Singapore man jailed 11 months for punching SBS Transit bus captain after missing stop

A man was sentenced to 11 months in prison after he physically assaulted an SBS Transit bus captain on June 8, according to SBS Transit. The incident occurred on bus service 30, the transit operator reported in a Facebook post on Thursday. The accused had been distracted by his phone and missed his intended stop, leading him to confront the bus captain and demand that he drop him off at the roadside.

When the captain refused, citing safety concerns, the man became violent and struck the captain while the bus was still moving, according to SBS Transit. To ensure the safety of other passengers, the captain immediately halted the vehicle. Emergency services arrived at the scene, and the captain received medical attention, the bus operator added.

SBS Transit emphasized that bus captains work tirelessly to "keep Singapore moving safely" and deserve respect while performing their duties. The company expressed solidarity with its staff and pledged to take any necessary legal action against violators. This incident marks the third assault on a public bus driver within three months, with two other incidents involving Go-Ahead Singapore bus captains in May and August.

In August, a bus captain for service 2 was allegedly assaulted, requiring medical treatment and recovery. In May, a bus captain received verbal and physical abuse after a commuter missed his stop, reportedly leaving the captain with blurred vision, though his injuries were not severe.