The increment will take effect starting May and will benefit more than 700 employees, including bus captains, the transport operator says.
SINGAPORE: UK-based transport operator and Singapore's third public bus operator Tower Transit on Monday (May 16) announced it will be bumping up the pay of its bus captains and all staff covered under its agreement with the National Transport Workers' Union by 3.5 per cent.
The increment will take effect starting May and will benefit 913 employees, including bus captains on the 26 services being taken over by the company from May 29, it said in its press release.
A junior bus captain at Tower Transit will now receive a basic monthly salary of S$1,930. With overtime and incentives, this will translate to about S$3,440 and above per month, Tower Transit said.
The increment is based on national wage data and will mean that Tower Transit’s staff wages keep pace with the cost of living in Singapore, it added.
“By pegging our annual wage adjustments to national wage data, and keeping it separate from performance incentives, we’re making sure all of our staff’s wages keep in step with the cost of living in Singapore," said Tower Transit managing director Andrew Bujtor.
- CNA/kk
$3440 is quite difficult if they practice 1 day off per week,Then BCs back to square one like SBST/SMRT.
The starting salary of S$1,930 is the same as the median starting salary for ITE Higher Nitec graduates from Electronics courses.
Some say that Tower Transit is able to raise the salary because unlike SMRT and SBS Transit, it does not have shareholders to pay. If so, Go Ahead should also be able to increase its starting salary to around S$1,930.
I am happy to know that Tower Transit is setting the standards of starting salary.
Currently, the starting salary of S$1,625 at SMRT matches the median starting salary of ITE nitec graduates (post-NS) from nursing courses. Meanwhile, the starting salary of S$1,775 at SBS Transit is slightly higher than the median starting salary of ITE nitec graduates (post-NS) from automotive technology courses (S$1,740).
I hope that SMRT can increase its starting salary of S$1,625 to at least around S$1,700, to make it comparable to similar jobs in the engineering industry. By paying a starting salary similar to those in the nursing industry, I feel that SMRT has short-changed its bus drivers.
As for SBS Transit, I can see that they are making adjustments to stay in the competition. Recently, they announced that they will use technology on their buses. I think they will increase their starting salary soon, although their starting salary is already comparable to similar jobs in the engineering industry.
Originally posted by gekpohboy:The starting salary of S$1,930 is the same as the median starting salary for ITE Higher Nitec graduates from Electronics courses.
Some say that Tower Transit is able to raise the salary because unlike SMRT and SBS Transit, it does not have shareholders to pay. If so, Go Ahead should be also able to increase its starting salary to around S$1,930.
I am happy to know that Tower Transit is setting the standards of starting salary.
Currently, the starting salary of S$1,625 at SMRT matches the median starting salary of ITE nitec graduates (post-NS) from nursing courses. Meanwhile, the starting salary of S$1,775 at SBS Transit is slightly higher than the median starting salary of ITE nitec graduates (post-NS) from automotive technology courses (S$1,740).
I hope that SMRT can increase its starting salary of S$1,625 to at least around S$1,700, to make it comparable to similar jobs in the engineering industry. By paying a starting salary similar to those in the nursing industry, I feel that SMRT has short-changed its bus drivers.
This one I agreed with you,Bus captain responsibilities is greater that many people don't know.Should have start with $1850-2300 depending on what classes license they possess.Should have 2 schemes of basic pay also example those with 2 days rotating weekly off start from $1700-1850 and those one day off weekly start from $2050-2400.This schemes will attract more Singaporeans to work.
If the incumbent operators do not increase their starting salaries, they will continue to suffer very high levels of staff attrition.
If they are losing Singaporean drivers in particular, this will have a particular impact on their ability to hire non-Singaporean drivers no matter how many are waiting to join due to the quota system.
The resulting shortage in drivers will impact severely on their service standards, and in turn their ability to win future parcel tenders.
If they cannot win parcel tenders by 2022, they will have to exit the bus business altogether.
What we are seeing is wage levels going up to the level of market forces, after being kept low artificially for many years. However, this also means that fares will eventually have to increase to the level that is in line with the wages paid. Do not be surprised if the bus fares start to double.
More and more Singaporeans,Yes not PR nor new citizens join TT/GA.I got more than 20 friends join GA/TT.I dont really know what other reasons beside the basic salary.Maybe outside market cannot make it?
Originally posted by sgbuses:If the incumbent operators do not increase their starting salaries, they will continue to suffer very high levels of staff attrition.
If they are losing Singaporean drivers in particular, this will have a particular impact on their ability to hire non-Singaporean drivers no matter how many are waiting to join due to the quota system.
The resulting shortage in drivers will impact severely on their service standards, and in turn their ability to win future parcel tenders.
If they cannot win parcel tenders by 2022, they will have to exit the bus business altogether.
What we are seeing is wage levels going up to the level of market forces, after being kept low artificially for many years. However, this also means that fares will eventually have to increase to the level that is in line with the wages paid. Do not be surprised if the bus fares start to double.
Hi mr sgbuses, I think fares are collected and kept by govt. So they will still control fares after all. However, other sorts of tax support to residents may be reduced to compensate back. Cheers. Thanks.
Originally posted by carbikebus:More and more Singaporeans,Yes not PR nor new citizens join TT/GA.I got more than 20 friends join GA/TT.I dont really know what other reasons beside the basic salary.Maybe outside market cannot make it?
outside market not good.. further they keep saying that a junior BC can earn at least S$3000 minimum... so everyone go join loh... problem is how many will quit within 1 year...
Originally posted by lemon1974:outside market not good.. further they keep saying that a junior BC can earn at least S$3000 minimum... so everyone go join loh... problem is how many will quit within 1 year...
If there are enough drivers to go around, then there is really no need for the operator to give out overtime.
After all, companies are motivated by profit.
Originally posted by sgbuses:If there are enough drivers to go around, then there is really no need for the operator to give out overtime.
After all, companies are motivated by profit.
even if there is enough drivers, overtime is unavoidable in this case, cos u cant fixed each shift to be exactly 8 hours and it is difficult to ensure that each driver work only 44 hours per week...
Originally posted by lemon1974:even if there is enough drivers, overtime is unavoidable in this case, cos u cant fixed each shift to be exactly 8 hours and it is difficult to ensure that each driver work only 44 hours per week...
But it will greatly reduced. No more asking drivers to run that extra trip, collect OT while standing in traffic (due to BSRF), or to come out of off-days to drive. No more hitting the monthly limit.
Besides, there are standbys as claimed. In the worst case scenario for Perth, managers would rather come out to drive the buses themselves and for good reason.
Originally posted by lemon1974:outside market not good.. further they keep saying that a junior BC can earn at least S$3000 minimum... so everyone go join loh... problem is how many will quit within 1 year...
Haha,Thats what i said to my colleagues...Now even 24 years old join for the free class 4 and of course the basic pay..I can guaranteed 5% will quit before operation start,and 30% will also quit once operation is on going.Hahaha serve them right for giving free class 4.SBST and SMRT is very smart to give only 4A.
Originally posted by carbikebus:Haha,Thats what i said to my colleagues...Now even 24 years old join for the free class 4 and of course the basic pay..I can guaranteed 5% will quit before operation start,and 30% will also quit once operation is on going.Hahaha serve them right for giving free class 4.SBST and SMRT is very smart to give only 4A.
no contract?? SBST have 2yr contract for their new BCs i think...
Originally posted by sgbuses:But it will greatly reduced. No more asking drivers to run that extra trip, collect OT while standing in traffic (due to BSRF), or to come out of off-days to drive. No more hitting the monthly limit.
Besides, there are standbys as claimed. In the worst case scenario for Perth, managers would rather come out to drive the buses themselves and for good reason.
ya,,, right now is the case, what happen after 1 year in operation we wont know.... think will be same case as SBST/SMRT (i.e shortage of BCs)...
To be honest, when I first saw this, I feel that Tower Transit may spoil market by setting the starting salary at S$1,930.
But when I look at the median starting salaries earn by ITE and Poly graduates, I realise +/- S$2,000 is normal for ITE graduates in the engineering field.
No offence, but now that I look at the pay, I am a bit turned off. When (If) I graduate from Polytechnic, I am expecting around S$3,000 a month, not S$1,930 or S$1,775, or even S$1,625.
By the way, how is the starting salary like for poly engineering graduates who join as technician? If the pay and job prospect is good, maybe I still can consider.
Originally posted by carbikebus:Haha,Thats what i said to my colleagues...Now even 24 years old join for the free class 4 and of course the basic pay..I can guaranteed 5% will quit before operation start,and 30% will also quit once operation is on going.Hahaha serve them right for giving free class 4.SBST and SMRT is very smart to give only 4A.
I do not think it will happen. The economy is worsening and people are losing their jobs. Jobs are hard to come by. If one can get a job now, he would treasure it, even if the pay is not good.
Originally posted by lemon1974:ya,,, right now is the case, what happen after 1 year in operation we wont know.... think will be same case as SBST/SMRT (i.e shortage of BCs)...
Unless the incumbent operators decide to make a counteroffer.
That has not happened. If they wanted to, this month would be the best time and opportunity to do so.
Originally posted by sgbuses:Unless the incumbent operators decide to make a counteroffer.
That has not happened. If they wanted to, this month would be the best time and opportunity to do so.
if i am SBST/SMRT, i will just wait for a few months first.... let TT/GA go train the BCs first, then make a move to attract their BC over.... now SBST/SMRT have to give face to LTA mah... imagine, now news came up, TT loses 100 BC to SBST?
further there are some BCs who are not going to TT/GA, so SBST need to work out at their end first and...
Originally posted by lemon1974:no contract?? SBST have 2yr contract for their new BCs i think...
Those with only class 3 who wish to join TT and get sponsorship class 4,Yes not 4A must sign a year contract.Go Ahead is too generous liao,Class 3 BCs go for free class 4 no bond or any agreement and already two guys send their resignation..Hahaha serve them right.For my batch,All got class 4 and 5.
Originally posted by gekpohboy:I do not think it will happen. The economy is worsening and people are losing their jobs. Jobs are hard to come by. If one can get a job now, he would treasure it, even if the pay is not good.
Sorry to burst your bubble dude,But already 2 GA BCs already tender their resignation after obtaining their FREE class 4 license..I am so pissed off that there are no bond or agreement and already a few guys intend to resign once they get the class 4.
Originally posted by lemon1974:if i am SBST/SMRT, i will just wait for a few months first.... let TT/GA go train the BCs first, then make a move to attract their BC over.... now SBST/SMRT have to give face to LTA mah... imagine, now news came up, TT loses 100 BC to SBST?
further there are some BCs who are not going to TT/GA, so SBST need to work out at their end first and...
Now GA is worried that Punggol BCs might back out last minute.Pasir Ris i think beside svc 6,354,358 and 403 BCs the others just wait and see.Most are worried if GA can only last for 5 years and SBST might win it back.Those affect BCs signed with GA are mostly above 55 years old and nothing to lose.
And i dont know why but after 5 years i think SMRT might win Bulim and Loyang.
But, if they keep changing companies, won't their name in the industry be stained? Anyway, isn't there a minimum period or something? I know that part-time jobs minimum period is around three months. I do not know about full-time jobs, but I think the minimum period should be around six months or one year. It should be in the contract of Go-Ahead when people apply to the company.
Actually, right now is the most relax for people in Bulim and Loyang because their businesses have not start yet. I do not know why there are people leaving now, when they have gotten quite a good deal.
Personally, I think GA more likely to lose its workers than TT, cuz GA focus is on buses, whereas TT focus is on workers. I understand there is now a protest or something on SMRT's 307. I think GA will experience similar issues if they do not take good care of their workers.
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Originally posted by gekpohboy:But, if they keep changing companies, won't their name in the industry be stained? Anyway, isn't there a minimum period or something? I know that part-time jobs minimum period is around three months. I do not know about full-time jobs, but I think the minimum period should be around six months or one year. It should be in the contract of Go-Ahead when people apply to the company.
Actually, right now is the most relax for people in Bulim and Loyang because their businesses have not start yet. I do not know why there are people leaving now, when they have gotten quite a good deal.
Personally, I think GA more likely to lose its workers than TT, cuz GA focus is on buses, whereas TT focus is on workers. I understand there is now a protest or something on SMRT's 307. I think GA will experience similar issues if they do not take good care of their workers.
They have to serve a week notice even if not a confirmed staff.First of all you have to look how much is TT getting from LTA and how much GA gets.Secondly i wouldnt care less if GA cant even operate till 5 years cause many operators is willing to take over.Its dog eat dog world my friend and there is no sense of loyalty to companies already in Sg,Its history ever since many companies retrenched long serving workers in the past and replace them with cheap labours.