From Businesswoman to Bus Captain: Chow Pei Guan's Inspiring Journey

In a compelling narrative of resilience and reinvention, Chow Pei Guan, a 45-year-old former businesswoman from Malaysia, has embarked on a transformative journey from managing a mobile phone business to becoming a bus captain in Singapore. This career change not only follows in the footsteps of her mother, who has been a bus captain for 28 years, but also represents a significant shift in her professional identity.

After establishing a successful mobile phone retail business in Ipoh, Malaysia, Chow faced insurmountable challenges when her enterprise collapsed due to economic fluctuations, exacerbated by the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax in 2015. "My shops began to close one after another until I had to shut down my last shop in 2016," Chow recounted. This abrupt end to her business left her at a crossroads, unsure of her next steps.

It was during this challenging time that Chow’s mother suggested that she consider becoming a bus captain, a role she had assumed in Singapore. "I was initially hesitant because I always thought it was a man’s job," Chow admitted. However, inspired by her mother’s dedication and the stability this career offered, she made the decision to relocate to Singapore in 2017 and join Go-Ahead Singapore as a bus captain.

Reflecting on her decision, Chow stated, “If I hang on to the attitude that ‘I am a boss, I won’t do such jobs’, I’d forever be stuck and won’t be able to change jobs.” This perspective allowed her to embrace her new role, where she quickly adapted to the demands of operating large buses and navigating unfamiliar roads.

Chow underwent rigorous training, becoming the only woman in her cohort of six aspiring bus captains. Her commitment to mastering the job paid off, and she soon became proficient in memorizing over 30 different routes across Singapore. "Driving a bus is a service job, much like running my mobile phone shop; it is not that different," she remarked.

As a bus captain, Chow’s daily routine begins at 5:30 AM, where she works shifts ranging from seven to twelve hours, depending on the day. Her interactions with passengers have been a highlight of her career, as she has forged relationships with regular commuters and even assisted those in need. "For lost seniors, we usually contact our operation control centre who will call the police and assist them when they get to the interchange," she explained.

Beyond her responsibilities behind the wheel, Chow has taken on a mentorship role, helping new bus captains acclimate to their positions and learn new routes. "Since last year, I’ve been coaching one or two new bus captains each month," she said, emphasizing the importance of supporting fellow women in the industry.

Chow’s journey is not just about career change; it’s also a personal transformation. She found love at the bus depot, marrying her co-worker and welcoming their first child at the age of 41. Her family now actively participates in her life as a bus captain, with her husband and young son riding along on her routes.

In a society where female representation in roles like bus driving remains low, Chow’s story challenges conventional gender norms and highlights the importance of resilience and adaptability. "Just as there are now stay-at-home dads, there are also many female bus drivers. We can do it as well as men," she stated confidently.

Chow Pei Guan’s journey embodies a narrative of perseverance and the power of a supportive family, illustrating how one can find purpose and fulfillment in unexpected places. As she continues to mentor others and embrace her dual roles as a bus captain and a mother, she reflects, "If I’d known this, I would have switched to being a bus captain a few years earlier."