Bus captain starting salaries rise by $450 from 2027 in a push to attract locals

From 1 January 2027, new local bus captains will receive a $450 increase in monthly starting salaries.

Additionally, first-year sign-on bonuses will increase by $2,000. With these changes, most local bus captains are set to earn around $600 more monthly in their first year of service, raising their average salary to over $4,000 – when including basic pay, overtime allowances and bonuses.

The announcement was made on 3 June 2026 by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) and public transport operators, following close tripartite discussions.

In-service bus captains to receive one-time salary adjustment

Existing bus captains will also benefit from wage enhancements. 

To manage wage relativity, improve retention, and recognise the contributions of in-service bus captains, public transport operators have collectively agreed with NTWU to make a one-time salary adjustment for all in-service bus captains.

NTWU is in the midst of negotiating the quantum with the operators.

Beyond wages, transport operators said they will continue working to improve the attractiveness and safety of the bus captain role.

These efforts include reducing split-shift assignments, in which bus captains drive only during the morning and evening peak periods, with an unpaid period in between, and shortening continuous driving time on long bus routes.

NTWU welcomes bus captain salary increase after tripartite consultations

The NTWU has long advocated for better wages, welfare, and work prospects of public transport workers. These workers play a key role in maintaining Singapore’s public transport system, ensuring it operates safely and reliably.

NTWU Executive Secretary Yeo Wan Ling said the union supports the salary uplift and higher sign-on bonuses for local bus captains, following close tripartite discussions.

She explained that the enhancements recognise the contributions of bus captains and support ongoing efforts to make the profession more attractive, particularly as the workforce ages.

Ms Yeo added that it remains important to attract younger Singaporeans to the sector and ensure that bus captain roles continue to offer meaningful careers, skills development and progression opportunities.

“NTWU will continue working closely with tripartite partners to ensure that our public transport workers are fairly rewarded, well-supported, and able to build meaningful and sustainable careers,” she said.

Higher bus captain pay aims to strengthen Singapore’s local bus workforce

The salary enhancements are being introduced as part of Singapore’s ongoing efforts to build a stronger pipeline of bus captains and support the country’s expanding public bus network.

Since the launch of the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme in July 2024, Singapore has introduced or extended 33 bus routes and improved more than 60 existing services, especially in newer estates located farther from MRT stations.

However, attracting and retaining bus captains remains a challenge.

The statement revealed that for every local bus captain hired, two leave the industry due to resignation or retirement.

Furthermore, the proportion of local bus captains decreased from 54 per cent in 2021 to 41 per cent in 2025.

LTA and the operators said bus captains face demanding working conditions, including shift work and the responsibility of ferrying passengers safely and on time through busy roads.

Government, NTWU and operators to support better bus captain careers

Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow said bus captains play a crucial role in public transport and that the increases in salaries and sign-on bonuses will help attract more locals to the profession.

He added that a larger pool of bus captains would also allow the sector to improve working conditions, including shift arrangements, and make bus driving a more sustainable career.

Public transport operators Go-Ahead Singapore, SBS Transit, SMRT Buses and Tower Transit Singapore also welcomed the move, noting that the enhancements would help recognise bus captains’ responsibilities, improve retention and make the profession a more attractive long-term career.

The operators said they would continue working with the Government and NTWU to support bus captains through competitive salaries, meaningful career progression and better working conditions.

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