I think you don't quite get my point. My point is this. For
example, if running the trident on 89 or on some other service
which require DD, and the other service cost the same to run the
trident on it, then it does not matter. So what if 89 might bring
in more money, the SUM of revenue is still the same, and the SUM of
running the buses is the same.
So for further illustration, let's say Service 89 and Service 2.
Assuming I now have 1 trident and 1 Vo3x. Let's say the cost of
running the trident on both routes are similar. It does not matter
if I put the Vo3X on 89 or on 2. Because at the end of the day, i
have to pay operating cost for both the trident and the Vo3X, and
the revenue is still the same. So what if Sv2 might have
higher loadings, and more fare paying passengers compared to 89. I
can put the Vo3X on Sv2, and the trident on Sv89. At the end of the
day, my profit remains unchanged.
So my conclusion is, as long as SBST finds the route which is
most cost efficient for a certain model of the bus, they will put
it on that route. They won't be bothered whether there are higher
pax loading to offset the cost. This is because on a macro scale,
the revenue is fixed. Put a Vo3X on a route with lower pax loading
and a trident on a route with higher pax loading is not the way to
go. But instead, it is to find the route which will cost less to
run a trident on compared to a VO3x.
Let me put your point in a simplified form and my own views
Operating
Cost
Trident > VO3x. This is fact. No room for argument.
Revenue
Depends on route and pax load. Your point being revenue is the same
is because whether u put VO or Trident on the route at that timing,
the revenue earned would be the same if you deploy the other
model on that route at that timing, ceteris peribus. Bus on timing
mentioned here, not pax load.
Utilisation
Rate
However, if it is about the utilisation
rate of the bus, I would say both services have their highs and
lows in according to a typical weekday. Assuming both buses on both
routes have the same utilisation rate, it doesnt matter which bus
model you put on the service.
Fuel
Consumption
This is where you decide which model goes to which service. Factors
considered is route structure (straight route / circuitous route /
express route / CBD route) and traffic conditions (start-stop
traffic / continuous heavy traffic / moderate traffic / light
traffic). These 2 are the key factors in considering which
route to put a certain model on. Look at why VSOs are taken off
168.
Staff/Company's
Decision
The last point is how powerful
the service leader is to be able to convince the starter to
allow a certain bus to be perm on his route. Another case is made
by the company to put a certain bus model on a service (say B9s and
K230s, of course excluding cameos)
What I feel is that the company is looking at the profit on a
per unit basis. Say a trident on S89 - I have these much pax, these
much mileage, these much fuel consumption. The pax type travel long
distances = pay more, as well as more full paying pax than
subsidised pax = more revenue. Compare a VO on S2 - pax load
consists of a very even mixture of full paying pax and subsidised
pax. They mostly travel short distances except for the Upp Changi
Rd North side - hampering on profits. Mileage wise is start stop
traffic though its a direct straight route.
Though i agree the sum of the revenue is the same as the end of
the day, however if you look into a per-unit profit basis, its
totally different.
