Over 3,000 job openings in public transport sector to be added over next few years: Chee Hong Tat
Over 3,000 job openings in public transport sector to be added over next few years: Chee Hong Tat
SINGAPORE – More than 3,000 job opportunities will be added to the public transport sector over the next few years, as Singapore's rail network expands and bus services are enhanced.
A bout 2,000 new job openings are in the rail sector, and more than 1,000 in the bus sector, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat during a visit to the new Punggol Coast Bus Interchange on May 20.
Technicians and engineers, as well as those specialising in data analytics and cyber security, are required in the rail sector.
The Jurong Region Line is slated to open in three stages from 2027 to 2029 , while the first 12 stations on Cross Island Line are expected to be completed by 2030 .
The bus sector will need bus captains, technicians and engineers, all of whom have to be equipped with skills to support the shift to electric buses, as the Government targets to refresh Singapore's public bus fleet so that half of them will run on batteries by 2030.
Mr Chee also noted that public transport operators will need to hire more people due to the expansion of bus services under the Bus Connectivity Enhancement Programme (BCEP), a $900 million initiative launched in July 2024 to improve public bus connectivity for residents of new housing projects.
Asked how the Government hopes to attract workers to the public transport sector , Mr Chee said it will work closely with its partners – including National Transport Workers' Union – to reach out to fresh graduates and mid-career entrants.
There will b e sign-on bonuses and various incentives, such as a referral programme for existing public transport workers to recommend their friends to join the sector.
'It's a very meaningful area of work, and we hope that with this expansion in our rail network and bus services, more Singaporeans will be able to join us as public transport workers,' he said.
On training workers to handle electric buses, Mr Chee said the Government has been partnering tertiary institutions to equip students with the necessary skills.
For mid-career entrants or people who may have missed such courses, he noted that there are programmes available under the continuing education and training scheme.
Mr Chee said that this is an ongoing process, and that many students are interested in working with new technologies – including the use of data analytics to improve decision-making and maintenance processes.
The transport minister also fielded questions from the media on other topics, including the adoption rate of electric vehicles here.
He said the stronger take-up of EVs here was a 'good trend', and expressed hopes for prices of EVs to continue dropping over time as the technology improves, and for the battery performance of EVs to continue improving.
EVs accounted for 40.2 per cen t of total car registrations in the first three months of 2025, hitting a new high.
Mr Chee added that the Ministry of Transport and the Land Transport Authority will continue to support the installation of EV charging points in public carparks and condominiums.
When asked if he expects to stay in the Ministry of Transport or move to another ministry after the upcoming Cabinet reshuffle, Mr Chee said: 'You should wait for the Prime Minister to announce the Cabinet reshuffle. Whichever role I take up, whether in transport or in another capacity, I will continue to do my best.'
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Amazon Web Services to provide US government agencies with up to $1 billion in discounts
Amazon Web Services has agreed to provide U.S. government agencies with up to $1 billion in discounts for cloud adoption, modernization and training through the end of 2028, the U.S. General Services Administration said Thursday. The agency said the agreement with the unit of "will accelerate large-scale IT transformation across government and spur AI innovation."
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Dive into AI's impact on young people's work lives at ST's Headstart panel session on Sept 6
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Participants can hear from a panel of experts on how AI is reshaping the future of work for graduating students and young professionals. SINGAPORE - With many entry-level roles being automated and skills demands evolving fast, how can you stay ahead and stand out? Join The Straits Times' Headstart session on Sept 6 and hear from a panel of experts on how artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping the future of work for graduating students and young professionals – and what you can do about it. The event will be held at The Foundry in Prinsep Link from 2pm to 4.30pm. AI is changing the skills that employers seek and creating new opportunities. According to a survey of more than 2,500 Singapore residents by recruitment agency Randstad in June, almost half (49 per cent) of Gen Z respondents agree that AI will have considerable impact on their jobs in the next five years – although only a small proportion (4 per cent) of them said they expect to lose their jobs to AI. Participants can dive deeper into the issue at the panel session, which is organised in partnership with Workforce Singapore (WSG) in support of Career Health, a SkillsFuture initiative that aims to empower Singaporeans to develop resilient and fulfilling careers. One of the panel speakers is Mr Brandon Lee, assistant chief executive of WSG's transformation support group. The other speaker is Mr Lewis Garrad, partner and career business leader at Mercer Singapore. The panel, which is part of a series of events in 2025 to commemorate ST's 180th anniversary, will be moderated by ST senior business correspondent Krist Boo. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Liquor licences for F&B, nightlife venues extended to 4am in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Singapore CDC, SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDC Singapore Fine for man who damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for driver who drove over leg of special needs woman in accident on church driveway Singapore Wastewater overflow in Bedok and Chai Chee due to choked sewer at BTO worksite: PUB Singapore Ex-Hyflux director fined over firm's failure to disclose Tuaspring info Business S'pore firm looks to buy SMEs lacking successors, launches CEO training programme to foster renewal The discussion will explore what young job seekers should know about how AI is changing work processes, and not just roles. Participants can also expect a discussion on what new opportunities and skill sets are emerging for young professionals who are competing with older and more experienced employees, as well as fresh graduates who may be more familiar with AI. The audience will also be able to engage the panellists in a question-and-answer segment. Those interested in joining the event can register here .
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Straits Times
Liquor licences for F&B, nightlife venues extended to 4am in Boat Quay, Clarke Quay
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The regulatory changes follow feedback from stakeholders on the vibrancy of the Boat Quay precinct and neighbouring areas. SINGAPORE – Restaurant-bars, pubs, bars and nightclubs in the Boat Quay and Clarke Quay area will be able to apply for extension of liquor licences till 4am on Thursdays and Fridays come Aug 18, as part of a year-long pilot programme aimed at revitalising the area. Businesses will also be allowed to submit proposals for new bars, pubs and nightclubs along Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street, ending a 16-year moratorium on new liquor licenses in the historic district. Circular Road will soon also resume being a car-free zone for events and pedestrian-friendly activities on weekend evenings and the eve of public holidays. The regulatory changes follow feedback from stakeholders on the vibrancy of the Boat Quay precinct and neighbouring areas, and are in line with ongoing efforts to provide opportunities for businesses in the city centre, the authorities said on Aug 7. Speaking to reporters on Aug 7, Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said the Government had been in discussions with the Singapore Nightlife Business Association and Singapore River One (SRO) on ways to revitalise Boat Quay and Clarke Quay. 'We've been looking at how to make sure the place is lively - it's part of the attraction of Singapore as a whole,' he said. 'As part of the feedback after looking at it, we decided to make some changes.' SRO is a private sector-led partnership tasked to carry out placemaking for the Singapore River precinct through various activities in the areas of Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and Robertson Quay. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Some ageing condos in Singapore struggle with failing infrastructure, inadequate sinking funds Singapore Wastewater overflow in Bedok and Chai Chee due to choked sewer at BTO worksite: PUB Singapore Fine for man who damaged PAP campaign materials on GE2025 Polling Day Singapore Jail for driver who drove over leg of special needs woman in accident on church driveway Singapore CDC, SG60 vouchers listed on e-commerce platforms will be taken down: CDC Singapore Ex-Hyflux director fined over firm's failure to disclose Tuaspring info Business S'pore firm looks to buy SMEs lacking successors, launches CEO training programme to foster renewal In 2009, various measures were introduced in the area to address law and order concerns such as disorderly conduct. These included shortened liquor licensing hours and the limiting of new licenses for nightlife establishments. 'The law and order situation at Boat Quay has remained stable over the last few years,' the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI), and the Ministry of National Development (MND) said in a joint statement. Even as the Government relaxes its regulatory stance towards the precinct, the safety and security of visitors to these areas remains a priority, added the agencies. On its part, the authorities will work with local businesses to ensure they take more responsibility for the vicinity's law and order situation, which includes stepping up private security deployment and infrastructure security measures, said the statement. 'The respective agencies will also work with local stakeholders to ensure responsible management of the nightlife spaces and public areas at these locations,' it added. Under the pilot programme, the police will consider applications for extended liquor trading hours from businesses with relevant planning permissions from the URA, namely pubs, bars, nightclubs, and restaurant-hybrid venues that are considered a restaurant and bar Those keen on starting a new bar, pub or nightclub along the Boat Quay Waterfront, Circular Road, Lorong Telok and Canton Street can also apply to do so. Approved proposals for new nightlife uses in the applicable areas may be granted temporary permission for up to three years. As for the new car-free zone at Circular Road, the road will be closed on the evenings of Friday, Saturday and the eve of public holidays from a date to be announced . The Car-Free Zone initiative, first implemented in 2013, was part of efforts to inject life into public spaces and enhance the vibrancy of the area. Streets such as Haji Lane, Club Street and Ann Siang Hill, Circular Road and Liang Seah Street had in the past been temporarily pedestrianised on the weekends. Various agencies will facilitate SRO's proposal to resume the regular closure of Circular Road, said the authorities.
