Bus operator working to address drivers' concerns after strike, vows to keep Johor-Singapore services running
In a statement on Tuesday (Jul 22), it confirmed that "a number" of its bus drivers went on strike, saying: "We take this matter seriously and recognise the importance of the issues being raised.
"We want to reassure the public and our passengers that we are actively engaging with the relevant parties to address the situation and reach a constructive resolution."
Malaysian media had reported that around 100 bus drivers went on strike on Monday morning over a pay dispute, affecting thousands of commuters who were making their way to Singapore.
News outlet The New Straits Times (NST) said the industrial action was sparked due to a revised pay scheme which saw drivers lose between RM800 (US$189) and RM900 in monthly income, in addition to an increase in the number of daily trips to be taken from four to five.
While Malaysian media reported that bus services had returned to normal on Tuesday morning, Causeway Link noted passengers had been affected by the strike. The operator also vowed that bus services between Singapore and Malaysia would continue to operate.
"We are doing everything we can to minimise disruptions to our services and ensure that essential routes remain operational," it said. "We deeply regret any inconvenience caused to our passengers and appreciate your understanding during this time."
On the concerns raised by the striking drivers, Causeway Link added: "We want to reassure the public and our passengers that we are actively engaging with the relevant parties to address the situation and reach a constructive resolution.
"We are committed to maintaining open communication and a respectful working environment for all employees."
It also acknowledged the "vital role" of its bus captains in delivering public transport services to the community.
"We remain hopeful that through continued dialogue, we can resolve the matter in a manner that is fair and beneficial for everyone involved."
Johor Public Works, Transport, Infrastructure and Communications Committee chairman Mohamad Fazli Mohamad Salleh told The Malay Mail news outlet on Tuesday that there were "no developments yet" as both sides were still at the discussion stage.
Causeway Link had said on Monday that the disruption arose from a 'miscommunication concerning salary calculation matters with a group of drivers' and initially claimed that the concerns had been addressed.
SOME COMMUTERS HAD TO WALK ACROSS CAUSEWAY
Workers whom local media spoke to on Monday were caught off guard by the sudden long queues due to the strike.
A check on the bus company's social media pages had showed no notice or updates regarding the disrupted bus services to Singapore.
The situation forced some commuters to walk across the 1km-long Causeway from the BSI complex to Singapore to get to work on time.
Members of the public also shared on social media photos and videos of long queues at the complex, while lengthy queues for buses to Singapore had already formed by 6.30am.
Handal Indah is the company that runs the Causeway Link bus service between Singapore and Malaysia. According to CW's website, it operates several routes from Singapore to different destinations across Johor, including Johor Bahru, as well as within the state.
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CNA
22 minutes ago
- CNA
‘I miss the excitement': PS Cafe's Peter Teo returns to F&B scene with new bistro in Holland Village
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'It was about doing the right thing by PS Cafe and responsibly passing it on to people with the energy to further grow the business,' said Teo. Retirement saw Teo spending more time in New Zealand, where his sister and family live. 'It was a different pace of life, where people are not on their phones all the time and they talk to you on the street. It was a bit more relaxing, and the weather can be lovely.' But in a true case of 'the grass is always greener,' it wasn't long before the creative entrepreneur and F&B veteran grew restless. 'What I realise is, when I don't have PS Cafe or a business to run, I miss the excitement,' Teo laughed. 'It's always the case, when you're very busy, you want an escape. But when you're not busy, you start looking for some busyness.' A NEW CHAPTER To scratch the itch, Teo ended up investing in a humble pie business he had come across at a farmer's market, which reignited his love for F&B and hospitality. Earlier this year, he partnered with distiller Philibert Gandy and Edward Lee, PSGourmet's former group business director, to open a distillery back in Singapore called Distillius. Teo has always had a passion for exploring new flavours. 'For me, tasting is about discovery. I'll eat airplane food just to see how it was done. I know it's not going to be great, but I'm just curious,' he said, adding with a chuckle that his 'waist is not very happy about it'. This natural curiosity brought him to the process of distillation, which he describes as equal parts art and science. 'There's the art of deciding what botanicals you want to put together, and then the science of how to do it, and then the end product is where both art and science meet.' Distillius specialises in what Teo calls 'equatorial aperitifs', crafted from botanicals from the equatorial belt. One of the products the team came up with is Arveau, a bittersweet amaro made from ginseng root, calamansi and torch ginger. 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Fingers crossed, this will work out.' A 'GROWN-UP' TAKE ON CASUAL DINING Chip Bee Bistro occupies a spacious double unit along Jalan Merah Saga. Stepping into the space, guests first enter the bar area and tasting room, which sets a welcoming tone. A short flight of steps leads to the main dining room. Design has always been a cornerstone of PS Cafe's appeal, and Chip Bee Bistro applies the same meticulous attention to detail. The elegant interiors feature a mix of warm woods, dark accents and neutral tones, along with black-and-white checkered tile flooring. Natural light floods in from tall vertical windows. While Teo is reluctant to draw comparisons to PS Cafe, he describes Chip Bee Bistro as a little more 'grown-up'. 'We're consciously trying to start a new chapter, so what about that new chapter is new?' he mused. 'Some things don't change, such as table height and chair comfort. Those are things you don't skimp on because they are important to the dining experience. 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CNA
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Income Insurance, NCSS launch new S$10m grant for social service agencies to support caregivers
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