah towards Chinatown. When I boarded the bus, I greeted the driver—as I always do—and tapped my card on the reader on the right-hand side. The tap was successful with no error. However, when I tried to alight at the bus stop after Hospital Drive (outside SGH) around 1:30 p.m., the card reader showed an error. I approached the driver to ask for help. He told me impatiently to tap my card again at the boarding reader, which then started a new journey. I asked what would happen when I tapped again at the alighting reader and whether I would be overcharged. Instead of explaining, he brushed me off rudely and told me to “just go and tap.” When I mentioned that I had greeted him earlier, he dismissively said he couldn’t remember and told me not to delay his driving. After I tapped again at the alighting reader and the same error appeared, I informed him once more, but he reacted rudely and even challenged me, asking if I wanted to block his driving route. His attitude was completely unacceptable and disrespectful. In the end, I was wrongfully charged the maximum full fare rate of $2.10 due to the card reader issue. The driver’s unprofessional behavior and lack of basic courtesy left a very poor impression. Passengers deserve to be treated with respect and proper assistance, not hostility.
"Dangerous Driving by Bus 198 (SBS7596C) – Urgent Attention Needed"
At around 8:15 a.m., while I was waiting for Bus 99 to arrive, the bus (SBS7593K) finally came into the lane. However, out of nowhere, Bus 198 (SBS7596C) suddenly drove into the same lane and overtook Bus 99, even though it was already properly in position. 😱 This was an extremely dangerous maneuver, especially with passengers on both buses. Such reckless driving could easily have caused an accident and put many lives at risk. I sincerely hope the management will review this incident and take serious action against the Bus 198 driver to prevent such hazardous behavior from happening again. Safety should always come first. Thank you, and have a great day. 😎
"Disappointing Experience with Bus 859B Driver – Lacking Basic Understanding and Courtesy"
Today, I took Bus 859B (number plate SMB1517E) with my 5.5-year-old child, who was in a childcare uniform. The bus driver insisted that my child had to pay $0.95 for the fare, claiming it was because my child is above 1.3m in height. While I understand that children above 1.3m are generally required to pay, the rule also clearly states that children travel free until April of the year they turn seven. Childcare-aged children are still considered six and below. It’s disappointing that the driver did not seem to understand this basic guideline and was so insistent over such a small amount. It’s not about the $0.95—it’s about the attitude and lack of awareness. Bus drivers should be knowledgeable about fare policies and exercise a bit of common sense and courtesy, especially when dealing with young children in uniform. This kind of rigid and uninformed behavior leaves a poor impression and creates unnecessary frustration for parents.
"Need for More Patience and Proper Stops from Bus Drivers"
I’ve noticed that bus drivers often lack patience when stopping at bus stops, sometimes failing to stop properly or long enough for all waiting passengers to board safely. This can be frustrating, especially for elderly commuters, parents with young children, or those standing a bit further from the curb. It would be great if drivers could show a little more consideration and ensure they stop fully at designated bus stops, allowing everyone the chance to board. Small improvements in patience and attentiveness could make a big difference in ensuring safety and a better experience for all passengers. Thank you.
"Poor Bus Scheduling and Inconsistent Driving Behavior"
Buses often arrive very late, and when they finally do, they tend to come in pairs instead of being spaced out properly. This poor scheduling causes long waiting times followed by unnecessary crowding. What’s even more frustrating is that some drivers stop at completely empty bus stops where no one is boarding or alighting, while others deliberately drive slowly or slow down intentionally just to meet red lights. These actions waste passengers’ time and make the service inefficient. I hope the management can look into improving bus scheduling and monitor driver behavior more closely to ensure smoother, more reliable, and punctual service for everyone.
"Concern About Rear Steps on Single-Deck Buses – A Safety Risk for the Elderly"
I’ve always been proud of our Singapore buses — they are clean, modern, and generally very comfortable to ride on. The professionalism and courtesy of our bus drivers are also commendable. However, I would like to raise a serious concern regarding the design of the single-deck buses, specifically the steps at the rear section. These steps pose a significant risk for elderly passengers and those with mobility difficulties. While the front seats are reserved for seniors and people with special needs, they are often occupied, leaving those who need them no choice but to move to the rear. I was deeply worried when I saw my father almost fall while trying to climb the steps to reach an empty seat at the back. On another occasion, during a journey from Jurong West to Bukit Batok on Bus Service 157, I witnessed an elderly woman struggling to carry her market trolley up the steps, and even a young boy around four or five years old needed help from his mother to manage them. With Singapore’s aging population, this issue deserves serious attention. I sincerely hope SBS Transit will look into adopting more elderly-friendly bus designs or explore solutions to make boarding and seating safer and easier for seniors and passengers with mobility challenges. Please hear us out — a small change could make a big difference in ensuring the safety and comfort of our commuters.
"Long-Term Issues with Comfort and Noise on the NEL Trains"
I would like to share some feedback based on long-term observation regarding the North East Line (NEL) operated by SBS Transit. The two ends of the trains are consistently warm and stuffy — you can literally start perspiring while seated there. It seems the air-conditioning at both ends is not functioning properly or lacks adequate ventilation. Additionally, the airflow from the aircon vents is noticeably uneven — one side of the train has much stronger airflow than the other, making the ride uncomfortable depending on where you sit or stand. Another concern is the loud, ear-splitting siren-like sound that plays every time the train is about to depart from terminal stations such as Punggol and HarbourFront. The volume is unnecessarily high and can be very unpleasant for passengers, especially those standing near the doors. I hope SBS Transit can look into improving the air-conditioning balance and adjusting the departure alarm volume to make the NEL journey more comfortable and pleasant for daily commuters.
SBS Transit
City buses and airport tourist shuttles.
Address
Singapore
Website
https://www.sbstransit.com.sg/testimonial/index