Actually those feeder services will always perform better with
the A24s as opposed to DDs. And even more so when newer MRT
stations crop up and people travel shorter distances on feeder
service buses, with people ever more reluctant to go up. DDs are
perfect for trunk routes.
I just hope LTA does not take one whole loop to find out they
were a fool by putting DDs to swap bendys on feeders now and adding
buses when they realise that DDs arent enough because the upper
deck is empty and eventually realising that a bendy bus that is 6m
longer than a normal SD/DD saved more space than 2 SD/DD which is
6m more space than a bendy bus. I would have suggested 13.8m SD
100% low floor 3 Door variants (which is shorter than a bendy and
may see better loading patterns than a 12m SD/DD) that are common
in Europe but Im not sure if these buses can navigate our narrow
roads. SBST's 997 didnt do that well i believe.
Sometimes I really wonder if those LTA decision makers know what
they are doing and if they know the ground well enough.
On a side note, I secretly do hope that LTA will consider
getting some SG plated A24s once all the O405Gs are gone. ATM, DDs
are more needed because the current number of bendys even with
those going to retire in 2017 removed, SMRT has surplus to run
bendys on feeders. Around 60, with the existing 40 will definitely
be good to supplement feeders in Yishun, Woodlands, CCK, Airport
Services, Service 105 and maybe even 123's extended route.
Long distance feeders like 240,285 & 334 plus
intratowns/townlink that are quite long distance like
265,268,359,911,912,913 can use DDs