Don't think they will put double deckers on new service on the
first day if SBST can't determine the popularity of the service at
first. Not at least in SBS/SBST history.
Many new Bishan trunk services started with only single deckers,
52,57,58,59. There goes with 43,45,109,119 for Northeast services.
Even back to the 1990s when SBS introduced services like 88, it
started off with NAC Scania N113CRBs before upgrading to air
con Volvo B10Ms and then to double deckers within months when the
service proved popular.
However there are a few exceptions, like service 86 in 1977 and
service 87 when SBS9888Y was used.
9 DDs introduced on svc 50 on very first day of
operation.
svc 50 loading from Bishan to Punggol East
Bus# 3320H, Time: 5.45pm. End time: 6.55pm
Bishan Stn (08), AMK Ave 8 (06), Jubilee (26), ITE (33),
Seagate (39), Seletar Heights (29), Fernvale (25),
Anchorvale (27), Compass Point (18), Sengkang East Dr (06).
Peak loading was at YCK Road (39pax). I am not sure if the
loading at Jubilee would have been higher if there wasn't a 159
ahead.
This was just 2nd day of operation. At Fernvale, many passengers
looked at bus with surprise but did not take it, rather waited for
163/163M. I am sure that the loading between Jubilee and Sengkang
will go to 50-60 pax in a month's time. It is a very well designed
route with minimum parallel option and most people who took the bus
were long haul passengers.