Incentivising Smooth Bus Driving

Many public transport passengers have experienced bus journeys characterised by abrupt braking and rapid acceleration, even in the absence of emergency maneuvers or sudden road obstructions.

I raised a Parliamentary Question asking if the Ministry of Transport would require bus operators to display QR codes on all public buses for immediate public feedback on bus captains’ driving. I also suggested introducing tiered incentives to bus captains tied to telematics-derived smooth driving scores and commuter feedback.

The Minister for Transport replied that bus operators already have incentive frameworks rewarding safe driving using telematics data and feedback. He noted that commuters can give feedback through existing channels, with some operators already displaying QR codes.

While existing channels exist, displaying QR codes prominently across all buses makes it easier for commuters to report issues or praise good driving. Integrating telematics directly into driving incentives will ensure smoother, safer journeys for commuters.

This is the full Parliamentary exchange from 7 Oct 2026:

Improving Bus Captain Driving Standards Through Public Feedback and Telematics

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Transport whether the Ministry will consider requiring bus operators to (i) display QR codes on all public buses to enable immediate public feedback on driving performance of bus captains and (ii) introduce tiered incentives for bus captains tied to telematics-derived smooth driving scores and commuter feedback.

Mr Jeffrey Siow: Each bus operator already has its own incentive framework to reward safe driving practices among bus captains. These incentive frameworks take into consideration commuter feedback as well as telematics data on harsh braking and acceleration, among other factors.

Commuters are also already able to provide immediate feedback on safety concerns through multiple existing channels, both directly to bus operators and via the Land Transport Authority (LTA). Some operators already display QR codes that commuters can use to provide feedback on their journeys, and we will continue to encourage operators to find ways to solicit timely feedback to improve their services.

Author: Gerald Giam

Gerald Giam is the Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC. He is the Head of Policy Research of the Workers' Party of Singapore. The opinions expressed on this page are his alone. View all posts by Gerald Giam