Chinese bus drivers from SMRT to get same performance incentives

Chinese bus drivers under two-year contracts will receive the same performance incentives as other drivers, a 13-month bonus and a year-end variable bonus after a wage revision exercise by public transport operator SMRT.

Previously, they received ex-gratia payments and a sign-on bonus.

All bus captains will be developed, assessed, incentivised and promoted based on a common set of performance indicators and competency levels, said a statement by SMRT on Thursday.

They will enjoy incentives if they meet certain performance and productivity standards to do with schedule, service and safety.

SMRT is also raising the salaries of its non-executive staff like its frontline service officers, technicians and train operators from this month.

Among the changes, their base salaries will go up by $320; they will enjoy productivity and performance incentives of up to $250 a month; get a one-off payment of $1,000 to peg to the market benchmark; and see their salary ranges go up.

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