http://www.sgcarmart.com/news/article.php?AID=9994
In a move to increase capacity, SMRT will add more than 100
double-decker buses to its fleet in batches from June, reported The
Straits Times. The public transport operator currently only has
regular and 'bendy' buses plying the roads.
Speaking during a media preview of its revamped 'learning
journey' yesterday, SMRT Buses Vice President Tan Kian Heong said
the double-deckers will be deployed on longer routes from
residential estates to the city.
Mr. Tan noted that while the double-deckers will be useful for
adding capacity on services into the city, they are not as suitable
for heavily-used feeder routes.
He said that it would be inconvenient for commuters to
climb up and down the upper deck when they may only be taking the
bus for a short distance.
Mr. Tan said SMRT is also actively hiring more drivers. He added
that the new double-deckers are part of several initiatives
SMRT is implementing to improve the commuting
experience.
The operator has also conducted a trial of a telematics system
for its buses - essentially a 'black box' that will record and
transmit data during a journey. Mr. Tan said these 'black
boxes' will be installed on SMRT's bus fleet over time, and allow
the operator to track the driving behaviour of its drivers. In the
longer term, the plan is to analyse the data gathered to identify
potential problem areas.
SMRT has 1,263 buses in its fleet and about 2,500 drivers. It
operates bus services from Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands, Bukit
Panjang, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok.
