The Government and public transport operators have, on 28 September 2026, announced a new Point-to-Point Driver to Bus Captain (P2P-BC) pathway under the Career Conversion Programme (CCP) for Public Transport Professionals.
The new pathway was developed by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), in consultation with NTUC, the National Private Hire Vehicles Association (NPHVA), National Taxi Association (NTA), and the National Transport Workers’ Union (NTWU).
The initiative will allow P2P drivers become bus captains by undergoing structured training on either a part-time or full-time basis, giving them greater flexibility as they make the transition.
Even as autonomous vehicles (AV) are progressively adopted in Singapore, NTUC Assistant Secretary-General Yeo Wan Ling said P2P roles continue to play a crucial role in Singapore’s public transport ecosystem.
“Our drivers have told us that flexibility is important, especially as many have caregiving responsibilities,” said Ms Yeo, who is also the NPHVA and NTA Advisor and NTWU Executive Secretary.
The three associations worked closely with tripartite partners to ensure that the new pathway provides flexibility in how drivers undergo training, she added.
“This gives interested drivers another option to broaden their skills and career possibilities, while retaining the flexibility that matters to them,” she said.
The programme will take two to six months, depending on the individual’s training needs.
It includes on-the-job training as well as opportunities to develop emerging and adjacent skills, such as electric vehicle diagnostics and bus interchange operations.
Drivers who already hold a Class 4 driving licence will be eligible for a shorter training programme, allowing them to make a faster transition into the public bus sector.
The new pathway was shaped by feedback from P2P drivers and bus captains, including the importance of flexibility in balancing work with personal and caregiving responsibilities.
NPHVA, NTA and NTWU highlighted these considerations during discussions with the Government and industry partners.
As a result, the P2P-BC pathway will include part-time on-the-job training, allowing drivers to have greater flexibility while acquiring the skills needed for a new role.
NTUC and its affiliated associations are also working with public transport operators on flexible work arrangements, so that drivers can potentially balance bus driving with other work opportunities.
The number of autonomous vehicles in Singapore is expected to reach the hundreds over the next two years, said the Ministry of Transport (MOT).
While job displacement is not imminent, the Government and tripartite partners have introduced measures to help drivers diversify their skills and prepare for changes in the transport sector.
These include the new P2P-BC pathway, a separate CCP for AV Specialists, a new training incentive scheme and enhanced outreach and career guidance.
The CCP for AV Specialists equips drivers with industry-relevant technical and operational skills for roles such as safety operators, remote operators and fleet management positions.
Meanwhile, the new bus captain pathway provides another route for drivers who may prefer to move into a more established public transport role.
The Career Conversion Programme is designed to help mid-career individuals reskill into growth roles with longer-term career prospects. NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) is a programme partner supporting the Skills and Workforce Development Agency’s CCPs.
Participants in the new P2P-BC pathway will also be eligible for increased starting salaries and enhanced sign-on bonuses for new local bus captains, announced on 3 June 2026, which will take effect from 1 January 2027.
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