It's a matter of efficiency and resource management, really ...
it still bugs me as to why some of the less crowded Yishun trunk
services (especially 852, 853) are not being diverted to serve the
inner roads (as is the case for many SBS towns, in particular
Tampines), while at the same time so much resources is dumped onto
new feeders and intra-towns (804, 860).
For example, it would only require a short diversion for any
trunk service serving at Khatib MRT to pass by Yishun St 61 / Ave
4, or Yishun Ring Rd near St 71 / 72. The trunk would link these
areas to both Khatib and Yishun MRT stations, while skipping a few
stops that the remaining trunks can easily cover. 812 would also be
freed to serve the new St 41 / 51 areas.
===========================
What about 853 and 855? Seeing that both have moderate frequency
/ demand and do not serve Yishun Ave 2 outside Yishun MRT, is it
possible that they can be enhanced to take over 812's route at both
St 61 and Ave 4, with minimal route amendments? As per below:
853: Yishun Int --> Ctrl 2 --> Ctrl --> Ave 4 --> Ring Rd
--> Ave 2
855: Yishun Int --> Ctrl (via SAFRA & KTP) --> St 61
--> Ring Rd --> Ave 2
In this way we have two-way direct services to KTP and SAFRA
from Khatib MRT. Chung Cheng and Northland get proper links as
well. The stop at Blk 935 still has 857, and is close enough to
Yishun Ave 2 for other services.
Then:
812 (merged, with G/W): Yishun Int --> Ave 2
--> Ring Rd --> Ave 4
--> St 51 --> St 41 --> Ring Rd --> Ave 11
--> Ctrl --> Int.
(812 will now provide a much more direct link from Yishun Int to
the area around Northbrooks Sec Sch, and complements 860 to Khatib.
117 will still connect to Khatib from Ave 1.)
(Cross-posted at route
suggestions thread)
After some thought, I shall refine my suggestion a little -
putting it down to three semi-independent schemes that may still
increase the efficiency overall.
The map is here: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zEEpmI3uw7s8.k1cLkPzdzugo&usp=sharing
Here goes:
===================================
Scheme A: Amendment of 857 (or some other
suitable Yishun trunk)
This amendment makes good use of the DDs added to the 857 fleet
to cover the link between Yishun Ave
4 (incl. the schools along the way) and Khatib MRT.
The extended stretch from Ctrl 2 to Khatib MRT is about 2,240m,
an increase from the current
undiverted 978m by about
1,262m or 1.26km. Two pairs of bus stops are skipped (with
alternative service 855) in favour of six pairs of new stops.
Using 857 is tentative, of course, but it would be best to
employ one with decent frequency (to match 812) as well as having a
HC (bendy / DD) fleet.
Scheme B: Amendment of 85
This amendment makes good use of the DDs added to 85 fleet to
cover the link between Yishun St 61
and Khatib MRT. The extended route is about 1.7km, an
increase of about 1km from the
current 700m undiverted route. It disregards the territorial
concerns between SMRT and SBST, and maintains the link to
Northpoint, while skipping only one pair of bus stops in favour of
six pairs of new stops.
As a result of this change, 858 will skip Yishun Ctrl 1
& 2 to reduce problems for its
bendys. Without 85, an alternative (and somewhat faster)
link to Jln Kayu and Punggol is provided by 117.
Alternatively, this route amendment may be carried out on 117,
in the event that it could cause traffic disruptions or demand
problems on 85.
Scheme C: Amendment of 812 (East loop)
As a consequence of scheme A, or both A and B, 812's east loop
will be less stressful / in demand. The change will allow the
service to skip the northern section
of Ave 4 (served by
857), and serve the newly
developed areas at St 51 / 52. The bus stop at Blk 322 is
still within walking distance to the bus interchange (for 857), to
maintain the link to Ave 4.
Making use of 812 also eliminates the need to introduce a brand
new feeder service to St 51 / 52 / 41, thus saving a berth at
Yishun Temporary Interchange.
The extended route is very tentative and subject to changes.
It may not necessitate implementation until the
new estates are ready.
===================================
So, please do comment. In lieu of the situation in Yishun town,
I am very eager to suggest this to LTA already.