AI-powered tyre system promises faster inspections, fewer breakdowns, and stronger careers for workers
By the end of 2025, SBS Transit will roll out artificial intelligence (AI) technology to inspect bus tyres in minutes, while also creating new career pathways for technicians through structured training and upskilling.
Faster and Smarter Inspections
Traditionally, inspecting a bus’s tyres required 30 to 40 minutes of manual checks. With the new Tyre Management System (TMS), buses simply roll over a platform where AI-powered cameras and sensors instantly capture and analyse tyre conditions, including tread depth, pressure, and signs of damage. What once took nearly an hour will soon be completed in just minutes.
Improving Fleet Reliability
The AI system was first piloted at Bedok North Bus Depot and is now set for expansion to Seletar and Ulu Pandan depots by the end of 2025. SBS Transit said the upgrade would improve accuracy, reduce downtime, and ensure greater reliability for commuters. Fewer tyre-related breakdowns mean smoother journeys and fewer disruptions for daily riders.
Upskilling the Workforce
Beyond technology, SBS Transit is also investing in its workforce. With support from NTUC Singapore, the National Transport Workers’ Union, and the NTUC Company Training Committee (CTC) Grant, the operator launched the Diagnostic Expert Scheme (DES). This structured career path develops technicians into specialists in predictive and condition-based maintenance.
Preparing for Predictive Maintenance
Through the DES, workers are trained not only to repair but also to anticipate and prevent faults before they occur. This approach raises maintenance standards and allows technicians to take on higher-value roles, positioning them at the core of the AI transition rather than leaving them behind.
Human and Machine Moving Together
SBS Transit highlighted that its transformation is about upgrading both systems and people. In a Facebook post, the company stated: “We’re not just upgrading our systems; we’re also upgrading opportunities for our people, so that both technology and talent can move forward together.”
A Better Commute for Singaporeans
For commuters, the benefits are direct. Faster tyre checks mean fewer unexpected breakdowns, shorter waiting times, and greater confidence in bus services. The initiative also reassures the public that the people behind the system—technicians—are being empowered with new skills to deliver reliable and safe journeys every day.
SBS Transit’s AI-driven tyre checks mark a turning point for Singapore’s public transport system, blending innovation with workforce development. By ensuring both machines and people advance together, the initiative not only enhances commuter trust but also sets a model for how technology can uplift, rather than replace, skilled workers.
Sources: Must Share News (2025) , The Independent Singapore News (2025)
Keywords: SBS Transit AI, Tyre Management System, Bus Technicians, Predictive Maintenance, NTUC Grant
