As one of my friends comments that there is a lack of trunk
services plying Woodlands, I have decided to introduce some fantasy
routes that seem feastible in terms of costs and passenger loads.
However, since Woodlands is a SMRT dominated territories, I doubt
any trunk services will be introduced by SMRT as there is already a
North-South Line that runs through Woodlands estate which is
operated by it.
For 968 and 968A, it's operation hours are similar to service
700.
Some benefits of 968.
1. Provide a quick and direct link from Woodlands estate to the
city. If I am not wrong, 968's route to town can be faster if
not equal than taking a feeder bus then MRT. And because
of that, the demand for it can be gd judging from freq of 911 and
913.
2. Acts as an alternate link other than 911 and 902 and
169 from Woodlands interchange and Woodlands estate to
Republic Polytechnic.
3. Provide a link to Bukit Panjang from Woodlands estate and
acts as an alternate bus service (Bukit Panjang) other than 190 and
700 to town.
Woodlands does need a service to Orchard, but the loading of the
service will mainly depend on Woodlands, 'cause your 968 duplicates
700 from Pending Rd to Shenton Way (except for the Stevens Rd
part), and 968A duplicates 700A from Pending Rd to Marina Centre.
However, if it provides a quick ride from Woodlands to Orchard, it
will certainly have a high demand that has to be coped with using
bendies. Does SMRT even have enough bendies? I doubt they'll dare
to introduce new city services. RGS girls will be thanking you
though, if this service is really introduced, as you would have
just given them an alternative to Orchard MRT/Bukit
Panjang other than the super-packed 190 which they always
cannot board. =)