Need Directions: MINDEF to Tuas Naval Base

eX.A.K.R. SG

I will be performing some official duties for the Navy tomorrow, and I will have to get around by public transport. One of my trips will involve getting from the MINDEF headquarters at Bukit Gombak to Tuas Naval Base. The problem is, I do not know what bus routes go there; my superiors say that the only route is 257, but I dread at the thought of taking a non air-conditioned bus for half-hour or more to get there (as I said elsewhere, I start complaining about non air-conditioned buses when the ride exceeds 25 minutes). I'm also looking at route 193, although I don't think it goes there. Besides, I'm also thinking about which bus to take out of MINDEF. Route 177 is out of the question (won't be operating at that hour), and I'm not taking route 67 either, as it is too unreliable (long wait, packed buses, drivers refusing to stop... Rolling Eyes ). Any other suggestions?

LazerLordz SG

Can’t you take a cab and claim back through your finance clerk? or S1 Branch?

eX.A.K.R. SG

Nah... they don't seem to like cabs, and I don't usually have enough money in my pocket anyway.

^tamago^ SG

bro, u have to take 257. try sit upstairs, it'll be more breezy, and it can be an experience to noe the industrial smell.

from MINDEF to boon lay int, take 67 to choa chu kang rd, once it passes the railroad, alight at bus stop opposite phoenix LRT and transfer to 180.

alternatively, u can take 67 all the way into choa chu kang int, and transfer to bus 172.

if u die die must take only one long bus ride to save $$$, get onboard 178 from opposite MINDEF, outside AES.

LazerLordz SG

178 and the 67 172 option sounds the best.

Apex-LW'21 SG

You may also want to use this option:
1. Take 67 to CCK Rd, alight at Phoenix MRT
2. Take 187 to BNL Int
3. Sv 257 from BNL Int (27 stops)

vivienlee SG

U can also choose to walk to bt panjang n take 180 or 187, unless u wanna tahan the loooooong sauna Nissan buses on 178 if u r "sway" Laughing (as wat phillipC mention in the thread yesterday http://buses.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=183867)

^tamago^ SG

u might as well take 180 right. unless u wan ur butt to grow flowers.

^tamago^ SG

if u wan to save money, it doesn't matter in the first place.

eX.A.K.R. SG

Actually, I have been lucky enough not to get on those buses unless I actually try (and even then, I usually fail) or ride on route 608. Some time ago, I wanted to try one of those buses on route 178 at Boon Lay, but ended up with the same kind of bus on route 187 instead Razz .

Also, considering the cirsumstances, I think taking a bus with the least amount of transfers is the best solution. However, from what I know, route 178 makes a detour around the Jurong/Boon Lay area. Is there a intermediate point where I can transfer from route 178 to route 257 (I think route 257 is going to be a no-choice option)? Also, I want to avoid the overcrowded Boon Lay Interchange too, if this is possible.

The current plan in my mind looks like this:

MINDEF Route 178 Route 257 Tuas Naval Base

^tamago^ SG

if u wanted to change a bus from 178, then i'll recommend that u dun cross the road and give up the option of 178.

if u dun mind doing a transfer to reach boon lay int, take 67 from outside MINDEF to opposite phoenix lrt and transfer to 180. it's the most direct.

dun take 187.... u'll be better off just taking 178.... change to 187 means u spend more and take longer to reach boon lay by the time it finishes its loop in bt batok and jurong east/west ave 1.

stooper SG

You will have to pass through BNL... unless you take 187, then 502/99, 243 then 257... Laughing
No advantage avoiding BNL anyway....

eX.A.K.R. SG

So is this it?

MINDEF Route 178 Boon Lay Interchange Route 257 Tuas Naval Base

samtlk SG

Too bad. That's the only service there...and it takes about 30mins from Boon Lay Int to reach there Twisted Evil
Remember to ask the BC where to alight. You can't see the base entrance from the bus stop.

alien work SG

cant they indent a mini bus? assign a driver to u?

anti_NISSAN_U31 SG

Laughing Have u ever imagined taking this kind of 257

Apex-LW'21 SG

Originally posted by anti_NISSAN_U31:
[b] Laughing Have u ever imagined taking this kind of 257

[b]

That was long time ago, somewhere in 1990! Shocked Shocked

vivienlee SG

Yeah, long time no see already, i missed it very very much Crying or Very sad where's it now Question
Anyway here's the 2006 version of 257... Mr. Green

http://sbs9684t.fotopic.net/p26786337.html

eX.A.K.R. SG

Well, my superiors decided to release me late (they needed to do some last-minute things), and I ended up taking a shortcut at Bukit Batok via the MRT to get to Boon Lay; it was already 3:30 PM when I left MINDEF, and oh dear God, that slope from hell...

And guess what - I boarded a Nissan CAC bus on route 178 Shocked (TIB 1248 D) - BUT - the air-conditioning actually worked! Laughing

As for route 257, yes, it is a non air-conditioned bus, and the fans were off too. I had to keep pushing the windows open and switching seats for the coolest position, and the air around Jurong Industrial Estate was terrible - and I was forced to breathe that. Wonder what will that do to my lungs...