SBS Transit's Bus Captain Development Centre aka BC Training
School is located at Hougang Depot. It has its perm fleet of
training buses used for newbies - you can tell from the additional
wing mirror, permanent L-plates and the instructor's seat located
beside the driver. Notable perm training buses include SBS
700P, SBS 572S, a number of old NAC Scania N113s, as well as Soon
Chow MK4 SBS 8024E / 8025C. In particular, these two buses
were the only two out of 10 buses allocated to SBS after the
dissolving of SBSL, which were not fitted with any fare equipment
during the refurbishment unlike its 8 brothers on Service 78.
For safety reasons, these buses have been converted specifically
for training use so that they can be driven by new recruits under
proper supervision. As such, they can never be deployed on
commuter revenue service.
The orientation route for new drivers usually takes them out
from HGDEP, around several Hougang neighbourhoods, past the
interchange, as well as a loop at Lorong Ah Soo/Hougang St 11.
Naturally these are the places where training buses are most
commonly seen (along with training cars from Comfort Driving
Centre, and training 3-tonners from SAF Kaki Bukit Driving
School!)
In addition, Hougang may activate split-shift buses during their
swing break to use as training buses for purposes of refresher
course or route orientation. As the targets of these training
have passed their basic BC licence, regular revenue buses can be
used. That is why non-training buses can still be spotted with the
"Training Bus" desto, and found in areas outside of HGDEP training
route.
Similarly, other depots may conduct their own familiarisation,
refresher or other training using their own buses.
