SBS Transit will be taking disciplinary action against a bus driver who hit a delivery cyclist at a zebra crossing in Yishun, and offered him S$100 as compensation instead of reporting the incident.
Bus hit cyclist at Yishun zebra crossing
The incident was shared to the "Complaint Singapore" Facebook at around 2am on Dec. 22.
In the post, the user said that the accident happened while bus service 806 was turning left from Yishun Avenue 11 onto Yishun Avenue 6 at around 11:54pm on an unspecified date.
The bus driver did not slow down at the zebra crossing, and hit a delivery personnel cycling across, almost rolling over him, the user alleged.
The bicycle's front wheel was damaged as a result.
The cyclist did not suffer any visible wounds.
Driver allegedly gave cyclist S$100 compensation
According to the user, the driver disputed with the cyclist about who caused the accident.
As the cyclist got up to check on his damaged bicycle, the driver apparently offered him two S$50 notes as compensation.
The cyclist supposedly accepted the cash and the driver left.
A picture shared in the post showed a bus captain talking to a foodpanda delivery cyclist by the roadside.
Image from Complaint Singapore/Facebook
Other passengers were seen peering out of the bus window.
Image from Complaint Singapore/Facebook
Mixed reactions from online users
The user questioned if the driver's response to the accident was the right way to handle such matters.
The post drew mixed reactions from online users.
Some felt that the incident need not have been made public as it could affect the bus driver's "rice bowl", and because the matter had already been settled privately between him and the cyclist.
Others opined that the incident should have been reported to the police.
Driver should have reported incident as per SOP: SBS Transit
In response to Mothership's enquiries, Grace Wu, SBS Transit spokesperson, said that the transport operator takes a very serious view of this matter and is taking disciplinary action against the driver.
“We are appalled by the behaviour of the bus captain concerned and do not condone his actions as this is not in line with the professional standards we expect of our employees", Wu said.
Instead, Wu noted the driver should have contacted SBS Transit's Operations Control Centre to report the incident in compliance with their standard operating procedure.
Mothership understands the incident took place on Dec. 20, 2024.
"We extend our sincere apologies to the cyclist for the distress caused,” Wu added.