Perhaps.
The current situation of zoning our little zone has caused some
problems with regards to operator flexibility.
And in the case of SMRT, it is clear that it finds it hard to
compete with SBST and is disadvantaged inherently from size and
coverage.
"Competitive tendering" is supposed to work by making operators
bid for routes from LTA. But what is there to bid for when SBST has
depots in one area, and SMRT in the other?
But it doesnt absolve SMRT of blame for its fleet woes.
At a time when it can do something about clearing its bendy
fleet, its still sitting on the fence!
The fact that SMRT is even considering DD can be construed that
the bendy experiment was pretty much
a failure.
Consider that if SBST had on the other hand, had as much
problems with DDs, with its size and fleet flexibility, it would
also have considered bendies in its tenders.
But nope, it didn't.
Because clearly bendies weren't the way to go.
I agree. 
SMRT is moving in the right direction now to consider about DDs
and thinking of ditching bendies for the future.
