So...why is SBST still buying DDs over the years despite having
trials with the bendies? Also, over the years, improvements have
been made for the DDs such as straight staircases which would have
otherwise been the case for you, in which you said that flat
surfaces require less caution than flat staircases which take a
longer time
Lets also try to look at some full-DD services such as 168. As a
regular commuter of 168, not much time is wasted when people from
Tampines take the DDs. A person takes the staircase in 5 seconds.
If the staircase is full, 5 pax would otherwise be able to fill it
and reach the upper deck in 5 secs. Also, it seems that there is no
problem with the DDs as buses often come on time and almost always
fill a bus load of passengers despite needing some time to load the
passengers
Actually, it depends on the passenger patterns. There are some
times when passengers would not want to go up while others would.
For example, previously, 856 used to be full of DDs but almost no
worker goes up. However, with bendies, from what I seen, people
move to the back and less passengers are left out. However, 981 is
always full even upstairs. I am not sure why because I am not a 981
commuter but as I say it depends on passenger patterns
They only had 2 bendies for trial, and that was when bus
operators owned and designed their own bus depots and workshop
facilities (ie alll infrastructure expenses paid by themselves).
Not going into detail but the facilities in the workshops of SBS
differs from SMRT's. Only thing I can say is SMRT's workshop is
more flexible. Furthermore when it comes to DD purchasing, they
have only bought DDs of one particular engine arrangement in large
numbers (Transverse engine with angle drive). All these to simplify
parts and training. The only exception are the 200 O.305s, which is
basically a single deck chassis when you talk about mechanical
specs.
But now, gov owns the infrastructure, it is a good opportunity
for the government to move away from double deckers and go for
bendy buses so that a more efficient system can be achieved for
better rides.
As for 168, if you noticed my posts, unlike the double deck
purists who say that bendies should be all gone, I have never said
that double deckers are unsuitable for all routes, what is needed
are suitable buses for different routes. Though 161 and 168 do
provide a good example when it comes to bendy vs DD unloading time
at Woodlands, but thats besides the point here.
981's main catchment comes from pax travelling to and from areas
not served by 856. If you don't board the bus, or move upstairs,
I'm sure someone else, be it drivers or other pax, will make sure
you do that, because if you don't someone else will miss the only
bus service to those areas and be late for work if they waited for
the next one.