Person appearing to be teen seen driving bus in Singapore parking lot; video sparks discussion online

Some kids dream of driving a bus when they grow up. Whoever was behind the wheel in this video may not have wanted to wait.

An individual believed to be a teenage boy was seen at the wheel of a bus, according to a video uploaded to Facebook by user Zekrom Bendei Kaide on Friday (Oct 24).

"Apparently people under 18 without bus driver vehicle license can drive buses now," the user quipped.

The video is also captioned: "Welcome on board bus 67". It is unclear whether the number refers to a bus service route or is simply a reference to the "six-seven" meme popular among youths.

Appears comfortable behind the wheel 

In the video, the individual, who is wearing glasses, sits in the driver's seat of a bus, making his way around a parking lot at night.

Multiple heavy vehicles can be seen parked around the lot as the bus moves through the area.

The individual appears somewhat skillful in handling the vehicle, smoothly twisting the steering wheel to make turns and calmly adjusting his speed.

In comments, many users pointed out the individual's apparent skill in driving the vehicle.

"Still drive better than most licensed car drivers," said one.

Another commented: "He can be a bus driver next time."

Others also found humour in the matter, with one user questioning: "[Is this] his full-time CCA (co-curricular activity)?"

However, many users also disapproved of the individual's actions, wondering how this situation occurred to begin with.

"The real question is how did he get on that bus?" one user said. "Shouldn't the bus parking area be protected?"

Many also questioned if the video was made using artificial intelligence (AI), with some comments calling the video out.

Speaking with AsiaOne, Zekrom, who is not a Singapore resident, shared that he found the video circulating among his friends and uploaded it on Facebook.

He added that he neither filmed the video nor personally knows the individual seen in it. AsiaOne could not independently verify the identity, age or circumstances of the person featured in the footage.

Questions over bus ownership

AsiaOne understands that it is not a public bus as it is missing a driver display unit. 

Checks indicate that it may, however, be an older MAN bus model that was previously used in public transport service and later acquired by a private bus operator.

According to industry sources, some private bus operators acquire retired or second-hand buses previously used by public transport companies. The incident is believed to have taken place in Singapore, possibly within a heavy-vehicle parking area.

Who can drive a bus in Singapore?

Under Land Transport Authority regulations, bus drivers generally require a valid Bus Driver's Vocational Licence to operate buses in Singapore. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have held a valid Class 3 driving licence for at least one year.

AsiaOne has contacted A&S Transit for more information.

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khooyihang@asiaone.com