What happened to Comfort

last SG · 2003-12-15T16:29:46+00:00

Not only that, it saves on administrative work.. last time they have to top up at depots everyday or once a few days i think (since they noe how many trips t...

th1988 SG

The Turf City buses are now under Comfort right?

Also now SBS HQ is now more packed, thanks to the Comfort Cab and Comfort Bus.

Also do you think Comfort Bus would run SBS routes during peak hours as SV like 90 sometimes cannot cope with demand and there is a shortage of ASDs.

off_service SG

Unless as scheme B buses, which I think they won't. Comfort coaches are not allowed to operate as public buses as they are PA-registered.

Yusry SG

How about Express buses? I see many Express buses (eg 502, 518 ) are PA registered. In fact I've seen PA registered buses on Clementi Feeder 284.

Superbus SG

Those are extremely special and isolated cases. The PA Merc will be re-registered back to SBS rego very soon.

Cheers and warm regards

Yusry SG

OK. Will be looking forward to that day.

carbikebus SG

Ya,I Agreed With Off_Service & Superbus,Even Though They Are PA Rego,They Are Still Under The Public Bus Services Scheme As Stated In PTC Regulations.

off_service SG

Good news for you. I am not sure about the deployments, but more Scania N113s are being moved over to Braddel Depot. Perhaps service 90 can benefit from there.

th1988 SG

Most likely, as HQ runs TPY rts meaning only 90 is NAC. So 90 may benefit.

^tamago^ SG

fyi, Turf City buses (Scanias) are not under Comfort. However, SBST simply got Comfort drivers to take over the previous SBST drivers and "loaned" the buses to them to run on Turf City routes. Who pays them salary (SBST or Comfort?) i dunno but the driver did mentioned clearly that it is loaned to them, not Comfort taking over that division. In fact, SBST complained that the accident rate is much higher now (every month i see a bus front window being smashed due to accident) cos probably the Comfort drivers are not so accident-prevention-conscious than SBST drivers since they were not driving public scheduled buses with all the guidelines.

i don't think Comfort vehicles will end up on public scheduled routes soon.. rather, it is most likely SBST is allowing Comfort buses to take over some of its charter operations and taxis can top up fuel there or go for servicing there. it is probably too cumbersome to ask the government for permission to use Comfort vehicles when they r managing its bus fleets' deployment well at the moment.

^tamago^ SG

The buses were previously NAC SBST Mercedes O405 (i think their regos were in the early 37xx range, about 20-30 of them, since their front wheel validator area is "square-ish" and u can sit on it, n the bodies of the early NAC O405's were made like tis until SBST made Duple Metsec change it to curved to make it more spacious) buses that were converted to air-con and made to serve on Jurong Island Services (JIS). why they re-registered as PA i dun understand.. probably not giving workers the idea that Singapore is SBST-dominated or JIS is its own division.

When SBST withdrawn the JIS services, most of the buses were rested, with some running on SBST 284, probalby cos it's not so prominent, pending LTA's permission to put them back on public scheduled services or it will be a waste of resources. and so it is now back, also on SBST Express 502 and 518.

Regarding the re-registering of regos as SBS regos, i dun think it does matter to SBST anymore that they can use these O405 buses now.. probably few commuters like us will actually notice regos!

Yusry SG

Yes, I know the history of the PA registration.

Just that, I am surprised that LTA has actually given SBST permission to use these PA buses on regular routes.

These buses were PA registered because Jurong Town Corporation (thereafter JTC) did not want public transport companies to tender for the bus services contract. So SBS transfered a few of their buses to SBS Leisure, a so-called "private" bus charter company, which then circumvented the rules and regulations set by JTC and thus they could bid for the tender.

off_service SG

Service 518 does not use PA Mercedes, only Express service 507 uses it, besides service 502.

Since the buses are in red and white, most people would treat is as SBS buses, same to the L113 Coaches.

^tamago^ SG

it appears that Turf City buses are not parked in SBST's depots or Comfort's depot(s), if it has any. why? cos i realised on at least two buses' front windscreen, there are URA parking labels registered under those buses.. i only checked two of them and PA903A parks at Tampines Ave 10 Heavy Vehicles Park while PA912Z parks at Sin Ming Rd Heavy Vehicles Park.. i wonder why they are not sent back to the depots since they are company buses..

SBS9818A SG

Perhaps to free up space for Comfort buses. I remember they used to park in BRAM/AMDEP, didn't they? Hopefully the Sentosa B10Ms are in the process of being refurbished and return to passenger service. They are currently parked in SLBP in a decrepit state.

rancour5 SG

I dunt think SBS would want to switch back rego anymore. Wht's the point. They are gonna go to the scrapyard in a few years anyway.

Superbus SG

Yes, they will. Converting around 20 or so buses back to the mainline fleet will save them money in the long run. FYI, the PA Merc is expected to be scrapped within 7 years from now, which is still a long way to go.

Cheers and warm regards

rancour5 SG

The thing is if it is PA registered. COE is already paid for 10 years. If they swtich rego back, they will lose out the money paid. ON the other hand if they just leave it as it is. they have the flexibility in the bus fleet for other purposes.

SBS9818A SG

I don't think public transport operators have to pay COE, don't they?

off_service SG

AFAIK, all vehicles in Singapore must have COE paid.

rancour5 SG

public buses with registration tibs/sbs no need to pay COE. if registered as PA. must pay COE.