Bulk of the load during Peak occurs from Bedok North 4 that
stretch to Bedok Int, and in the other direction. And that is the
only stretch of Sv 17 without any duplication from other
routes.
Beyond Bedok North Ave 4, there's a fair bit of other svcs to
get you from Tampines area to Pasir Ris and vice versa. So if
you're talking abt resolving a bottleneck, Sv 17A going full-time
is a good move in my opinion. Takes alot of load off from Sv 17
from Bedok Int to Pasir Ris during Peak.
So yeah, agree with your statement. 
Do you think ppl from Tampines st 92 come to Bedok North Ave 4
via PIE bridge to take bus to Bedok? I have seen many ppl walking
to stop from the open area there.. and wonder where they come
from.
Then it struck me that since st 92 has no bus service.. the
workers might be crossing over the bridge to take sv 17/17A to
Bedok MRT.