CCL does not even go to Marine Parade or places where 608 serves!Originally posted by iveco:Even if 608 were granted a stay of execution now, it can't possibly survive the CCL rationalisation.![]()
I meant DTL-ERL. However, I forsaw that 608 could go during CCL rationalisation, and 16 extended to BDK to cover for it.Originally posted by sbst275:CCL does not even go to Marine Parade or places where 608 serves!
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.Originally posted by off_service:It is very obvious that the writer of the article doesn't know what the whole thing is about, or at the very least, no checks.
I think the writer meant "SSB", Singapore Shuttle Bus.
Also, the writer wrote "CSS 194 M" as "CSS Service 194". I think anyone who reads that article will spot it.
ERL is pratically of no help for ppl at Marine Parade wanting to get to CBD fastOriginally posted by iveco:I meant DTL-ERL. However, I forsaw that 608 could go during CCL rationalisation, and 16 extended to BDK to cover for it.
I remember the withdrawal date for 602 was pushed back. Maybe there was pressure from commuters.Originally posted by ngjy22: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.
Maybe gang up and write in letters to the press.
this would be the model reply:Originally posted by brotherchen1982:
Have they thought for CSS cases, it's SBS that gains?Originally posted by 105090: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
Originally posted by Y_Shun:Yeah, right...
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 passengersÂ’ 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 Government’s “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]

Yup, I'm one of them but glad to see that it's having a new lease of lifeOriginally posted by Raraken:Sigh, anyone miss this bus?
http://www.omnibussociety.wellington.net.nz/publication/fnotes/ritchies685.jpg
Piccy from Omnibus webpage.

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 STOMPOriginally posted by sabaisabai:"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?
What do ya reckon ... a slient release of SBS Service 608Originally posted by ZYX2005:thats one rubbish reply from smrtbuses.
s608 ridership in fact has gone up by 40 percent. they twisted the figure oopsite to reflect their need to withdraw it.
currently the past 4 years, 608 now serves the new place called suntec city. also 608 serves nearby parkway parade and katong s c of which more n more ppl are gg to these to malls to shop and leisure n fun.
also coming soon r more condos nearby katong s c people who need s608 to go to chinatown once they had moved to their new new condos.
s608 also serves to east coast park via marine terrace. i believe the demand to east coast park has increased many fold over the years given the less n less leisure space in singapore due to land development n people shifting to outer parts from city.
s608 still serves bustling chinatown n shenton way. no way demand has dropped in those areas
smrtbuses make good jokes lately
zyx
As I said, SMRT... no, wait, that should now be $MRT (pronnounced ASS EM MATI) is only concerned with $$$, $$$, and more $$$. They don't even care about human lives getting crushed like tiny, pitiful ants under the wheels of their MRT trains (i.e. refusal to install barriers in their MRT stations, which is starting to smell like wells of deathOriginally posted by ZYX2005:thats one rubbish reply from smrtbuses.
s608 ridership in fact has gone up by 40 percent. they twisted the figure oopsite to reflect their need to withdraw it.
currently the past 4 years, 608 now serves the new place called suntec city. also 608 serves nearby parkway parade and katong s c of which more n more ppl are gg to these to malls to shop and leisure n fun.
also coming soon r more condos nearby katong s c people who need s608 to go to chinatown once they had moved to their new new condos.
s608 also serves to east coast park via marine terrace. i believe the demand to east coast park has increased many fold over the years given the less n less leisure space in singapore due to land development n people shifting to outer parts from city.
s608 still serves bustling chinatown n shenton way. no way demand has dropped in those areas
smrtbuses make good jokes lately
zyx
Yeah, they kope all the Nissan to use on 178...Originally posted by SBS9889U:Noticed about the change in frequency too.