Not true. Service 858 *is* still packed to the brim during peak
hours on weekdays. For example, between 5.30-7pm from Changi
Airport and the first few trips of the day on all days as the shift
for most airport workers start between 7-7.30am.
Service 858 has rigid deployed at 12-15mins during peak hours.
SBST deploys rigids at not more than 8mins for services like 24 and
27.
I do not want to provoke a SBST vs SMRT flame war, but it is
sure puzzling that SMRT does not want to deploy the OCs on service
858 when ALL other SBST services have KUBs on them. Service 858
does see a number of senior citizens, as well as residents and
stewardesses who tout luggage on board the buses frequently. The
additional standee space does justify the need for a bus that
can handle crush loads during peak hours. The fewer seats
would be just about right for the loads during off peak
hour. SMRT has the buses (WLDEP has buses transferred over),
the OC meets the height, axle, length limits for entry into the
basement terminals, and the opportunity (Changi Airport is fully
WAB certified), but the operator does not choose to for certain
reasons.
There lies the difference, not whether one can use DD just
because one can use bendy!
I fully agree on your reason. I mean like, all other SBST svcs
like 36 or 27 for instance, have this 'low floor feature' while
SMRT (858) does not. Since i live at CCK, i would always need to
take 307 to school in the morning. While onboard, many of the
elderly/senior citizens would give a good thumbs up to SMRT while
passing by Teck Whye since they are deploying OCs on 307 which is
stepless when boarding the bus. I guess its time for 858 to have at
least some OC to be deployed.
