Bus operator SMRT will not be raising the salary of its bus drivers from China beyond a $25 increment that was announced last week.

In a townhall address to Chinese drivers on Monday, SMRT chief executive Desmond Kuek said their compensation terms compared to Malaysian drivers were "fair and equitable".

He noted that SMRT's Malaysian drivers either go home after work or rent their own accommodation, while Chinese drivers have their transport, accommodation and utilities subsidised - which amounts to about $275 each month.

Last Monday, 171 SMRT bus drivers from China went on strike to protest about wages and living conditions.