Goodbye CSS!

sbst275 SG

CCL does not even go to Marine Parade or places where 608 serves!

iveco SG

I meant DTL-ERL. However, I forsaw that 608 could go during CCL rationalisation, and 16 extended to BDK to cover for it.

Acx1688 SG

Eh i was the pax, Alain, who alerted STOMP but i indicated CSS194M that was transferred to other SMRT services. Guys can we drum up more publicity before stupid SMRT makes another mistake. Rolling Eyes

sbst275 SG

ERL is pratically of no help for ppl at Marine Parade wanting to get to CBD fast Laughing

Kuali Baba SG

I took 605 from Upp Thomson to SJI often. Cheaper fares and older buses…nice.

brotherchen1982 SG

Withdrawing service 608 will hurt commuters

ngjy22 SG

If SMRT still intend to withdraw this svc, Today, The Straits Times, Lianhe ZaoBao and Stomp will sure have a lot of complains about this. Laughing

Maybe gang up and write in letters to the press.

iveco SG

I remember the withdrawal date for 602 was pushed back. Maybe there was pressure from commuters.

As for the small stretch of Havelock Rd, 139 ever plied there before it was made to cover for 122 that was withdrawn in 1993.

105090 SG

this would be the model reply:

Thanks for your reply
This decision was a difficult one and took place after months of survey and bla bla bla
Passengers can transfer this and that

sbst275 SG

Have they thought for CSS cases, it's SBS that gains? Rolling Eyes

Y_Shun SG

http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/viewPost2200.aspx

SMRT: 608 service cut due to ridership dip

Following STOMPers' concerns about the cessation of bus service CSS 608, SMRT has issued a response, attributing the move to the 40% decline in ridership on this service since 2000.

Said an SMRT spokesperson in a statement:

"Since 2000, ridership for CSS 608 has declined by about 40% due to population shifts from the older estates to the new towns, and the relocation of HDB Hub from Bukit Merah to Toa Payoh. Lower fares, low ridership and the availability of alternative bus services have affected the viability of operating this service."

"Over the years, this service has been duplicated by alternative bus services operated by another transport provider. These services also ply similar sections of the route as CSS 608. Passengers who travel along popular routes such as Shenton Way, Marine Parade and Bedok therefore have other services to choose from. They can also take the MRT, which provides island wide connection from these areas.

"As such, SMRT will cease operating City Shuttle Service (CSS) 608 from 1 April 2007 due to low demand for this service. While we understand our passengers concerns on the withdrawal of this service, we are also mindful of having to optimise resources based on passenger demand. "

This was in response to STOMPers Desmond Koh and Alain's queries about why the bus service operations will cease. (See related story: Bus service 608 to cease ops in April)

The City Shuttle Service (CSS) was first introduced in 1975 by the Singapore Shuttle Bus (SSB) Pte Ltd as part of the Governments Park and Ride Scheme, aimed at reducing city traffic congestion by encouraging car owners to park their vehicles at allotted fringe carparks and make use of CSS services to travel to the Central Business District (CBD).

This scheme was subsequently found to be unpopular and SSB was allowed to extend into public housing estates.

In 2001, SMRT acquired Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) and SSB.

eX.A.K.R. SG

Originally posted by Y_Shun:
http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/viewPost2200.aspx

[b]SMRT: 608 service cut due to ridership dip

Following STOMPers' concerns about the cessation of bus service CSS 608, SMRT has issued a response, attributing the move to the 40% decline in ridership on this service since 2000.

Said an SMRT spokesperson in a statement:

"Since 2000, ridership for CSS 608 has declined by about 40% due to population shifts from the older estates to the new towns, and the relocation of HDB Hub from Bukit Merah to Toa Payoh. Lower fares, low ridership and the availability of alternative bus services have affected the viability of operating this service."

"Over the years, this service has been duplicated by alternative bus services operated by another transport provider. These services also ply similar sections of the route as CSS 608. Passengers who travel along popular routes such as Shenton Way, Marine Parade and Bedok therefore have other services to choose from. They can also take the MRT, which provides island wide connection from these areas.

"As such, SMRT will cease operating City Shuttle Service (CSS) 608 from 1 April 2007 due to low demand for this service. While we understand our passengers concerns on the withdrawal of this service, we are also mindful of having to optimise resources based on passenger demand. "

This was in response to STOMPers Desmond Koh and Alain's queries about why the bus service operations will cease. (See related story: Bus service 608 to cease ops in April)

The City Shuttle Service (CSS) was first introduced in 1975 by the Singapore Shuttle Bus (SSB) Pte Ltd as part of the Governments Park and Ride Scheme, aimed at reducing city traffic congestion by encouraging car owners to park their vehicles at allotted fringe carparks and make use of CSS services to travel to the Central Business District (CBD).

This scheme was subsequently found to be unpopular and SSB was allowed to extend into public housing estates.

In 2001, SMRT acquired Trans-Island Bus Services (TIBS) and SSB.[/b]

Yeah, right... Rolling Eyes

Someone send in a photograph of a packed CSS bus for them to see.

I guess they were more concerned about their huge stash of $$$, and is only and just concerned about trying to hoard more $$$ Mad .

105090 SG

these things like losses and empty buses have to explain to shareholders le..

anyway, the concept of CSS is now irrelavant, and 608 should be more of a normal trunk and not a city shuttle service. its purpose as a city shuttle is not applicable anymore.

perhaps sbs can operate it as a trunk..

SBS3688Y SG

i believe part of the reason to withdraw CSS is to better consolidate SMRT Buses by removing GLDEP and shifting them to the 3 existing depots.

By allocating the remaining CSS buses to SMRT; it would help ease shortage of buses and need not buy new buses that need to comply Euro 4 standard for the time-being (thats why COE for buses and trucks remain at $1 for so many times lately).

sabaisabai SG

"These services also ply similar sections of the route as CSS 608. Passengers who travel along popular routes such as Shenton Way, Marine Parade and Bedok therefore have other services to choose from."

This is a croc of shit. Based on this logic, you can cancel any bus route that doesn't travel sections unique from other services. Convenient bus routes take passengers from Point A to Point B in as few changes as possible. Otherwise routes would ply one road from end-to-end and nothing more.

Service 608 is the opposite of this. It runs a meandering route, granting communters the only direct way to travel between choice locations. It's a unique route that isn't made redundant by other services. As basic examples, 608 is the only service to ply (and stop along) Maxwell Road. It's the only service from Mountbatten to serve the stadium and the only service from the stadium to the CBD (popular with park n' ride commuters). It's the only service from Katong to the back of City Hall.

Also, as others have noted, the route is still popular, especially during peak hours.

Has Singapore's population shifted so dramatically in 7 years? I doubt so! I would hazard to guess that the 40% drop in commuters is due to a significant drop in service frequency. 608s ran much more frequently a couple of years ago, but nowdays they run rarely enough for me to try another route instead (often meaning a fair walk). Has anybody else noticed this? A lot of people dislike the older buses, another reason for lack of ridership.

In my opinion the 608 service still plies a viable route, but it's being cancelled due to business or logistical reasons particular to SSB and SMRT. It would make sense for SMRT to run a new service with new buses, or for SBST to take over the route.

For those more knowledgable about this, how does route tendering work in SG? Also, are there obligations of service once a route is picked up by a company?

sbst275 SG

So my some inner thoughts was right, they would rather withdraw it than to increase the fare Rolling Eyes

Anyway, this sort of way is to encourage the use of MRT and SBS buses...

Actually I suspect 608 might end up getting 30 mins freq as like what happened to 603 bef the withdrawn, SMRT is anti - bus

Raraken SG

Sigh, anyone miss this bus?

Piccy from Omnibus webpage.

SMRT Buses SG

Yup, I'm one of them but glad to see that it's having a new lease of life

choww SG

SBS9889U SG

Noticed about the change in frequency too. Looks like SMRT wont be interested in introducing new services or amend the route of services based on their reply in STOMP

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