Unattended bag on SBS bus raises security concerns

A suitcase that was left unattended on an SBS Transit bus has led to questions on the security measures in place on board public buses here.

Stomp contributor Siti, 26, posted a photo of the black suitcase on the citizen-journalism website and said the incident occurred on Tuesday.

The housewife told my paper on Wednesday that she and her 29-year- old engineer husband had boarded Service No. 3 before 8pm and spotted the luggage.

After checking with other passengers if the bag belonged to them - nobody claimed ownership - the couple approached the driver about it.

However, Ms Siti claimed that the driver adopted a nonchalant attitude when he was told about the suitcase.

"He just turned around in his seat and, when we insisted (that) he do something about it, he sighed loudly, started mumbling something under his breath in Mandarin, and went towards the suitcase," she said.

But, almost immediately, he returned to his seat and carried on driving "as if nothing had happened", she added.

Ms Siti and her husband decided to alight at the next stop because they "felt very uncomfortable and we did not want to take the risk".

When contacted, an SBS Transit spokesman said the firm had conducted an investigation into the matter and was "taking disciplinary action against the bus captain for his lapses".

"If I am on a bus and something happens, who am I supposed to approach, if not the driver?" said Mr Abdul Hafiz, 22, a sales manager.

Transport operator SMRT said its drivers undergo a two-week training course that prepares them to handle various situations while on the road.

ORIGINAL SOURCE
Content used in this not-for-profit blog remain the property of their respective owners.