This is SBST v/s SMRT
SBST will deploy DDs even on services that do not need them and
SMRT will play cheap and deploy their sucky MANA22s even when DDs
are needed.
On day 1 of operation, SBST launched DDs on services that could
have done without DDs such as :
41 > you can argue DDs are doing okay, but that's just bcoz
it duplicates 183 route. The Beauty World section is just SD
seating loading. Now with Beauty World MRT opening, loading could
improve. But DDs were given year in advance.
201 > The DDs are doing well in the old 189 route, but the
Clementi - Pandan is purely SD seating loading, yet when 201 got
fleet add to improve frequency, it was DD instead of SD.
119 > The classic example of 3 years of wasted DD resources.
119 was expected to get heavy loading because of boom in flats in
Punggol West and being the only service, but guess what, it never
got more than 40 (99% times) bet Punggol/Sengkang. Still SBST
continues to have those DDs.
102 > Another example of DDs wasted. The route b/w Hougang
and Sengkang fetches at max 20-30 pax, could get to 50 pax for
Sengkang-Sengkang west. Manageable by Citaros, but 50% fleet DD
from day 1.
47 > Need to still evaluate if service needs DDs, could need
for TNM-CBP, but again SBST decided to give DDs from day 1 instead
of monitoring loading
117 > This route in future needs to be full fleet DD, but
this would be only in 2017 given the huge number of flats in
Punggol West, Yishun Ave 1, Canberra. But DDs get kicked in a year
before.
Now, lets look at SMRT
860 > Such a high loading route. No HC buses and 16 buses
have to be operated for such a short route, due to non-deployment
of HC buses. Now have 1 MANdy.
979 > It was clear that DDs are required, but SMRT decided to
play cheap and operate only MANA22s
983 > If this was SBST route, it would be full fleet DD. But
no, once again play cheap by deploying A22s that cannot tank the
ave 5 loading
301 > will need bendies from now on, but guess what SMRT will
give it none, and just go on adding A22s.
No wonder 117 was given to SBST bcoz guess what if SMRT had it,
it would be full fleet A22.
The type of buses used for BSEP services are determined by LTA,
SBS and SMRT just run the services based on what is given.
In fact, SMRT probably saw that LTA's arrangement was not as
efficient as their own services and decided to intervene by putting
their own bendy buses which are more efficient for the kind of
routes you've listed. This is a customer oriented move by SMRT and
they should be commended for going beyond what was required of
them.
301 doesn't need bendies, its perpetually emptier than most bus
services around and would do fine with the current fleet.