Fleet addition for 966 during peak hours from 14 December 08

• Junyang700

  3 Dec 08, 15:34

  Hi SMRT,
  
  The frequency for Service 966 is poor. With frequencies averaging 13 - 16 minutes during the AM Peak and up to 20 minutes during off peak hours, it is very frustrating for a lot of commuters, especially during the AM peak hour where a lot of commuters need to wait so long to take this bus to work / to school. 
  
  Many a time, I have seen commuters not able to board this service along Pending Road and Petir Road.
  
  This is in particular 630am to 700am (in Bukit Panjang Area) where a lot of CJC students need to get to school and working adults travelling towards the North East / East side of Singapore to work. The bus is cramped to the doors and often bus driver skips these 3 bus stops. 
  
  Another time was 800am to 900am (in Bukit Panjang Area) where the bus is cramped to the doors and commuters have to wait up to 45 minutes to board the bus (Because the bus skips their stop) and they end up making backup plans, such as taking 700 to cross over the bridge at Whitley Road and transfer to other SBST services to make their way to Jalan Toa Payoh and the East / North East.
  
  I personally have experienced it on 3 occassions while travelling to Toa Payoh on 966.
  I was waiting for 966 at the last stop (Blk 202) along Petir Road.
  18/11/08
  Missed the 815am (Bus was full and skipped my stop)
  Missed the 830am (Bus was full and skipped my stop once again)
  At 840am, I decided to board 700 instead, and transfer to 105 to get to Jalan Toa Payoh.
  
  25/11/08
  This time round, I became smarter and walked further to Blk 223 Bus Stop along Bukit Panjang Road
  Took the bus at 825am. Had to stand but I managed to board the bus.
  The bus skipped the Pending Road, Petir Road Bus Stops all the way to Jalan Toa Payoh.
  
  01/12/08
  My last bad experience was today. Wanted to travel to Jalan Kolam Ayer. Boarded at Blk 202 Bus Stop. Reached bus stop at 1241pm. Bus came at 109pm. I waited a total of 28 minutes for the bus. Isnt the frequency supposed to be at most 20 minutes during off peak hours? 
  
  I hope SMRT can look into this matter. Perhaps by deploying 2 more buses during the peak hour to smoothen the load and also improve overall frequency for Service 966. Bus is usually quite packed with commuters during peak hours, even for the Woodlands Bound 966 during PM Peak from 500pm to 1130pm.  
  
  Thanks & Regards,
  Mr. Lee Jun Yang
  Frustrated Commuter
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Dear Mr Lee

   

  We refer to your email below.

   

  We wish to inform you that we are aware of the high demand for service 966 and have been monitoring the service closely. Thus, with effect from 14 December 2008, we will be adding an additional bus to cater to passengers demand during peak periods.

   

  While we regulate the frequency from the interchange, factors such as adverse traffic conditions and heavy passenger loading may lead to prolonged waiting time at bus stops.  At SMRT, we continuously monitor our bus services and conduct site surveys on a regular basis to ensure that our services are able to meet the demand on the road. We will look into ways to optimise our resources and still able to obtain the efficiencies of each service. Please be assured that we will continue to monitor our bus services and make adjustments when necessary.

   

  Mr Lee, we apologize for the experience and thank you for highlighting it to us.

   

  
  Yours sincerely

   

   
  Gin Noy (Ms)
  Senior Officer, Customer Relations
  Corporate Marketing and Communications
  SMRT Corporation Ltd

   

  For more contact information on SMRT, please click on this link http://www.smrt.com.sg/contact_us.html

• n4l

  3 Dec 08, 15:39

  Should write in one for 851 also...packed till skipping bus stops with the deployments of the OCs. And there's no ghost at the back of the bus...it's really packed.

  Worst - frequencies are 20 minutes for 851 twds Yishun for some reason that day. So the next OC was also packed to the brim.

  Next time wanna board 851 need to go before Little India MRT...

  If you want a seat, Outram Park MRT.

• off_service

  3 Dec 08, 17:09

  I hope the "one bus" = one bendy. If it's a rigid, don't think it's much of a help.

• Junyang700

  3 Dec 08, 17:12

  Haha.... I think 2 then is enough. 1 still cramp just that the last 3 stops before BKE the commuters can board. Now they are stranded at the bus stops for close to an hour.

• TIB537B

  3 Dec 08, 17:30

  Still have to wait till 14th December, and no mention what type of bus will be deployed. Standard SMRT template reply. 

• Orange-mush

  3 Dec 08, 17:31

  Oh. Interesting, someone complained about my favourite bus service. I agree that S966 have a bad frequency and a high demand of that service. I actually waited up to 45 minutes for that service. I really like the action of SMRT putting an additional bus onto the service. Thank you Jun Yang for the letter to improve my favourite service.

• Junyang700

  3 Dec 08, 17:36

  Welcome. I am so frustrated with this good and fast route but with poor frequency. =)

• SBS n SMRT

  3 Dec 08, 18:05

  Originally posted by off_service:

  I hope the "one bus" = one bendy. If it's a rigid, don't think it's much of a help.

  u pray the rigid is not a OC500LE also

• SBS9888Y

  3 Dec 08, 20:17

  Originally posted by SBS n SMRT:

  u pray the rigid is not a OC500LE also

  some times i wonder if you use your brain before typing, woodlands got alot of oc500le?

• Roderick a.k.a Guai Kia

  3 Dec 08, 20:20

  hahas-.-,btw,i also written a letter to put OCs on 853 & improve frequency,as you know i'm desperate for it and also yishun,amk,potong pasir,kallang got alot of elderly,somehow successful,they trying out oc on 853 nowadays=DDDDDDDDDDDDD

• sbs8104h

  3 Dec 08, 20:22

  finally they are doing something to 966.. if i stay at Bukit Panjang(my sis house, i always have to board the 1st bus! so fustrating!! if i miss the bus, it will be 700>143 to school!

  why do they take a long time just to take action?

• Roderick a.k.a Guai Kia

  3 Dec 08, 20:28

  Originally posted by Junyang700:

  Hi SMRT,
  
  The frequency for Service 966 is poor. With frequencies averaging 13 - 16 minutes during the AM Peak and up to 20 minutes during off peak hours, it is very frustrating for a lot of commuters, especially during the AM peak hour where a lot of commuters need to wait so long to take this bus to work / to school. 
  
  Many a time, I have seen commuters not able to board this service along Pending Road and Petir Road.
  
  This is in particular 630am to 700am (in Bukit Panjang Area) where a lot of CJC students need to get to school and working adults travelling towards the North East / East side of Singapore to work. The bus is cramped to the doors and often bus driver skips these 3 bus stops. 
  
  Another time was 800am to 900am (in Bukit Panjang Area) where the bus is cramped to the doors and commuters have to wait up to 45 minutes to board the bus (Because the bus skips their stop) and they end up making backup plans, such as taking 700 to cross over the bridge at Whitley Road and transfer to other SBST services to make their way to Jalan Toa Payoh and the East / North East.
  
  I personally have experienced it on 3 occassions while travelling to Toa Payoh on 966.
  I was waiting for 966 at the last stop (Blk 202) along Petir Road.
  18/11/08
  Missed the 815am (Bus was full and skipped my stop)
  Missed the 830am (Bus was full and skipped my stop once again)
  At 840am, I decided to board 700 instead, and transfer to 105 to get to Jalan Toa Payoh.
  
  25/11/08
  This time round, I became smarter and walked further to Blk 223 Bus Stop along Bukit Panjang Road
  Took the bus at 825am. Had to stand but I managed to board the bus.
  The bus skipped the Pending Road, Petir Road Bus Stops all the way to Jalan Toa Payoh.
  
  01/12/08
  My last bad experience was today. Wanted to travel to Jalan Kolam Ayer. Boarded at Blk 202 Bus Stop. Reached bus stop at 1241pm. Bus came at 109pm. I waited a total of 28 minutes for the bus. Isnt the frequency supposed to be at most 20 minutes during off peak hours? 
  
  I hope SMRT can look into this matter. Perhaps by deploying 2 more buses during the peak hour to smoothen the load and also improve overall frequency for Service 966. Bus is usually quite packed with commuters during peak hours, even for the Woodlands Bound 966 during PM Peak from 500pm to 1130pm.  
  
  Thanks & Regards,
  Mr. Lee Jun Yang
  Frustrated Commuter
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  Dear Mr Lee

   

  We refer to your email below.

   

  We wish to inform you that we are aware of the high demand for service 966 and have been monitoring the service closely. Thus, with effect from 14 December 2008, we will be adding an additional bus to cater to passengers demand during peak periods.

   

  While we regulate the frequency from the interchange, factors such as adverse traffic conditions and heavy passenger loading may lead to prolonged waiting time at bus stops.  At SMRT, we continuously monitor our bus services and conduct site surveys on a regular basis to ensure that our services are able to meet the demand on the road. We will look into ways to optimise our resources and still able to obtain the efficiencies of each service. Please be assured that we will continue to monitor our bus services and make adjustments when necessary.

   

  Mr Lee, we apologize for the experience and thank you for highlighting it to us.

   

  
  Yours sincerely

   

   
  Gin Noy (Ms)
  Senior Officer, Customer Relations
  Corporate Marketing and Communications
  SMRT Corporation Ltd

   

  For more contact information on SMRT, please click on this link http://www.smrt.com.sg/contact_us.html

  surprisingly i took 966,it always come infront of my face everytime.LOL

• Junyang700

  3 Dec 08, 20:35

  Originally posted by Roderick a.k.a Guai Kia:

  surprisingly i took 966,it always come infront of my face everytime.LOL

  It happens to me too.... but when I dont take the service. =X

• SBS n SMRT

  3 Dec 08, 20:35

  Originally posted by SBS9888Y:

  some times i wonder if you use your brain before typing, woodlands got alot of oc500le?

  they may put a new oc500le on any service they like mah

• Orange-mush

  3 Dec 08, 20:43

  I think they should get a bendy. Box bendy, Smiley bendy, Habit bendy or Volgren bendy is good enough for S966....

• Rk 2010

  3 Dec 08, 21:30

  Will SMRT give Bendys to 966? This is the question i want to ask

• Stage

  3 Dec 08, 22:19

  Originally posted by Rk 2010:

  Will SMRT give Bendys to 966? This is the question i want to ask

  Finally.. Although its not that big..

• Junyang700

  3 Dec 08, 22:29

  They didnt reply saying they are adding bendies in. I doubt so.

• LazerLordz

  3 Dec 08, 22:34

  Is there any restriction on Bendys serving 966? So far I think the situation seems quite terrible..

• Roderick a.k.a Guai Kia

  3 Dec 08, 22:40

  Originally posted by SBS n SMRT:

  they may put a new oc500le on any service they like mah

  WLDEP no OC-.-

• TIB1062Y

  3 Dec 08, 22:50

  Wah!!! Nice one Jun Yang! I share the same feeling as yours.. Everytime when I wait for 187/963/966 bus from opp Blk 223 bus stop (Blk 270, Bt Panjang Rd) between 7:45am to 7:55am, I always see the 966 bus opposite, almost packed to the front door, and felt a bit heart pain and pity those people waiting along Petir Rd..

  Like finally SMRT managed to add ONE bus after so many months! I hope SMRT don't just suka suka slot in another 1 crossover from other service (like 963S158 slot, iirc the shift code) in the morning for ONE trip only..

• Orange-mush

  3 Dec 08, 22:54

  Originally posted by LazerLordz:

  Is there any restriction on Bendys serving 966? So far I think the situation seems quite terrible..

  No. There isn't any restriction. Last time a Mk1 bendy x-over to 966 from 963. There were no restrictions. So, 966 needs bendies.

• Apex-LW'21

  3 Dec 08, 23:23

  Once I boarded service 969 during the PM Peak hours from Tampines Int, the Sv 969 berth queue is quite long, but somehow , rigids were still deployed despite of the enormous long queues. When one rigid is full, half of the queue have to wait for the next bus which is either a rigid or a bendy. Ever since when I wanted to wait for SMB32T on 969, it was fully packed then I was being left out for the other half of the queue and waited another 5 to 10 mins for the next bus to arrive.
• service_238

  3 Dec 08, 23:29

  Originally posted by TIB1062Y:

  Wah!!! Nice one Jun Yang! I share the same feeling as yours.. Everytime when I wait for 187/963/966 bus from opp Blk 223 bus stop (Blk 270, Bt Panjang Rd) between 7:45am to 7:55am, I always see the 966 bus opposite, almost packed to the front door, and felt a bit heart pain and pity those people waiting along Petir Rd..

  Like finally SMRT managed to add ONE bus after so many months! I hope SMRT don't just suka suka slot in another 1 crossover from other service (like 963S158 slot, iirc the shift code) in the morning for ONE trip only..

  
  Its 2 trips. Next trip at 9am.

• Orange-mush

  3 Dec 08, 23:32

  That's why the problem of packed buses is that it makes commuters wait for the next bus which will usually come at the average frequency and packed again.

  Last time, when I want to go to Gulliemard Road, I would take 154 from my house to Tai Seng CCL station there at Upp Paya Lebar Road. I would wait for service 70. Everytime, it will always be packed. Then, I improvised and took service 8 to the bus stop that was 2 bus stops away from where I took 154 to. From there, I could easily get onto 70.