SINGAPORE — SBS Transit clarified on Friday (Sept 18) that it is unable to pursue civil action against those who abuse its frontline workers because, legally, only a victim can do so.

The public transport operator said in a Facebook post that in cases of personal injury and wrongdoings, the company is unable to take civil action against the perpetrator since the company was not the subject of abuse.

“This is the legal process. What the company can and does do is facilitate and cover all expenses related to any civil undertaking which our staff pursues.

“If we could take out a suit on behalf of our staff. We would… But we can’t,” SBS Transit said.

Its statement was in response to questions from members of the public on whether it will take legal action against those who abuse its frontline employees.

The operator had said on Thursday that it was prepared to support any of its staff members who wish to take legal action against individuals who inflict abuse against them.

This includes helping victimised employees find legal representation as well as taking on any of the costs they may incur in the process.

Earlier this week, a bus driver from the company was assaulted by a male passenger who boarded the bus without wearing a mask.

The passenger verbally and physically abused the driver by grabbing his neck and collar for more than a minute, ignoring pleas by the driver to stop. 

The 39-year-old driver was later taken to Changi General Hospital. The 52-year-old assailant was charged on Thursday for assaulting the bus driver and having in his possession a 12cm-long knife. 

Last month, an SBS Transit bus driver was threatened after he refused to let a man board the bus because he was wearing a neck gaiter instead of a face mask.

The bus driver was seen calling his company for help while the man verbally abused him and called the driver’s actions racially motivated.

SBS Transit said: “Whenever any of our people are abused, whether verbally or physically, our immediate focus is the well-being of the staff. We will do whatever it takes to ensure that the staff is looked after and recovers.

“We will obviously cover all expenses. The next thing we do, almost concurrently, is to work with the police and relevant authorities to make sure that justice is served.”