SBST Slow?No Problem!

last SG · 2006-10-06T22:11:21+00:00

Also, try writing in to the Straits Times and Today.

buses_galore SG

Hi guy I know that some of you share this same agony with me that sbs buses are generally alot slower than their SMRT counterparts.right?I posted such a topic before but there were alot of angry sbst lovers who told me to go take a cab if I am in rush.The problem here is that I am only 13 and am in Sec 2 I cannot be taking cab everyday too and fro to school right?It is such an agony to sit in the bus as it creep along the road at 30KPH and you see those cyclist whose bike has an electric motor zoom by wah lao it is damn frustrating leh.Just to give you an idea how far I stay from my school the cab fare is about $8 to get to school.And I must change bus not to say the waiting times also suck, but not as bad as some SMRT services.When you complain SBS will just say they will look into the matter and you will see no improvement.Wonder if there is anyone above SBS like LTA or what to complain to?

Please do not be offended SBST lovers

XiaoTaro SG

U can try giving ur feedbacks to the Public Transport Council.

jetabt767400 SG

I don't feel that SBS lovers should not be unhappy about it. Slow speed does not necessary means cab, but you can take another service if avalible. If not then must be patient, I have been late several times because of slow buses, but contrary to your case, its SMRT which was slow.
We must keep our cool when doing discussions, as I am aware many are primary and secondary school students, personally I am only slightly older, but no offence in anything I say too. Internet language is hard to hear, I can understand.

105090 SG

sadly, theres no body which you feedback to, and theres visible results.

the bus companies, or even the government, decides what they want, and not really on what the public really wants.

take an example of the fare hike. do people have a choice? no. they can only "suffer" in silence and to take what is given to them.

however, on the other hand, most buses are generally faster than before, and only on rare occasions will u meet slow drivers..

only thing is the bus frequency was worsen over the years..

things cant change overnight u know..
Rome was'nt build overnight

caleb_chiang SG

Why? Even the bus driver say so....

That's one time that the bus was creeping slowing and stopping at every stop including the ones that are empty... I went up and asked whether he can speed up a little and he told me that if I am in a rush, take a cab! Shocked

Y_Shun SG

I faced this problem too Confused

When the bus is fast, it takes less than 10 minutes for me to reach home.

When it is slow, might take around 20 - 30 minutes.

Not sure if its coincidence, but the traffic lights always turn red when the bus is arriving there. Mad

There is good and bad of SMRT and SBST. Wink

SBST - Buses slow, but you might get to sit new buses and have a better frequency.
SMRT - Buses fast, but frequency is very very long and buses are quite full.

So you have to decide, will you like a fast bus that is crowded? or a bus that is slow but not crowded ?

Urroh SG

Maybe it is peak hour that why slow.. So far most buses i take is fast.. only a few are slow but not too slow. Rolling Eyes

sBs_boy SG

Mind if you post the service number that you take.. From what i see.. What makes ppl "UnHappy" in here is that you only experience on a particular service and you thinks that every other service out there is like that. Oh Boy! Most of the time.. It isnt the case.. In fact most of the services (or Rather the Buses) i took around Singapore are generally fast (unless you are comparing with our Neighbours). Yes.. I do agree that Freq for certain services had drop from the past till now.. Just an advice for you.. Never assume anything which you are unaware of.. Assumption is the Mother of all failures..

buses_galore SG

I take many services as I am always running around.I often take sv 961,153,410,231,855,966,14,196 and cannot remember liao.you can see the SMRT bus overtaking you one by one while you are on the bus I get very irrtated.

Lord_Of_Hayan SG

In my opinion, i think that SBST services are quite fast. I take 174 to my campus daily, so, they dont seem slow in my opinion

Yup, i am new here! Laughing

FBI SG

8 dollars cab fare v far ar?

me take cab to sch chao chao must have 20 over..

SBS3625D SG

I should think its half-half. But point is this, try to extrapoliate estimated travel-time a little more to prevent avoidable worries of being late.

tanjun SG

svcs like 161, 168, normally the BC can drive quite fast. Svc like 147 normally the BC drives slow as roads at Jalan Besar are congested most of the time plus vehicles parked along the roadside causing obstruction.

Lord_Of_Hayan SG

Well, in my opinion, the speed of the buses depends on the BC and their timing.

If they leave early Will travel slow.

If they leave late Will travel fast.

I recall one incident when the bus was driving so slowly (est 20-30KPH),then one commuter go up to the BC.

It took place when SBS was about to change to SBS Transit, and near a kallang(?) bridge and a huuuuuge furniture shop on the right side of the other bridge.
On board a MB0405 Walter Alexander. SBS 1XX something one.

The commuter went up to ask the BC to speed up. You know what? He did speed up.....then slow down....then speed up....and slow down. Near the red traffic light, he emergency handbrake the bus. Wtf, then everyone pissed off and got off at the next stop. Literally the bus became empty.

tanjun SG

If I am not wrong, in SBST website, they do explain why the BC is driving so slowly.

Lord_Of_Hayan SG

Hmm, lets do some research. but most BC do tend drive slower for safety reasons. I got a friend whose dad is a BC at SMRT. I see if i can check with her?

ZYX2005 SG

unfortunately this lapse in service has spread to many services

pl likeme who take bus all overthe island have noticed it. slow movers on 196 153 33 97 23(especially 23)

long waits for 2 12 196 147 186 131 107 etc

are we in new zealand countryside or in singapore i ask the sbs

ZYX

sinicker SG

i salute you lah.

ESPECIALLY 23!

sometimes i just feel like taking S67 back to tampines. once there was a S23 and S67 at little india bus stop. i took S67 and noted down the rego of the S23 bus. reaching the Safra Tampines bus stop, that S23 was behind!

however sometimes, S23 also speed.

Lord_Of_Hayan SG

Yes it is very unfortunate indeed. I encountered a bus just no which was travelling est 40KPH on 147 juz yesterday. Lagging behind 105 when i saw it.
Its not 147 letting 105 overtake hor! Laughing

Lord_Of_Hayan SG

Ah, yes you are right.

"Why does the Bus Captain drive so slowly?
We hope commuters can appreciate that traffic conditions on the road can vary. Our schedules, however, can only be planned to meet what is usually the expected traffic condition at the various times of the day. There will be times when the traffic conditions are unusually clear or congested and this often results in buses being too early or late.

When traffic conditions are especially clear, our Bus Captains are required to regulate speed if they notice that they are ahead of schedule. This ensures that the Bus Captains keep the arrival times at the bus stops as close to the planned schedule as possible to avoid any disruption like bus bunching.

From the perspective of the passengers on board the bus, the journey seems slow but to the passengers waiting at the bus stops along the route, they expect their bus to arrive on time as scheduled. Nonetheless, we will monitor our buses closely and make appropriate adjustments to the running time when necessary. "

Reference http://www.sbstransit.com.sg/doyouknow/facts_bus.aspx

Well, in most conditions, that seems to be true. Surprised