SMRT launches Alexander Dennis Enviro 500 MMC

last SG · 2014-05-30T23:42:13+00:00

They will definitely give a bulk of DDs to Sv 190... But SMRT does not have experience with DDs... Why add to the problems of 190... Better to try out on 963...

TIB1087B SG

only boarded the bus once,on svc 106,smb5002y

Gus.chong SG

Doesn't change the fact that SMRT still needs to convert its non-BSEP bendy slots into non-BSEP DDs.

To me it doesn't matter whether it is SMRT or BSEP DDs on those SMRT services; I am contented with at least 3 DDs on long haul services...it is not like all the non-BSEP DDs are going to replace all the bendies anyway.

BusAnalayzer SG

IMO the case of 106 is not as bad as 190. 106 loading is not so bad and its not very often where you see 2 bendys coming together and clogging up the whole place (a very common sight on 190). With the limited DDs purchased by SMRT, I would support giving more priority to do conversion of Bendy to DD on 190. This will definitely do more good in solving the road clogging problem in town than giving some to 106 and some to 190. Secondly 106 also no express sector. When SMRT has more DDs to spare, Im sure 106 will convert. After all LTA never said eliminate Bendys from town right? Its just reduce the number of Bendys in town.

You also have to note... many times 106 and 190 come together all along the stretch of Orchard road... hogging a lot of space... hence to me 106 getting DDs is more important than 963. Though I am loving the fact that DDs on 963 are doing a great job.

My point: Next set of buses from SMRT should be dedicated in converting SD-->DD slot on 106 and 190. After fulfilling these, 176, 188 and 851 should be taken next.

randomguy10 SG

I have a feeling SMRT will finish converting 190 and then the rest will probably go to 188, 857 (once Yishun interchange moves),960, 966 and 969. If DDs are cleared for Bt Timah Rd, 960 might also see a 190 type of conversion. 857 might see a case like 963 where 50% converts to DD but I dont know why SMRT never chose to give perm bendys to this service in the past. DDs will be well utilised on 857. 176 also I dont know because SMRT seems to be putting DDs mostly on services with express sector. 67, 851 and 854 will probably receieve from BSEP side but from SMRT side I am really not sure. Depends how any spare units are left to go around from the 201 ADLs

BusAnalayzer SG

not enough.. clearly smrt needs to order more DDs.

carbikebus SG

not enough.. clearly smrt needs to order more DDs.

Dont worry,SMRT have till Dec 2015 to order the A95s

Gus.chong SG

Registered on 2nd February 2015:

SMB3572G
SMB3573D
SMB3574B
SMB3575Z
SMB3576X
SMB5034E
SMB5035C
SMB5036A
SMB5037Y
SMB5038U
SMB5039S
SMB5040L
SMB5041J
SMB5042G

BusAnalayzer SG

Registered on 2nd February 2015:

SMB3572G
SMB3573D
SMB3574B
SMB3575Z
SMB3576X
SMB5034E
SMB5035C
SMB5036A
SMB5037Y
SMB5038U
SMB5039S
SMB5040L
SMB5041J
SMB5042G

118/201 registered.

Good to see SMRT getting the majority chunk now.

TIB429E SG

Sv106 have 1 Blue tinted upper deck front windscreen(ADL) running today..

SMRT(or LTA) should return the 951Ex964 slot so as to increase the capacity for 951E.

azharjj SG

DDs debut for 67 & 960 from 15 feb & 16 feb respectively

for 960, DDs will appear on weeekdays only while 67, both weekdays or weekends

info from SMRT FB page

carbikebus SG

67 will have 4 DDs which mean the 3 Amdep BSEP will be transfer to Kjdep.

960 will have 3 DDs for a start

Way to go,Now awaiting 851,854 & 857 for Yishun side

167 for Sembawang side

Its best to deploy 3 DDs to 172,4 DDs to 180,3 DDs to 184,3 to 189.

randomguy10 SG

Yeah could try the DDs on 180 because quite alot of pax go end to end so upper deck will be well used. But personally, I would not support the use of DDs on 172.

For 172, the heavy loading is only during peak hours and that explains the split shift bendy slots currently. This Service could do with an upgrade of some split shift SDs to Bendys. If use DDs also, probably only split shifts because full day would be quite a waste. To use DDs on this service, the roads along Jln Bahar and Old CCK road need to maintain a 4.5km clearance and I would think it is not too cost effective to for maintainence on such a long stretch of road for just 1 service and that too just for peak hour loading. And also I dont believe those people booking out from army camps will be inclined to go the upper deck with their heavy and bulky bags. Non Peak hour crowds are only between CCK int and CCK ave 1 (Quite short distance).

For 184, its more or less an institutional service. Quite heavy boarding and alighting activity at quite a number of stops along the route. If you observe 154 along clementi MRT station to the clementi road stretch, you can already see the situation of using DDs (its really quite slow). The Bendys on 184 have helped this service stay efficient. Unless there is a severe space constraint or there is a ban against bendys, I would support use of Bendys for this service.

For 189, I am not too sure about the loading after the shortening of the route. For the Old route, yes, DDs could have been used but too bad SMRT didnt have DDs before. But for the new route I believe the heavy loading is just between Clementi Ave 6, Clementi MRT and the Clementi Ave 1? If yes, it more or less becomes a kind of feeder service.

BusAnalayzer SG

Yeah could try the DDs on 180 because quite alot of pax go end to end so upper deck will be well used. But personally, I would not support the use of DDs on 172.

Definitely yes to DDs for 172 and 189. I have taken the latter recently - 2 weeks back and huge loading even after route shortened.

172 lot of pax board at Boon Lay for CCK. Def must service for DDs.

184 I agree with you. A lot of boarding/alighting happens at Clementi MRT. Bendy is a good option here. 154 DDs doing well. Don't say anything. 154B given DD for a reason. It is not same situation like 184.

carbikebus SG

Too much bendies also no good..Bendies should be restricted for feeders,short haul trunks and those going to industrial parks..

SMB42P SG

DDs debut for 67 & 960 from 15 feb & 16 feb respectively

for 960, DDs will appear on weeekdays only while 67, both weekdays or weekends

info from SMRT FB page

960 also will need the DDs on weekends...i have a feeling 67 will get SMRT reg DDs + BSEP DDs while 960 will only get the BSEP DDs...

SMB42P SG

Definitely yes to DDs for 172 and 189. I have taken the latter recently - 2 weeks back and huge loading even after route shortened.

172 lot of pax board at Boon Lay for CCK. Def must service for DDs.

yes..172 load during AM off peak can be crazy too! I have seen on many occurrence that buses are packed to the door after the Sheng Siong stop towards CCK during the afternoons. The OCs definitely not enough...

Few weeks back they trialed a bendy on one of the AP slot but seem to disappear already...revert back to full rigid AP slot and the 4 bendy split shift slots are not very certain also.. at times rigid may appear (like SMB58U on 172S105 yesterday)...

randomguy10 SG

I travel on 172/180 very regularly! I would say yes to DDs for 180 because I know quite a number of people boarding at BL and Lakeside travel all the way to Bt Panjang (it serves like an express version of 187 to Bt Panjang). Also 180 loading is all day round

On the other hand for 172, majority of the people do not travel end to end. People Travel between BL and Sheng Siong (even though 199 is shorter, because 199 off peak frequency can get very bad). Then the there are people who travel from either ends to the army camps/CD academy thats located on the way. Lastly CCK Ave 1 to CCK int. 172 usually gets crowded after 3pm for PM, by which split shift bendys are already operating. Off peak I mostly see the bus is decently crowded with max a few standees for a OC and so having AP high capacity bus is a luxury. My reason to oppose DDs for this service is because of the type of people taking this service during peak hours (mostly army/CD personnel). Plus I would think maintaining the 4.5m height clearence from along the long stretch that is only used for 172 is an economic waste. 172 can be considered a short haul trunk spanning usually just 32-40 mins end to end. I believe it will aslo be SMRT's last priority for DDs

BusAnalayzer SG

If you notice, 172 is not even a bendy priority or any kind of priority for SMRT. I think it lets it be because mostly lower income group takes the service on most part of its route. I am okay if they want to deploy bendy. Deploy bendy. But if you do not have enough bendies, at least deploy DDs.

172 also needs BSEP slot. not one, but two. It is strange that some services are neglected by BSEP bcoz they do not cater to the elite.

Also, I think people would be stupid to take 172 to Sheng Seong when 199 is faster and has BETTER frequency contrary to what you said. Also 199 mostly has DDs plying. 172 run time is around 10 minutes more than 199 to Sheng seong given the congestion and number of signals it has in between. Also, 172 I believe has been purposefully made to do the round so that more CCK bound people take 172 and those for Jalan Bahar, opt for 199 instead. And this is exactly what happens.

If you are at Jalan Bahar and want to go to Boon Lay, even if 172 comes before, people will wait for 199 since it is faster, cheaper and more reliable.

randomguy10 SG

Let me correct you there. 199 has better frequency than 172 during peak periods mostly but during off peak periods like in the afternoon and at night 199 frequency is atrocious. Its 17-24mins per bus. I dare say 2 buses of 172 can come most of the times before 199 comes (I study in NTU and I take 199 everyday) during off peak. Plus even at peak hrs 199 is quite irregular. There are so many instances where 2 buses come together and then next 15mins no bus. Yes 172 is a longer route but most people take whichever comes first from SS unless both arrives together. During Peak hours its approximately 5-10mins longer than than 199 but non-peak its only 5mins. And for 172, people can alight at the last stop before the interchange to transfer to MRT too so it doesnt make too much of a difference. But from BL-SS direction, you are right! most people queue up for 199 instead because the 172 arrival timings on the tv screen are usually not accurate and yeah 199 is shorter.

randomguy10 SG

Yes 172 should get BSEP slots too.

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