As much as they take a bigger space, they also move off faster.
IMO, the reason why the service frequency is being improved is
because there is no bendy to replace the deregistering bendy and so
the best solution will be to add 2 SD buses so as to not reduce the
capacity.
In cases where DD suit better than bendy, like trunks,no problem
- just 1 for 1 and this is indeed a step forward because you saved
space on the roads. In cases where DD cant really suit because
people dont go up or SDs are used because the route cant use DD,
you are indeed replacing a 18m bus by 2X12m buses. It seems like a
step forward cos frequency is improved but isnt it infact 3 steps
back because you are actually taking more space now, having to hire
2 drivers and also pay double the fuel price. And in the end, this
is going to reduce congestion in the interchange? the answer is
NO.
Conclusion: One Size does not fit all problems. Once again,
bendy everywhere is not the solution for Singapore. But a small
fleet to serve the necessary areas is wise. And this area is short
distance feeders and routes with height restrictions.
And just FYI, all the buses that are still in operator livery
still belong to the operators and LTA is so called leasing them for
a fee. So it is not like LTA purposely didnt buy over those bendys.
All the CDGEs, SBS plated B9TLs (not under BSEP), KUBs, OCs, SMB
plated Citaros, A22s (not under BSEP), SBST Plated Citaros (not
under BSEP), E500s (not under BSEP), SMB plated A95s, A24s - they
are all owned by operators SBST and SMRTB
From what I observed in Yishun interchange, the bendies do not
actually move off faster as you said. Once one or two bendies are
stuck at the alighting berth, almost immediately you see a line of
buses queuing behind. But the situation is not that bad with single
and double deckers on the alighting berth, because shorter buses
have more flexibility in moving in and out of lane with many
buses.
One of the main aim for LTA GCM is to improve frequencies for
all of the services. 2 single deckers may take up the same spaces
of a bendy bus, but at least operators can improve the frequencies
by adding more buses, or use more buses for another new service.
That's the flexibility they can play with to manage the loads. And
two buses doesn't really mean that they will take up the whole
space at the same time. Difference in frequencies can allow the two
buses to stop at the bus stops at different times and yet improving
the frequencies.
The GCM is still at its early stages and places like Woodlands
have not seen much improvements, like more new services, yet
compared to other places. LTA may probably reshuffle the feeders
there (e.g split into G/W) or add new services to relieve the
loads. Parts of Woodlands are still not developed yet and thus new
services may be needed in future.
There are not many places with height restrictions these days
and LTA has been removing these barriers since GCM. As for the
airport, it's probably time to build a new bus terminal or
restructure the bus infrastructures there. With the upcoming T4,
Jewel, and T5, there is a need for more bus services, especially
one to the west.
If many other parts of Singapore bus services can operate
efficiently without the need of a few special buses, don't see why
places like Woodlands cannot improve without the need of bendies.
Already seeing great improvements in Yishun, Chua Chu Kang and
Bukit Batok with the fleet changes. Like I said earlier, Woodlands
estate is still expanding, and it needs more space for more buses
for new services. The current arrangement should just be the
temporary one for better things to come in future.