IMO, there is no need for service to MP anymore. Too many
services already. Disappointed to see 47 not doing Chai Chee/Bedok
North.
This is my new recommendation:
sv 26: Toa Payoh Interchange <> Changi Business
Park Terminal
Toa Payoh Interchange >> current route >> Kembangan
MRT >> Chai Chee Dr >> Chai Chee St >> Bedok
North Ave 1 >> Bedok North St 3 >> Bedok North Ave 2
>> Bedok North St 1 >> Bedok North Road >> Tanah
Merah MRT >> Xilin Ave >> Changi Business Park
Terminal.
* Boost loading on sv 26 (may even need high capacity buses with
this change)
* Provide trunk service to Chai Chee/Bedok North st 3 estate
that is for years surviving only on feeders. Trunk provides
connection to Geylang, Eunos, Kembangan without MRT transfer, as
well as direct connection to Tanah Merah MRT and CBP
* Connects Chai Chee Dr to Kembangan MRT (closest
connection)
* Relieves loading on 225G/W as not everyone need to go to
interchange/MRT to change. Many can take 26 and transfer at Tanah
Merah or Upper Changi road.
An amendment of 26 into Chai Chee > Bedok
I think is more likely, while CBP is less likely and very unlikely
using your extension.
LTA really wants to have neat and tidy
routes. Extending 26 to CBP using your route is very winding. Your
extension adds about 10.2 km from Perpetual Succor Church and puts
it the route at 21-23 km.
It is more likely to do Chai Chee St >
Bedok North Av 1 > Bedok North Rd > Tanah Merah
MRT.
It will enhance the links 14 provide for
parts of Bedok North Rd not covered by 45. St 1 is 1-2 bus stops
away from Bedok Interchange. So frankly, utilising the MRT is
already an option.
Also, a new service completely dedicated to
Kembangan - Chai Chee - Marine Parade I is unlikely based on LTA’s
response to feedback. I think LTA feels there will not be enough
demand apart from students.122 I suspect was an experiment or a
political concession. Even though there are offices
at Marine Parade, and likewise at Chai Chee, a good chunk of demand
will come from all the schools along Marine Parade Rd. Basic retail
and health amenities are duplicated at Bedok, though Marine Central
definitely has many more options.
But moreover, the big
issue would be the terminus and loop point. Because Bedok
Interchange is so congested, it is more likely that Eunos is
utilized. Thus, this service would need to approach Marine Parade
either through Still Rd or Tanjong Katong Rd. Haig Rd is too
narrow. Having this service serve Koon Seng Rd will make it very
winding. Also, knowing how LTA thinks, they will feel there is too
much duplication with existing services as there are no HDB estates
nearby even though you could argue a Geylang Serai > Parkway
connection would provided via Geylang Rd > Tg Katong Rd. Die
die…must use 13 or walk to Still Rd…privatization :(
It would then swing up to
Kembangan/Chai Chee through Frankel Av/Siglap Rd, making the
service a huge U-shape. I suspect also that LTA wouldn’t want to
cannibalize 32, 40 or 42s loadings. Quite silly given that 32 &
40 have other sources of demand while 42’s demand will always
predominantly be from Lengkong 3 / 4 and Opera Estate because the
loop in & out of Fidelio St really puts people off.
So, it would just be too
winding and in LTA’s mind duplicative.
As for Chai Chee, I
suspect that LTA feels that 222/229 are already very frequent
connections to Bedok where one can transfer to 16, 31, 196 &
197. I agree that geographically this is much longer than a quick
ride down Siglap Rd to Marine Parade Rd. But as per the
restrictions above, LTA feels it is sufficient.
It
would be nice if LTA considered UEC > Tanah Merah > Bedok
North Rd > Bedok North Av 1 > CC St/Dr > Siglap Rd >
Marin Parade > Marine Vista/ECP loop. But again, very long and
winding.
Kembangan is really where
it is very jialat because there are no direct services to Bedok
Interchange and the walk out to Jalan Eunos is very far. While one
can take 42 and change at Flamingo Valley to 40, this is really
quite stupid as one has to go in & out of Fidelio St only to
transfer to a service that does not directly serve Marine
Parade.
Kembangan can at least
hope for a simple extension. It could be 135 to Eunos Int (Siglap
Rd > Changi Rd > Eunos Int). Not perfect but much better than
the current situation. LTA will also be quite happy to cut a long
loop service in half to improve loadings and
reliability.
I will stop dwelling on
this matter. So, I if there are any changes to bus services in the
area, I will put my money on these 2, if anyone wants to bet with
me :P
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.
Service 26 extension via Chai Chee to
Bedok or possibly up to CBP via Bedok North Rd.
<!--[if
!supportLists]-->2.
<!--[endif]-->Service 135
extension via Siglap Rd to Eunos Int
FThose who will suffer
most will be students. Thankfully I am not in school
anymore.