Tibs brand to make way for SMRT's

Name and colours will be gradually dropped from company's buses and taxis, completing merger with MRT operator

By Christopher Tan

IF YOU see a Tibs bus, take a good look at it. It may be one of the last times you see that yellow and orange carriage. The name Trans-Island Bus, or Tibs, will be dropped soon. Train operator SMRT Corp, Tibs' parent company, will replace it with its own name and its corporate colours of red, black and grey, completing its 2001 takeover.

Tibs was started by sportsman-entrepreneur Ng Ser Miang in 1982, soon after the Government said it wanted a competitor for giant SBS. It started operations in 1983 with 37 buses plying two services in Yishun and Sembawang. It was a David muscling in on Goliath then, with the company eking out an early existence in cargo containers-turned-offices.

Growth came from the expansion of new Housing Board towns as well as transfers of SBS routes. In 1987, Tibs was publicly listed. When it became part of SMRT, it had about 70 routes, about one-third of SBS'.

The 'merger' followed a call from the Government for transport operators to be 'multi-modal', so as to provide seamless travel. But SMRT chief executive Saw Phaik Hwa said the merger might not have been totally necessary.

At the time of union, though, former SMRT chairman Chew Choon Seng said it was to 'facilitate the meshing of bus and train services, shorten overall travel time, encourage usage of public transport and enhance revenue growth'.

Ms Saw told The Straits Times: 'Logistically, a totally seamless transport system doesn't work... Each time the train comes, it's 1,000-over people getting off. You can't have buses waiting for 1,000-over people. They'd jam up the whole bus stop.'

Realistically, the scenario would be 'get off, wait a few minutes, and get on'. 'That is the model,' she said. 'So being one company or being two companies really doesn't have any material effects.'

So why did SMRT pay $194 million for Tibs? 'I don't know the full rationale behind the acquisition. My priority is now to maximise the situation,' Ms Saw said, explaining that her task is to optimise synergy between the two companies.

And she is pleased that two years after taking over Tibs, integration with SMRT has finally taken place. Backroom operations, such as finance, human resource and information technology, have all been merged.

The final piece to be put in place is the name change, which will affect about 800 Tibs buses and more than 2,000 taxis. But Ms Saw said the change would be done gradually and cost-effectively.

2 March 2004

SINGAPORE : The Singapore government has cracked down on unlicensed buses plying between Singapore and Senai in Malaysia's southern Johor state.

Action was taken Tuesday against two buses shuttling passengers between Lavendar MRT station and the Johor airport.

The buses did not have the necessary licences nor insurance to cover passengers in case of an accident.

It is understood several passengers were on their way to catch AirAsia flights out of Senai Airport.

Both drivers had to give statements.

The unlicensed bus operations are being investigated by the LTA. - CNA

SBS is not increasing the fare this year but SMRT is still considering. :rant:

They have a fantastic excuse for increasing fares..."oh because SMS TRansit have higher fares"

My arse. Last time SBS Transit have higher fares was because it was reasoned it was justified to recoup the very high costs of building the line, and that the area is not built-up enough. Has this become an excuse for the other operator to up fares? And if this is so, maybe SBS is now justified to up their fares again rite?

They seem to think we suffer from amnesia. :bash:

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 06 May 2004 2033 hrs


By Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia


SINGAPORE : Automaker Mercedes Benz has brought into Singapore a 'green' bus that runs on environmentally friendly gas instead of diesel.

The green bus looks like any other bus except that instead of a fuel tank, the bus has gas cylinders on its roof, weighing over 200 kilogrammes.

It meets very strict European emission standards, which will be implemented in Singapore from October 2006.

Singapore is introducing these strict standards to cut down on fine particulate emissions - from diesel buses and taxis.

Ahead of that, Mercedes Benz is showcasing its newest model to authorities and bus operators.

Although the bus is cleaner, it is also more expensive. The green bus is about $120,000 more expensive than a diesel bus. Operating costs are generally also about 30 percent higher.

The public can catch a joy ride along Orchard Road on Saturday from 11am to 3pm from Hyatt Hotel. - CNA

I think this is the bus with a door that has a little thing folding out and touching the road side so that wheelchairs can be wheeled in easily?

I think this is the bus with a door that has a little thing folding out and touching the road side so that wheelchairs can be wheeled in easily?

Yes that's the one.....:D

Hey! The new red and white colours on the new SMRT buses look so weird....

smrt bus? got pics?

hmmm doesnt look too bad but might cause confusion with sbs! looks so similar to their old colour scheme.. boring colour anyhow


http://www.smrtbuses.com.sg/images/cover.jpg

They should change the interior colours too... otherwise it just looks uber weird...

wait a minute... how come they reverted back to their old logo!

ooh my...

http://www.smrt.com.sg/slrt/slrt_img1.gif


they must have suddenly decided red is sexier... they too must know that red is a more appetising colour? so they can't fine me for eating on train...

I would like to see all-white buses and LRT cars that have that sleek, shiny, synthetic polymer-ish look of Apple iMacs....

white generally doesn't look good on most vehicles (except mercedes) come to perth and you'll know what i mean..

for the newer double deck buses iwth black tinted windows, white MAY work though...

solid colours work best i think :) but not khaki

How about black? Muahahahaha! Black and white rule!!!!

Ayah... as long as it has that shiny, sleek look, anything goes...

i dont think it's currently feasible to replicate that iMac skin look on a vehicle... but i'd love one!

Yeah... maybe they'll do it if Apple decides to do an advertisement on one of the double deckers..... *ray of hope shines through the dark clouds as E2E beams with euphoric relief*

JUNE 5, 2004

A terminal for express bus services will be built to cater to 4,000 travellers daily; businesses will meet their needs

By Serene Goh

MEGA mall Turf City is a gamble that has lost its investors more than $1.73 million since it opened in 2001. But wheels are turning to reverse its fortunes.

Turf City Pte Ltd and the Express Bus Agency Association announced a joint venture yesterday to convert about 50,000 sq ft of its 56ha into an overland transport terminal.

'We have a world-class airport and port, so why not a world-class overland terminal?' said Mr Sebastian Yap, chairman of the association, which represents 70 per cent of express bus operators here.

At least eight bus operators have pledged to relocate half their fleets to the new terminal, he said. It is expected to accommodate up to 4,000 travellers a day, with about six coaches coming and going each hour from 6.30am to 11pm.

The plot behind the used-car dealers will be converted into a sheltered carpark for buses, a transit area and docking bays.

Turf City's building (the former Turf Club grandstand) will be redeveloped to house services that cater to travellers, including a ticketing office, waiting lounge and budget-travel outlets.

Coach services to Malaysia and Thailand now use a variety of pick-up and drop-off points, including Golden Mile Complex, Queen Street and Lavender MRT station, where buses dock in parking lots or loading bays.

All these will now be consolidated at Turf City.

Turf City's redevelopment, scheduled to be completed in October, will provide space for 80 retailers, up from 60 now. It will cost the company about $1 million.

Its shareholders had invested $15 million to develop the old Bukit Timah Turf Club into Turf City after the club moved to Kranji in 1999.

The redevelopment is expected to draw more tourists.

Turf City's main shareholders, Singapore Agro Agriculture, and additional individual private investors, have extended their lease on the site and its 760,000 sq ft building for another six years.

They have an option to renew the lease every three years until 2010. Their landlord is the Singapore Land Authority.

Turf City tenants are expected to be told officially about the new terminal by next week. Most tenants' leases are due for renewal soon, the company said.

McDonald's and the hypermart Giant are among the tenants who have already extended their leases.

Giant's spokesman said that its outlet had so far received 'strong support' from regular customers.

Turf City's retail woes are well documented, with vendors complaining that its downmarket image and difficulty of access deter shoppers.

Carnivals, car-boot sales and other promotions haven't drawn many shoppers and The Market Place flea market and The Furniture Mall have since shut.

In March, Courts closed its 11,000 sq ft store there, although it was paying about $3.50 a sq ft, about 60 per cent less than at suburban malls.

Smaller retailers look set to follow suit, with some saying that new plans to capture tourist dollars are too little, too late.

Ms Judy Wong, who sells clothing in Ju-An Gallery on its ground level, is counting the days till her lease ends.

'Most days I get no customers here at all, although when I do road shows elsewhere, the response is good.

'I've paid $4,000 a month for three years, and the landlords have never reduced the rent although times were bad.

'The traffic just doesn't justify what I'm paying. So, no, I don't think a bus terminal will be enough.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

JUNE 9, 2004
Bus depot plan rejected again
URA turns down appeal by Turf City to use premises as an overland transport terminal, but company to appeal again

By Serene Goh

TURF City's plans to use part of its premises as an overland transport terminal have been halted.

The mega mall's operators, who earlier this year applied to the authorities to convert 4,650 sq m of their 56ha plot for this purpose, were told of the decision on May 15.

But they appealed to officials, including their landlord, the Singapore Land Authority (SLA), which then granted an approval in principle.

That approval hinged on confirmation from the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) for the land use. The board replied: No.

In a statement to The Straits Times, it explained: 'The use of the Turf City site for a transport hub is not compatible with the existing residential land use in the area.'

Its spokesman said a location for an overland transport hub was in the works, but not at Turf City.

That's because an injection of an expected 4,000 travellers daily, along with 'a host of bus operators and related activities such as money changers and tour agencies', would hugely increase human and vehicle traffic throughout the day and in the evenings.

Coaches operating late at night would also 'greatly disturb the residents of the area'.

Turf City Pte Ltd, which recently renewed its lease on the land and accompanying Turf City building with the SLA, had planned to complete the terminal by October.

The company, together with coach operator Express Bus Agency Association, publicly announced their joint venture on Friday.

Now, the company's shareholders, including its main stakeholder, Singapore Agro Agriculture, claim the URA has 'missed the point'.

A statement issued by the management denied it was constructing a bus terminal or interchange, but 'merely making use of the existing infrastructure, such as the several thousand excess parking lots' as a transit point for coaches.

It said that Turf City was offered for tender in 2001 for commercial, institutional, sports and recreational uses and as a used-car centre. All these activities would already bring in a high volume of traffic.

It said that Turf City's plans would have brought in tourist dollars and, to ensure compliance with existing traffic laws, the company had 'spent $500,000 on traffic-impact assessment and control measures, including the installation of a traffic junction box outside its leased boundaries'.

Besides, it said, its existing proposal was only 'an interim measure for a limited period'.

'One can only hope that the higher authorities will look into the role of the URA in driving businesses into the ground or moving them to other neighbouring countries,' it added.

Retailers themselves seem unaffected by the tussle. A spokesman for Giant said the hypermart's decision to renew its lease 'was not contingent on the terminal, but was made based on the store's good business and its business plans'.

Another tenant, Mr Michael Ong, who owns the Hiestand chain of 11 Swiss-pastry outlets islandwide, was already in talks to renew his three-year lease on his 11 sq m shop even before news of the depot plan broke.

He said he enjoys a consistent clientele in Turf City on weekends from 'mostly regular customers who are expats', and described the landlords as 'fair and compromising'.

Indeed, those landlords are also determined. Mr Ang Kiong Teng, general manager of Turf City, said the company is not giving up on its plans yet: 'We are still going to continue appealing to the relevant authorities, because we would like to proceed with business.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

This story was printed from TODAYonline
Is a bus station at Turf City too downmarket?

Puzzling why the site was leased for retail use if residents' peace was not to be disturbed

Weekend • June 12, 2004

IF bus operators, moneychangers and tour agents are too downmarket for Bukit Timah, why doesn't the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) just say so?

On Tuesday, the URA rejected plans by Turf City to use part of its premises as a terminal for the bus services that ply between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Turf City, which leases the former Turf Club premises from the Government, had intended to use a fraction of the land — 50,000 sq ft out of 56 hectares, or less than 1 per cent — for this purpose.

Turf City has found it difficult to hit on a right mix of tenants since it got the site in 2001.

So far, only the hypermart there seems to be doing well. Some tenants have left and Turf City itself has lost $1.37 million since it opened.

With its extensive space, Turf City is a good location for bus operators, eight of whom are ready to relocate half their fleets there. This will bring in up to 4,000 travellers a day and generate business for other tenants. A win-win arrangement for all concerned.

But the URA does not agree.

Using the Turf City site as a transport hub, it said, was not compatible with the existing residential land use in the area as the increased human and vehicle traffic would disturb residents.

If the URA is concerned about disturbing the peace and quiet of the residential areas around Turf City, why then did it allow the Singapore Land Authority to lease out the site for retail use in the first place?

A shopping complex needs shoppers — lots of shoppers — if it is to be viable. And to get to the complex they need to travel there in some kind of vehicle, so there is going to be increased human and vehicle traffic anyway.

In any case, each of the buses that carry people between Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand carry an average of 25 passengers. The estimated 4,000 passengers a day would mean 160 buses.

Surely, a hypermarket such as Giant already generates more than 4,000 visitors and 160 vehicles a day. Do these not greatly disturb residents of the area?

It just doesn't make sense. But, perhaps, the issue is not really about traffic and noise but the type of human traffic that a bus terminal would attract? The residential areas around Turf City are, for the most part, quite upmarket.

While a hypermarket is not exactly exclusive, it is a convenience to have nearby. A bus terminal, with the attendant moneychangers and tour agents, is a very different proposition.

If so, why don't we just call a spade a spade and say a bus terminal is too downmarket for this upmarket residential area?

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

JULY 19, 2004
British buses to be Comfortingly familiar
By Neo Hui Min

LONDON - Soon a Singaporean boarding a bus in London may wonder if the driver took a wrong turn and ended up in the British capital by mistake.

That is because it will not be long before bus drivers here start wearing uniforms with a brand that is more familiar back home - ComfortDelgro.

Even the name of the London black cab booking service Comcab has a familiar ring to it. It, too, is part of the ComfortDelgro group.

One of Singapore's main transport companies is now among the top five players in London's competitive public transport environment. Known here as Metroline, ComfortDelgro's London bus operations have captured 12 per cent of the market share. It services 84 routes, mostly in the capital's north-western areas.

It also handles booking services for about 3,800 cabs in London, Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

ComfortDelgro acquired the business in 2000, after bus services here were privatised.

The British subsidiary contributes about $500 million to the group, just under a third of total group turnover. Last year, the total group turnover was $1.8 billion.

Metroline managing director Steve McAleavy said the company has since been actively branding its group's name in its communications.

Industry players who realise the bus company is now Singaporean-owned are always curious to find out what it means to be working for a company so far from home.

'People are used to the idea of working for European companies, but Singapore is over 6,000 miles away and seven or eight hours ahead,' said Mr McAleavy.

'Some people can't get their heads round to the idea of Singapore, it just stretches the imagination because it is so far away.'

Despite the distance, changes have come swiftly since the takeover, he said. The bus fleets have been renewed and buses are getting better engineering.

The Singaporean group has also invested heavily in technology, even fitting buses with a satellite positioning system that tells drivers where the next buses in front and behind them are in relation to their current location.

'If you lived in London you would have experienced waiting ages for a bus, and then all of a sudden, three or four of them would arrive at once,' Mr McAleavy said. 'This new GPRS system helps drivers to gauge the distances between each other.'

About 280 of its 1,000 or so buses now boast the system, and it will soon be fitted to the rest.

The modernisation of the operations is a significant change to a sector which has not always been known for technological innovation.

The company is now trying to increase its market share against 31 other bus companies in London. It is also awaiting the coming privatisation of a quarter of Dublin's state-owned bus services, with intentions to buy some of the routes.

Finance director Steve Ellis said: 'We have big ambitions.'

Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.

Auto updating of fare stages on 9 bus routes

Starting tomorrow: Satellite system, delayed from 2002, will prevent overcharging

By Goh Chin Lian

AUTOMATIC updating of fare stages will start on nine bus services from tomorrow, in a move to prevent passengers from being overcharged when bus drivers forget to update them manually.

The new feature will be introduced on all buses 'progressively', said the Land Transport Authority in a joint statement with bus operators SBS Transit and SMRT Buses yesterday.

They have spent the past two years testing a satellite- based system that tracks the position of buses and calculates the fare stages.

The number of fare stages travelled determines the bus fare.

The system will be in place initially on SBS Transit's services 40, 228, 265, 268 and 506, and SMRT Buses' 173, 180, 184 and 189.

Ez-link card readers at the exits on the buses will be de-activated when the doors close and the buses move off.

The readers will be activated only when the bus is 100m away from the next bus stop, when the fare stage has been updated.

SBS Transit said that it will have 50 staff members on hand on its bus services for the first two mornings to help passengers get used to the system.

The automatic updating was to have been introduced with the ez-link electronic fare card in April 2002, but the system was not ready then.

All 4,000 bus stops had to be mapped precisely, as well as the routes of about 3,600 SBS and SMRT buses.

It would have been 'ideal' to launch it at the same time as the ez-link system, but the LTA had said the contactless farecard's basic system needed to be 'stabilised' first.

Several technical issues had to be worked out, both with hardware and software and the system was then acting up at 10 'problematic' bus stops, mostly downtown.

Currently, drivers update the system manually at each fare stage, which typically consists of two bus stops.

If this is not done correctly, wrong fares are charged.

About 95 per cent of drivers remember to do so but an automated system means they will not have to.

Face off: Double- decker versus Bendy

Bendys are more accessible but double-deckers take up less road space, say operators

By Christopher Tan

ARE articulated buses better than double-deckers?

That perennial question, which has never been answered satisfactorily since Tibs brought in the first 'Bendy' bus in 1996, became topical again when London celebrated a special anniversary on the weekend of July 25.

That was the day the city marked the 50th year of its quintessential Routemaster double-deckers, which in the last five decades have become as recognisable as the British bobby and Big Ben.

The celebrations also marked the beginning of the end of the iconic red bus.

London mayor Ken Livingstone announced earlier this year that most of the 500 that remain will be phased out by late next year.

They will be replaced by newer models of double-deckers as well as Bendy buses. Major bus supplier Mercedes-Benz believes there will be more of the latter.

The development, still hotly debated by the icon's fans and commuters, is seen in some quarters as a gradual shift away from double-deckers. Besides Britain, the rest of Europe favours the Bendy.

But Singapore's largest transport group, Comfort- DelGro Corp, which has 840 double-deckers and two Bendys in its fleet of 2,500 buses, remains unconvinced.

Company spokesman Tammy Tan said: 'London is not doing away with all types of double-deckers, only the Routemaster. In fact, London has added more double-decker buses on the road in the last few years as these are found to be more suitable given the number of passengers they can carry for the amount of road space they take up.'

Currently, about two-thirds of buses in London have two decks, and 'they will be around for a long time more', she predicted.

Smaller rival Tibs, which has since been taken over by SMRT Corp and renamed SMRT Buses, has a different take on the situation.

An SMRT Corp spokesman said: 'We're generally satisfied with the Bendy bus in terms of performance, reliability and passenger-friendliness. Being single-deck, it's more passenger-friendly, especially during periods when demand is heavy.'

The company has 313 Bendys. These make up nearly 40 per cent of its fleet, up from 24 per cent five years ago.

The Bendy has three doors, making it faster and easier for passengers to board and alight. For the same reason, it occupies significantly less time at a bus stop, thus offsetting its longer dimensions.

It can also carry a few more passengers than a double-decker and, according to SMRT, costs less to run than a normal 12m single-decker bus on a per passenger basis.

And the articulated vehicle - which has a swivel centre - requires no special treatment.

'We didn't have to make any infrastructural changes to our depots to accommodate the Bendys,' the SMRT spokesman said. 'Although they're about 1.5 times longer, they have the same turning radius as a 12m bus.'

However, ComfortDelGro's Ms Tan maintains the vehicle is 'less efficient in terms of road space usage'. And despite its remarkable turning radius, she reckons it is less manoeuvrable.

'Reversing one in tight spots at interchanges, for instance, can pose a safety risk to passengers and other buses,' she said.

ComfortDelGro's double-deckers cost less than SMRT's articulated buses because the latter are factory-made and imported fully assembled. ComfortDelGro, which has had double-deckers since 1977, imports its buses' chassis and assembles their body separately.

While proponents point to the Bendy's popularity in Europe, Ms Tan claims Europe prefers them because 'many cities have low-hanging power lines in the streets'. 'However, we don't have such limitations in Singapore.'

Still, the company recognises that double-deckers are less accessible, and 'we're prepared to convert more seats in our buses to 'green seats' to cater for the handicapped and aged if necessary'.

Commuters appear divided on the two bus types as well.

Mr Billy Yeo, 20, who is serving his national service, said he finds a seat on the upper deck of a double-decker during peak hours more comfortable 'because passengers are not allowed to stand'.

Sales executive Beverly Wong, in her 30s, said: 'I enjoy the height of double-deckers. Bendys give a bumpy ride.'

But private school teacher B.L. Tan, 43, noted that the Bendy is 'more convenient' for commuters to get on and off.

The Land Transport Authority pointed out that all buses - whether single-deck, double-deck or articulated - are each accorded the same road space as two cars.

a variety would be best for consumers like me so i'm a little less bored.

For the record, I hate bendy buses! :D

why? i think the pininfarina designed ones look quite pretty!

both bendies and doubles look good (the new ones specifically only!)

but i prefer bendies, more modern looking and more user friendly.....

...........I dont have a preference on buses just because they look better. Sitting at the back of bendy buses gives me a headache sometimes, and hence I detest them.

Double deakers give me unrivalled views! :D

I like double deck becos of the view also......my fave seat is the front seat on the second floor.......:yes:

oh i like double decks for view too, but i like sitting at the back of bendy buses too! i'm so flexible i will survive i am the fittest.

but i concede i have the same thoughts too that double deckers are more space efficient.

I like double deck becos of the view also......my fave seat is the front seat on the second floor.......:yes:
Sama sama! Nothing beats taking a double deaker Bus number 30 and fly over the Benjamin Sheares bridge!

The New Paper - 21 Sep 2004

Switch to luxury travel... by bus

By Celine Lim
cellsf@sph.com.sg

EVEN as airlines are going budget, bus companies are switching to luxury.

From leather seats to on-demand movies from the touch-screen LCD monitor of your personal entertainment system and even a hostess to serve you meals.

Express bus company Transtar Travel will start the new service from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur (KL) next month. Each year, thousands head north, to places like Kuala Lumpur, in coaches. Little surprise then that bus companies are sprucing up their coaches.

For a first-class seat on Transtar's coaches, a one-way ticket from Singapore to KL will cost $56 while the rate from KL to Singapore is RM88($39).

Mr Tony Chiang, 60, a retiree who does freelance marketing consulting, travels to KL from Singapore two or three times a month 'for leisure'.

He usually makes the trip on Super VIP coaches because it is 'more convenient than taking a plane and takes almost the same amount of time'.

'I have to travel to the airport, check in my bag, go through immigration and take a taxi from the KL airport to the town area.'

All in all, it usually takes more than four hours. A coach would take about half an hour more.

Passengers board the new first-class coaches at Transtar Travel outlets at Lavender MRT, Boon Lay and Golden Mile Complex and their final stop is at the new Imbi Bus Terminal at Pasar Rakyat, which is about a 10-minute taxi ride from KL's Times Square.

Transtar Travel estimates that 20,000 people travelled by express coach from Singapore to Kuala Lumpur last year.

Lawyer Lawrence Tan, 57, usually drives between KL and Singapore at least twice a month for work.

When he started commuting in 1992, he did not want to take a bus as it was 'pretty boring'.

But these days, he often takes the double-decker express coaches run by Nice bus company.

'I would go for the new first-class express coach if I really want to relax. I won't mind paying a little more since I arrive refreshed.'

Copyright © 2004 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. All rights reserved.

Note: a dublicate of this thread has been made at the Urban Transport section of the international forums at

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/forumdisplay.php?f=130.

Does this mean that whatever is posted here will be posted in the subway section? and vice versa?

Does this mean that whatever is posted here will be posted in the subway section? and vice versa?
you can choose to post in both places, especially media articles or that kind of thing, or in either place. We can "syncronise" the two threads periodically anyway, so that is not a big problem.

Its not that different from the aviation and maritime forums, or quite a number of our skyscraper-related ones too. ;)

SEPT 20, 2004

AUTO UPDATES ON MORE BUSES

FIVE more bus services will be using the vehicle location system from today, said SBS Transit in a statement.

The system, launched in July, automatically updates fare stages on the buses. Altogether, 10 bus services are running with the system.

The five new bus services using it from today are: 261, 254, 272, 275 and 315. There will be 27 goodwill ambassadors available on these services today to help commuters get used to the system.

Posters and stickers will also be put up at the Ang Mo Kio, Boon Lay, Bukit Merah and Serangoon interchanges, where the five bus services are from, to tell commuters about it.

SEPT 20, 2004

AUTO UPDATES ON MORE BUSES

FIVE more bus services will be using the vehicle location system from today, said SBS Transit in a statement.

The system, launched in July, automatically updates fare stages on the buses. Altogether, 10 bus services are running with the system.

The five new bus services using it from today are: 261, 254, 272, 275 and 315. There will be 27 goodwill ambassadors available on these services today to help commuters get used to the system.

Posters and stickers will also be put up at the Ang Mo Kio, Boon Lay, Bukit Merah and Serangoon interchanges, where the five bus services are from, to tell commuters about it.auto updates for feeder buses?! does it make any difference? :bash:

Time is GMT + 8 hours
Posted: 18 October 2004 1813 hrs

Commuters can soon find out bus arrival times via SMS
By Yvonne Cheong, Channel NewsAsia

SINGAPORE : Have you ever been stuck at a bus-stop, wondering when your bus would arrive?

Well, for those who are waiting for Express Service 518, you can now find out just how much longer the wait will be.

SBS Transit has just rolled out an SMS service, which tells you when Express Bus Service 518 will arrive.

All you need to do is send an SMS to *655.

The service will then ask which bus you are waiting for and the bus- stop code, which can be found on bus-stop poles.

Most bus commuters are applauding this move.

"I think it's fantastic because you won't have to guess what time the bus is coming. You can do some shopping while waiting for the bus."

"I think it's a very good idea because it will help us know what time to reach the bus stop."

The estimated arrival time is derived using a location-based technology, but it doesn't take into account traffic jams.

The service is free over the next four weeks, after which it'll cost 10 cents till March next year, and 30 cents per request after that.

"I think 30 cents is ok. But if they bring the cost lower, that'd be much better," said a member of the public.

"SBS Transit does not benefit from this cost. It all goes to SingTel which I believe will help them defray their development cost," said Mr Elwyn Tan, deputy director for marketing at SBS Transit.

After the pilot run, the service will be extended to other express bus services and later to long frequency bus routes which have longer waiting times.

But the service is only for SBS Transit buses, and for now only available to SingTel mobile users.

"We're looking at tying in with other telcos as well. We'll do a review of the trial one month later, and possibly extend to other express services," said Mr Elwyn Tan. - CNA

Copyright © 2004 MCN International Pte Ltd

I don't know if there's already a Bus and Taxi thread here but here it goes... Time to split the trains thread and buses and taxis thread.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
A recent press release by SBS Transit on http://www.sbstransit.com.sg
While the company is still profitable, a fare adjustment is necessary also to ensure that it continues to earn sufficient money to be able to invest in its operations so as to improve its services. Buying new buses, for instance, costs money. Last year, we purchased 150 new air-conditioned, double-deck buses which are also low-floor and wheelchair-accessible. These 150 buses cost about $75 million. This year, we have just recently exercised our option to buy another 50 of these buses which will cost another $25 million. These investments do not come cheap and will be difficult to contemplate for any loss-making operator.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

More wheelchair buses!!! Woohoo!!! Where's SMRT???

haiyar.... so slowwwwww

can't they find alternative sources of revenue?! the MOST OBVIOUS BEING RETAIL???? look at all the human traffic coursing through the mostly dilapidated interchanges!!! even toa payoh interchange has almost no retail (that belongs to sbs).

SBS adds 3 new wheelchair-accessible bus services

SINGAPORE: Disabled people will now find it easier to travel to residential estates like Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok, Clementi and Queenstown.

SBS Transit has introduced three wheelchair-accessible bus (WAB) services to these areas.

The routes covered also include key medical facilities like the Singapore General Hospital, Raffles Hospital and various polyclinics and dental clinics.

Services 12, 196 and 198 were launched on Sunday in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons.

This brings the total number of WAB services to five, with a fleet of 62 buses.

SBS Transit says more than 800 wheelchair passengers have used the service since it was launched in June this year.

It says WABs help the disabled to integrate into society and allows them the opportunity to be more independent. - CNA/so

LTA to extend barrier-free accessibility beyond MRT/LRT stations

SINGAPORE: To make public transport more user-friendly, the Land Transport Authority is planning to extend barrier-free accessibility beyond the MRT and LRT stations.

Some $60m will be spent over five years to upgrade road facilities, like those around the Simei MRT station.

The pilot project at Simei MRT station is just the beginning of LTA's programme to make road facilities throughout Singapore barrier-free.

Since April this year, it has been upgrading road facilities within a 400 metre radius of the station.

It is also working with other organisations in the vicinity to provide user-friendly features.

One example - Changi General Hospital, which has barrier free accessibility on its ground, providing a seamless route to and from the MRT station.

"We decided to start with Simei station because of its close proximity to Changi General Hospital. This is a pilot so we will do improvements along the way. When we have studied how best to do this, we will extend it along the way," said Transport Minister Raymond Lim.

The 400metre radius will not be fixed and the barrier-free extension will depend on the facilities and the services required.

Meantime, the older stations within the North-South and East-West lines have been upgraded to become user-friendly and barrier-free.

The six-year project, costing more than $80 million, was carried out at 46 MRT stations.

"I feel that it is fantastic and that the government is actually taking steps to make barrier free facility for the handicapped and the elderly. However, I feel that the handicapped and the elderly must actually justify the placement of these facilities by actually using them and coming out to take the public transport to show that, yes it is effective. Also, the able bodied can be a bit more generous and courteous by not obstructing the pavements by placing their garbage bins or potted plants along the way," said Jeremy Lim, a student.

Speaking to reporters, the Transport Minister said the LTA is looking at installing platform screen doors and other safety options at MRT stations.

On the JB Monorail system, Mr Lim explained it is a commercial decision SMRT has to make and that it is awaiting details.

As for the Singapore-Kuala Lumpur air-route, he said officials from both sides would meet in mid-January to discuss the liberalisation of the air services agreement between the two countries. - CNA /dt

SBS Transit Rolls Out Three More Wheelchair-Accessible Bus Services

6 December 2006 – SBS Transit has introduced three more wheelchair-accessible bus (WAB) services, bringing the total number of WAB services to five in less than six months.

Launched on 3 December 2006 to mark the International Day of Disabled Persons, the three new services are 12, 196 and 198. In all, there are now 62 WABs on the road. These three new services were selected after consultation with the Voluntary Welfare Organisations (VWOs) and the Land Transport Authority. The routes covered include residential estates like Pasir Ris, Tampines, Bedok, Chinatown, Marine Parade, Bukit Merah, Jurong East, Queenstown and Clementi. Key medical facilities like the Singapore General Hospital, Raffles Hospital and various polyclinics and dental clinics are also located along the three routes.

“With more wheelchair accessible buses being introduced, more passengers-in-wheelchairs can take public transport. This is good because it helps the disabled to integrate socially with the community, and at the same time enables them to be more independent,” remarked Mr Eric Lau, 28, who is the transport and workshop supervisor at the Society for the Physically Disabled (SPD).

Since the launch of the first WAB service – Service 21 –on 26 June 2006, more than 800 passengers-in-wheelchairs have boarded our buses.

A frequent WAB user is Mr Gan Boon Leong, a 57-year-old paraplegic who works as a master craftsman at the Society for the Physically Disabled’s production workshop. He said: “The bus is very convenient as it provides point-to-point travel for me as it stops outside my house. I’m able to take Service 147 to go home after my shopping. I’ve also taken it to the Bukit Merah polyclinic, and also to the Singapore General Hospital for my medical appointments.”

Passengers-in-wheelchairs can plan their journey by visiting SBS Transit’s website for the scheduled arrival times of the WABs at the respective bus stops.

SBS Transit service updates are also available on our website at www.sbstransit.com.sg.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

About the first WAB service

The Service 21 WABs were launched by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, Minister for Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports (MCYS) and Second Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts, on 26 June 2006. Since then, some 800 passengers-in-wheelchairs have taken rides on the WABs.


About Service 12

Service 12 operates from Pasir Ris Bus Interchange to New Bridge Road Terminal. It provides direct connection to Tampines, Simei, Bedok South, Upper East Coast / East Coast, Bugis and Chinatown.

Coverage of the service…

Medical facilities: Raffles Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Pasir Ris Polyclinic
New towns / estates: Pasir Ris, Tampines, Simei, Bedok, Chinatown
MRT stations: Outram Park, Chinatown, Clarke Quay, Bugis, Lavender, Kallang, Tanah Merah, Expo, Pasir Ris
Government offices: Economic Development Board, Health Promotion Board, Immigration & Checkpoint Authority, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Ministry of Manpower, Ministry of Trade & Industry, National of Arts Council, National Heritage Board
Places of interests: Boat Quay, Singapore River, Clarke Quay, Chinatown, Downtown East
About Service 196

Service 196 operates from Bedok Bus Interchange to Clementi Bus Interchange. It provides direct connection to Bedok South, Marine Parade, Shenton Way, Bukit Merah, Queensway and Commonwealth Avenue West.

Coverage of the service…

VWOs: Society for the Physically Disabled and SPD Ability Centre
Medical facilities: Bedok Polyclinic / Dental Clinic, Bukit Merah and Marine Parade Polyclinics, Singapore General Hospital
New towns / estates: Bedok, Marine Parade, Bukit Merah, Queenstown and Clementi
MRT stations: Raffles Place, Commonwealth, Buona Vista, Clementi.
Government offices: Ministry of National Development, Central Provident Fund Board, Civil Service College (HQ), Health Promotion Board, Institute of Technical Education, Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Monetary Authority of Singapore, Singapore Land Authority
Places of interests: Asian Civilisation Museum, Merlion Park
About Service 198

Service 198 operates from Boon Lay Bus Interchange to Bukit Merah Bus Interchange. It provides direct connection to Jurong West / Jurong East, Buona Vista, Commonwealth Avenue and Queensway.

Coverage of the service…

Medical facilities: Jurong Polyclinic / Dental Clinic, Singapore General Hospital, Bukit Merah Polyclinic
New towns / estates: Jurong East, Queenstown, Clementi, Bukit Merah
MRT stations: Boon Lay, Jurong East, Commonwealth, Buona Vista.
Government offices: Civil Service College (HQ), Institute of Technical Education, Ministry of Education
Places of interests: Singapore Science Centre

SBS TRANSIT'S CITYBUZZ Services Withdrawn From 1 January 2007

Why? :eek:

SBS TRANSIT'S CITYBUZZ Services Withdrawn From 1 January 2007

My guess and the obvious: PATHETIC PASSENGER LOADS!

There will be 4 new services from SBS Transit. Services 45 and 185 will start from Boxing Day, the others in January.

5: Pasir Ris to Bt Merah (TBC)
45: Ang Mo Kio Depot to Upp East Coast Rd (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006-12-21-01-S.aspx)
175: Clementi to Lor 1 Geylang
185: Soon Lee Depot to Buona Vista (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006-12-21-02-S.aspx)

There will be 4 new services from SBS Transit. Services 45 and 185 will start from Boxing Day, the others in January.

5: Pasir Ris to Bt Merah (TBC)
45: Ang Mo Kio Depot to Upp East Coast Rd (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006-12-21-01-S.aspx)
175: Clementi to Lor 1 Geylang
185: Soon Lee Depot to Buona Vista (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/press/2006-12-21-02-S.aspx)

SBS Transit is introducing new services at this expense of not improving existing services? Shaking my head.

Well, they seem to be focusing on providing better links than SMRT with all these limited express services.

I think it's the prelude to the merger of the 2 groups. :ohno:

SBS TRANSIT'S CITYBUZZ Services Withdrawn From 1 January 2007

i really like to ride this bus :yes: but now :cry: omg i can't believe it :bash: :bash: :bash: :bash:

Why? :eek:

because its not well recieved... you can always see them empty. and they are using new double deckers. sure lose money

This story was printed from TODAYonline

All revved up for a place to park

Common terminal to house overland bus services needed to meet demand, raise standards: Bus association

Monday • January 8, 2007

Leong Wee Keat
weekeat@mediacorp.com.sg

WITH world-class check-in services, shop-till-you-drop duty-free outlets, free Internet, video games and movies, it's not surprising that air travellers taking off from Singapore's airport are spoilt for choice.

Seafarers setting sail may soon also enjoy a new mega cruise centre downtown.

In contrast, travellers boarding buses from Singapore to destinations across the Causeway have to wait by the road or in an empty car park with their luggage strewn around them. There is no shelter from the rain and sun, nor air-conditioning to beat the humidity.

At Beach Road, the busiest boarding point for cross-border bus trips, passengers often have to lug their bags in the dark, weaving in and out of parked buses with their engines running, to get to the right bus.

But if a proposal to build a new bus terminal opposite Harbourfront gets the nod from the authorities, passengers on express buses and coaches — some 1.1 million of them every year — could soon find themselves on equal footing with those who fly or cruise.

The Express Bus Agencies Association (EBAA) already has the financial backing of a local listed conglomerate and more than 30 bus companies indicating their interest in setting up operations at a common terminal.

They have even identified the site for the "world-class" bus terminal: The car park at Seah Im Road, off Telok Blangah Road (see map, right). The plot, the size of a football field, is their top choice among the other possible locations they have shortlisted at Victoria Street, Outram Park and Jurong East.

On the drawing board, the air-conditioned, multi-storey terminal will have facilities similar to those at the airport and cruise centre here. There will be arrival and departure lounges with food and beverage outlets, custom and immigration facilities, and security amenities to help screen luggage and passengers. A 2- to 3-star hotel, with a capacity of 400 rooms, has also been pencilled in — perhaps built within the terminal or next to it, to provide tired travellers with an accommodation alternative.

The proposed site sits just below the Cable Car Towers and next to the Harbourfront Bus Terminal.

Passengers would be able to connect to the nearby MRT station, and overland buses can use the nearby Ayer Rajah Expressway to head for the Tuas Second Link, said Mr Sebastian Yap, who chairs the EBAA committee on terminal services and facilities.

And, when the Sentosa integrated resort is completed in 2010, tourists can hop onto a shuttle bus or cable car and head for Genting International's Resort Worlds.

The only missing element now, it seems, is the green light from the authorities.

Said EBAA president Johnny Lim: "In every city you need a bus terminal because this is the cheapest way of ferrying people in and out of the city. If you have a world-class airport and a port, why not a bus terminal?"

Since the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA) rejected a proposal to convert Turf City into a bus terminal in 2004, EBAA said it has been in dialogue with the Singapore Tourism Board (STB) on the issue. But while sites in Tuas and Kranji have been offered to EBAA, the association feels the sites are too far from the city centre.

"We have our resources lined up but without approval from the authorities, we cannot proceed," Mr Yap told Today. "Building a bus terminal involves a multi-agency effort and parties such as the URA, STB and Land Transport Authority need to be involved to help fulfil this vision."

When approached for an update, STB would only tell Today that it has been providing tourism input to the relevant parties on the proposed building of a centralised terminal for buses travelling between Singapore and Malaysia.

But a decision should be made soon, said Mr Yap and other bus companies. In the past 10 years, the number of passengers travelling to Singapore by bus has doubled, to 4,000 passengers daily. At this rate, the existing facilities may not be enough to cope with demand, said Mr Yap, who is also the managing director of Regent Star Travel.

Operations of express bus companies remain scattered here, with at least 10 different pick-up locations spread across the island. Most of the express bus services are now based at Golden Mile Complex, where passengers board and alight right off the road.

Housewife Mrs Peggy Ng, who makes regular trips to Malaysia by bus, said this is less than desirable.

"You have buses parked at Beach Road and traffic weaving in and out. It is a safety hazard," she said, adding that a lack of amenities, such as lockers, means passengers could lose their luggage to thieves.

Mr Cedric Foo, the Government Parliamentary Committee chairman for transport, said the relevant authorities should look into EBAA's proposal for a common bus terminal. "From a transport point of view, there is a demand. There are people who want to travel to Malaysia and Singapore via bus," he said. "Just as we plan for an airport and a cruise port, we should also plan for a common bus terminal."

Copyright MediaCorp Press Ltd. All rights reserved.

perhaps the authorities put little priority on developing a bus terminal because its got the least economic benefits.

New Service 5

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/5694/2007030601smz9.jpg (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/images_press/2007-03-06-01-S.jpg)

New Service 175

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/2272/2007030602sba0.jpg (http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/images_press/2007-03-06-02-S.jpg)

Heh... Seems I really need to buy a new bus guide ^ ^;

More premium bus services to heartlands
Weekend • March 10, 2007

Gracia Chiang
gracia@mediacorp.com.sg



THE good news for commuters sick of long waiting times and crowded buses is, operators are queuing up to offer premium bus services to the HDB heartlands — including far-flung estates such as Punggol and Loyang.

Barely two weeks after the guidelines for premium bus services were revised on Feb 1, the Public Transport Council (PTC) received more than 40 new applications, compared to the one or so a month previously, said Transport Minister Raymond Lim.

And as of March 9, two routes have been approved — one from Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 to Shenton Way, and another from The Gardens at Bishan condominium to Bishan MRT station. Both operators will have to get their routes going within three months.

Chairman of Singapore School Transport Association, Mr Wong Ann Lin, was thrilled that his 750-member group was awarded the licence to run the Ang Mo Kio route. "We hope it will be a success," he said.

The tentative plans are to have up to six buses plying this new route every 10 to 15 minutes during the morning and evening peak hours. Fares could cost up to $3.

In all, there are now 12 premium bus services, with 44 more — proposed by six operators, including SBS Transit — waiting for the green light.

Other new players include Transcity Bus Services and Ackzo6-Ventures, which propose to serve areas such as Bukit Panjang, Punggol and Loyang, taking commuters to the Central Business District.

Operations manager of Ackzo6-Ventures, Mr Elliot Lin, said: "Before the North-East Line was built, there used to be Express 501 running through Punggol. From our surveys, we found that people still like such services." If approved, his two routes will run in the morning and charge $2.50 per trip.

Commuters, especially those who work in the CBD, are heartened by the greater number of options.

Said Punggol resident, Wendy Chung, 22: "There are now only one or two buses serving the Punggol Field area. I have to wait up to 20 minutes for a bus. With this premium service, there will be more specific arrival times so that's good."

speaking of premium bus services, i;ve seen many 6xx service bus numbers on the bus stops , but have yet to see one, are these premium bus services?

Real-time bus arrival info at bus stops

By Julian Lim - Mar 09, 2007
AsiaOne

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced today that it would be working with public transport operators on a trial to display real-time bus arrival information at high-traffic bus stops.

According to LTA's press release, commuters are expected to benefit by being able to "better manage waiting time and transfers, as well as make more informed travel decisions".

20 bus stops in the Orchard Road area and another 10 in two HDB towns will be outfitted with LED information panels. More panels will be introduced at other bus stops around the city and regional centres based on public feedback on the trial.

LTA spokesperson, Miss Naleeza Ebrahim told AsiaOne that these real-time updates would be transmitted via the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network from the bus operator's system to the display panels.

Another initiative that LTA hopes will improve the commuter experience is the Electronic Bus Journey Planner that will allow users to plan their travel routes more effectively. LTA will provide funding to TransitLink for the development of this system to be hosted on the Transitlink website, and will cover routes of both SBS Transit and SMRT Buses.

Trials for both projects are slated to begin in July 2007.

A total of $5 million has been set aside for the development of these initiatives, which LTA is confident will cover the full costs of implementation, and will not translate into higher fares for consumers.

Miss Ng Yiqing, 20, an undergraduate, feels that the real-time bus arrival times would be helpful for her commutes from campus to town, but is concerned that these display panels could end up being targets for vandals.

However, Mr Tan Kaichin, who takes the bus daily to work, is skeptical about the benefits of the bus arrival information panels.

"I've waited for 25 minutes sometimes for a bus, and the terminal is just next to my bus stop."

"If the bus doesn't come, then it doesn't come."

The LTA hopes to tweak both systems based on feedback received from commuters. LTA's hotline: 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255 582)
http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/news/pics/20070309_012a.jpg

Service 5

http://i18.tinypic.com/2dhv6hk.jpg

Real-time bus arrival info at bus stops

By Julian Lim - Mar 09, 2007
AsiaOne

The Land Transport Authority (LTA) announced today that it would be working with public transport operators on a trial to display real-time bus arrival information at high-traffic bus stops.

According to LTA's press release, commuters are expected to benefit by being able to "better manage waiting time and transfers, as well as make more informed travel decisions".

20 bus stops in the Orchard Road area and another 10 in two HDB towns will be outfitted with LED information panels. More panels will be introduced at other bus stops around the city and regional centres based on public feedback on the trial.

LTA spokesperson, Miss Naleeza Ebrahim told AsiaOne that these real-time updates would be transmitted via the General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) network from the bus operator's system to the display panels.

Another initiative that LTA hopes will improve the commuter experience is the Electronic Bus Journey Planner that will allow users to plan their travel routes more effectively. LTA will provide funding to TransitLink for the development of this system to be hosted on the Transitlink website, and will cover routes of both SBS Transit and SMRT Buses.

Trials for both projects are slated to begin in July 2007.

A total of $5 million has been set aside for the development of these initiatives, which LTA is confident will cover the full costs of implementation, and will not translate into higher fares for consumers.

Miss Ng Yiqing, 20, an undergraduate, feels that the real-time bus arrival times would be helpful for her commutes from campus to town, but is concerned that these display panels could end up being targets for vandals.

However, Mr Tan Kaichin, who takes the bus daily to work, is skeptical about the benefits of the bus arrival information panels.

"I've waited for 25 minutes sometimes for a bus, and the terminal is just next to my bus stop."

"If the bus doesn't come, then it doesn't come."

The LTA hopes to tweak both systems based on feedback received from commuters. LTA's hotline: 1800-CALL LTA (1800-2255 582)
http://motoring.asiaone.com.sg/news/pics/20070309_012a.jpg

There is no need for full sized LED panels the size of TVs actually if they are thinking about it. A simple LED one line display like those at NEL MRT Stations would be sufficient, like in Taipei and Kaohsiung, where the text will scroll "Service 7: 4 MINS.............Service 147: 15 MINS". Certainly saves a lot of costs.

There is no need for full sized LED panels the size of TVs actually if they are thinking about it. A simple LED one line display like those at NEL MRT Stations would be sufficient, like in Taipei and Kaohsiung, where the text will scroll "Service 7: 4 MINS.............Service 147: 15 MINS". Certainly saves a lot of costs.

But LCDs come so cheap now, maybe it's cheaper than designing a custom-made display ;-) Anyway, whatever the system they choose, it would be a great improvement ! :-) I'm all for it !

But LCDs come so cheap now, maybe it's cheaper than designing a custom-made display ;-) Anyway, whatever the system they choose, it would be a great improvement ! :-) I'm all for it !



Nope LCDs would definitely still be much much more expensive than a NEL like LED display. For the sake of not having round after round of fare hikes, I am hoping they choose this tech instead.

But of course having such a system does lots to improving the commuter experience... We have a lot of catching up to our East Asian neighbours.

scrolling LEDs sounds like to way to go, a custom one as drawn by mediacorp in the pic, would be expensive to maintain, unless they do it like the next bus arrival system in bus interchanges... running a TV screen VS running LEDs, LCD/CRT tv sounds alot more user friendly, but the cost...

oh and notice the budget needed just to run 30 of these (SGD5m)... imagine if we had hundreds, confirm price hike

I wish 174 could increase in frequency or capacity at peak hours. It's getting too crowded to get on the bus (even though it's a double-decker bus) especially along Farrer Road! Not to mention the lack of alternatives till Farrer Road Station is ready...

It's due to sudden influx of foreign talents. Hope SBSTransit or SMRT will introduce a premium bus service to ferry people along Farrer Road to Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar. I don't mind paying a premium of $3-5 per trip for comfort and better service level. Getting a cab at peak hours along Farrer Road is a huge challenge. Taxi fare could go up to $14 at peak hours due to traffic jam, taxi surcharges and ERP charges.

I wish 174 could increase in frequency or capacity at peak hours. It's getting too crowded to get on the bus (even though it's a double-decker bus) especially along Farrer Road! Not to mention the lack of alternatives till Farrer Road Station is ready...

It's due to sudden influx of foreign talents. Hope SBSTransit or SMRT will introduce a premium bus service to ferry people along Farrer Road to Raffles Place and Tanjong Pagar. I don't mind paying a premium of $3-5 per trip for comfort and better service level. Getting a cab at peak hours along Farrer Road is a huge challenge. Taxi fare could go up to $14 at peak hours due to traffic jam, taxi surcharges and ERP charges.

I've taken 174 before, nearly sandwiched by the door, as in more than 100% packed! :rant:

I also wish for greater frequency of bus 74. In the morning always crowded with students. It connects HCI, NP, SIM, SP, ACS. And also Nanyang Girls' and NJC across the road.

So many major schools along the way.

74 currently runs between 0-5mins during peak hours (avg 2mins), n quite often, even during off-peak, 2 74s run one behind the other. if 74's frequency is further increased, u will literally see them sticking to each other...

74 currently runs between 0-5mins during peak hours (avg 2mins), n quite often, even during off-peak, 2 74s run one behind the other. if 74's frequency is further increased, u will literally see them sticking to each other...

It's not rare to see 74s not stopping at bus stops during morning school rush hour cos the bus is literally bursting at the seams. :ohno: :ohno: :ohno: :bash:

I ever seen two 74s not stopping at bus stops and eventually caused me to be late for school. :(

Oh so it's not quite as bad as 179 and 199 yet ^ ^

74 currently runs between 0-5mins during peak hours (avg 2mins), n quite often, even during off-peak, 2 74s run one behind the other. if 74's frequency is further increased, u will literally see them sticking to each other...
actually 74's frequency is getting worst. and during peak hours, many of them are stuck along ang mo kio ave 6, marymount rd, lornie rd (74) and PIE (74e). it is really inefficient.

they shld get 74e out of that marymount area and run straight to NP. :ohno:

If only we could work / study from home or start work / school at different hours of the day, the issue would be resolved.

actually 74's frequency is getting worst. and during peak hours, many of them are stuck along ang mo kio ave 6, marymount rd, lornie rd (74) and PIE (74e). it is really inefficient.

they shld get 74e out of that marymount area and run straight to NP. :ohno:

74 is normally taken by students living in central Singapore in the morning rush hour. Many tertiary and popular schools. Hence the high ridership. ALWAYS crammed in the mornings.:ohno:

The worst bus I ever took was 174 in Farrer direction from Orchard, say around 6:30pm. 3 times, I boarded the bus and could not advance futher than the 2nd step of the stairs. Was virtually squeezed to the door. Luckily my stop was only 2 stops away. :ohno:

Luckily for me, I board bus 74 at SP bustop, which I always walk up to the 2nd deck and easily find a seat. I've seen like 3 74 together, but quite a cute sight. lol.

If only we could work / study from home or start work / school at different hours of the day, the issue would be resolved.

That would be ideal:banana:

74 is normally taken by students living in central Singapore in the morning rush hour. Many tertiary and popular schools. Hence the high ridership. ALWAYS crammed in the mornings.:ohno:

I live at AMK. :lol:

but i have observed that 74 no longer bunches nowadays, even though it is running at short interval of 3-5 mins or so (8-10mins during off-peak), it no longer bunches as much as before. in fact, it was 151 that was handling its high ridership better than before, strangely.

I just saw 4 74s parked front to back outside NP bus stop the other day.

I just saw 4 74s parked front to back outside NP bus stop the other day.

Wah! What time and in which direction? :eek:

I know 74 frequencies are quite good but morning peak hours especially along Ang Mo Kio Ave 3/6, Marymount Road can cause buses to be coupling or tripling. I know 74 has high ridership due to the many schools it serves.

But 174? I do not really get how come it gets crowded almost 7 days a week. The few times I headed to the city from Millennia Institute at Bukit Batok West, 174 remained not very crowded, but sardine- packed?

Could someone please explain to me how come this happens?

By the way, Singapore's 3rd fully air- conditioned bus interchange opens this coming Saturday at Ang Mo Kio.

I know 74 frequencies are quite good but morning peak hours especially along Ang Mo Kio Ave 3/6, Marymount Road can cause buses to be coupling or tripling. I know 74 has high ridership due to the many schools it serves.

But 174? I do not really get how come it gets crowded almost 7 days a week. The few times I headed to the city from Millennia Institute at Bukit Batok West, 174 remained not very crowded, but sardine- packed?

Could someone please explain to me how come this happens?

By the way, Singapore's 3rd fully air- conditioned bus interchange opens this coming Saturday at Ang Mo Kio.

Major schools along 74 route:

Hwa Chong Inst, Nanyang Girls', National JC, Raffles Girls' Pri, Methodist Girls' Pri/Sec, Ngee Ann Poly, SIM University, Singapore Poly, ACS Independent + ACS Int'l + ACJC, ITE Dover.
:nuts: :lol:

You guys and gals should try boarding the bus 96 from NUS to Clementi MRT during after work rush hours :nuts:

Especially if you are at the last 'high volume' stop you can see more than 2 to 3 or even 4 buses that will not stop because of the sardines inside.:lol:

You guys and gals should try boarding the bus 96 from NUS to Clementi MRT during after work rush hours :nuts:

Especially if you are at the last 'high volume' stop you can see more than 2 to 3 or even 4 buses that will not stop because of the sardines inside.:lol:

:nuts:

Lucky the worst I got was two 74s not stopping.... took it at Marymount, opposite the driving range. It caused me to be late for school :(

:nuts:

Lucky the worst I got was two 74s not stopping.... took it at Marymount, opposite the driving range. It caused me to be late for school :(

Lucky for me too coz I used to stay in Campus and dun have to take the bus 96 to the Clementi MRT. :lol:

But it's a mixed feeling of wanting to laugh at the sardines and at the same time feel sorry for them.

Hopefully the new Circle line kent ridge mrt will help but from NUS' layout and current in campus shuttle bus routes...it looks like it is does not support the flow of students to the future mrt station which is behind the NUH hospital.
Maybe the university willdo something.

I just saw 4 74s parked front to back outside NP bus stop the other day.

Whoa photo opportunity! :lol:

Actually we have to admit that Singapore's public transport is not that good.

I was in London and I can practically go everywhere with the tube without having to walk more than 150m. And I read that the mayor of London takes the tube to work.:)
I dont think Singapore leaders take public transport and you always hear them deny that the public transport has problems and say it is world class.
Their actions already betray their words.

Just my opinion. Also have to keep in mind that London has a big headstart.

Actually we have to admit that Singapore's public transport is not that good.

I was in London and I can practically go everywhere with the tube without having to walk more than 150m. And I read that the mayor of London takes the tube to work.:)
I dont think Singapore leaders take public transport and you always hear them deny that the public transport has problems and say it is world class.
Their actions already betray their words.

Just my opinion. Also have to keep in mind that London has a big headstart.

Our ministers seriously have to take public transport. By not doing so it shows a lot about them. Even once in a while is fine.

But I think most Asian countries are still trapped in the class thingy.

As in like taking public transport means you are of lower class. Furthermore, most ministers came from well to do families. Not used to taking public transport.

Am I going off topic?:lol:

they shld get 74e out of that marymount area and run straight to NP. :ohno:

out of marymount? then where can they go?
74 runs Hougang -(EXP)- AMK -(EXP)- Bukit Timah - NP/SIM/SP etc...

but once the CCL starts running, we'll see 74's frequency being dramatically decreased, n major re-routing so as not to 'duplicate' those of the CCL n future BTL.... what an excuse...

its sad that the meger isnt happening otherwise buses would be competing with trains to provide the best rides for commuters...

out of marymount? then where can they go?
74 runs Hougang -(EXP)- AMK -(EXP)- Bukit Timah - NP/SIM/SP etc...

but once the CCL starts running, we'll see 74's frequency being dramatically decreased, n major re-routing so as not to 'duplicate' those of the CCL n future BTL.... what an excuse...

its sad that the meger isnt happening otherwise buses would be competing with trains to provide the best rides for commuters...

Well another example of of Singapore's trademark.:ohno:
Money always comes before the welfare of the people.
If they compete SMRT, will take a hit financially because of competition. Also, we have to keep in mind that Temasek is the parent company of SMRT and it will not let SMRT suffer.

Other examples are like the casinos debate and HDB lifts upgrade.

oh well, they should just let SMRT take care of the trains and SBS take care of the buses :D

oops am I being too shallow here ;)

out of marymount? then where can they go?
74 runs Hougang -(EXP)- AMK -(EXP)- Bukit Timah - NP/SIM/SP etc...

but once the CCL starts running, we'll see 74's frequency being dramatically decreased, n major re-routing so as not to 'duplicate' those of the CCL n future BTL.... what an excuse...

its sad that the meger isnt happening otherwise buses would be competing with trains to provide the best rides for commuters...

;eft turn after amk ave 3/mrt, amk ave 8, bishan rd, braddell rd and choose either lornie rd or thomson rd to PIE....

there is a major bus stop for transits at marymount road, lots of people transfer from other services to 74 from that bustop (the one in front of a golf course that seperates bishan with amk)

besides, bishan rd, braddel n lornie rd is just as conjested at the existing route isnt it?

there is a major bus stop for transits at marymount road, lots of people transfer from other services to 74 from that bustop (the one in front of a golf course that seperates bishan with amk)

besides, bishan rd, braddel n lornie rd is just as conjested at the existing route isnt it?

Yah, worse I take that route to school everyday... Once jam from Thomson Rd, just after AMK Ave 1 all the way to Farrer Underpass. Took me 1 hour to clear the stupid traffic jam. :nuts:

there is a major bus stop for transits at marymount road, lots of people transfer from other services to 74 from that bustop (the one in front of a golf course that seperates bishan with amk)

besides, bishan rd, braddel n lornie rd is just as conjested at the existing route isnt it?
from yishun? they can take the MRT to AMK.

frankly speaking, making 74e stuck in the marymount rd jam does not justify its premium price tag anymore.

bishan road is still ok, though there is the jam at braddell rd.

it's such a sore they shld just scrap 74e. :lol:

I'm not too sure if anyone here has mentioned this yet but has anyone seen the new SMRT bus service guide? The routes are categorized under SMRT's hubs, then sub-categorized with bus services (feeder and trunk) and feeder alone.. The routes are drawn like mini- subway lines from the interchanges. I think its quite cool and gives a good overview of the services.

Do go check it out.

u got a link or smth... it still looks like the old crappy site to me....

in any case, i really hope LTA can make an sbst-like guide for both sbst n smrt combined... really inconvenient since i cant find the quickest route on only sbst...

http://www.smrt.com.sg/buses/docs/Bt%20Batok%20SMRT%20Bus%20&%20MRT%20Services%20Guide.pdf


It's a PDF file for Bukit Batok services. I don't know if it has been mentioned or you think this is crappy but I think its rather cool.

thats really nice... (looks like their nightrider map =P), but meant the site for 'route planning', ---> http://www.smrtbuses.com.sg/busguide/guide.asp still is the same crappy site....

Yup. The route planning is still rather sucky.

I was wondering how come some bus interchanges look like there aren't any plans to replace it or look very temporary looking.

Jurong East, Bedok, Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok look like they're due to be redeveloped but no concrete plans are being drawn up to replace them.

Hougang Central looks like a temporary structure, similar to Clementi, Punggol and Boon Lay Temp interchanges.

Tampines is okayy but it looks like it is operating over capacity. Bishan's looks lost in the 1980s, very unfitting of the futuristic Circle Line station coming up beside it.

i rmb-ed reading about Jr East interchange being sheduled for aircon redevelopment some time back...
Hougang still looks quite functional and not as bad as other 80s-type interchanges aesthetically.
Bishan wont be redesigned coz of the hawker centre on top of it and the multistory carpark that is chalking record high capacities... both of which are owned by 3rd party companies that would not agree to sbst tearing down their rice bowl...

Svc 13 just got double-decked few days ago! and i did notice something in the side plate (the one beside the door), on the YCK-Upp East Coast direction, the plate has a paper tape covering the terminating destination. but if you look closely through the tape, it actually says Marine Parade! (instead of Upp East Coast Ter)

this could be either a simple printo error, or it could mean that this route is gonna be re-routed soon...

Svc 13 just got double-decked few days ago! and i did notice something in the side plate (the one beside the door), on the YCK-Upp East Coast direction, the plate has a paper tape covering the terminating destination. but if you look closely through the tape, it actually says Marine Parade! (instead of Upp East Coast Ter)

this could be either a simple printo error, or it could mean that this route is gonna be re-routed soon...
Yes. DD's had been planned for this service since a few months ago and it only got the go-ahead now because many drivers were reluctant to let go of the Mercedes which is much easier to drive (the Leyland's have no power steering). currently about 5 DD's are running, and just slightly more than half of S13 drivers have been trained to drive a DD.

i also saw the Marine Parade thing. :lol:

i was on 74e a couple of weeks ago, during evening peak, the trip from Singapore Poly to AMK Central took about 35mins, this as compared to the 1hr a regular 74 would have taken. If not for the jam on the PIE, this could have easily been just 15-20mins, just for the bus to U-turn into the PIE, we had to wait 4 traffic lights....
http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3788/13072007122ob4.jpg
the bus was almost empty....
http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/8557/13072007123mn7.jpg
------------
the Marine Parade thing with 13 has been corrected, it now reads Upp East Coast Ter... oh and frequency has become really bad even since DDs were introduced, now averaging 15mins, just to fill up the DDs

LTA rolls out pilot project to provide arrival info at bus stops
The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has rolled out a pilot project to provide real-time bus arrival information at selected bus stops.

This is expected to take the guesswork out of waiting for a bus for commuters.

Panels with LED displays will be set up at the bus stops.

They will list bus service numbers, what time the next and subsequent buses will arrive, plus or minus three minutes, and whether they are wheelchair-friendly.

The panels will be progressively installed at 30 selected bus stops in the Orchard Road, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun areas, at a cost of just over a million dollars.

For now, it is a pilot scheme for 6 months.

Although the panels will be located at a fairly low level, LTA says they should be fairly tamper-proof as they are made up of strong tempered glass surrounded by stainless steel frames.

Many commuters say they are all for it, if it works well.

"Sometimes you don't know when the bus is going to arrive. Supposedly they say bus interval is about 15 minutes, but it can be delayed by up to half an hour or one hour, (especially) during traffic jams. So with these bus panels, I think it will be... useful," said one commuter.

"Sometimes I'm not sure if I'll be late for school. So if I know the bus is taking too long, I can take a cab straight away and won't waste too much time," said another.

"But the thing is that - will they really come? If they say 5 minutes, will the bus really come? To me, it's the same - not much difference. I'm used to waiting already."

This is not the first time the LTA has tried out such a system.

In 2003, the LTA aborted a three-year-old venture with homegrown company Stratech for a bus commuter information system.

But Transport Minister Raymond Lim said things are different now.

He said: "The main difference is that technology has improved and cost has come down."

Mr Lim added that the authorities want feedback from commuters before they go any further.

Still, even if the scheme works well, it will not be going island-wide.

Mr Lim said: "Because it's not cost effective. There are 4,000 over bus stops. You might not want to put one in every single bus stop. You look at where are the major areas where there are high commuter traffic and you target them."

Also introduced on a pilot level are Key Bus Services Maps which will be installed at 36 key bus stops around Orchard Road by end-August.

Primarily meant to help tourists, they are pictorial representations of surrounding landmarks and how to get there using the nearest bus stops and MRT stations.

EDIT: just saw the news, they showed the huge 2-colour (green/orange) led boards that were almost a persons height, with a fat box of metal behind it (containing the computers)

Such large displays...no wonder it costs so much for a couple of displays at 30 bus stops...and no wonder they find it cost inefficient to have them in most bus stops in the future...

Taipei's bus stops have just a one line LED display. And it does the job, for 10 over bus services... Small = Cheap. Non Customised = Cheap... The total opposite of what we are doing...

No wonder they had the system running for a year or two now at 145 bus stops...expanding to 1145 by 2008 and 4000 eventually.

ANd their system is even more high tech...

Not to be biased, just stating the facts....:)

Maybe they can consider one-line LEDs for the smaller bus stops? But I believe big panels would suit high-demand areas like Orchard where there are more tourists and more services plying the stops.

Maybe they can consider one-line LEDs for the smaller bus stops? But I believe big panels would suit high-demand areas like Orchard where there are more tourists and more services plying the stops.

^tamago^ is so smart :cheers: can try emailing the minister of transport?

I doubt they will listen. If there are 20 services at a bus stop they could just use 4 sets of one liner led. With each set alternativing info between 5 bus services every 5 seconds.

If demand for bus services at a bus stop ever drop they can always remove one set etc. Perhaps that could be cheaper than having a large screen customised to display 15 bus services?

I am not a pro in this field but I do think that this is more efficient. You only need to look to Taipei and Kaohsiung to see how its working well there.

Look at how large the displays they now have look. Large is a good thing, but not when the cost has to be borne by somebody and when it is inefficient.

I seriously doubt the size of the LED screen will determine the price, considering the technology required in the system, the stuff that costs the most blink.

I'm just waiting for people to scream for higher bus frequencies like every 7 minutes like the MRTs... :lol: I would not be too happy knowing my bus would be arriving in 25 minutes.

Singaporeans want everything to be efficient and convenient, to be easy for them but as low cost as possible.

if u see the difference between a small and large sized led screen (as in sg's case) and multiply by hundreds of bus stops, plus making a system that shows the arrival time of the next next bus, it all adds up...

yeah but since we have iris, which is far more efficient, i would rather they devote the resources to improving train and bus ride quality etc.

but since they already started on this system, it should be more cost efficient.

if u see the difference between a small and large sized led screen (as in sg's case) and multiply by hundreds of bus stops, plus making a system that shows the arrival time of the next next bus, it all adds up...

yeah but since we have iris, which is far more efficient, i would rather they devote the resources to improving train and bus ride quality etc.

but since they already started on this system, it should be more cost efficient.

since buses are already equipped with the ezlink system which does relay info on its position (note how SMRTs buses display current busstop info),the cost of implementing this data would be low, since all they have to do is wire the ezlink detectors (which are linked together already i think) from the roadside to the busstop.
and the cost of a small LED and that of a large one is almost however many times bigger it is... i dont see smrt complaining about the one-lined LEDs on all of its buses...

oh and i find iris not that practical. firstly, not many would turn on their computers every morning before they leave, just to see how many seconds are there left before their bus arrives, then run down only to realize that there was a 1 minute error in time. iris mobile is also EXPENSIVE considering the gprs/3g charges here. the most important reason for having LEDs is let say, there are two buses i can take to a particular destionation, the one that takes a shorter route come every 15mins, the one that take a longer route arrives every 5, so if i knew that the shorter route bus would arrive a minute behind the longer route one, i would wait, saving time.

I had a bad experience with IRIS yesterday. I IRIS-ed for SBS svc 36 at Raffles Hotel and was told the next bus was in 18 minutes. Guess what, within the next 5 minutes, 2 svc 36s were coupled together.

Out of topic but why doesn't SMRT get double- deckers? I travel on SMRT buses nowadays and they have quite alot of routes which NEED something bigger than a Bendy. Some of these routes probably need a double- decker bus service more than many of the SBS ones.

I had a bad experience with IRIS yesterday. I IRIS-ed for SBS svc 36 at Raffles Hotel and was told the next bus was in 18 minutes. Guess what, within the next 5 minutes, 2 svc 36s were coupled together.

Out of topic but why doesn't SMRT get double- deckers? I travel on SMRT buses nowadays and they have quite alot of routes which NEED something bigger than a Bendy. Some of these routes probably need a double- decker bus service more than many of the SBS ones.

According to SMRT, they prefer Bendy Bus - faster to alight due to availability of extra door (3 doors in total), passenger-friendly as well as lower cost of operating bendy buses. SMRT will be replacing old aging buses with new 12 m buses. So far no news from SMRT on buying new bendy WAB buses..

I had a bad experience with IRIS yesterday. I IRIS-ed for SBS svc 36 at Raffles Hotel and was told the next bus was in 18 minutes. Guess what, within the next 5 minutes, 2 svc 36s were coupled together.

I checked at Suntec Twr 3, the first stop out from ECP on Sun morning. At first it showed 10 mins (which was actually true), then it jumped to 7 mins, then to 18 mins, then to 12 mins. i reasoned that either something's wrong with iris or the traffic is really bad on the ECP. and the bus turned up based on the first results, 10 mins after. :lol:

iris probably doesn't work well on 36, and also for the first few stops out of an interchange/terminal. :ohno:

what new 12 m buses? would lower bus capacities mean higher frequencies?

what new 12 m buses? would lower bus capacities mean higher frequencies?

If you notice, SMRT buses have many aging buses that needed to be replaced. Many old buses have already exceeded their lifespans. SMRT has already made tenders of 66 new 12m buses that may be on road soon by next year.

Only SBS Transit is constantly replacing old buses with new buses. :)

really? in my eyes smrt buses generally look newer and better maintained than the sbs ones. the volvo ones are absolutely horrid!

any pictures of the 12m buses?

really? in my eyes smrt buses generally look newer and better maintained than the sbs ones. the volvo ones are absolutely horrid!

any pictures of the 12m buses?

Volvo? Horrid?

SBS Transit aging Mercedes, Scania and Volvo buses that also exceeded their lifespan, are on their way out. One by one has been sent off to metal scrapyard or export to other countries after their road permits expired.

New SBS Transit 100 single decker WAB (Wheelchair Accessible Buses) to replace aging single decker buses, are coming soon in third quarter of 2007.

As from the day first double decker WABs hit the road. Both SBS Transit and SMRT must replace the old ones with new WABs.

Bus fans would tell you that SMRT really needs to replace old buses - more urgent than SBS Transit which have already adding in new buses constantly.

For example, SMRT 178 uses alot of Nissan Diesel buses which were very old - I think more than 20 years already. Some of these buses are formerly on CSS (City Shuttle Services) and now being deployed on SMRT services (Just look at bus licence plate CSS XXX, as compared to TIB XXX).

After SMRT took over Trans-Islands buses, SMRT did not add new buses to replace old ones. They only repainted buses with SMRT livery.

The older buses go, spares would become more expensive and harder to get spares as some models would not be in production. Many of SMRT buses have to be brought in from other countries while SBS Transit assembles own buses at their assembly plants.

Here are websites made by Singapore buses fans. :)
- All about SBS Transit with years that the buses of different models go on road- http://www.sgcitybus.fotopic.net/

oh ok... i seem to only take service 106, which usually has those pininfarina bendy buses.

i've not recently been on any unbearable smrt bus - they're all very well air conditioned and not too noisy (compared to some sbs buses).

if you say smrt has got more old buses, i suppose sbs has got at least a significant number of buses that are very badly maintained.

after all sbs did fail the maintenance standards set by ptc while smrt passed with flying colours right?

oh my, from that sbs fan webby i just found out that the NEW WABS have only EURO III engines!!!! why is singapore always such a laggard when it comes to buses... every decent public transport system is already at least introducing euro IV buses - hong kong, china, australia, even a backwater town like fort worth has an all cng bus fleet.

and do we dare even look at the fuel cell bus club (http://www.fuel-cell-bus-club.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=2). all this i gleaned from a cursory search after finding out about the much hyped WABs being only EURO III.

to think sbs doesnt use its cng buses because it thinks the running costs are too high. and that it's got the cheek to label its new express buses *PREMIUM*

The newer single deck WABs will be Euro4, as will all future buses.

Before 2001, the statutory life span was 12 years. Many buses were selected and maintained based on such an expectation, so when their life span were extended by 5 years , and some even extended by seven to 19 years, how these old buses fared varied greatly even with top-notch maintenance and interior refurbishments.

Only SBS Transit was granted 19-year life spans on a case-by-case basis, and largely due to the delay in rolling out the WABs due to extensive consultation with LTA, PTC and MOT. If the new buses could be rolled out earlier, the old buses would have been retired by 17 years.

Of course, it had to prove that it had the resources to maintain these vehicles. In the case of Volvo B10M Mark II, its spares were largely identical across the different "marks" (the newest being the ones introduced as late as 2002) and hence continued supply of fresh spares at low cost was possible. For Scania N113CRB's, cannibalising buses for spares was used.

Because of the fact that SBS Transit retained so many old buses, they will bound to have higher rates of failure one way or another. When these buses from the early 1990s retire, it will go down. In fact, they have been retiring some of these buses before 19 years

Indeed, if we were still following 12-year life spans, the first SMRT 12m Mercedes O405's would have been retired around this time.

However, I'd prefer SBS Transit over SMRTB in terms of service standards, because of their use of old Nissan's, poor frequencies and desire to maximise load on every bus appear to be a SMRT inherited culture of "profits first".

oh my, from that sbs fan webby i just found out that the NEW WABS have only EURO III engines!!!! why is singapore always such a laggard when it comes to buses... every decent public transport system is already at least introducing euro IV buses - hong kong, china, australia, even a backwater town like fort worth has an all cng bus fleet.

and do we dare even look at the fuel cell bus club (http://www.fuel-cell-bus-club.com/index.php?module=pagesetter&func=viewpub&tid=1&pid=2). all this i gleaned from a cursory search after finding out about the much hyped WABs being only EURO III.

to think sbs doesnt use its cng buses because it thinks the running costs are too high. and that it's got the cheek to label its new express buses *PREMIUM*
That is because of the high cost and extra work required to run CNG buses, given the situation in Singapore where CNG refuelling stations are not conveniently located.

So SBST had no choice but to wait for a Euro-IV compliant diesel-powered bus chassis product to arrive. And the first (and only) product available is the Scania K230UB, which will be introduced this quarter.

Using diesel means it can tap on existing infrastructure and reduce operation costs, and not have to refuel out-of-depot like CNG buses do (that is the reason why it is impossible for them to run one full day).

Of course, it will then have to use even cleaner diesel as well.

Anyway all diesel vehicles registered after 1st Oct 2006 had to be Euro-IV compliant, taxis included. Even though the WABs were introduced as late as June this year, their life spans starts from late Sept 2006.

why was there such a long delay in rolling out new buses, WAB or not?

i believe if the transport sector was more deregulated, competition would force various bus operators to be more diligent in maintaining a reliable (and young and pretty) bus network. with smrt and sbs each having their own turfs, who gives a toss about keeping the buses cockroach free.

there's always the argument of increased costs translating to increased fares for commuters, but how low are the fares supposed to be? anyway, market adjustment should result in a better balance of price and service.

right now, imo anyway, its skewed too far toward price.

competition keeps a company lean and nimble no? wish the bus companies could take SIA as their role model.

That is because of the high cost and extra work required to run CNG buses, given the situation in Singapore where CNG refuelling stations are not conveniently located.

So SBST had no choice but to wait for a Euro-IV compliant diesel-powered bus chassis product to arrive. And the first (and only) product available is the Scania K230UB, which will be introduced this quarter.

Using diesel means it can tap on existing infrastructure and reduce operation costs, and not have to refuel out-of-depot like CNG buses do (that is the reason why it is impossible for them to run one full day).

how is it a backwater town like fort worth, where public bus transport is mostly for the poor and destitute, and the occasional tourist, can have its entire fleet consist of CNG buses, whereas a aspiring numero uno city where public transport serves people from all income levels cannot afford to even run a minimal fleet of 12 cng buses.

why was there such a long delay in rolling out new buses, WAB or not?



When the government announced that all diesel vehicles go Euro IV from 1st Oct 2006, there were not much models that have Euro IV engines. SBS Transit and SMRT are forced to extend the lifespan of their aging buses while waiting for the availability of Euro IV WAB.

WAB buses come late only after the Government agreed to foot the bill for wheelchair features, making first step due to increasing in aging population.

As what Tamago said, the lifespan of buses is around 12 years. The extension of lifespan is based on case by case basis. Quite a number of old single decker buses entered the roads from 1988. So they already have passed 12 years, close to 20 years.

All old non-aircon double decker buses already left the fleet. Only left with remaining Volvo non air-con double decker buses which are still running. One by one will reach the lifespan...

By right, half of SMRT buses have to be retired now because many of buses have passed 12 years - some over 20 years. But they are still around as they need buses to run operations. New buses for SMRT only arrive in few months time - definitely WAB as LTA requires all public buses to go WAB.

So far, SMRT has few zero step buses, but not totally WAB. New bendy buses are yet to be called for tenders to replace aging bendy buses... SMRT also had to renovate its trains first as their aging trains need to be refurbished. This explained the late arrival of new buses for SMRT.

Bus fans are sharper than us. They can identify which buses are due to be retired.

how is it a backwater town like fort worth, where public bus transport is mostly for the poor and destitute, and the occasional tourist, can have its entire fleet consist of CNG buses, whereas a aspiring numero uno city where public transport serves people from all income levels cannot afford to even run a minimal fleet of 12 cng buses.

Only one CNG station is in Jurong Island (funded entirely by our Government)- so it was more costly as all CNG vehicles must go to Jurong Island to be refueled with special permision to enter Jurong Island.

400 (mostly taxi) including a small fleet of CNG buses.

From 2008, we will have two new CNG stations (mandai and serangoon north) on Government funding on the main land of Singapore that will cater to CNG vehicles.

NEA is already underway to get petrol companies like Caltex, Shell, SPC to incorporate CNG facilities in their existing petrol stations. This will push the price of CNG down.

Brazil has been using its buses running on biofuel (fuel from ethanol). Brazil is the leader in making biofuel. Many countries are looking into this to reduce CO2 on the streets that contribute to change in climates.

Speaking of biofuel, Virgin Altantic already is underway to test on one of its planes to run on biofuel - A Boeing 747-400 with Boeing and GE Aviation as well as Virgin Fuels. It will be on demonstration next year.

Many airlines are watching. Only Kerosene - the most pure fuel - can keep planes running for hours and hours in air.

CNG is one alternative for vehicles. One day, our public buses finally run on biofuel, instead of diesel. :)

Speaking of biofuel, Virgin Altantic already is underway to test on one of its planes to run on biofuel - A Boeing 747-400 with Boeing and GE Aviation as well as Virgin Fuels. It will be on demonstration next year.

Many airlines are watching. Only Kerosene - the most pure fuel - can keep planes running for hours and hours in air.

CNG is one alternative for vehicles. One day, our public buses finally run on biofuel, instead of diesel. :)

hybrid buses sounds more environmental frenly..of course with biofuel

can't wait to see the new smrt wabs... the buses they choose look somewhat cooler :D

i read something about biofuel not being exactly a very logical alternative as all that corn that goes into making fuel could be used to feed people instead... but i dont really believe they actually feed fresh corn into making biofuel??

can't wait to see the new smrt wabs... the buses they choose look somewhat cooler :D

i read something about biofuel not being exactly a very logical alternative as all that corn that goes into making fuel could be used to feed people instead... but i dont really believe they actually feed fresh corn into making biofuel??

This fuel from corn is processed further to remove water from fuel to become ethanol. Corns can be grown on earth. Sugar canes can also produce ethanol fuel. It is cheaper and easier to process to get ethanol fuels.

Ethanol fuel is already used for vehicles in China, Sweden, US and Australia. Of coz, there would be some problems. Everywhere has a problem. There is always a solution to solve. :)

We have to find alternatives in additional to existing technologies - nuclear, solar, wind, waves, steam etc.

I agree we have to find alternative to fossil fuels but I fear that there will not be a total or even a slow or gradual switch. The world, WILL, continue to ignore the 'global warming' threat or 'oil shortage' threat until it is too late.

The best solution, will have to be more fuel efficient engines. Yes, still using oil.

The Boeing 787 is one great example; lighter materials equals to less fuel carried, and it is efficient. So for the forseeable future, I don't think alternatives will be viable, I think better engineering for the more efficient use of fuel is the way to go.

I agree we have to find alternative to fossil fuels but I fear that there will not be a total or even a slow or gradual switch. The world, WILL, continue to ignore the 'global warming' threat or 'oil shortage' threat until it is too late.

The best solution, will have to be more fuel efficient engines. Yes, still using oil.

The Boeing 787 is one great example; lighter materials equals to less fuel carried, and it is efficient. So for the forseeable future, I don't think alternatives will be viable, I think better engineering for the more efficient use of fuel is the way to go.

Planes contribute largely to CO2 emissions that warm the earth. Even 787 is now lighter. But still harmful to us due its emission of CO2, using kerosene. What they really need fuel that dun release much C02...

any pictures, or at least model numbers of the new single deck WABs?

Don't post it in any other forums. Thanks. :)
Scania K230UB 4x2 (Euro-IV Diesel)
YS2K4X2000185446

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/aug07/aug13-07.jpg

Wow! Cool. Ready to see them on road soon...

Don't post it in any other forums. Thanks. :)
Scania K230UB 4x2 (Euro-IV Diesel)
YS2K4X2000185446

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/aug07/aug13-07.jpg

ITS GORGEOUS! (Its weird to describe a bus this way).

The bodywork looks similar to the B9TL!

And it looks like SBS TRANSIT FINALLY HAS LED DESTINATION DISPLAYS!

Will the B9TLs get them too? I thought SBS transit had a policy against LED displays/electronic displays. Does this mean they reversed their policy?

hehe...

Sadly the time it takes sbs to roll out double deck wab and single deck wab, me living in smrt territory has yet to see a new bus even.

How did you get into the Depot? Or is it not even the depot since its a scattering of ugly buses all around.

Any idea what license plates the new buses will take up? haha apologies for all the questions...its weird getting excited over a bus...that won't even come to my estate.

They just look befitting of a supposed world class transport system.

And it looks like SBS TRANSIT FINALLY HAS LED DESTINATION DISPLAYS!

Will the B9TLs get them too? I thought SBS transit had a policy against LED displays/electronic displays. Does this mean they reversed their policy

yeah finally... why do they have a policy against led-displays? i hope they're better on the inside too.. i'd love for them to have the same bus stop ticker as in smrt buses.

ITS GORGEOUS! (Its weird to describe a bus this way).

The bodywork looks similar to the B9TL!

And it looks like SBS TRANSIT FINALLY HAS LED DESTINATION DISPLAYS!

Will the B9TLs get them too? I thought SBS transit had a policy against LED displays/electronic displays. Does this mean they reversed their policy?

hehe...

Sadly the time it takes sbs to roll out double deck wab and single deck wab, me living in smrt territory has yet to see a new bus even.

How did you get into the Depot? Or is it not even the depot since its a scattering of ugly buses all around.

Any idea what license plates the new buses will take up? haha apologies for all the questions...its weird getting excited over a bus...that won't even come to my estate.

They just look befitting of a supposed world class transport system.
The bodywork is actually not similar to B9's, which use CDGE bodywork. If you notice the headlights, curves, that is etc. It is supposedly Liannex, a Malaysian body builder, but I can't confirm. :lol:

Ok, the front is not LED. Underneath the reflection is an empty space with a wire for something, but I'm almost sure it's for a light tube, though things may still change. :(

The side actually had an LED hung there, but as u can see from the bigger pic it is a temporary fixture with wires hanging, for now.
http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/7107/aug13010dz6.jpg

The first buses are due by end of September. Anyway those are not ugly buses! :lol: If you're talking about the barebones, those chassi (2 on the side of the complete bus) surely makes me drool. :lol:

The location is the chassis builder's HQ in Singapore. Shhh. :lol:

No details on licence plates for now.

yeah finally... why do they have a policy against led-displays? i hope they're better on the inside too.. i'd love for them to have the same bus stop ticker as in smrt buses.
Main thing is cost, but they have another reason (or maybe excuse) that old folks can see plastic destos better. :lol:

Imagine if they hung a full length RED like service 14 bus desto plate on the front. Oh god.

I really like SMRT's new LED boards, really bright day or night, and informative. Same goes for its in-bus bus stop ticker.

But I like SBS Transit's new buses with better aircon and no cockroaches, and IRIS.

And red and white looks communist. haha...

And SMRT's logo as ugly as the NTUC logo.

Dammit. Merge everything.

Main thing is cost, but they have another reason (or maybe excuse) that old folks can see plastic destos better. :lol:

I don't know where they got they idea from. LTA and SMRT and SBS transit seem to be living in their own world here in singapore when running the public transport. They refuse to listen to other cities' good case studies except a bit of London's. In Taipei, most buses are LED, and super big fonts so you can see everything.

I don't know where they got they idea from. LTA and SMRT and SBS transit seem to be living in their own world here in singapore when running the public transport. They refuse to listen to other cities' good case studies except a bit of London's. In Taipei, most buses are LED, and super big fonts so you can see everything.
I know, and they always ask "If we do this, are you willing to pay more?" Damn! :bash:

and with record profits, they are still asking for a increment in fares for the shorter wait... tsk tsk tsk..

yes yes, i really dont mind paying an extra 10 or 20 cents for more decent services.

one reason i prefer smrt buses to sbs is that i've never seen a cockroach on an smrt bus.

yes yes, i really dont mind paying an extra 10 or 20 cents for more decent services.

one reason i prefer smrt buses to sbs is that i've never seen a cockroach on an smrt bus.

I used to prefer SMRT buses (TIBS), because back then the buses looked modern and new, the interiors looked good, the electronic display at the front was useful.

That was until I saw cockroaches on SMRT, and the condition of the bus after 10 years became bad, and it did not have IRIS.

oh ok, maybe i'll start seeing them since i'm moving to the west soon.

I used to prefer SMRT buses (TIBS), because back then the buses looked modern and new, the interiors looked good, the electronic display at the front was useful.

That was until I saw cockroaches on SMRT, and the condition of the bus after 10 years became bad, and it did not have IRIS.

well, do you REALLY use iris on a regular basis, so much so that every time u leave ur house, u turn on ur computer just to check what time the next bus in gonna come, only to realise you missed it coz u were checking?
besides, iris has a tendency to be very inacurate, click refresh it says 15mins, again, it say 5, again it says 24...

also, dont know why, but cockroaches really do like SMRT buses only... i've yet to come across any in SBST buses.

oh and on the new buses, great job on the pictures!
as for the EDS thing, since the side desto is LED already, they should be installing the front one soon... besides, if they were gonna use the existing front destos, they dont look like they're gonna fit in, whats more, notice how the transparency stretches from side to side, a plastic desto would only have the centre transparent. im sure i;ve said this many times before, but the WABs with HORRID RED front destos to contrasts the sleak black design, just sucks big time!

hopefully the EDSs will be the orange LED kind, (there was one VSO bus that has this, occasionally plyed 76, and has a black perimeter instead of the usual red), the yellow LEDs are nearly impossible to see in daylight.

well, do you REALLY use iris on a regular basis, so much so that every time u leave ur house, u turn on ur computer just to check what time the next bus in gonna come, only to realise you missed it coz u were checking?
besides, iris has a tendency to be very inacurate, click refresh it says 15mins, again, it say 5, again it says 24...

also, dont know why, but cockroaches really do like SMRT buses only... i've yet to come across any in SBST buses.

oh and on the new buses, great pictures!
as of the EDS thing, since the side desto is LED already, they should be installing the front one soon... besides, if they were gonna use the existing front destos, they dont look like they're gonna fit in, whats more, notice how the transparency stretches from side to side, a plastic desto would only have the centre transparent. im sure i;ve said this many times before, but the WABs with HORRID RED front destos to contrasts the sleak black design, just sucks big time!

hopefully the EDSs will be the orange LED kind, (there was one VSO bus that has this, occasionally plyed 76, and has a black perimeter instead of the usual red), the yellow LEDs are nearly impossible to see in daylight.

to end my long post; tamago, was the interior done already?
i frequently access iris on my phone on 3G data, it is really helpful and i believe soon everyone will be online.

the inaccuracy part seems to affect certain orchard services like 36, 124, 174 etc. u get ridiculously long intervals sometimes, or erratic ones. :lol:

and i do agree that red plastic desto on B9TL's make it look cheap, but i must tell u, the front desto area is empty but it's not full-width so it could well be plastic again. :ohno:

the interior was done, but the whole low floor area were strewn with cupboards and spares boxes. and i believe they haven't decided on some things (like front desto), but if u wanna hitch a ride the seats are already available. :lol:

yes, that Svc 76 VSO is SBS9810X, which had since moved over to Service 143 about 2 months back. :)

3G is ridiculously expensive for me (student starhub plan), so i did try to leech wifi off some surrounding flats, but found it was not all that great, often with wrong or impossible timings (even in Bishan) esp during peak hrs.

are the seats like the B9s? oh and are they individual or 'shared'?

well if thats the case, they'd have to make new plastic destos (hopefully black this time) since the exisiting ones may be too big to fit... i wouldnt really mind if they change to black plastics... China uses them and some look almost like EDS, especially at night.

last time i got on SBS9810X was (might be a cameo) on svc 88 some time back, it had no EDS anymore... :(

individual seats. something like VSO, but resembles that of 9888Y the closest.

oh yes i looked at my pic again, the front is full-length. eyes playing tricks.

i believe you saw 9888Y (which had its EDS removed) instead of 9810X. :)

individual seats. something like VSO, but resembles that of 9888Y the closest.

oh yes i looked at my pic again, the front is full-length. eyes playing tricks.

i believe you saw 9888Y (which had its EDS removed) instead of 9810X. :)

lol... so there still is a VSO with EDS? the one i saw had some Uni or poly ad (Cant rmb...).

oh and just saw the side desto again, looks to be hanging in a very weird position (whats that black thing below it?), usually destos are either at the top or bottom of the windows (and tend to be bigger then that?)

anw, gotta catch some shut eye, or i'll miss the early 162 tmr (terrible timings towards YCK side in AM peak)

Other than 9810X, there is another VSO with EDS which is 9889U on 166. SIM ad. :)

yes, the side desto is not fixed permanently yet. the black thing is not a window inside, and the door part of the black part shld be fuel cap (it could also be water, but the radiator's behind!).

3G is ridiculously expensive for me (student starhub plan), so i did try to leech wifi off some surrounding flats, but found it was not all that great, often with wrong or impossible timings (even in Bishan) esp during peak hrs.

are the seats like the B9s? oh and are they individual or 'shared'?

well if thats the case, they'd have to make new plastic destos (hopefully black this time) since the exisiting ones may be too big to fit... i wouldnt really mind if they change to black plastics... China uses them and some look almost like EDS, especially at night.

last time i got on SBS9810X was (might be a cameo) on svc 88 some time back, it had no EDS anymore... :(

Yes i do REALLY access iris on a regular basis, MOBILE IRIS, not on the pc. Its quite reliable.

And its on GPRS and I save the homepage so there's no constant reloading of data so there minimal data charges.

In fact I dont see it on my bill at all.:)

3g is ridiculously expensive for me too! my 3g bill last month came to $30!

There's the Estimated Bus arrival thingy at Ang Mo Kio and people waiting for buses stare at that thing instead of looking out for their buses.

And so far, that thing is fairly accurate.

Hahas, but looking at 1N and CT8 arrival times is horrifying, 135 minutes and 120 minutes respectively.

There's the Estimated Bus arrival thingy at Ang Mo Kio and people waiting for buses stare at that thing instead of looking out for their buses.

And so far, that thing is fairly accurate.

Hahas, but looking at 1N and CT8 arrival times is horrifying, 135 minutes and 120 minutes respectively.

Yeah, thats one of the bad things about the display panel...its very hyponotic...

Something's got to be done about the colour contrast, positioning of the panel, and method of displaying the information.

Thats my opinion.:)

There's the Estimated Bus arrival thingy at Ang Mo Kio and people waiting for buses stare at that thing instead of looking out for their buses.

And so far, that thing is fairly accurate.

Hahas, but looking at 1N and CT8 arrival times is horrifying, 135 minutes and 120 minutes respectively.
Wow, I want a shot of it. :lol:

Hahas. I wish I could but I only pass by AMK Central coming from camp.

I used to prefer SMRT buses (TIBS), because back then the buses looked modern and new, the interiors looked good, the electronic display at the front was useful.

That was until I saw cockroaches on SMRT, and the condition of the bus after 10 years became bad, and it did not have IRIS.

Yeah , Agreed with your post.

Nice SBS Transit bus.

But I can't help thinking that it looks like a RapidKL or RapidPenang bus or one of those "Causeway Link" buses plying inside JB only.

This chatter about SBST and SMRT buses now being better is so biased. Of course when something is new or newly refurbished, it is definitely clean, nice and better than older buses.

As SBST has a huge fleet, the quality of their fleet is unequal, some are wonderfully comfortable, have "Please Move To The Rear" audio being played, lovely air-conditioned. While others suffer non-aircon services, age-old buses, 'shit' smelling air-con, overall not very presentable.

SBST puts their newest buses, all of which have no TV Mobile now, on routes that ply the city or are to get wheelchair access while the feeders suffer from older buses and have TV Mobile.

SMRT is 'refurbishing' its fleet, making very very subtle changes...

Pls dont think I am biased or anything because I like neither SBS Transit nor SMRT buses. I think Singapore's parading itself as a world-class transport hub is an embarrassment really, with the CCL fiascos, the ridiculous DTL loop, the frequency, routes and imagined competition between SMRT and SBST bus routes, jampacked roads on Fridays/Saturdays in the city, lack of decent after midnight transport and our taxis.

I also agree that our public transport system is far from satisfactory standards, especially if they want to push everyone to use it by making car ownership expensive.

When new buses were acquired in the early 90's, they were expected to not last more than 12 years and planned with such an idea in mind. To push for 17-19 years is really insane. I don't see any of our new WAB's built like they would last that long.

I remember taking svc 7. from Stamford to Orchard. It was a short journey but the bus was packed so I was standing near the validating machine behind the BC. There must be around 7 to 10 other passengers who boarded the bus after me and out of those, I counted 5 actually asked the BC to turn up the A/C or why is the bus so warm. I could see the BC was perspiring profusely as well. He said "mechanic said can go, so I no choice. I know its warm also. Sorry". So with increased in fares, this is what we still had to put up with.

I got curious and went on the SBS website and in the faq section, there is indeed a question and answer on inconstant A/C on buses. SBS blamed it on ambient temperature that causes the temperature difference in the A/C. Buses are usually warmer in the day time compared to night. BS are not able to adjust the thermostat on board. I personally find this load of crap very patronising.

what's worse is trapped in an "air-con" bus that has no aircon and it's crowded. It happened once when taking 174. I can hardly breathe! Had to alight and wait for the next bus.

what's worse is trapped in an "air-con" bus that has no aircon and it's crowded. It happened once when taking 174. I can hardly breathe! Had to alight and wait for the next bus.

I once had to take a jurong industrial service towards tuas, it was 4pm+ so the bus was empty aside from my friend and I and a few foreign workers. the bus's ac was not left on while it was in the terminal, so for the half hr journey, the 'air-conditioning' was blowing out high pressure HOT air through all the vent ! i was suffocating and standing next to the door(had abit of opening) ! is there a senario where the aircon got a wrong temperature sensor and mistook the 33deg c heat at -3deg cold, and so decided to blast heat? ::bash::

anw, heres a pic of iris@ AMK
its a relatively small screen with a few lines that refresh to show the other services...
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/6870/imag0011ly3.jpg
http://img338.imageshack.us/img338/3536/imag0012rf8.jpg
oh and i must say, the timings seem quite accurate, especially when the screen showed 268 as 'Arr' (pic1), it really did arrive on the dot...

hahaa... hot-con bus

State of the art technology? What's the cost of building and maintaining such a system?

~$1million.

Channel NewsAsia - Monday, July 30

LTA rolls out pilot project to provide arrival info at bus stops

SINGAPORE : The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has rolled out a pilot project to provide real-time bus arrival information at selected bus stops.

This is expected to take the guesswork out of waiting for a bus for commuters.

Panels with LED displays will be set up at the bus stops.

They will list bus service numbers, what time the next and subsequent buses will arrive, plus or minus three minutes, and whether they are wheelchair-friendly.

The panels will be progressively installed at 30 selected bus stops in the Orchard Road, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun areas, at a cost of just over a million dollars.

For now, it is a pilot scheme for 6 months.

Although the panels will be located at a fairly low level, LTA says they should be fairly tamper-proof as they are made up of strong tempered glass surrounded by stainless steel frames.

Many commuters say they are all for it, if it works well.

"Sometimes you don't know when the bus is going to arrive. Supposedly they say bus interval is about 15 minutes, but it can be delayed by up to half an hour or one hour, (especially) during traffic jams. So with these bus panels, I think it will be... useful," said one commuter.

"Sometimes I'm not sure if I'll be late for school. So if I know the bus is taking too long, I can take a cab straight away and won't waste too much time," said another.

"But the thing is that - will they really come? If they say 5 minutes, will the bus really come? To me, it's the same - not much difference. I'm used to waiting already."

This is not the first time the LTA has tried out such a system.

In 2003, the LTA aborted a three-year-old venture with homegrown company Stratech for a bus commuter information system.

But Transport Minister Raymond Lim said things are different now.

He said: "The main difference is that technology has improved and cost has come down."

Mr Lim added that the authorities want feedback from commuters before they go any further.

Still, even if the scheme works well, it will not be going island-wide.

Mr Lim said: "Because it's not cost effective. There are 4,000 over bus stops. You might not want to put one in every single bus stop. You look at where are the major areas where there are high commuter traffic and you target them."

Also introduced on a pilot level are Key Bus Services Maps which will be installed at 36 key bus stops around Orchard Road by end-August.

Primarily meant to help tourists, they are pictorial representations of surrounding landmarks and how to get there using the nearest bus stops and MRT stations.

Commuters can send feedback via the LTA hotline 1800-2255582 or at the forum . - CNA/ch

Thanks for the info.

Why don't use that S$1 million to ensure the Service Level of 15 / 20 min per bus interval be met consistently without fail? Do commuters really need to know when is the arrival time? Perhaps S$1 million is too little to ensure that?

S$1 million can only get you 2 DD buses nowadays. :(

New method of placing bus services information at bus stops.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v637/tamagoo/aug07/aug24-30.jpg

notice how the old bus stop info panels showed both the route ahead of the services as well as those they had already traveled (greyed out), but the newer ones like that one u posted, only shows the remaining part of the route.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4493/imag0016uy2.jpg
i saw this on SBS140(dont remember the surfix) svc410 today, the back of all the seats were painted white! UGLY! there was a pungent smell of pain in the air-con and the paint job was really bad, very uneven tones with some still spotting remnants of its previous grey-black colour.

I don't get why they removed the route info of bus stops already travelled. Thats pretty stupid. Save space ah.........Now you won't know the full route of the bus service which is dumb.

If they want to remove it, might as well remove the MRT route maps which show previous stations travelled as well on the platforms since providing info to commuters is obviously not of their concern, just wayang.

Where's the standardisation, and common sense?

Kaohsiung City/Taipei City's e-bus system at bus stops
Copyright ignoramus
http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/8159/d1000055pu3.jpg

Singapore's bus arrival time system at bus stops
Copyright sgtransport.blogspot.com
http://bp2.blogger.com/_3q85clW40Q8/Rq_ZybfgPyI/AAAAAAAAAOI/ia5blViHwDM/s400/RTI_DelfiOrchard2+%28Small%29.jpg

Note Singapore's LEDs look less bright and have lots of "pixels" that will never be used and is too large to be efficient for mass deployment.

Note Taiwan's LEDs look brighter and there is hardly any LED bulb that will not be used and the size is just right for deployment across medium-heavy traffic bus stops. I've seen it display at least 5 bus services and because it flips through quite quickly it obviously able to display more than 10 bus services per panel in 20 seconds. Sometimes it even tell you the bus is at the traffic junction before the bus stop and which bus stop the bus is at eg. Bus is currently at the XXX Mall bus stop.

whoa!!!! look at that frequency!!! maybe they were so reluctant and so slow to put these displays up because they didn't want to face up to how bad the frequencies are. really quite embarrassing.

If you asked me, money could be spent on newer buses. Why would I want to know when my bus is arriving only to be greeted by bunch of cockroaches on board. Look at the trains..... sometimes I really wonder why their "1 min" seems to last forever.

erm... 1 minute on the mrt really is 60 seconds, usually almost accurate to the dot. the only scenario where 1 minute is more than a minute, is where the train in front of it has left the station you are at, less than half a minute ago and the next train has to brake and stop to avoid collision.
(this happens quite regularly coz most of our trains are timed 1 minute apart during peak hours)

trains are running at max capacity during peak, so we really need to give smrt a break on this, n instead pressure LTA to open up new MAINSTREAM lines (notice how the CCL is a 'connector line' that just adds to the train congestion on NSL/EWL since people from new stations must ride on mainstream lines to enter the city)

No, when I take the trains, I have a habit of waiting for a relatively "unpacked" train to get on instead of being a sardine. Sometimes, I skip up to 5 trains before getting on one and nope those display are not accurate because they train before it clearly left the station for some time.

I also find that 1 min apart trains are getting lesser and lesser(peak hours). 2 to 3 mins are the norm.

when the current train is in the station, the boards show 2 minutes (which means 1+ minutes), by the time the train leaves, the board would show 1 minute (meaning under 1 min).
Oh and, for all that i've mentioned so far, i was refering to the NSL only, i cant speak for the EWL or NEL since I rarely take them during peak.

I tend to get 1 empty train for every 3 or 4 trains that pass at bishan sta, when going downtown coz during AM peak, trains roll in straight from Bishan depot. during PM, there isnt much crowd on the southbound train, but occasionally trains turn around at AMK so its empty again at Bishan.

whoa!!!! look at that frequency!!! maybe they were so reluctant and so slow to put these displays up because they didn't want to face up to how bad the frequencies are. really quite embarrassing.

I second that ^ ^

I guess with certain individuals, EACH bus and train should have a frequency of 50 seconds.

The truth is that MOST bus services need not be very frequent (<5 mins). Yes, hate me, but put 5 minutes interval on most bus services and you'll see alot of coupling, hence screwing up frequencies for the rest of the route.

Yes, certain buses NEED to be very frequent. Not all.

Of course, some may suggest captains keep to their timetable and all, which means passengers will commute in comfort as the bus travels just around 40km/h the whole journey to avoid coupling.

One minute interval trains are terrible. The trains travel very very slow and stop enroute alot. I don't know about the EWL or NEL but I get that on the NSL.

i was talking about services like 111 with a frequency of 23 minutes. bunching?

and yes, each bus and train should have a frequency of say... perhaps not 50 seconds but maybe 3 minutes? let bunching happen - at least i wont need to wait 23 minutes!

i was talking about services like 111 with a frequency of 23 minutes. bunching?

and yes, each bus and train should have a frequency of say... perhaps not 50 seconds but maybe 3 minutes? let bunching happen - at least i wont need to wait 23 minutes!

SBS 111, 502, 97 are all looping services so these buses can be held in heavy traffic jam along Orchard on weekends unless due to height restriction. This can cause bus bunching and cannot be controlled. You cannot expect the buses to keep apart from each other if one bus got struck in jam.

502 buses are always full - all are single decker buses, only one air con double decker bus!

1) All buses going into Orchard and city ought to be full double decker buses on weekends and Fridays due to high volume of human traffic. Single deck buses should be devoted to serve low volume of passengers.

2) Express services are needed to cater to volume of people going home in Jurong, Woodlands, Tampines/Pasir Ris and Yishun. So far only SBS 502 and 518...

3) Both SBS Transit and SMRT should utltise bus services to ply all major expressways including Kallang/Paya Lebar Expressway.

4) Double the staff on weekends and Friday to cater to higher volume.

erm... 1 minute on the mrt really is 60 seconds, usually almost accurate to the dot. yes, and very accurate during off-peak hours where it can run uninterrupted (not too close to next train and lower traffic flow).

Looks like SMRT increased their frequency already, on Amk- Dhoby Ghaut, City Hall- Tanah Merah, Tanah Merah- Changi Airport sectors, all had a frequency of 5 minutes, 4 minutes between each train.

Regarding express buses, there was a time where one could take 501, 502, 506, 989, 520, 521, 700 etc from the frontier towns but it seems to have partially failed.

Express buses to Yishun/Woodlands are pretty much pointless as the MRT seems to provide the fastest and most convenient form of transport, okay, not convenient, but FASTEST.

Not all services running through Orchard need to be double deck. By Tangs, buses whose intended destination is Marina Ctr and New Bridge Rd are running almost empty, 175 is constantly empty, 7 and 14 are too frequent with their double decks and are carrying average loads. 36 does get quite full but height restrictions at Changi Airport will continue to keep it single deck. Beyond Marine Parade Ctrl, 36 runs practically empty so they probably will not increase frequency. 16 sees slightly below average loads although extension to Bedok Int may change the situation.

If you're taking from Orchard to Raffles Hotel or Marina Ctr, all these many services means you have a bus almost every 1 minute. Other than that, the journey time on the MRT is better time spent despite the sardine-packed crowds.

Looks like SMRT increased their frequency already, on Amk- Dhoby Ghaut, City Hall- Tanah Merah, Tanah Merah- Changi Airport sectors, all had a frequency of 5 minutes, 4 minutes between each train.

Regarding express buses, there was a time where one could take 501, 502, 506, 989, 520, 521, 700 etc from the frontier towns but it seems to have partially failed.

Express buses to Yishun/Woodlands are pretty much pointless as the MRT seems to provide the fastest and most convenient form of transport, okay, not convenient, but FASTEST.

Not all services running through Orchard need to be double deck. By Tangs, buses whose intended destination is Marina Ctr and New Bridge Rd are running almost empty, 175 is constantly empty, 7 and 14 are too frequent with their double decks and are carrying average loads. 36 does get quite full but height restrictions at Changi Airport will continue to keep it single deck. Beyond Marine Parade Ctrl, 36 runs practically empty so they probably will not increase frequency. 16 sees slightly below average loads although extension to Bedok Int may change the situation.

If you're taking from Orchard to Raffles Hotel or Marina Ctr, all these many services means you have a bus almost every 1 minute. Other than that, the journey time on the MRT is better time spent despite the sardine-packed crowds.

For height restriction for Orchard bus services - 105 due to flyover near SBS HQ and 36 due to Changi Airport.

Other services that have low volume of passengers would be using single deck buses. However it appears that those with high volume of passengers are often single decker buses. It all depends on the bus operators to deploy buses. :)

All express buses you mentioned were introduced prior the operations of NEL and also ERP on CTE. All were packed during peak hours, weekends and Fridays. Successful operations, in fact. Not failure.

When NEL was in operations, many express services were axed. 502 and 518 had their routes cut short. They are still popular now with the crowds. I just took 502 home. Already packed. 502 serves extreme West while 518 serves extreme East. 700 serves North-west (CCK/Bukit Panjang).

175 has a winding route compared to SBS 7 and 14. Nobody likes winding routes. SBS 7 is still fast service to use normal road to get to Clementi compared to SBS 14. All three services serve commuters differently.

SMRT 190 is the only Orchard bus service that has the highest frequency among all services available in Orchard. You would always see every bus arriving on 190 filled up. 190 is the fastest route to CCK/Bukit Panjang.

SMRT 960 also is the fastest route from Bugis to Bukit Panjang.

SMRT 700 is the only one that was SMRT's "express" service and is still popular. All 3 SMRT buses use BKE and PIE. So SBS Transit should learn from SMRT to operate more normal services to run on expressways - more SBS Transit are now operating recently new bus services like 185, 52, 175.

Many buses bound for Marina Centre are often empty due to so many services available to take people from Orchard to Marina Centre/Suntec. But when they come from Marina Centre - always packed! Runaway success.

When CCL and Downtown line come into operations, do expect more bus services to be axed.

In addition to Express bus services, Fast Forward services were introduced to take passengers to their destination faster by bypassing several stops - however these FF services were only used in morning and evening peak hours unfortunately.

It will be commerical success if there are more Express bus services from city centres to major towns, just like 502, 506 and 518 and more normal bus services that use most of expressways like 190.

Regarding express buses, there was a time where one could take 501, 502, 506, 989, 520, 521, 700 etc from the frontier towns but it seems to have partially failed.

Express buses to Yishun/Woodlands are pretty much pointless as the MRT seems to provide the fastest and most convenient form of transport, okay, not convenient, but FASTEST.

yup, but the primary reason for 520/521 being axed was probably not due to passenger loads, but rather the integration of tibs which operated these express svc, into smrt, which runs the train to these towns. i feel that these express services could still be run by sbst and have acceptable loads.

oh and just FYI, a few months ago, SBST DID APPLY for multiple express routes from mature estates like Bishan, AMK, and one in the east (dont rmb which one), unfortunately all got rejected by PTC as they repeated smrt train routes. (although 52, 59 and 45 did get approval since they were 'partial exp' only and didnt ply mrt routes)

For height restriction for Orchard bus services - 105 due to flyover near SBS HQ and 36 due to Changi Airport.
there are many services that cant have DDs not just coz of height restrictions. eg. in Bishan, feeder 410 (supplemented by 54, 56, 162 and now 52) moves lots of people in short distances. it once had non-ac DDs and a VSO cameo, but has since remained SD coz most people dont want to move up for that few mins despite the extreme squeeze.

So for buses with high capacity travelling in areas with height restrictions or short distance feeders, i'd recommend articulated buses! i dont see why sbst is complaining since smrt never seemed to have any problems with maneuverability

http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3854/sbs9828x410wxn8.jpg
picture of 410 VsO from sbs9686m.fotopic.net

I suppose it is the cost of outfitting or converting existing SBST bus interchanges to allow bendy operations since they take up more space on the ground.

Tibs only brought in bendies when the Woodlands Regional Interchange, which was built with bendies in mind (though it is a great distance to walk from one end to the other) opened in 1996.

I suppose it is the cost of outfitting or converting existing SBST bus interchanges to allow bendy operations since they take up more space on the ground.

Tibs only brought in bendies when the Woodlands Regional Interchange, which was built with bendies in mind (though it is a great distance to walk from one end to the other) opened in 1996.

SBS Transit should continue to explore ways to discuss with LTA to build more parking bays for articulated buses or super long single decker buses at the interchange.

More HDB flats are getting more dense and rising above standard 30 storeys than before, translating to more people taking buses and trains.

few months ago, SBST DID APPLY for multiple express routes from mature estates like Bishan, AMK, and one in the east (dont rmb which one), unfortunately all got rejected by PTC as they repeated smrt train routes. (although 52, 59 and 45 did get approval since they were 'partial exp' only and didnt ply mrt routes)

argh these are the routes that should be approved as they provide true competition!

there are many services that cant have DDs not just coz of height restrictions. eg. in Bishan, feeder 410 (supplemented by 54, 56, 162 and now 52) moves lots of people in short distances. it once had non-ac DDs and a VSO cameo, but has since remained SD coz most people dont want to move up for that few mins despite the extreme squeeze.



oooh! when i used to live in thomson i hated 410! they really should have articulated 410s as recommended! or perhaps even better, 2 minute frequencies during peak hours :D

410 now runs around 8-9mins freq throughout the day, with addtional White-plate services during PM peak that 1/2 the frequency. (notice how this is much less frequent then say, five yrs ago) SBST knows that if DDs dont work and bendies arent an option, they have to introduce supp trunk services, which they did and is great except they often bunch up with the feeders. They are however, now using this as an excuse to decrease feeder frequency and prehaps ultimately eliminate the need for them in small towns like Bishan.

as for the express routes, we should complain about PTC in the papers, and maybe kick a big fuss about it until it become a hot topic for debate =)

What if expansion on existing infrastructure is almost impossible?

Go out on a Friday evening or Saturday and now Sundays.

Look at the NSL from 8am till last train. Even at 3 minutes frequency, the southbound train is sardine-packed by Yio Chu Kang.
Look at citybound buses like 162 from 10.30am to 7pm, they are full.
Look at the CTE and other arterial roads to the city the whole day, jammed or slow moving.

Commuting is not meant to be a torture.

66 new WAB buses for SMRT by second half of 2008. wat a long wait! :ohno:

http://www.zaobao.com/sp/sp070903_515.html

SMRT

66 new WAB buses by 2nd half of 2008, another 66 by 2011. (Sianz).

Will finish refurbishing 100 buses by end 2007. (They were refurbishing?)

What do they mean by a new route graphics display system. Sounds expensive and useless. The existing bus stop info board and in-bus led works fine already.

route graphics display system doesnt sound useless!

SMRT sure is taking its own sweet time =P
a graphics display system is something like electronic boards on mrts overseas, so it 'lights up' where the bus is relative to a map, something like this:
http://smrt.com.sg/buses/docs/Yishun%20spidermap_combined.pdf

IMO, its not really useful and could put a strain on how buses are deployed (they could be restricted to be deployed only within the same hub/ interchange)

The one they tested on 105/106? :S

SMRT

Will finish refurbishing 100 buses by end 2007. (They were refurbishing?)
I only saw a Dennis Lance having newer green seats. If they were talking about the earliest batch of buses, I don't think it's significant, just a change of seats?

SMRT sure is taking its own sweet time =P
a graphics display system is something like electronic boards on mrts overseas, so it 'lights up' where the bus is relative to a map, something like this:
http://smrt.com.sg/buses/docs/Yishun%20spidermap_combined.pdf

IMO, its not really useful and could put a strain on how buses are deployed (they could be restricted to be deployed only within the same hub/ interchange)

Agreed.

The flashing electronic boards on mrts overseas are over-rated and overly fancy anyway. A simple LED would have done a great job, and is easy to modify when routes etc change.

I saw a strider on svc 156 with dark RED seats! (not the old kind) I doubt it is for an 'ad-bus' (nokia music/ silkair) since the seating arrangement is like any other bus, only with dark red upholstery instead of yellow or SBS red or blue.

(looks very unappealing btw... bright yellow is still the most cheery and welcoming)

I saw a strider on svc 156 with dark RED seats! (not the old kind) I doubt it is for an 'ad-bus' (nokia music/ silkair) since the seating arrangement is like any other bus, only with dark red upholstery instead of yellow or SBS red or blue.

(looks very unappealing btw... bright yellow is still the most cheery and welcoming)

Yeah the yellow seats makes the bus look newer and is more comfortable. But the yellow is peeling badly from the newly painted grabpoles.

Bus stopping sounds have been given an 'upgrade' or more like downgrade, newer buses have now a single "beep", some SMRT buses are now a single "squeak".

So much so that passengers keep pressing them more than twice, I guess passengers cannot hear them or something.

Route graphics display system--- I think the current red dot SMRT's "what is the next stop" thingy should suffice. If they want, put it on the MRTs.

SMRT new WABs; I hope they look and sound different if not we'll nvr know they're new.

Yup, I've taken a refurbished SMRT bus. They are the ones which are clean everywhere, clean windows, clean yellow bus stopping strips, clean but uncomfortable seats, emergency exit doors gone, hammers installed everywhere.

so much for the interior,
i think SMRT buses should get a new liverly, the current one looks worst then the old SBS one. i understand that SMRT needs red, but i feel it could have been done more tastefully, with a more modern and lively design

~$1million.

Channel NewsAsia - Monday, July 30

LTA rolls out pilot project to provide arrival info at bus stops

SINGAPORE : The Land Transport Authority (LTA) has rolled out a pilot project to provide real-time bus arrival information at selected bus stops.

This is expected to take the guesswork out of waiting for a bus for commuters.

Panels with LED displays will be set up at the bus stops.

They will list bus service numbers, what time the next and subsequent buses will arrive, plus or minus three minutes, and whether they are wheelchair-friendly.

The panels will be progressively installed at 30 selected bus stops in the Orchard Road, Ang Mo Kio and Yishun areas, at a cost of just over a million dollars.

For now, it is a pilot scheme for 6 months.

Although the panels will be located at a fairly low level, LTA says they should be fairly tamper-proof as they are made up of strong tempered glass surrounded by stainless steel frames.

Many commuters say they are all for it, if it works well.

"Sometimes you don't know when the bus is going to arrive. Supposedly they say bus interval is about 15 minutes, but it can be delayed by up to half an hour or one hour, (especially) during traffic jams. So with these bus panels, I think it will be... useful," said one commuter.

"Sometimes I'm not sure if I'll be late for school. So if I know the bus is taking too long, I can take a cab straight away and won't waste too much time," said another.

"But the thing is that - will they really come? If they say 5 minutes, will the bus really come? To me, it's the same - not much difference. I'm used to waiting already."

This is not the first time the LTA has tried out such a system.

In 2003, the LTA aborted a three-year-old venture with homegrown company Stratech for a bus commuter information system.

But Transport Minister Raymond Lim said things are different now.

He said: "The main difference is that technology has improved and cost has come down."

Mr Lim added that the authorities want feedback from commuters before they go any further.

Still, even if the scheme works well, it will not be going island-wide.

Mr Lim said: "Because it's not cost effective. There are 4,000 over bus stops. You might not want to put one in every single bus stop. You look at where are the major areas where there are high commuter traffic and you target them."

Also introduced on a pilot level are Key Bus Services Maps which will be installed at 36 key bus stops around Orchard Road by end-August.

Primarily meant to help tourists, they are pictorial representations of surrounding landmarks and how to get there using the nearest bus stops and MRT stations.

Commuters can send feedback via the LTA hotline 1800-2255582 or at the forum . - CNA/ch

Arrived! :)
http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w304/hyapic02/070906-004.jpg

i believe it can't hurt to ahve something that more than suffices. the route display system looks great to me. i'd like to know what buses i can connect to and where - and the route display map looks very useful for that purpose.

i think i still prefer smrt buses. i'm very impressed they care to upgrade their mid life buses! 9 years old! and i'm happy that their buses have a lifespan shorter than 17 years. they seem more enthusiastic about enhancing the commuter experience than sbs. sbs just seems soooooooo lazy to me.

Regarding my earlier post on the refurbished SMRT buses, pls do not quote me on that.

I have noticed these changes on the SMRT buses but I'm not sure if its actually considered refurbished.

I have a question, hoping you can answer. Why no more TV Mobile?

Not tt I like them or wad (I hate them, think they destroy the sanctity of a bus ride), but they seem to be disappearing.

Haiz the SMRT bus I was on today had a cockroach at its rear seat. Must be the XXth time. And tons of scribbling on one of the back seats. Haiz.

Maybe I don't travel on SBS buses that often enough but I have yet to see cockroaches on SBS buses.

At least the SBST refurbished buses look very refurbished. Bright yellow seats...so cheery...

lol.... i havent seen a cockroach on smrt bus yet!

i like that the bus arrival display shows that the next bus coming is a WAB :)

Regarding my earlier post on the refurbished SMRT buses, pls do not quote me on that.

I have noticed these changes on the SMRT buses but I'm not sure if its actually considered refurbished.

I have a question, hoping you can answer. Why no more TV Mobile?

Not tt I like them or wad (I hate them, think they destroy the sanctity of a bus ride), but they seem to be disappearing.

TV Mobile has contracts with SBS Transit. :) So SMRT did not enter any contracts with TV Mobile.

So far not all newer SBS Transit buses have TV Mobile.... guess SBS Transit probably decides not to extend the contract to cover all SBS Transit buses...

in fact, none of the newer buses have them...

SBST looks like its bringing more services to Yishun!
i saw SBST's 'labels' (the ones where they show what buses stop, not sure what you call them) at busstops along Yishun ring road. There were no numbers printed/stamped so im still gussing whether its normal trunk services or express/ 'premium' ones. No posters were up either.

Yishun Ring road is currently served by only 1 bus: 812. Most SMRT HDB estates share the same plight - 1 feeder and all trunk svc/ mrt at the interchange, meaning no direct buses to anywhere, and extremely high volumes on the only svc. The introduction of SBST trunk svc could offer residents a direct connection to where they are going.

If anyone stays in yishun, it would be great if you could check it out over the next few days if there are any updates (numbers of route info) :]

It could be for SBST service 1N, they have recently put them up in bus stops in AMK. Since 1N goes on to Yishun, it might be for 1N.

I have a qn:

Rode 700A bendy bus Mercedes (smiley face front type) today, the bus had black cushioned seats and grey interiors instead of the usual silver on the Pinafarina bendies or green interior on the other bendies.

This bus also featured seats after articulation facing each other. Handrails all painted orange...

Floor looks completely new, clean.

Is this bus refurbished or it has been like this?

not sure about the bendy since i rarely take SMRT buses...
but if the SBST thing is for 1N then i got excited over nothing... :(

oh and i just saw this on youtube, a WAB on svc 72 on fire!~
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RnzRWocaFo4

i suppose that bendy is totally new - never seen anything like that before.

Apparently SBST is re-refurbishing some buses again.

Took Townlink 265 and the Mercedes SD spotted brand new coat of paint, orange/purple EZ-Link taps, new flooring similar to SMRT refurbished trains!! , fewer purple seats, each with more legroom, purple interior-ed instead of the off-white air-con duct area.

Townlink 265 cameo Scania SD refurbished bus, blue floored purple interior, skyblue EZ Link taps, running regular on SBST 45 between AMKDep and Upp East Coast Rd.

SBST 7 SD Volvo (the old type tt 170 uses) with grey interior, new flooring, yellow/green seats.

Not very uniform in refurbishing though.

By the way, the above SMRT 700A bendy's reg is TIB 1182, my 'A' Lvl register number. Lols. Go see.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/7279/st7022591010100011fb8.jpg

Sep 11, 2007
Bus fares to go up by 1 to 2 cents from Oct 1
By Christopher Tan

BUS fares will go up by one to two cents from Oct 1, the Public Transport Council announced on Tuesday.

But there will be no increase in train fares.

The Council said in August that transport operators SBS Transit and SMRT Corp had applied for fare increases - an annual revision exercise governed by a set formula.

This year, the formula caps fare rises at 1.8 per cent - or around three cents per ride.

The last fare increase was in October last year, when costs went up by one to three cents per ride.

Back then, the operators blamed high costs - in particular the high price of fuel and manpower - for the need to raise their fares. They are citing the same reasons this time.

SBS Transit, part of the ComfortDelGro group, for instance, said their costs have gone up significantly.

"Energy costs, for example, rose by 20 per cent or $20.3 million last year - having already increased by 41.2 per cent in 2005," SBS Transit spokesman Tammy Tan said.

"Manpower costs, the company's largest cost component, also increased by about $12.1 million during the year."

SBS also pointed out that it had invested heavily in buses as well as commuter services.

It spent $135 million on new buses in the past two years. And it has rolled out an online bus arrival system, which helps commuters to plan their journeys better.

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/8346/frontbuslk0.jpg

Lower SMRT earnings

SMRT pointed out that the increase in the goods and services tax as well as the 1.5 percentage point rise in employers' CPF contributions will pull down its earnings by about $11 million a year.

It said the fare increase, if kept to this year's cap of 1.8 per cent, would only partially offset the company's total cost increases.

SBS is proposing to keep children and school student fares as well as concession pass charges unchanged.

SMRT has also said it will not raise fares for children and students, and all bus cash fares.

SMRT is also waiving any increase to the first fare band of its MRT single-trip ticket, which costs 90 cents. It added that it would extend its senior citizen concession hours to match SBS'.

Schemes to help the poor
Both operators said they would come up with schemes to help the poor cope with any fare rise.

The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) is not entirely convinced that a fare hike is in order.

Case executive director Seah Seng Choon has pointed out that transport companies are enjoying "good returns." For instance, SMRT achieved a 39 per cent rise in net earnings to $37.94 million in the first quarter.

"'With such significant increase in net earnings, commuters would certainly expect it to show clear justifications for any need to hike fares at this point in time,' he said.

Copyright © 2007 Singapore Press Holdings Ltd. Co. Regn No. 198402868E

Sometimes I really wonder what the ST and PTC are really about.

Because ST only seems to be reporting the fact that PTC is raising bus fares (and does not touch on the other related issues like how the poor are reacting, or any own investigation into how things are the way there are).

while PTC continously approves the fare hikes and does not seem to be showing any concern about the issues that the poor (which they are supposed to be standing up for) have to contend with, with even a small hike in fares.

PTC does not stand up for the commuters while ST does not investigate for the sake of the commuters.

Singapore is odd.

^^fares go up, services go down.:bash:

Since Oct 18 Thurs, bus arrival information at Ang Mo Kio Central has been giving wrong info. They are showing arrival times of buses in Orchard like 174, 106, 36, 77 instead.

Wonder if LTA actually knows this error.

SINGAPORE: SBS Transit is rolling out new buses that provide an easier, more comfortable ride on Thursday.

There will be extra legroom, about 20 per cent more than the standard width, on these 500 new single-decked buses.

Costing S$180 million, the new buses will also have low floors and no steps at the doorways, allowing less mobile passengers to get on and off easily.

SBS Transit said this feature will be incorporated into all new fleets in the future.

More space has also been created for the wheelchair-bound. Each bus will have room for two wheelchairs.

With cleaner emissions and better fuel efficiency, the new buses will be more environmental friendly as well.

Advanced braking technology will also help reduce the number of accidents on board. - AFP/ac

Since Oct 18 Thurs, bus arrival information at Ang Mo Kio Central has been giving wrong info. They are showing arrival times of buses in Orchard like 174, 106, 36, 77 instead.

Wonder if LTA actually knows this error.

To be exact, it is showing for the bus stop outside Delfi Orchard. Missed the chance to snap a pic but it has been rectified. :lol:

To be exact, it is showing for the bus stop outside Delfi Orchard. Missed the chance to snap a pic but it has been rectified. :lol:

actually i think the pilot project is a failure coz the times are not accurate.
Also, when the bus doesnt come means it doesnt come.

http://www.lta.gov.sg/tender_info/notice/tenders_notice_oct07_vt256.htm
Demolition of Temporary Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange

At AMK the buses always come 4 minutes after Arr shows, simply because SBST drivers have the habit of departing interchanges 3 minutes after the scheduled time so that he has less time on the road and will not end up being too early for driving at too fast (which is normal speed). :lol:

oh! please send that interesting piece of feedback to feedback unit!

http://www.lta.gov.sg/tender_info/notice/tenders_notice_oct07_vt256.htm
Demolition of Temporary Ang Mo Kio Bus Interchange

which is next after this? bedok?

Are you sure tamago?

Buses suffer from late arrival because AMK Central has too many traffic lights to delay the buses. AMK Hub's bus interchange's traffic lights are too short, creating a huge backlog of buses. The junction, 50 metres away, on Ave 3/Ave8 is another delay, another traffic light junction 100 metres away before at the pedestrian bridge at AMK Hub, 50 metres later, another traffic light junction just before the bus stop.

Hence, the 4 minute delay.

Are you sure tamago?

Buses suffer from late arrival because AMK Central has too many traffic lights to delay the buses. AMK Hub's bus interchange's traffic lights are too short, creating a huge backlog of buses. The junction, 50 metres away, on Ave 3/Ave8 is another delay, another traffic light junction 100 metres away before at the pedestrian bridge at AMK Hub, 50 metres later, another traffic light junction just before the bus stop.

Hence, the 4 minute delay.No no. iris took that into account liao. :lol:

You try wait at the interchange itself and see. It is a habit of SBST with their super-slow kind of scheduling. :lol:

You do have a point.

I hardly wait for buses at AMK Hub. I wait for buses at the bus stops opposite so I don't rely on one single service to get home.

However, disregarding peak hours, actually can include, half of the services there suffer low passenger traffic either due to the longwindedness of the route or due to competition from just outside the interchange in the form of faster, more efficient services.

As for feeder, I realized that SBST at AMK is doing an 'SMRT' by purposely spacing out frequencies in attempt to squeeze as many people as possible into the buses.

Some suggestions for SBS Transit to consider
IT IS great news that SBS Transit is rolling out 500 new buses from Nov 1, especially when they are disabled- and elderly-friendly.
Better still is the fact that their Euro IV engines not only spew fewer pollutants into the air but are also more fuel-efficient than previous ones.

Besides kerb level floors, the buses can accommodate two wheelchairs - as opposed to one now - and provide more legroom. This second development will bring cheer to the long-suffering normal (165cm) Singapore male who has to sit hunched sometimes for an hour or more. It is also comforting that the new buses will employ an advanced braking system to enhance safety.

I would like to raise a few points which I hope SBS Transit has already dealt with or will soon address.

The most dangerous seat in buses now is the one after the rear exit. The horizontal grab-bar is so far from the seat that, in the event of an emergency, the passenger will not be able to grab hold of it in time but may be thrown violently forward and sustain serious injury.

Secondly, there are small rectangular vents in the ceiling which direct cool air into the carriage. However, these are almost impossible to manipulate.

Thirdly, I often take the bus from Bedok to the city, arriving at my destination as sweaty or even more uncomfortable at the end of an hour's journey. I wonder if this perennial problem can be resolved.

Finally, I have never understood the role of the grab handles that hang from the horizontal bars just below the ceilings. As they are not fixed and sway with the motion of the bus, they do not offer stability in a moving bus. It might be more useful if the present horizontal bar is lowered a little bit and/or more vertical bars are provided. I hope SBS Transit will comment on my suggestions.

Murali Sharma

I wonder if some Singaporeans realize how stupid they sound.

Why the hell would you need to have grabpoles if you're sitting? In an emergency, I imagine the standing passengers will naturally be the ones most prone to injury than a sitting passenger.

The 2nd and 3rd complaints are relatively reasonable.

Except for those on SMRT's Dennis Lance buses, the ceiling grabpoles are relatively stable. Having many vertical grabpoles would result in injuries in an 'emergency', and results in playing 3-dimensional Twister with your fellow passengers.

SBS has the Nextbus service, but where is SMRT's?
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
ST Forum
November 7, 2007

I REFER to the article, 'SMRT found lacking when it comes to public bus improvements' (Online forum, Nov 5).

I agree that SMRT can do much more to improve its bus services.

An example is the Iris Nextbus service provided by SBS which allows a commuter to find out via SMS or the Internet when the next bus is arriving. This service has proven to be very popular with commuters.

Unfortunately, SMRT does not have one, and has no plans to implement such a service for its buses.

There is, therefore, a lacunae when commuters try to determine next arrival times as SMRT buses are out of the scope of the Nextbus service.

SMRT should take a good look at its counterpart and bring its standards up to line.

Peter Lo

SMRT found lacking when it comes to public bus improvements
Straits Times, The (Singapore)
ST Forum
November 5, 2007

THE articles on bus services (ST, Nov 1) reflect the recent improvements made. But it has come to my attention though that the benefits shown do not benefit the entire population.

1. I refer to the article, 'Elderly-friendly buses hit the road'. It must be noted that the buses are operated by SBS Transit, which does not operate services in the Northwest Corridor towns of Bukit Batok, Bukit Panjang and Choa Chu Kang. These towns are operated by SMRT which has not announced any plans to introduce new buses. In fact, SMRT operates a whole fleet of elderly- and handicapped-unfriendly buses. Some of these are old, like the Nissan buses frequently on Service 975, and others are in very bad condition, like the Scania buses on Service 187. These buses have high steps and are not very environmentally friendly (compare these buses to SBS's 500 new buses). It is sad to see disabled commuters unable to board and the elderly struggling to board. It raises the question: When will SMRT buy new buses to add to the existing fleet? How long will it take for the old buses to be replaced?

2. I now refer to the article, 'Bus routes up 22% from 5 years ago'. Again, it should be noted that the bus routes' increased coverage is due mainly to SBS' good work, not SMRT Buses'. Over the course of the last five years, SMRT has made a few enhancements to some of its services such as the introduction of Service 950 to Johor, extension of service 975 to Bukit Panjang and amendments to Service 985. Conversely, compared to its counterpart, SMRT is not doing enough. SMRT Buses diverts its resources to the Premium and Shuttle bus services but what about the basic services used by the majority? In the last five years, no new services, except the minor enhancements, have been initiated in the Northwest Corridor Towns. The connectivity of these towns to the Eastern region of Singapore is very limited. When given feedback, SMRT tells its commuters to use the trains services. If SBS, which operates trains too, is able to introduce many new bus services, why not SMRT?

Minister Raymond Lim had said that the fare increases are necessary as the bus operators need the income to purchase new buses while introducing new services. This reason is more justified for bus operator SBS. As a daily customer of SMRT, I appeal to SMRT to provide better connectivity, buses and services to its customers just as SBS Transit commendably is doing.

Muhammad Hazique Salahudin

Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited

Sigh I understand what they mean. I understand if there's no new bus for SMRT because most of its buses are still years from its mandatory replacement age but sighz
1. No Rewards Programme
2. No NextBus
3. No TVmobile (Its not annoying for me since they broadcast live news in the morning which is good, plus it gives SMRT a extra revenue source)
4. No route graphics display system on trial
5. No SeasonPass, despite it being partially sucky cause it doesnt cover trains
6. Webpage is crappy so its hard to find press releases since they are all over the place and its not updated regularly and you cant find timetable information.
7. NightRider is 3 dollars not 2.50.

At least for SBS Transit the only complaint is that there is no next bus stop info system in buses, which is very useful when I plan my route to a new place using a new bus service.

Though both have not so nice points, SBS has less. :) One could argue what sbs has done are all extras and they only add to increased costs sure then I'd rather it not have them really. Just good buses and frequency and thats it. But since SBS has managed to raise fares and yet have all this new stuff, why is SMRT getting high fares and yet not doing anything extra? If it didn't raise fares then its no issue.

I personally think SMRT does not do this for its bus services because it doesn't enjoy the big savings SBST does as a larger company. Because, if you only have rights to operate from CCK, WDL, Bk Batok, Bk Panjang, Yishun, Sembawang, it doesnt give you more room for expansion since any new routes will end up duplicating the others given that SMRT territory is roughly centred on the North and Northwest of the island.

If you really want SMRT Nextbus and other newer services, the PTC and LTA and SBST must be willing to let SMRT expand, to takeover other routes in other towns.

Because since SBST took charge of the NEL, SBST has gained Sengkang Int, Punggol Int, added more services to the under-served towns of Singapore, while SMRT's interchanges have some of the island's most bus services and can hardly afford to add more.

Nov 15, 2007
More than 700 SMRT buses undergoing mid-life upgrade programme

IN THE letter, 'SMRT found lacking when it comes to public bus improvements' (ST, Nov 5), Mr Muhammad Hazique Salahudin asked about SMRT's plans for new buses and when the older buses will be replaced.

We have recently started the mid-life upgrade programme for more than 700 SMRT buses. The upgrade is done in phases, and will be completed over the next eight years.

To date, over 100 buses have already been upgraded. To enhance customer service, SMRT is purchasing more than 130 new buses to replace the older ones. The first 66 buses which are wheelchair-accessible will be out on the roads next year.

SMRT is also mindful of the travelling needs of the aged and had introduced bendy buses since 1996. These buses can carry more passengers and are easier for the elderly to board and alight.

To meet commuters' travel demands, SMRT monitors ridership pattern and considers feedback from passengers and stakeholders. Several new services and enhancements to existing services were made. For example, to reduce passengers' travelling time from the north to the east of Singapore, we operated Service 969 plying between Woodlands and Tampines and Service 965 plying between Yishun and Sengkang. We also introduced express service 854E from Yishun to Bedok in April this year. In addition, starting this year, we extended the coverage for Service 966 so that Bukit Panjang residents can enjoy a faster and more direct service to Toa Payoh, Eunos and Marine Parade. Besides enhancing our basic bus services, SMRT also introduced premium bus services to provide passengers more direct and comfortable bus journeys.

The general public use buses as an essential mode of transport, complementing the MRT, which is the backbone of our public transport system. As a multi-modal transport service provider, SMRT is continually looking at ways to provide seamless journeys to enhance commuters' convenience. We will continue to deliver services that reduce travelling times while enhancing accessibility and passenger convenience.

We thank Mr Salahudin for sharing his thoughts with us.

Kuek Chor Ling (Ms)

Manager, Corporate Marketing and Communications

SMRT Corporation Ltd

100 Buses have been upgraded? They have? Giving old buses a good scrub and good clean suffices as being upgraded?

On a sidenote, are WAB REALLY necessary? Has the govt overestimated the potential for the traffic brought by old people commuting in wheelchairs, navigating our public transport system?

Because, the only thing wheelchair accessible trains and buses are adding is, congestion, brought out by the proliferation of baby strollers and noise pollution, by screaming toddlers.

100 Buses have been upgraded? They have? Giving old buses a good scrub and good clean suffices as being upgraded?

On a sidenote, are WAB REALLY necessary? Has the govt overestimated the potential for the traffic brought by old people commuting in wheelchairs, navigating our public transport system?

Because, the only thing wheelchair accessible trains and buses are adding is, congestion, brought out by the proliferation of baby strollers and noise pollution, by screaming toddlers.

WAB would force all public buses to have zero step entrance and exit, making it easier for people to get on without hassle. WAB buses are now common in Europe and Japan where they have growing population of elders.

Our population is greying in same way as Europe and Japan are facing now. WAB buses would be needed by elders and wheelchair users.

If we do not provide buses for wheelchair users for easy access anywhere, they would pay more to get a cab.

I can understand this because I am also feeling the same way as the wheelchair users do. I am deaf. I cannot enjoy as much as you do. All I had to buy DVDs to enjoy the movies. I am more than happy to have Channel 5 news at 9.30pm with English subtitles.

So wheelchair users should be given same access as we do enjoy now.

SBS Transit and SMRT buses have been extending their lifespans few times. So it is time for them to end their services and get new replacements that can serve us well.

:)

1. TENDER NO: QX07-91

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

MID-LIFE UPGRADING OF DAF AND SCANIA BUSES

Closing Date Closing Time
28/12/2007 1030 hours sharp


Eligibility
Open to all experienced bus spares and equipment suppliers

Document fee:
S$26.75 each set (Inclusive of GST)
Payment by cheque only (non-refundable)
Cheque payable to SMRT Corporation Ltd

:runaway:

I understand, but having WAB doesnt mean it is actually practical or realistic for wheelchair users or transport operators.

I had the experience of experiencing what it was really like for the disabled alighting...

I was on Bus 76, along AMK Ave 3, the eastbound bus stop just after the junction of AMK Ave 3/6, the bus driver took a whole 7 minutes to unload that passenger.

Meanwhile, since that bus stop receives hordes of buses like 130, 132, 133, 136, 138, 74, 76, 86, 88, 853, 166, 165, 169, 265, 268 and 269, you could imagine how pressurizing it must be for the driver; it created a backlog of buses waiting to turn at the junction to this bus stop etc...

And normally, this stretch is already packed with buses...

I understand, but having WAB doesnt mean it is actually practical or realistic for wheelchair users or transport operators.

I had the experience of experiencing what it was really like for the disabled alighting...

I was on Bus 76, along AMK Ave 3, the eastbound bus stop just after the junction of AMK Ave 3/6, the bus driver took a whole 7 minutes to unload that passenger.

Meanwhile, since that bus stop receives hordes of buses like 130, 132, 133, 136, 138, 74, 76, 86, 88, 853, 166, 165, 169, 265, 268 and 269, you could imagine how pressurizing it must be for the driver; it created a backlog of buses waiting to turn at the junction to this bus stop etc...

And normally, this stretch is already packed with buses...

This is where expansion of MRT and LRT lines comes in. :)

Eventually, we will get used to having some time to load wheelchair users on our buses. This calls for gracious Singapore. :)

Automatic loading ramp is expensive. So manual loading would go first in line to meet the vision of having all people regardless of disabilities to get on public transport with minimum hassle.

In long run, probably newer buses would be eventually equipped with newer cheaper automatic loading ramps.

We are making progress with newer single deck buses that can take in two wheelchair users. This already signalizes the full desire of Government and public operators to serve disabled community and the public.

SBS Transit has produced WAB fleets. Our eyes should be on SMRT - they have yet to "produce" a fleet of WAB...

I do saw few wheelchair users travelling on MRT trains. Being able to travel on public transport does mean alot to them. Winks.

This is where expansion of MRT and LRT lines comes in. :)

Eventually, we will get used to having some time to load wheelchair users on our buses. This calls for gracious Singapore. :)

Automatic loading ramp is expensive. So manual loading would go first in line to meet the vision of having all people regardless of disabilities to get on public transport with minimum hassle.

In long run, probably newer buses would be eventually equipped with newer cheaper automatic loading ramps.

We are making progress with newer single deck buses that can take in two wheelchair users. This already signalizes the full desire of Government and public operators to serve disabled community and the public.

SBS Transit has produced WAB fleets. Our eyes should be on SMRT - they have yet to "produce" a fleet of WAB...

I do saw few wheelchair users travelling on MRT trains. Being able to travel on public transport does mean alot to them. Winks.

Yeah since the lifts became operational on all but 1 station, wheelchair users are becoming a common sight during off peak, not during peak.

Somehow its become natural for them to not travel during peak hours (common sense more like), without any monetary incentive. Imagine if they ever decide to travel during peak hours, it will be hell for both them and everyone, based on our current social grace standards.

Once they get all this public transport review done with, they should seriously consider allowing bicycles (not foldable ones) on trains. Once again I have to mention, Taipei Metro does it off peak, at a higher fare for bringing in bicycles, and only at selected suburban stations. But it has helped to get people moving about in the city without polluting, though only to a slight extent. They can take their bikes from their suburban homes to Danshui to cycle etc. They encouraged such behaviour that they even installed double decker bicycle racks at some stations. And they are all used up.

why would any bus manufacturer make non wabs? its like the only thing available these days isnt it? saying that sbs bought new wabs is like saying sbs bought new buses.

Well, our B10M's were originally coaches. And yes, the trend nowadays is low-entry, but MOT wants to add in a wheelchair ramp and call it 'WAB'.

I think the "market" for bicycle to be brought on trains is small. Sure, apparently there are many cyclists who park their bicycles at heartland MRT stations but what happens when you arrive at town?

Haul your bicycle across the underpass in Orchard? Tug your bicycle and start riding around City Hall? The infrastructure isn't there yet and I'm sure it could be a nuisance. And with more and more stations being underground, I'm sure the authorities are not entertaining this idea very much.

Someone's being confused over low-entry buses and wheelchair accessible buses... Not all of SBST and SMRT's low entry buses are wheelchair accessible...

I think the "market" for bicycle to be brought on trains is small. Sure, apparently there are many cyclists who park their bicycles at heartland MRT stations but what happens when you arrive at town?

Haul your bicycle across the underpass in Orchard? Tug your bicycle and start riding around City Hall? The infrastructure isn't there yet and I'm sure it could be a nuisance. And with more and more stations being underground, I'm sure the authorities are not entertaining this idea very much.

Someone's being confused over low-entry buses and wheelchair accessible buses... Not all of SBST and SMRT's low entry buses are wheelchair accessible...

Bikes are not allowed to be brought off the train at the main city center stations in Taipei at any time, due to congestion concerns. For Singapore, who would bring a bike to Orchard even if there's no congestion. :)

Bikes can serve as a cheap alternative and faster alternative than the local feeder bus. All we need is a trunk line aka MRT to bring them there. Many systems are embracing this, not just a cut and paste idea, but its a sensible idea.

Imagine bringing your bike from the north to the east coast instead of cycling all the way there on the roads past traffic. :)

yep yep... in LA the buses mostly or all have bike racks at the front. i always see people with bikes taking the bus even in downtown.

in perth bikes are allowed on trains, but just not during peak hours.

i dont think anyone would take their bikes to work, given the bike-unfriendliness of the city now. but perhaps that would be something URA could look into - making the city more bike friendly so we could all bike to orchard or work. then they could also look into air conditioning main bike thoroughfares :p

if they say sorry not enough space on trains, then please increase frequency!!! increase increase increase - twice a minute please.

and yeah i confused wab and low entry buses. anyway, i also dont think any developed country still gets non WAB buses. more than a decade ago i saw in hawaii old old old high high high floor buses that were already WABs.

^^ its too hot and humid to take bicycles. really.:cheers:
short distance ok. but otherwise its for exercise or recreational purposes.

no one would wana go work sweating unless offices start the initiative to have shower rooms for employees. my opinion lah.

if they say sorry not enough space on trains, then please increase frequency!!! increase increase increase - twice a minute please.
we are already reaching a point where increasing frequency won't work! :ohno:

we need more lines, and faster. or more express buses.

hardly! our frequencies are pathetic.