LTA's Bus Service Enhancement Programme (BSEP)

last SG · 2012-09-13T18:35:32+00:00

Another fleet add for Sv 60? Wasn't 7500D a fleet add into Sv 60 just a few months back? still can fleet add mah... this one small case compare to Sv43 lah....

lemon1974 SG

Yah, since currently they only provide the newest gen in production... And there are some 4.2M, which is lower than 4.3M old gen E500 in some countries...

will they buy? now they operate SD Man bus already incurred so much losses.... so if they buying those more expensive DD/Bendy, then their loss even higher?

SBS2601D SG

And that is why SMRT/TIBS is "better" than SBST to many peeps here. "Better" looking buses.

There are those who also keep clamouring for Volgren bodies, and saying things like "Gemilang" is boring.

Like duh!

You guys have any idea how much cheaper Gemilang is? Even the chassis-makers themselves prefer partnering Gemilang simply because they can lower the price by >20%! Much better for marketing purposes.

Yet when money starts to run short and problems start coming up, the same people accuse SMRT of being bochup and falling short on expectations.

Irony much??

Anyway, business is more than just arms-length deals.

Look at how SBST keeps purchasing Volvo products.

Why?

Because they have a good working relationship. SBST and Volvo have a very good mutual relationship. Volvo learns through SBST what bus companies want, and in return for that, Volvo gives SBST good deals. Both are in fact willing to give each other compromises so that they can carry on working together. It is not far to imagine that SBST and Volvo reps often sit together and listen to each other's concerns.

Can you imagine that happening between ADL and SBST for example? Very unlikely. The analogy is like you trying to enter a clique. Is that easy?

You want SMRT to buy ADL products? Where's the support anyway? You mean bus is like exotic product you buy off Amazon because you happen to like it and it suits you in one aspect, just one? Spoil already no need repair?

It is very irritating to see things like SBST/SMRT should do this should do that. Should buy this product that product. Oh nonono.....that isn't how things are purchased at all. Product purchases are more than just mere purchases, they are in fact procurement strategies that can be seen as signals. Think power play if you may.

You seriously think these people in the PTOs and LTA are stupid? I think it pays to look deeper into these issues before saying such shallow statements!

As for those who continually think sharing pictures of "new products yet seen" and such is fine, think again.

I have already highlighted how businesses can work and it should be hint enough that trials can more than meet the eye.

Especially in so far as competition in the business is concerned.

sgbuses SG

My point is that the current and past bus system is unsustainable for both PTOs.

It is for this reason that LTA, if you notice, is gradually taking control of many aspects of bus operations, starting with route planning, and now depot construction.

BSEP is very likely to be an experiment, as much as a practical short-term solution, by LTA to gain an even greater foothold in bus ops and further leverage on PTOs, to twist their arms, so to speak.

You know what I think will be the next step?

LTA buys buses, to be leased to PTOs.

Like the recent case with Transport for London, where they purchased 600 DDs to be leased on tender basis to bus operators.

Mark my words!

LTA has been dropping a lot of hints on this and have made no secret about studying competitive tendering as in the Scandinavian countries and London.

I suspect the effects of switching to distance fare have caused a noticable impact on bus revenue (and profitability).

Leasing is a more viable option if LTA wants competition via bus tendering. They can start off with the BSEP fleet on hand once the free 10 years is up.

If LTA does take this step, SBS Transit and SMRT Buses would have "helped" them a lot in this regard by standardising their new purchases (i.e. by limiting to the current 3 bus models).

sgbuses SG

Imagine for 10 years or more every new public bus that enters service is the same Volgren-bodied Volvo. That is how typical state governments procure public buses for leasing.

Gus.chong SG

it was at Page 48.... just posted few weeks back..

Noted. I only get to see those posts after you told me...I seldomly visited here.

No_10_Tomas SG

Noted. I only get to see those posts after you told me...I seldomly visited here.

me too, i seldom post here

but once i post, the info will be 100% accurate, trust me

sbst191 SG

Yes they would.. but will they get?? No chance because there is a scarse of bendies.. SMRT has hardly bought any bendies; only 30 which are also 1 to 1 replacement. Look at SBST so many spare WEGs. Every month you see bus services getting more SD slots converted to DD. Every month we are witnessing services that never had DDs getting them like 45, 52, 90, 94, 109, 243G, 293 to name a few.

SMRT needs high capacity buses to meet the requirement on many of its services and improve efficiency. If you do not have high capacity buses, you put 2 buses and that means you add BC cost, fuel cost, monitoring costs, maintenance costs for the extra buses. Go get more bendies, and if that is not possible, go invest in building your infrastructure to get in DDs. DDs should actually be the preferred way forward for SMRT.

why does 293 need dd anyway? just needs 293A. thats all.

If 293 needs dds then i would say 33,83,101,113 need dds as well

SMB66X SG

I am very very sure that you haven't tried earning money.

When you stop using your folk's money, let's see if you want bus fares to go up.

You prefer TIBS, but did it ever ever occur to you that TIBS was equally screwed up? What common sense would tell you to order 7 sides of small portions for cai fan, and all exotic food? You know how expensive that would be?

The only reason why TIBS did not appear as bad was because the buses were new....and the population in general wasn't as high.

That said, why is SMRT still dragging its feet on DDs?

It might very very well be due to some notion that it will exit bus operations very soon.

We'll see!

Because 1/2 or even 3/4 of the depots aren't DD friendly yet? And would you spend your $$ to rebuild another or wait for LTA to complete Wenya depot, and then start rebuilding?

SMB66X SG

SBS Transit have more experience in bus business.If I`m not wrong,SBS Transit have got 40 years of experience since 1973. Meanwhile SMRT have got 9 years of bus business since. Look at the difference.

Both operators are losing money on their buses.I suggest that LTA should raise up the bus fare.I pity the drivers who work almost non-stop.The Public Transport Council is pressuring both operaters to meet up the standards of

I prefer Trans Island to take back the bus business from SMRT. SMRT is really lost.They really need to buck up on their bus services.Do they even realised what they`re doing.

Wake Up SMRT!!!

Actually the bus fare quite cheap already..for Singapore's type of buses...Less than $2 for something that's cui, lousy, smelly...and it's applying to both the operators. Go compare KMB and both the operators in Singapore..you'll know it's the correct price..

The fare(Sg ones) is only too cheap for old buses like VO3X, Mercz OAC, UDs and some Volvo MK4s.

BusAnalayzer SG

why does 293 need dd anyway? just needs 293A. thats all.

If 293 needs dds then i would say 33,83,101,113 need dds as well

293A from where to where?

If you see the queue at Tampines Interchange in evening peak on both loops, you will know why SBST increased the number of buses from 12 to 14 and also added 2 DDs. But the loading is uni-directional but don't all or most feeder services have uni-directional loading.

BusAnalayzer SG

why does 293 need dd anyway? just needs 293A. thats all.

If 293 needs dds then i would say 33,83,101,113 need dds as well

101 can get 2 split shift DDs.

33 can get DDs but cannot because of Dunearn Road area.

83, 113 - definitely not needed. Loading doesn't justify.

In the routes you outlined I would put the loading as 293 > 101 > 33 > 83 > 113.

SBS2601D SG

Because 1/2 or even 3/4 of the depots aren't DD friendly yet? And would you spend your $$ to rebuild another or wait for LTA to complete Wenya depot, and then start rebuilding?

Rubbish.

If SMRT wanted DDs, they would have started at once.

You dont wait till the shit is all in your anus unless its LS case before you start taking your ET stick and dig desperately, do you?

Obviously SMRT sees no hope in DDs because they see no hope in bus ops.

I already pointed out that SMRT is very disadvantaged compared to SBST in cost management.

That is a huge disincentive for the 3-star I am sure. He would probably be eating his words now when he finds out this fact.

Early on, he said SMRT is commited to bus ops.

Now he says SMRT might leave in 2016.

Do you understand how these jigsaw pieces add up? He has given up hope!

SBS2601D SG

I suspect the effects of switching to distance fare have caused a noticable impact on bus revenue (and profitability).

Leasing is a more viable option if LTA wants competition via bus tendering. They can start off with the BSEP fleet on hand once the free 10 years is up.

If LTA does take this step, SBS Transit and SMRT Buses would have "helped" them a lot in this regard by standardising their new purchases (i.e. by limiting to the current 3 bus models).

That seems likely enough.

A quick calculation reveals that lifetime revenue of bus < lifetime cost for both PTOs.

If LTA doesn't step in soon, bus ops will be in big trouble.

sbst275 SG

ah 2601…

3 star dunno how manage things la.. say “Cost + Plus Margin” method would help SMRT…

eating his own words.. govt wouldn’t want to use this scheme to pay cost inefficient operators… who in right mind would pay higher cost + margin when it’s taxpayers + fare collection?

give up la… It’s just using SAF style of management to manage buses… not enough bus? add more bus lor…

btw.. 3625D revived or going to be revived liao…

sbst275 SG

actually one problem is the bus routing system…

they bind themselves too much on reliant on the MRT…

SMB66X SG

Rubbish.

If SMRT wanted DDs, they would have started at once.

You dont wait till the shit is all in your anus unless its LS case before you start taking your ET stick and dig desperately, do you?

Obviously SMRT sees no hope in DDs because they see no hope in bus ops.

I already pointed out that SMRT is very disadvantaged compared to SBST in cost management.

That is a huge disincentive for the 3-star I am sure. He would probably be eating his words now when he finds out this fact.

Early on, he said SMRT is commited to bus ops.

Now he says SMRT might leave in 2016.

Do you understand how these jigsaw pieces add up? He has given up hope!

Got money at that time mah? Plus, at start, I think they already have too many buses(with less depot space).

In my opinion, I would rather wait for at least a 5th depot to be ready. By then, constructions can start for some buses going to Wenya, leaving either WLDEP/AMDEP(or even KJDEP) to Wenya control IF POSSIBLE(base on route, most likely KJ/WLDEP).

And after the completion of the DD-friendly depot, the 2nd depot can go for change. At least it won't cock up the svc..

SBS 6078 M SG

SBST, what r u doing

156 i not surprised... am peak i ever waited waited for a 76mins bus. and the next was 32 mins....

53 can be in the list during weekends :)

iveco SG

My point is that the current and past bus system is unsustainable for both PTOs.

It is for this reason that LTA, if you notice, is gradually taking control of many aspects of bus operations, starting with route planning, and now depot construction.

BSEP is very likely to be an experiment, as much as a practical short-term solution, by LTA to gain an even greater foothold in bus ops and further leverage on PTOs, to twist their arms, so to speak.

You know what I think will be the next step?

LTA buys buses, to be leased to PTOs.

Like the recent case with Transport for London, where they purchased 600 DDs to be leased on tender basis to bus operators.

Mark my words!

LTA has been dropping a lot of hints on this and have made no secret about studying competitive tendering as in the Scandinavian countries and London.

http://sgforums.com/forums/1279/topics/467046

LTA should nationalise the entire bus fleet and rebrand them as TransitLink. Route Groups to be bundled under contract areas and offered for tender like what Transperth has done. SBS, SMB & WT to be mere contractors like Swan Transit, Path Transit & Veolia Transdev.

Bendies retained but kept mostly for express routes. DDs to take over most city trunk routes.

If TransitLink can score a 50-year exclusive deal with Scania even better.

SMB189A SG

Starting this Sunday, 18 August, residents living in Woodlands will have a new feeder bus service – Service 904.This loop service will enhance connectivity for commuters travelling between the Woodlands Regional Centre to Woodlands Drive 73 and Woodlands Crescent. This is the 13th bus service rolled out under the Bus Service Enhancement Programme. ‪#‎BSEP‬ Residents will have greater access to amenities in the area such as Woodlands Galaxy CC, Admiralty wet market and schools such as Greenwood Primary, Riverside Primary and Admiralty Secondary School as well as shopping malls such as Causeway Point and 888 Plaza. More: http://bit.ly/14nmidM

SBST163 SG

some bus services like 163 have ett changed on 19/8, Monday.

BSEP fleet add?

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