Man seen raising fist at Go-Ahead bus captain plying route in Ang Mo Kio
A police report has been made after a man allegedly verbally abused and threatened a Go-Ahead Singapore (GAS) bus captain while he was driving in Ang Mo Kio.
Footage of the incident posted by @sgfollowsall on Instagram showed the passenger raising his fist at the bus captain amid a heated argument.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
Man argues with bus captain as he’s driving
In the 36-second clip, the man was standing next to the bus captain’s cabin as he was driving the bus.
They appeared to be engaged in a confrontation, as both parties were gesturing animatedly with their hands and the man was heard speaking loudly.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
Then, the man raised his left fist and leaned towards the bus captain, as if going to punch him.
Source: @sgfollowsall on Instagram
The bus captain did not appear to flinch and remained driving and speaking calmly.
OP claims argument was about where the bus stopped
In the caption, the user who contributed the clip said the passenger was unhappy that the bus captain had stopped behind another bus.
The bus captain had gestured to the man to wait for him to stop further ahead.
He could not stop where the man wanted him to, as there was “construction” at the bus stop, which would obstruct alighting passengers.
Police report made, says union
In a statement posted on Facebook on Saturday (7 Nov), the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU) said the incident took place on Wednesday (4 Nov) on board (GAS) Service 136, which was travelling along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 at the time.
The affected bus captain is a union member, and NTWU is in contact with GAS to ensure that he receives the necessary assistance and support.
This includes legal support “where needed”, it maintained.
A police report has been lodged, NTWU noted, adding:
NTWU strongly condemns any form of intimidation, threats or abuse directed at our public transport workers. Our bus captains work hard every day to keep Singapore moving, and they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Concerns or complaints from the public about public transport should be raised through the proper channels, and threatening or intimidating our transport workers is “never acceptable”, the union emphasised.
Source: National Transport Workers’ Union on Facebook
Bus captain couldn’t open door at Ang Mo Kio bus stop for safety reasons
In response to queries from AsiaOne, GAS said the man had gestured for the bus captain to move forward at the bus stop along Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6, according to preliminary investigations.
But the bus captain signalled for the man to wait, as the bus was already about to enter the bus bay.
The bus captain could not open the door for commuters at that point for their own safety, as there was a concrete barrier at the entrance to the bus stop.
GAS does not tolerate abuse towards bus captains
However, when the man boarded the bus, he allegedly started verbally abusing the bus captain as he tried to explain.
This ended after two minutes, when the man moved into the bus.
The GAS spokesperson said that its bus captains work hard and abuse of any kind towards them is “never acceptable”.
GAS does not tolerate such actions and stands “firmly behind” the bus captain, it added.
The transport operator is currently reviewing the incident with CCTV footage and will not hesitate to “take the matter further” with the authorities.
MS News has reached out to GAS for more information.
Also read: Go-Ahead bus captain allegedly assaulted on duty & treated in hospital, police report made
Go-Ahead bus captain allegedly assaulted on duty & treated in hospital, police report made
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Featured image adapted from @sgfollowsall on Instagram.
