Pax standing on premium bus services
-
anyone noticed frequent overcrowding on Premium routes? Overcrowding for premium routes mean standing passengers, because they are supposed to be guarentted a seat in exchange for paying a premium fare. The bus signboard in front also says so.
As I'm staying in Serangoon area, I often see passengers already standing onboard sv 599 when the bus turns into S'goon Nth Ave 4 bus-stop. Even more passengers are standing when its turning into AMK Ave 3! I think LTA should downgrade these svcs into Express svcs instead. They don't deserve to charge premium fares.
-
I take 554 on a daily basis to work (the 8a.m abfahrt aus The Premiere@Tampines stop).
Ever since they had the second trip (I have absolutely no idea why the heck the second trip is 20 min earlier leaving the last stop in Tampines around 7:40a.m which reaches the CBD at such an ungodly time, given that the 8a.m bus departé reaches CBD by 8:40a.m), the overcrowding stopped.
In fact, I don't understand the rationale of not standing on Premium routes. While that would understandably make it non-Premium anymore, a lot of people really depend on the Premium service to get to work on time. I kid you not, but in some cases in the heartlands, it could very well be faster taking the bus than the train (and the train during peak hours nowadays is really nothing to talk about).
I have no qualms about paying $3.60 and still standing, but hey, I would manage to get on the bus and not have to get my rather plump body squished like a pancake by the time I reach Raffles Place... I guess no matter what, even if there are people standing, it would definitely be less squeezy than a train.
Personally I think the 554 timings need to be changed. If the 8a.m abfahrt aus The Premiere@Tampines reaches the CBD by 8:40a.m, they should push the timings aus Tampines for both 554 buses by 10 minutes. I kid you not, the trains are simply not the way to go in Singapore. They can't get their act together and commuters suffer. Kudos to the fact that SBS Transit Limited, and to a lesser extent, SMRT, realizes the profits that can come from Premium routes which generates good profits. This inherently would be good for shareholders, which I don't know if you people are...
I really hope the authorities can allow standees on the buses. It really is a win-win situation, both pax get to board and not get late, and the company (and indirectly, shareholders) also gets better financial returns.
-
Premium I think the idea came from Hong Kong somewhat, those private buses.
But in any case, I think it isn't just w/ 599. I think 598 has standee issue as well
-
"Premium" - to pay more, no standing if not u say how come i pay so much more still must stand...
But then.... no standing rule... peak hour... u cant board the bus... driver insist... u cannot board... doesnt make sense anyway...
So i guess the operators are just playing with luck.... if there is really many pax standing... they will add another bus... -
The no standing rule is probably there to protect the private bus operators, who have buses which are not licenced to have any standing passengers, from the PTOs, whose buses can carry more passengers even without standing pax. ie it minimises the competitive advantage the PTOs have.
-
I've also always wondered about the Scheme B buses...
For instance, Service 621.
Many Shenton Way pax who stay in the Marine Parade/Bedok region use this service.
Fares are considerably cheap too! Possibly even cheaper than the MRT (+ bus transfer)!What is the difference anyway? Many Service 621 buses are packed to the brim (and even have standing pax)... Why are they not re-classified under Premium category?
The entire rigmarole is very complicated...
-
Originally posted by Fryderyk HPH:
I've also always wondered about the Scheme B buses...
For instance, Service 621.
Many Shenton Way pax who stay in the Marine Parade/Bedok region use this service.
Fares are considerably cheap too! Possibly even cheaper than the MRT (+ bus transfer)!What is the difference anyway? Many Service 621 buses are packed to the brim (and even have standing pax)... Why are they not re-classified under Premium category?
The entire rigmarole is very complicated...
Scheme B svs dates back long ago.If I did remember it started that SBS let them operate as supplementary buses during peak hours. I remembered Sv 157 was one of them.
Good for SBS as well, lesser pressure to purchase more buses on top of its 3400 fleet in 1980s.
-
As long as the overcrowding is not so obvious, should be ok for a few passengers to stand, rather than let them miss the last and probably the only bus trip.
But some Premium Bus services need more improvements and possibly re route, like 555.
-
SBST is simply taking advantage of using the "premium" bus catergory. Why not they use the "Express" catergory, like 971E, which arrives at the city earlier than 555.
-
Originally posted by dan474:
SBST is simply taking advantage of using the "premium" bus catergory. Why not they use the "Express" catergory, like 971E, which arrives at the city earlier than 555.
Bus operators operating the Premium Bus Service you mean, not only SBST...
-
From LTA website,
http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/index_pt_bus.htm"Premium Bus
The objective of the premium bus service scheme is to cater to commuters who are prepared to pay a higher price for a higher level of bus service, such as a more direct or comfortable journey (all premium bus services are air-conditioned and commuters are assured of seats). Premium bus services complement the basic public transport services and provide more public transport choices for commuters. It is one of the Government’s initiatives to make public transport a choice mode."
So, TS, if you have any issue on standing on any PBS issue, please highlight to LTA so that they can look into.
Do note, some passengers are willing to stand even though it is not allowed, the aim of PBS is get passengers to their destination quick...
ACx -
only solution to prevent ppl standing on PBS is, convert into DDs or bendies or add more trips lor
-
Originally posted by dan474:
SBST is simply taking advantage of using the "premium" bus catergory. Why not they use the "Express" catergory, like 971E, which arrives at the city earlier than 555.
Why should they not take advantage of it?
As a shareholder, I would be more than happy for SBS Transit Limited to have greater revenue, which in its current good financial position, translates to greater profits.
From a daily commuter's point of view, the only gripe is that they do not let pax stand, which may in certain cases alleviate the problem of insufficient seats.
-
Originally posted by Acx1688:
From LTA website,
http://www.lta.gov.sg/public_transport/index_pt_bus.htm"Premium Bus
The objective of the premium bus service scheme is to cater to commuters who are prepared to pay a higher price for a higher level of bus service, such as a more direct or comfortable journey (all premium bus services are air-conditioned and commuters are assured of seats). Premium bus services complement the basic public transport services and provide more public transport choices for commuters. It is one of the Government’s initiatives to make public transport a choice mode."
So, TS, if you have any issue on standing on any PBS issue, please highlight to LTA so that they can look into.
Do note, some passengers are willing to stand even though it is not allowed, the aim of PBS is get passengers to their destination quick...
ACxI think LTA should allow Premium services to allow standing pax.
Just my two cents worth. -
Originally posted by JaSoNhSu92:
only solution to prevent ppl standing on PBS is, convert into DDs or bendies or add more trips lor
599 is using bendy right? Cos I remember I saw one turning out to AMK Ave 3 from Sg Nth Ave 4, with fully packed with passengers.Cheers.
-
Originally posted by vicamour:
As long as the overcrowding is not so obvious, should be ok for a few passengers to stand, rather than let them miss the last and probably the only bus trip.
But some Premium Bus services need more improvements and possibly re route, like 555.
Agreed, 555 route to city need to improve. Using the shortest travelling time.
-
bendy gives you +10 more ppl nia
-
Originally posted by phillipC:
Agreed, 555 route to city need to improve. Using the shortest travelling time.
The problem w/ using PIE is it's always jam prone. Stevens Rd, Bt Timah Rd or other roads has lots of traffic lights. -
Originally posted by sbst275:
The problem w/ using PIE is it's always jam prone. Stevens Rd, Bt Timah Rd or other roads has lots of traffic lights.How about road from Bukit Batok road to PIE Changi (the entrance of Sv 185 to Clementi ) -> Clementi Ave 6 - AYE -> instead of going to Jurong Town Hall road?
-
Originally posted by phillipC:
How about road from Bukit Batok road to PIE Changi (the entrance of Sv 185 to Clementi ) -> Clementi Ave 6 - AYE -> instead of going to Jurong Town Hall road?
Clementi Ave 6 lagi worst
Jurong Town Hall Rd has bus lane to use
-
Ok. rest my case.
But we like to compare.. SMRT 971E and Transcity 722 can do it, so we assume SBST can do it too.
I think it all boils down to the drivers (cheongster or not, just my 2 cents)
-
Originally posted by phillipC:
Ok. rest my case.
But we like to compare.. SMRT 971E and Transcity 722 can do it, so we assume SBST can do it too.
I think it all boils down to the drivers (cheongster or not, just my 2 cents)
seriously how much can you chiong during peak hours?chiong is chiong, there's still safety.
-
If I'm not wrong, Premium svcs are designed to cater to pax who are willing to pay more for a faster and direct journey and yet be able to get a seat. The creation of Premium svcs is also aimed to encourage more car owners give up driving to work and use public transport instead. Otherwise, if still got to stand, can we still persuade more car owners to give up their luxury for public transport? Its already difficult to simply persuade these people to use public transport. I agree that it doesn't make sense to strictly stop Premium pax from boarding once all the seats are filled. But if it happens too often or even serious, then something is wrong. Alternatively, such overcrowded Premium svcs should be downgraded to Express svcs instead. Express svcs can still provide the same service as Premium svcs, except it costs lower than Premium but able to accept standing pax.
-
Originally posted by JaSoNhSu92:
only solution to prevent ppl standing on PBS is, convert into DDs or bendies or add more trips lor
or simply downgrade to Express svc. -
i took evening trip for 531 last friday.
there were 6 standees. but there were 2 vacant seats in the Citaro.
now... do you want the SL to force them to sit? "harloe! SIT DOWN!"
like primary school bus driver....