Are U itching to be beaten up real badly by me? 
Yes, it is undoubtedly true that in the off peak hours, the load is
pathetic. This is also why the freq of a bus is ard. 17mins during
this time frame, and ard. 25-30mins after 1930.
However, do take note that the bus is often packed full door to
door in the morning due to the morning peak ( folks DO work in Bt.
Timah area ), and because of school students. I rely on this svc
every school day, and taking 851+ 74 can be quite a hassle
sometimes,as both svcs are already bursting.
Also, it can be hard to get a seat during the evening peak. The
fact tt PTC ( then LTA ) reversed its decision to scrape svc 852
when the woodlands extension is completed is due to a petition by
students a few years back.
Next, i agree with you fully that svc 989 should be reinstated.
This is because it provides a speedy link to the airport from
TPY/Bt Timah area.
Do take note that both svc 161 and 965 are still considered as very
young services. It would be more logical in fact, to scrape svc
965, as the load is even more pathetic than 161 at times. Also, it
would reflect very badly on SBST as they are the ones who pioneered
this service and route. I doubt they would want to withdraw a route
that they had so painstakingly tried to obtain in an enemy's
territory. In fact, it can be said that without svc 161, there
would not be a svc 965.
Woodlands Town is about twice the size of Yishun. Hence, the
catchment area makes it logical for svc 161 to run. SBST had also
adjusted the freq so that it is at least of 30-40% load. Many
woodlands residents, and me and scream murder if SBST removes it.
It takes 50mins to get from Woodlands to Sengkang by 965, but only
30min by 161, and i had even recorded a time of only 20mins to get
to Sengkand Central.
In conclusion, Svc 161, 168 and 39 are sacred cows to SBST,and 965,
969, 966 are TIBS sacred cows. They would never withdraw these svcs
in the near future due to many complex reasons.
