"Siao siao bus captain" receives Stomp Goody Bag and reveals the secret to loving his job

Jovial, candid and refreshingly real -- it is no wonder why bus captain Surenther Singh is so well-liked by his passengers, who often sing of his praises.

And he has the awards to prove it too: Adorning his uniform collar in a neat line are shiny badges, given to him by his employer SMRT as well as government agencies such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and SPRING Singapore.

The 36-year-old, who travels from his home in Johor Bahru to Singapore for work six days a week, is known for giving commuters a memorable journey with his friendly greetings and warm smiles.

Facebook user Simran Kaur was one of those whose day on June 27 was made better, thanks to the amicable bus captain.

Thanking him for a good ride home on Bus 806 in Yishun, Ms Kaur wrote in a post that Mr Surenther was "one of the best drivers I've experienced in my entire 21 years of life so far."

Stomp featured her heartwarming story and on July 7, we visited Mr Surenther at Yishun Temporary Bus Interchange for an exclusive interview.

Asked about the motivation behind his extraordinary service, Mr Surenther said, "It's just in me. I love doing it. Even though nobody makes my day, I prefer to make other people's day."

You would think that after more than three years at his job, he would start to tire of it, but that is far from the case.

Nothing ever seems to get him down, be it bad traffic, occasional complaints about the bus not being early enough or people shooting him strange looks and asking, "You okay or not?"

The self-proclaimed "siao siao bus captain" [meaning enthusiastic and outgoing in this context] treats commuters like they are family, though he admits wishing that he had someone special to share his many awards with.

Mr Surenther's hearty laugh and cheerfulness is infectious, and Stomp enjoyed a first-hand experience of what makes him such a joy to be around.

This is not the first time Mr Surenther has received recognition, however, whether it is from impressed travellers or from his employer, who featured him as an #SMRTHero earlier in May.

And it definitely will not be the last.

Watch our interview with Mr Surenther below, in which he reveals more about his job and what makes him tick, as well as shows us his array of awards.

Stomp presented Mr Surenther with a 'Goody Bag' for being an inspiration, as part of our efforts to recognise everyday heroes and highlight heartwarming deeds.

Know someone who deserves a 'Goody Bag' or had a memorable encounter? Share your story with us at stomp@stomp.com.sg or WhatsApp +65 9384 3761.

Read about the inspirational stories of other Goody Bag recipients here.