K230UB is designed as a crush loading bus to squeeze as many
people as possible. 56 has higher pax loads, esp during peak hrs.
Its also not meant for chionging around but for speedy travel in
between bus stops. 54's routing allows for abit of chionging at
marymount rd and paterson rd, but 56 is more point to point.
54 passes thru shunfu which is an older estate, and goes to
chinatown/SGH as well. 56 goes to Toa payoh, and also goes little
india. in terms of routing, both are not very suitable as neither
passes thru enough hospitals/ old towns to urgently justify WABs.
but 54 is a bit better as it goes near SGH. i'll still say 56 still
stands a higher chance as its loading is higher, and toa payoh has
far more old folks that shunfu. but AM/ BR services that really
deserve K230UBs first would be 124 & 131, go through St mikes +
bt merah
