The frequency is not 20-25 mins but around 12-15 mins during
off-peak hours. there are still some classes that leave in the
off-peak also and the buses have decent loading of 55-60 pax in
off-peak as well. Yes in the night, frequency is very poor and most
loading is for HDBs along Jalan Bahar. I think at this point,
frequency of 172 might be better than 199.
But I agree that 199 needs a higher frequency even in
peak/non-peak hours. 8 buses is not enough. Current peak hour
frequency is 07-08 mins and it should be something like 05-06 mins.
199 should have fleet of 10 buses - it would be good if BSEP gives
2 SLBP WEG to 199.
There are occassions when at SADM, people were not able to board
199 already and hence there were requests for 179 to stop at SADM.
Actually travel time of 199 from SADM < 179 given 179 does full
loop before getting out.
if i didnt remember wrongly, its 16-18 mins during off
peak..though i waited for 30 mins before for 199 at around
1pm..
Many of 199 buses during peak came from 243W (3113P, 3115J,
3120T, 3129U), and most DDs are on split duties...AM/PM peak the
headway is very good, sometimes even as close as 2 mins per bus
until bunching occurs...but due to jam at Boon Lay Int, buses
may be delayed, which explains occasional 10 mins wait during
peak.
If i am not wrong, there are only 3 buses running during off
peak (SBS8902X on fixed slot 1A/?P, SBS6695G also on AP slot, and
last bus usually is a DD. SBS3069J, SBS3070D, SBS7402D are
confirmed split shift buses, im not sure about SBS3243Y, SBS3244U
and SBS9548D, though i know only one is AP bus). In the afternoon,
just before PM peak, buses will usually be packed, which will cause
problems to those boarding from SADM, Hall 9, and Hall 11.
During off peak, 172 frequency is definitely better than 199.
Therefore, we see many pax alighting at Sheng Siong stop even
though they can take 199.
I would think 199 will need more AP buses rather than split
shift buses..