New jobs will emerge with transition to autonomous vehicles, says Jeffrey Siow

It is the Govt's job to help drivers make the best of new opportunities: Acting Minister

- Kok Yufeng

GUANGZHOU - There will still be jobs available for drivers in the transport sector, even if the adoption of autonomous vehicles in Singapore becomes more widespread in future, said Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow.

Addressing concerns about the impact of self-driving vehicles on livelihoods, he said that in a steady state, there will be a mix of both autonomous and human drivers on Singapore's roads.

However, the role of professional drivers may change, and it is the Government's job to help drivers make the best of new opportunities, Mr Siow told reporters on June 27.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a two-day visit to Guangzhou to learn how the Chinese city has developed and rolled out self-driving technology. Singapore media were invited to join the delegation on the trip.

"(It) may well be you have somebody on board that does different things," Mr Siow said, noting that this may be to help load luggage, aid elderly passengers in boarding, or lead a tour group.

New jobs will also emerge from driverless vehicle operations, the acting minister noted.

Visiting several autonomous driving companies in Guangzhou, he said he could already see many young people working as programmers, designers, fleet managers and operations control centre staff.

Paying homage to taxi and private-hire car drivers in Singapore and their important role, Mr Siow said that as the industry develops and changes, the Government will make sure they are well taken care of. "Some of them will transition to these new jobs... Others - we have to see how to help them reskill, to retrain, and to take up other jobs in the economy," he added.