LTA chose the SBS-spec Citaro which sucks. I would also rather
have all A22s and KUBs. But don't create a fuss here just about it,
it doesn't help. If you want, you can send feedback to LTA about
this.
Actually, the K230UBs are very powerful buses. But SBST ruined
them with the gear restrictions.
P.S. For some reason the KUB has lower licensed capacity than
the Shitaros, but practically the Shitaros cannot take so many pax
because of the narrow standing areas at the back.
The kind of fear SMB128B is trying to spread is why we ended up
with so many Citaros in the first place.
Between 2009 and 2010, operators brought in Sunlong and Yutong
demos. The lobbyists created the largest din they could ever make
to the operators.
SMB136C (and later SMB138Y) was the direct comparison they made
against, and the newer Citaro C2 came out shortly after in 2011.
Imagine how much pester power the lobbyists were using against the
two operators. They didn't back off until operators placed firm
orders to the tune of what we have today.
Not far off from the Tea Party protestors ending up with Trump
now, no?