SINGAPORE — In a bid to improve the welfare of public transport workers, new bus interchanges will have bigger staff lounges and dedicated toilets for these staff.

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) said it recently updated its design norms for future bus interchanges to double the size of the staff lounge, incorporate a kitchen within the canteen and build dedicated staff toilets.

While 10 bus captains TODAY spoke to welcomed the move, they also called for other issues — such as better pay and longer breaks — to be addressed.

In the refreshed Land Transport Master Plan (LTMP) 2013, released on Oct 7, the LTA said it “will examine more closely how our transport infrastructure supports public transport workers” — an area which was not included in the previous master plan launched in 2008.

The coming Yishun, Jurong East, Hougang and Marina South bus interchanges are some of the new interchanges that will have the upgraded staff amenities. According to the LTA, these interchanges will be transport hubs integrated with MRT stations and shopping malls, and are scheduled to be completed by 2023. The authority is also looking to upgrade existing bus interchanges to meet these new standards “where feasible”.

Three bus interchanges at Bukit Merah, St Michael and Buona Vista are among the first to be upgraded, with a targeted completion date of end next year. As of last year, there are 22 bus interchanges and 15 bus terminals in operation.

The LTA’s move to better support public transport workers comes as more buses will be put on the roads under the S$1.1 billion Bus Service Enhancement Programme. During the first year of the programme, 150 more bus drivers were recruited.

There have also been calls to improve bus drivers’ welfare, in the wake of an illegal strike by 171 China-born SMRT bus drivers last year over grievances including poor work and living conditions.

The National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU), which manages 34 canteens in bus interchanges, said the LTA’s move showed that public transport workers are valued.

“We welcome the LTA’s initiatives to enhance the working environment ... Our bus captains and related staff work tirelessly to serve the public and they deserve the better environment for rest in between their duties,” said NTWU General Secretary Fang Chin Poh.

Bus drivers TODAY spoke to welcomed the proposed upgrades. Some noted that current staff lounges can be too cramped or poorly-ventilated even though the space is air-conditioned.

For example, at Bishan Bus Interchange, groups of 10 to 12 drivers can be seen congregated outside the staff lounge — about the length and width of a public bus — or taking their breaks at a public food court instead.

“It’s too cramped (in the lounge), and can get rather noisy if there are too many of us in there speaking all at once,” said a driver in his 50s, who wanted to be known only as Mr Koh.

Other drivers, however, called for better pay or longer breaks in between bus journeys instead. “We only get short breaks lasting about 10 minutes in between journeys, so I don’t think I’ll have time to enjoy the facilities anyway,” said one driver, Mr Tan, 42.