Singapore’s bus network is set to benefit from new safety initiatives, including the trial of an AI-powered enforcement system to automatically detect vehicles that intrude into bus lanes during restricted hours. The announcement was made at the inaugural Bus Safety Roadshow, held at Toa Payoh HDB Hub and opened by Senior Minister of State for Law and Transport, Murali Pillai.
AI to Spot Bus Lane Violators
As part of efforts to enhance bus safety, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is trialling Artificial Intelligence technology that analyses onboard CCTV footage to identify vehicles encroaching on bus lanes. Such violations can be dangerous, as sudden braking by bus captains to avoid collisions may cause passengers to fall and injure themselves.
This move comes alongside the gradual rollout of advanced safety features in Singapore’s bus fleet, including 360-degree collision warning systems, anti-fatigue technology, and digital camera mirrors. These upgrades began in March 2025 with the purchase of 660 new electric buses.
Shorter Routes and Better Breaks for Drivers
To improve working conditions, LTA has introduced limits on the run-times of new bus services to under two hours. Existing long-haul routes, such as Service 858 from Woodlands to Changi Airport, are being reviewed. Tower Transit has already implemented mid-route driver swaps on this service, allowing bus captains to rest midway.
LTA is also extending minimum meal breaks to 30 minutes and expanding refresher training programmes. By the end of 2026, an industry-wide training point system will standardise skill upgrades for bus captains.
Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility
At the roadshow, Murali emphasised that bus captains face multiple responsibilities, from keeping large vehicles on schedule to assisting vulnerable passengers. He noted that road safety requires cooperation from all users, not just drivers.
The Bus Safety Roadshow, recommended by the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce, featured interactive activities such as a bus simulator to help the public better understand the challenges of driving a bus. Nearly four million bus journeys take place daily in Singapore, supported by a fleet of more than 6,000 buses.
The event will now become an annual fixture, reinforcing the message that road safety is a shared responsibility, echoing Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s call to view safety through the lens of “we, not I.”