It's funny how you bring up 198 when it isn't exactly even
unique along that stretch of Queensway/Jln Bt Merah it was amended
to serve when it was shortened to Bukit Merah (64 replaced its
deleted sectors so no qualms on the deleted sectors).
There's already 123/153 along that stretch of Queensway/Jln Bt
Merah from Bt Merah Int, while 147/196 (like you said) already
provided the necessary connections between Queensway/Jln Bt Merah
and Commonwealth MRT before 198 was amended to ply that stretch of
Queensway/Jln Bt Merah. However, I understand that there isn't
exactly an ideal way to cutback 198 from the east and Bt Merah Int
seemed the most ideal already.
Another example of significant route duplication will be 26,
where its main source of passenger demand comes from the sectors
between Kallang MRT and Toa Payoh (via Kallang Bahru). So,
shouldn't it be cut to Lor 1 Geylang Ter as well since the Bedok -
Kallang MRT stretch is already served by 2 and 67? Why was it
retained?
As mentioned by many before, just because a service duplicates
other services or the MRT/LRT doesn't mean it should be taken away.
The passenger demand should still be the testifying factor as to
whether a service should be removed.
As to whether there was
substantial passenger demand along 62's old route before the cut
and whether it worsened post-NEL, we will leave it to the regular
commuters of 62's old route to decide (if there's any here to
verify, it'll be even better). If 62's demand along its
old route wasn't very heavy because it duplicated 80 along many of
its sectors and its demand dropped even further when the NEL
opened, I will certainly stand by your verdict that it is
duplicating and the cut to loop (or terrminate as per your
suggestion) at Lor 1 Geylang was worthwhile.
I think for 2's case, is to modernise and housekeep the route
meant for their future generations like my generation, think
'cannot be done' due to YourStudent era.
Some routes are always kept with significant demand through, or
transferred to other replicative services.
For 62, I doubt it is because no way can escape to Bugis, Clarke
Quay & Chinatown. All are connected by the DTL and NEL, all are
spoonfeeded. Maybe should be moved over to terminate at Downtown
MRT Station, to provide 'little' connectivity.
The NEL-duplicative routes are not needed to just go back to the
old terminus like the former Path Light saying. what we want is to
go to what is only needed: Little India, Tampines, or Punggol
Northshore.
old 3 was cancelled due to the MRT line (Bedok - Jurong East)
and may be extended to Tampines.
147 took over the service 2 at first, but other than that
service 147 has always not been removed in 2003. Service 81, 82,
85, 97, 103, 106, 111, 501, 502, 511 and 512 - all these are
withdrawn or rerouted away because either there is a drop in demand
due to NEL opening, the contracts were about to expire until 1
January 2005 and so they have to make changes or it could be a long
waiting time.