Are you very sure that SMRT and Brickston will definitely
be operating the hybrid demos? Whichever way I read the article,
the talks are about ST Kinetics persuading the 2 companies to take
up the demo units as a trial (ie the 2 companies
had
not confirmed that they will be operating), not
about having talks so as to be ready for trials (ie the 2 companies
had confirmed that
they will be operating and are just ironing out operational
issues).
As much as I hope the 2 companies will eventually take up the
option of running the demos, I'm keeping my fingers crossed until
the trial is finalised between the 2 operators. Afterall, I'm sure
it is not an obligation free trial, considering the parties
involved in the production of the vehicle.
ST Kinetics is currently in talks with two bus operators
about running trials for the buses.
The Straits Times understands they are SMRT Corp and Brickston
Transport, a company whose main business is ferrying factory
workers.
ST Kinetics hopes to convince the two firms of the buses' viability
during the trial, and hopes they will order more such coaches in
future
I read the article one more time. The tone that the reporter had
set appears to be that the question is not whether the trials would
be held, but whether more buses would be purchased. The terms might
just be similar to how STK offered 8031 to SBS Transit for a
year.
