Let’s all live an honest life’: Bus driver calls out fare cheats, explains how he can tell

An adult using a child concession EZ-Link card or a foreign domestic worker tapping in with a senior citizen concession card? These are just some of the fare cheats that bus drivers encounter during their shifts, as one Singapore bus captain revealed in a TikTok video posted on Wednesday (Oct 26).

Fare evasion, he explained, is a common occurrence, particularly during rush hour when buses are crowded. Wearing the uniform of a local public transport operator, the driver, Rezikiyo, highlighted that such fraudulent acts don’t go unnoticed.

“Please be aware, this is actually a serious offence,” he said in the video, warning potential fare cheats. He explained that bus captains can monitor what card is being used via the fare console, known as New Onboard Bus Equipment (NOBE), which displays information about the fare type.

Additionally, Rezikiyo pointed out that it’s not just the sound of the beep — two beeps for concession cards — that gives it away. The NOBE system also shows icons on the driver’s screen that correspond to different fare categories, such as “staff” or “student” cards.

When Rezikiyo encounters a passenger using a concession card they aren’t entitled to, he doesn’t hesitate to call them out. In his video, he urged, “Please, let’s all lead an honest life. Don’t cheat. Pay the correct fare, use the correct card.”

Speaking to AsiaOne, Rezikiyo, who has been a bus driver for six years, shared that fare cheating is something he witnesses regularly. The video, which has attracted significant attention online, sparked discussions in the comments, with some people sharing other forms of fare evasion they’ve noticed, such as passengers sneaking in through the exit door.

Some commenters asked whether bus captains’ salaries are affected by fare collections. Rezikiyo confirmed that they aren’t, and there’s no bonus for catching fare cheats either. However, the Public Transport Council does issue penalties for fare evasion, with a fine of $50 for those caught. Since the introduction of penalty fees in 2008, fare evasion rates have remained consistently low.

While some thanked Rezikiyo for sharing, others admitted the public service message wouldn’t stop their behavior, with a few even calling him ‘kaypoh’ (busybody). Despite the mixed reactions, Rezikiyo remains committed to promoting honesty on public transport.