This is not the first time that a route is forced to have
additional stops...
Lan lan suck thumb
example 1: Svc 168
When 168 was first introduced, the portion between Woodlands Ave 2
and Tampines Ave 10 was non-stop.
Then, a stop at Jln Kayu was added. (I was fine with that
initially.)
Then, the exit from TPE (east-bound) to Jln Kayu changed from a
slip road into a traffic-light.
Then, a stop at TPE (near Punggol Rd) was added.
Then, there's a new traffic light at Seletar Aerospace
Flyover.
Compared to the original route, the current route has 2 additional
stops... and 4 additional traffic lights eastbound or 6 traffic
lights westbound (including 4 traffic lights on Jln Kayu Flyover
alone)...
Lan lan suck thumb
example 2: Svc 502
This express service used to be the fastest between Orchard and
Jurong East.
Then, SBS changed it into a uni-directional route downtown and
added Bayfront Avenue. (If you board at Orchard, you're forced to
take a tour of Suntec and Bayfront before hitting the
expressway.)
Then, thanks to the opening of MCE and closure of ECP, svc 502 was
diverted to serve Central Blvd, Shenton Way and Keppel
Rd.
I stopped taking 502 from Orchard to Jurong ever since.
Most of the time, LTA would justify the addition of stops "for
the benefit of more passengers". At the end of the day, bus routes
are designed to maximise catchment and hence maximise revenue...
The only wise decision I have seen recently is the amendment of
svc 518 to ply along KPE and PIE instead of ECP, Bedok South and
Bedok North.
Even 518 is a shining example...
First is amendment to Bayfront...
When ECP shut down and traffic junctions started appearing
EVERYWHERE LTA refused to remove the stop at Bayfront MRT, even
though:
1. With the opening of the Sheares Link junction it is pointless
for 518 to detour round Marina Blvd to hit expy when it could be
done via Sheares Link, and
2. Passengers who wish to board 518 there could simply walk over
to the MBS bus stop via the MRT station, making that stop
completely irrelevant
But ofc LTA was stubborn/lazy af, so now under the usual route
commuters suffer 3 new traffic lights... The longest one was the
one turning into the expy, takes 2-3 mins alone to change
signal...