A SMRT bus captain prevented a potential accident with a pedestrian who was wearing headphones and using her phone while crossing the road near Wisma Atria on Orchard Road.
The incident occurred on September 13, 2024, at approximately 3:00 PM. Bus captain Mr. Jakeabel, 39, was driving bus number 972 when he spotted a female pedestrian crossing the road approximately 300 meters away.
Mr. Jakeabel slowed down, honked, and prepared for an emergency stop. The pedestrian, who was wearing headphones, did not hear the horn. Upon seeing this, Mr. Jakeabel made an emergency stop.
The pedestrian eventually noticed the bus, stepped back, and left the scene.
“I was in shock and froze for about four minutes before I could react,” said Mr. Jakeabel. “Two passengers fell due to the sudden braking, but fortunately they weren’t injured.”
After regaining his composure, Mr. Jakeabel safely transported passengers to the next stop and reported the incident to the bus operations control center.
Public Bus Safety Statistics
There were 185 serious accidents involving public buses in 2024, which is the lowest number in three years. In 2023, there were 200 serious public bus accidents, while 2022 recorded 191.
Mr. Jakeabel stated that a bus captain’s main responsibility is to transport passengers safely. He emphasized the importance of training to improve defensive driving skills, including participation in the “BC Drive Safe” course offered by the Singapore Bus Academy.
“Road safety also depends on pedestrian cooperation. If you choose to wear headphones while crossing roads, lower the volume so you can hear surrounding honks and react in time,” he added.
Government Accepts Safety Recommendations
On March 5, 2025, the government accepted recommendations from the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce, which was formed in July 2024.
The taskforce surveyed 3,400 bus captains and 2,300 members of the public, and conducted face-to-face discussions with over 200 people. They proposed a three-pronged approach to strengthen bus safety.
The group identified improving the road environment as a key focus and suggested that the Land Transport Authority and bus operators continue working with the Singapore Road Safety Council and Traffic Police to promote road safety awareness campaigns.
Currently, seven out of ten bus stops have measures such as bus lanes and bus priority boxes. The taskforce recommends reviewing whether these features can be added to the remaining approximately 1,600 bus stops.
National Transport Workers’ Union Executive Secretary Yeo Wan Ling welcomed the recommendations, stating: “Public transport workers are the backbone of the transportation network, making sure passengers’ journeys are smooth and efficient. Good support for workers is crucial, with their health and safety being top priorities.”
