[SINGAPORE] More than 3,000 new jobs will be added to Singapore’s public transport sector in the coming years, said Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat on Tuesday (May 20).
There will be around 2,000 jobs in rail and 1,000 jobs related to bus services. There will be a demand for varying roles as well – not just conventional ones – including digital and electrification specialists.
“For example, you need rail technicians and engineers, but we also need people who are specialising in data analytics, cybersecurity and other areas,” he said.
Chee also said there will be increased demand for those who can support Singapore as it increases its shift to electric buses.
“We need bus captains, but we also need more bus technicians, engineers – in particular because we are going to shift towards more electric buses.”
Chee was speaking to the media at a doorstop interview at Punggol Coast Bus Interchange, which will open on Jun 29.
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It will be Punggol’s second bus interchange and Singapore’s 15th Integrated Transport Hub, where bus interchanges are linked to MRT stations and retail and commercial developments.
The new roles will be created as Singapore continues to expand its public transport network with more bus services and new MRT lines.
Chee said the government will reach out to both fresh graduates and mid-career applicants. There are also sign-on bonuses and recommendation incentives for existing public transport workers.
“It’s a very meaningful area of work, and we hope that with this expansion in our rail and also bus services, more Singaporeans will be able to join us as public transport workers.”
In response to a query from The Business Times, the minister commented on recent electric vehicle (EV) developments in Singapore, describing the increased take-up of EVs as a “good trend”.
“I hope that the prices of EVs will continue to come down over time as the technology improves, and then the battery performance can also improve, so that the adoption of EVs will expand,” he added.
The government will continue to support the expansion of the EV charging network in public car parks and condominiums, he said.
