Before Svc 120 was started, many suggestions and feedback were
given to the authorities such as amending Svc 273 route as this
service typically runs on empty or almost empty back towards the
interchange in the evening after block 50 Telok Blangah Drive
(Utilization can be low at times during the day too with long
frequency). This is to leverage on the current resource that
they have, at most giving an additional bus as I do not think that
the estate warrants a 3rd bus service. Suggestions were given
to adopt the system used in St Michael's estate using different
color plates for the one way Telok Blangah Street 32. They
did not want to listen as they cited it is inconveniencing the
current commuters, increasing bus fares, and they are not using the
current different color plate system any more. They said they
had collected data that svc 120 is a viable solution to
transportation woes in this estate, even talking to the CCC which
many residents did not even receive any invitations to provide
feedback. In the end, had to wait out for more than 1 year to
have the new service 120 as they said it takes time to hire new bus
drivers, which in my view, they may not need to hire so many if
they had just leveraged on current service. I believe this
could be a populist approach but being a long time resident in this
estate, and a good citizen, my heart pains whenever I see Svc 120
running on empty as it costs money to run this service, tax payers'
money.
It would have been good to just extend 273 to loop at Labrador
MRT by adding 1 bus - would have served the purpose of 120 and
saved 7 buses / BCs / fuel - all resources.
You live in the estate and you see the bus empty there. I see it
with less than 5 pax turning on Alexandra road. BMR - NBR terminal
also not more than 5-6 pax. Such a waste.