Untrue.
First of all, 85 freq is worse than 965. Try waiting during PM
peak, usually 2 965s will pass before you see an 85.
And no, those staying in Sengkang East do not think 85 is
faster. Lemme tell u why.
After Sengkang East, 85 still has to do merry-go-round at
Sengkang Ctrl. Then comes the Sengkang West. Since so many board
there it takes time. Then comes Jalan Kayu, where jams frequently
occur along the one-lane street. And now, you still have a new
additonal traffic light at Seletar Aerospace Flyover.
86 -> 965, on the other hand, is much faster. Besides, they
do not have to cross the bridge as they are in the same direction
for 86 -> 965. Both hit the express after the stop! Go and take
965 and see the number of ppl who board 86 after alighting at the
first stop off express. You will know when I mean Rivervale ppl
like 965, I'm not lying to you.
And let me tell you what 965 has and 85 doesnt: DDs. Yes... 85
may have them now, but the freq is cut isnt it?! 965 not only has
BSEP DDs, even the bus op itself has thrown in one. Definitely
solves the crowding problem don't they?
Perhaps 85 is faster for Sengkang West residents, and perhaps
Punggol East if the BC chiongs like 965 BCs do, but I disagree 85
is the first choice to go for everyone along the route.
Hi mr SMB128B, your 4th paragraph is certainly not accurate.
There are limited stops around sengkang east portion before it
arrives at sengkang east rd (near central). I have friends staying
there who have bus stops nearby them. They prefer sbs 85 direct to
yishun rather than take sbs 86 transfer to smrt 965. Sbs 86
frequency is nether good as well. They don't like to wait for sbs
86 then wait again for smrt 965. Haha. Wait 2 times???
Your 5th paragraph only applies to sbs 86 -> smrt 965. For
the earlier conversation with the other guy, still need to use the
overhead Bridge to connect to smrt 858/969.
Anyway, this sort of comparison is often up to each individual.
There is no correct or wrong answer. For sengkang west and Punggol
east people, sbs 85 can be faster and avoids inconvenience of
transferring and waiting. For sengkang east people, depending on
whether that person house is nearer to TPE or having sbs 85 at its
doorstep or within 2 min walking distance, it is subjective. Hope
that clears the doubt. Cheers. Thanks.