"That's cute! We are committed to renew our bus fleet, and have
recently purchased over 200 MAN buses. We do hope
that you have an enjoyable journey on our buses with these recent
additions!" - SMRT (https://www.facebook.com/SMRTCorpSG/posts/651304464910031)
I saw this comment at SMRT’s facebook page. I think this is the
closest to confirming that the MAN A39 Double Decker buses belong
to them. I think SMRT only wants to officially announce the
addition of MAN A39 DD buses in 2014, probably as part of their
2014 Financial Year starting on 1 April 2014. Nonetheless, this
Facebook comment is the closest to confirming that the MAN A39
Double Decker buses belong to SMRT.
According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SMRT_Buses,
SMRT currently has 323 articulated buses. SMRT confirmed that they
have purchased over 200 MAN A39 Double Decker buses.
Maybe this is just the first batch of SMRT Double Decker buses
and there will be more batches of SMRT Double Decker buses in
future. I foresee that eventually, all the SMRT articulated buses
will be replaced by Double Decker buses and since Singapore is
anticipating larger population by 2030, some Single Deck buses may
also be replaced by Double Decker buses.
dont read too much into that reply, could refer to the 2nd batch
of 200x A22s that are purchased and announced mid of last year.
maybe the admin of the site was just playing along after all
hahas!
as for SMRT getting DDs, me thinks its a right step towards
optimizing their fleet for various routes, ALTHOUGH it can backfire
should the DDs replace the articulated buses that are currently in
service. The gold standard, i would think, is when SMRT recognises
the strengths of the various platforms for various routes and
DEPLOYS THEM ACCORDINGLY. SBST has gotten away with a 'one size
fits all' situation with their DD deployment, and i dont wish to
see the same happen to SMRT.
