To make Sembawang bus services more logical, SMRT should have
amended service 859 to loop around Sembawang new town and convert
into a feeder service. Service 882 should also be converted to
feeder service. Both these services will be charged feeder bus
fares.
Service 852 and 857 could be extended to Sembawang interchange
via Yishun Ave 2, Canberra Link, Sembawang Way, Sembawang Drive and
Sembawang Vista.
Service 858 and/or 969 could also be diverted to ply along
Sembawang via Woodlands Ave 7, Sembawang Way, Sembawang Drive,
Sembawang Ave, Sembawang Road and then continue its current
route.
Way back in 2003, I overheard a driver saying that 857 was
supposed to be extended to Sembawang via the "859 way", in which I
presume they would be merge. But sadly, the amendment never take
place.
Service 882 is charging feeder fare if taking one directional,
but a loop is trunk fare. I think SMRT presumes hardly anyone takes
round trip. Same for service 859, travel within Sembawang is feeder
fare.
I suppose the extension of sv 852 is to help out with sv 169 as
an alternative from Woodlands to Yishun and AMK. Sv 169 was often
too packed to take pax during peak hours at Yishun Ind Pk A.
Eversince TIBS days, services 858 and 969 were often suggested
to extend to Sembawang. However, TIBS shot down all requests
(even SMRT) as that would breach the 1 hour travel time promise.
However, in 2006, SMRT relented after MP Dr Lim Wee Kiak requested
for service 858 to amend to ply Sembawang, but PTC shot it down
citing reasons like increase in travel timing and fares.
