1. I think TWS was refering to the newer Premium Services
introduced by Premier Rent-A-Car and a few other private bus
companies and also, the newer Premium Services that both SMRT and
SBST introduced.
Precisely. Forgotten about your 574 etc?
Now I shall do an in-depth review of the year's happenings in
the bus scene. Despite the current economic downturn, lots of
events happened that led us to smile, to frown, or even sometimes
cry. In order of rank per category, the most memorable...
Events
1. SMRT's newest bus in nearly a decade - the Mercedes Benz
OC500LE, introduced at the SMRT Go Green campaign on 30 Apr.
Subsequently registered SMB 0001H and first deployed to Service
190 on Sunday 29 Jun. Was said to have been cancelled (the
news got in in at about 3 am on the same day). Someone believed the
news was true and I got myself tricked. Eventually came out, but
broke down at PIE over Eng Neo due to gearbox and battery
problems. Only about two bus fans boarded the bus.
Repaired and came out on Tuesday 1 Jul. That was the first ride
for most bus fans here. I did not have the time to attend or
witness all these due to personal commitments, but it was a truly
memorable experience of the year.
2. SBS 8074K and TIB 1138M involved in an accident at Yio Chu
Kand mid-Jun while I was away in Malaysia on holiday. When I learnt
about the news, was surprised and shocked since it was unexpected -
the KUBs boasted lots of safety features.
Subsequently believed to have led to the decision not to
register buses with registrations ending with the number '4'.
3. SBST introduces two demonstrators - a Volvo B7RLE (SBS 8030L)
on 10 Jan and a MAN 18.240 HOCL-NL (SBS 8031J) on 22 Jul. I did not
have the time to spot SBS 8030L but did for SBS 8031J on it's first
day.
Took a ride on SBS 8031J. Performance is quite good. What wows
me was that it was vibration free as compared to the other
buses. I voted it the bus of year 2008.
SBS 8030L deployed to Service 174 as well as Fast Forward 174e;
made two-three month short stint on Service 185 before returning to
original service. SBS 8031J deployed to Service 6 and
subsequently on x-over to Service 354. Redeployed to Service
17 w.e.f. 9 Sep.
Redeployments
1. SMRT's mass redeployments between buses, services and depots,
one on 23 Mar and the other in Jun. I could still remember that me,
along with 6 other bus fans, went around Bukit Batok as well as
Bukit Panjang to take photos of the various buses on the eve of the
Mar redeployment. I could even remember that TIB 0504X broke down
on that day!
2. Complete/Premature withdrawals of SBST's Volvo B10M Mark 2s
and the Scania N113CRB NACs, which resulted in a redeployment
scramble among the various depots.
My last ever ride on the Volvo B10M Mark 2 is SBS 1887C on
Service 11 on the evening of 4 Apr. Took it by chance
since I was to attend a concert held by my school later at night.
Felt a sense of nostalgia since they were to be withdrawn.
(http://sbs9199c.fotopic.net/p49515838.html)
My last ever ride on the Scania N113CRB NAC (and
also my LAST EVER Non-Aircon ride) is SBS 3634C on Service 6
on the evening of 5 Dec. With thanks to the kind and
knowledgable BC, I also took my LAST EVER photo of a Non-Aircon -
it's none other than an interior shot itself. (http://sbs9199c.fotopic.net/p55326750.html)
3. ADDs introduced on more and more services - a sign of service
improvements in order to cater to the increasing demands since LTA
is promoting public transport as a choice mode.
Service 5 got theirs in early Jan, despite my initial prediction
that they would not be one of the services to receive them due to
the small roads at Loyang. Certainly explains clearly why I think
it was the "best ever service that SBST has introduced".
Service 225 got theirs on 18 Feb. Timesheet wise, revision no.
20, both ADDs doing E shifts with no overnight parking. Buses are
SBS 9231S for Green plate (3E) and SBS 9355T for White plate
(53E). I was surprised when I learnt about it and sent out the
info to almost everyone. Response was overwhelming - in one form,
there were two of us who went out to take photos of it on their
first day.
Service 151 got theirs on 4 Aug, unusually used 4 units of B9s.
Bus fans scrambled to Hougang Int as well as Kent Ridge to take
photos of it on their first day. Later in same month, got VOs
as cameos.
Cameos
1. SBS 8009A on Townlink 222 (30 Apr). Unbelievably, I was the
first to spot the cameo (another bus fan saw the same bus but it
was off service when he saw it). Many bus fans (including
seniors) came to witness the cameo, even taking photos of
it.
2. SBS 8031J on Service 5 (11 Oct). Was waiting to take SMB
0011D on Service 67 when I got info from someone about the cameo.
Regretably did not have a photo but at least I did take a ride
(with another bus fan).
3. First B9 cameo on Service 5 - SBS 7340Z (17 Mar). Comes after
ADDs were introduced on Service 5 in Jan. As many as about 10 or
more bus enthusiasts took a joyride to Pasir Ris. I was unable to
make it (despite being in Pasir Ris) since I had to work
on a school project.
