I agree with you on this. Loading on 168 during Peak Hours is
still quite consistent even after the Seletar flyovers have opened
and after the extension of 103 to Yishun.
And I suppose the bulk of people from the East would usually
take 168 to get to Woodlands rather than 969 anyway because it
skips Yishun totally (unlike 969 which gets stuck in Yishun during
Peak..)
As long as that fleet add is S-Shift or E-shift instead of a
full-day, i think it's justified too.
Loadings are good, but have you seen the bunching... There are
multiple instances everyday AM/PM peak, when 2-3 168 DDs come
together... and the buses at the back have a paltry loading. Of
course when you deploy 29 buses on an express sector route... you
got to get that kind of bunching.
I would also add that while loadings on 168 are great, you will
not see instances, where people will be left behind... At WRI, you
will see long queues, but when the bus had 55-60 pax on bus, people
stop in the queue and do not board even if there is ample place to
sit... as they know another 168 will be right behind, and surely in
next 5 mins... you have another 168 that comes.