In my opinion, 961 needed DDs. I'm not sure about full-day and weekends but weekdays peak hours definitely needed a few. I used to take service 961 between Woodlands and Queensway a few years back.
During AM peak buses leaving Woodlands were packed door-to-door from Kranji station onwards and at Kranji, there were always people who couldn't board.
During PM peak buses arriving at Queensway towards Woodlands were packed door-to-door too. I could still board but from the stop opposite MDIS onwards the bus was completely packed (usually got a batch 1 MAN A22 at that time) and there were some people who couldn't board at some of the stops.
That said, that was when the fleet was a mix of O405s and MAN A22s. Maybe more recently just prior to the introduction of DDs it was different.
Originally posted by Jeek:In my opinion, 961 needed DDs. I'm not sure about full-day and weekends but weekdays peak hours definitely needed a few. I used to take service 961 between Woodlands and Queensway a few years back.
During AM peak buses leaving Woodlands were packed door-to-door from Kranji station onwards and at Kranji, there were always people who couldn't board.
During PM peak buses arriving at Queensway towards Woodlands were packed door-to-door too. I could still board but from the stop opposite MDIS onwards the bus was completely packed (usually got a batch 1 MAN A22 at that time) and there were some people who couldn't board at some of the stops.
That said, that was when the fleet was a mix of O405s and MAN A22s. Maybe more recently just prior to the introduction of DDs it was different.
Yes also have to consider between few years back and now there has been quite a few fleet add to the service. 961 used to operate with 26 buses, now operates with 32 buses in the last 3 years.
Having said it, 961 is such a long route that by the time it starts in peak in one part of the country, it is already off-peak by the time it reaches Bukit Merah region. Mandai estate is the reason why 961 is still packed in AM at Kranji but there is 160/170/178/960 to complement as well. Really depends on who comes first.
Originally posted by BusAnalayzer:Yes also have to consider between few years back and now there has been quite a few fleet add to the service. 961 used to operate with 26 buses, now operates with 32 buses in the last 3 years.
Having said it, 961 is such a long route that by the time it starts in peak in one part of the country, it is already off-peak by the time it reaches Bukit Merah region. Mandai estate is the reason why 961 is still packed in AM at Kranji but there is 160/170/178/960 to complement as well. Really depends on who comes first.
What's the loading pattern like though, are there many that take long journeys on 961? If it's mainly short-distance demands, it could make sense to split the route up to cater to the crowds separately. There's DTL/CCL to bridge the centre section as well.
Originally posted by AJQZC:What's the loading pattern like though, are there many that take long journeys on 961? If it's mainly short-distance demands, it could make sense to split the route up to cater to the crowds separately. There's DTL/CCL to bridge the centre section as well.
I strongly feel 961 should split even now.. .given its super long route and high duplication with 170 all the way till Ferrar road junction...
Can split but still need a new svc from Lor 1..961 Woodlands-New Bridge Rd and new svc 986 from Lor 1 loop at Upp Cross St.
What is 5055U doing? 868 in AM and then??? 5054 does 868 in AM and then crossover to 176.
Originally posted by carbikebus:Can split but still need a new svc from Lor 1..961 Woodlands-New Bridge Rd and new svc 986 from Lor 1 loop at Upp Cross St.
I'd prefer... 961 from Woodland loop @ Beauty World
And new service from Lor 1 loop @ Beauty World
Originally posted by BusAnalayzer:I'd prefer... 961 from Woodland loop @ Beauty World
And new service from Lor 1 loop @ Beauty World
Doing long loops like these are damaging to BCs. I'd rather not.
In fact, considering 173's poor demand, why not do a mix-and-match? So we have 961 doing Woodlands - Beauty World - Clementi, and 173 doing Bt Batok - Beauty World - Lor 1 Geylang.
If need be, can amend 173 to do 852's route via BB East Ave 4/6, Old Jurong Rd, Upp Bt Timah Rd to reduce the loop. Hillview estate can be covered by 176/177, and Hume Ave by 178. Or both by a new short trunk.
Generally the longer the route, the more unreliable it becomes. However, looping a route does not make it better because it limits the operator's ability to recover the service.
Changi Airport passengers can attest to that. No amount of bendy buses is going to solve that issue - it is a reliability issue, not overcrowding.
Splitting routes is useful provided it does not break the direct link between destinations for a majority of passengers. Otherwise, they would rather take the MRT.
Originally posted by sgbuses:Generally the longer the route, the more unreliable it becomes. However, looping a route does not make it better because it limits the operator's ability to recover the service.
Changi Airport passengers can attest to that. No amount of bendy buses is going to solve that issue - it is a reliability issue, not overcrowding.
Splitting routes is useful provided it does not break the direct link between destinations for a majority of passengers. Otherwise, they would rather take the MRT.
No amount of bendy buses will solve the isuue, but at least a bigger bus with more seats will appease a lot of the passengers instead of fully loaded 12m buses after a long wait. Of course it would be wise to break the routes up, but LTA has to take into consideration the links that will be lost.
Longer routes with more express should be the way just like 963,966 etc
Registered 1 Oct 2015 (BSEP):
SMB3610E - SMB3612A
3605 had been spotted regularly on 857 ever since 3606 and 3607 joined AMDEP. Does anyone has any concrete information on the deployment status of 3604 to 3607?
Originally posted by AntiDennisLance:3605 had been spotted regularly on 857 ever since 3606 and 3607 joined AMDEP. Does anyone has any concrete information on the deployment status of 3604 to 3607?
3605 should be perm 857 now... every weekday spotted on CTE around 535-545 pm towards yishun (usually bus only around 20-30 pax)... after that it will do downroute of 857 from YCK to yishun at around 650-700pm...
guess AMDEP took over/back the BSEP slot as well from WLDEP..
Originally posted by lemon1974:3605 should be perm 857 now... every weekday spotted on CTE around 535-545 pm towards yishun (usually bus only around 20-30 pax)... after that it will do downroute of 857 from YCK to yishun at around 650-700pm...
guess AMDEP took over/back the BSEP slot as well from WLDEP..
3585/2586/3590/3591 are still appearing on 857? Or it seems so from my last ride on 857 a couple of weeks ago. Not sure about 5071 though.
5076 seen on 857 often too. Wonder what's 854's actual DD fleet now.
Originally posted by lemon1974:3605 should be perm 857 now... every weekday spotted on CTE around 535-545 pm towards yishun (usually bus only around 20-30 pax)... after that it will do downroute of 857 from YCK to yishun at around 650-700pm...
guess AMDEP took over/back the BSEP slot as well from WLDEP..
So is this a fleet add or just replacement of another E500?
These 3 newly registered hopefully can goes to 854.
Originally posted by carbikebus:These 3 newly registered hopefully can goes to 854.
These 3 are BSEP DDs.. and 854 does not need any fleet adds.. I do hope they go to sv 860.
Always felt that SMRT is rougly about 100 DDs short before reaching optimum service levels. Routes like 851, 856 and 860 can and should have more DDs but SMRT is unable to do anything about it for now, with its limited orders.
187 needs more DDs
190 and 972 need 8 more DDs
3610 is AMDEP
Originally posted by Path Light:187 needs more DDs
190 and 972 need 8 more DDs
972 need 50 DDs
Originally posted by lemon1974:3610 is AMDEP
I did saw something like 361x also near to the bus wash..
Originally posted by carbikebus:972 need 50 DDs
190 and 972 needs 5000 Neoplan Jumbocruisers (double deck bendies) each. In fact, a separate company should be formed, called "The 190 and 972 Pampering Bus Company", so that the other bus services dont be affected.
Originally posted by AntiDennisLance:190 and 972 needs 5000 Neoplan Jumbocruisers (double deck bendies) each. In fact, a separate company should be formed, called "The 190 and 972 Pampering Bus Company", so that the other bus services dont be affected.
Hopefully jurongwestresident err sorry Path light is happy with this