SMRT has tried to withdraw or shorten svc 852 in the past as demand
can be very low during off peak hours. It is also extensively
duplicated by other bus services:
851 (Yishun - Ang Mo Kio - Marymount)
74 (Ang Mo Kio - Marymount - Macritchie - Adam - Bt Timah)
157 (Macritchie - Adam - Bt Timah - Bt Batok)
The main demand for 852 is between the residential areas of
Yishun/Ang Mo Kio and the schools along Bt Timah Rd, as it offers a
direct connection between these areas. Thus, I propose that 852 be
converted to a semi-express service with a non-stop sector between
Marymount Rd (after Bishan St 22) and Adam Rd, for a faster
connection between Yishun/Ang Mo Kio and Bt Timah.
It will use Macritchie viaduct to bypass the section of Upp Thomson
Rd and Lornie Rd near Macritchie reservoir, to avoid the congestion
during peak hours. Alternative travel options to/from the express
sector (Marymount - Macritchie - Adam) are as follows:
Yishun/Ang Mo Kio - Marymount: 851
Yishun - Macritchie/Adam: 855
Ang Mo Kio - Macritchie/Adam: 851 x-fer 74
Marymount - Macritchie - Adam: 74
Marymount - Bt Timah: 74
Marymount - Bt Batok: 74 x-fer 157/852
Macritchie - Bt Timah: 74/157 or 52 (to Jln Anak Bukit/Beauty
World)
Adam - Bt Timah: 74/157
Macritchie/Adam - Bt Batok: 157
Most of these connections have a direct bus alternative, thus not
too many commuters will be affected by such a change.
map: http://goo.gl/maps/gOrGI
I like your suggestion. 852 is just an alternative and loading
can be extremely low because people don't trust this service. I
have ever seen people preferring 74 than 852 even though 852 is
relatively empty and 74 comes crowded from Ngee Ann. Putting semi
express, will give 852 a value proposition that it lacks today.
