Bus Spotting Trip 18/04
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Mission:
- Double-decks on Sv. 55(fail)
- Sv. 56 VSOs(yay!)
- Sv. 161 VSOs(yay!)
- Sv. 168 VSOs(yay!)
- Sv. 133 VSOs(meh!)
Met Jack at Hao Rui at Bishan, however no double decks on Sv. 55 today, according to the Bishan traffic inspector, it is to cut costs. However we took SBS 9819Y down to Toa Payoh to get on Sv. 153 to go to Hougang Central.
Arrived and just nice, SBS 9843B arrived from the depot and began ferrying passengers. The bus was gutless on the highway, the engine sounded constipated.
Met Charles and FS at WRI and they took 9843B, while we hung around for SBS 9842D on Sv. 168, and yet again it disappointed on the highway.
Met Ishak, who's working at TIMES bookshop of Tampines Mall, chatted for a while and went to Lavender to catch VSO on Sv. 133, however SBS 9804P was on Sv. 8 today!
Arrived at Lavender, waited until 4.55pm and found VSO going in opposite direction, we ran for the bus and got on it, SBS 9840J. Rather uneventful until we reached Jack's place at Serangoon Ave 2, and the stupid rear door wouldn't close, so we all were forced to board the next bus. (stupid interlock messing up on a new bus when it isn't supposed to)
I'll be sending a complaint to SBST regarding this, rest assured! -
ARH! SBS9840J DISAPPOINTED ME!
it BROKE DOWN IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! Why was that VSO such a inferior one?! Sigh Sigh Sigh! How I feel like not seeing it again! I want my Qoo Bus Back!!! -
Now you want SBS 9029K? Make up your mind
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Yah! At least my SBS9029K doesn't give me any problems!Originally posted by SBS9818A:Now you want SBS 9029K? Make up your mind 
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Howdy there!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!
Sorry, I couldn't resist, but it makes me feel for the poor souls who had to go somewhere fast, only to watch traffic pass by them at 90km/h, and possibly faster, considering alot of people speed, while the bus hums along at about 55km/h, and is straining to keep that speed (unlike 9888Y, or any of the Volvo/Leyland Olympians). Then, a brand new bus, suffers a problem that buses would normally experience when they get old. Not 15 years old, but more like 30 years old. The Leyland Olympian two axles are still running around happily, without too many problems, and a B10TL sits stricken, outside Jack's home. Poor Jack...having to see a broken down bus infront of him. I spoke to him earlier, and he wasn't too impressed. Well, I hate to say it, but I knew that these buses are dogs/lemons, whatever you'd like to call it. And I hope you know why now. A good bus, just a few problems are rife in their systems, that's all.
Happy photography and busriding! -
What do you mean by "a few problems"? I've encounted battery failures and today, the interlock screwing up on the VSOs. Volvo screwed up the building process of the VSOs.
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LOL, ok. But yeah the B10TLs are still dogs. I don't think I'll miss them when they are due to be put out to pasture in (hopefully) 15 years time.Originally posted by SBS9818A:What do you mean by "a few problems"? I've encounted battery failures and today, the interlock screwing up on the VSOs. Volvo screwed up the building process of the VSOs.
Enjoy! -
Unless SBST decides to make noise with the LTA to extend the usage limit of the bus to 20 years, you'll be rather pissed!
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If that happens...I will not be RATHER pissed.....i'd be MAJORLY pissed. Very inconsiderate of the LTA if they do so.Originally posted by SBS9818A:Unless SBST decides to make noise with the LTA to extend the usage limit of the bus to 20 years, you'll be rather pissed!
Enjoy! -
Sorry, Darryl, Hao Rui and others. I was unable to meet up with u cos I was holed up in my friend's house in Bt Timah till about 1330. However, what I am going to say is going to disappoint Windy_hates_B10TLs, perhaps.
Arrived at Bedok Int at 1430, waited a while and saw SBS 9842 entering interchange on 168. I was delighted, and shortly after, saw a B10M Mk 4 Alexander and a B10M Mk 4 DM entering interchange tgt with 168 destos, and 9842 suddenly left interchange, then SBS 391 came to the berth to pick up passengers,and that driver gave me kinda funny stare b4 driving off, musta be thinkin that I am mad to miss a bus with lousy fequency.
After that, SBS 9846 came into interchange, and gone after dropping off pax, and I thought they were going off service, and that explains the the 2 B10M, maybe to replace them. Wait 15 mins, then that Volvo B10M DM came. I was too angry at SBST to notice that license plate,
To my delight, SBS 9842 came back into the interchange 10 minutes later, and I boarded it. Must say that the power of the engine is damn good.... Driver was good enough to beat 3 successive red lights btw Bedok and Tampines jus as they are turning red... the turn is executed so smoothly, and it was a good experience for me sitting at the top deck in the front. Never felt a bus with so much power throughout, even the Scanias and Dennis LAnce 245s could not do it.. acceleration is damn good. However, the real test still lies in the express sector..
I was plaeasantly pleased at the performance of the VSOs.. too bad there were not any TIBS buses there to compare with, or they will probably travel at the same speed, from experience, and the top deck was so quiet compared to the MBs and some of the Volvo B10Ms.
After the Lentor flyover, it starts to rain heavily, and the Air Con jus feels great, not too cold and not too stuffy, and I personally feel that the best way to experience the VSOs is to take it on an expressway during a thunderstorm.... it jus whizs by another Volvo B10M Dm on 161, plus the view is fabulous, especially the flooded orchid nurseries.
Overall, it is the best trip I had taken on a VSO, at leat my butt is not that pain after 1hr. The VSOs look better at the partially sheltered WR interchange, with lights all on and wet from the rain.. simply wonderful, and I'm not exaggerating. Perhaps darryl's luck was abit down when he took those VSOs. -
Interesting !!
This is a bus trip FS and I went today. I was actually not free today but my programme was cancelled last min so I was able to go for a bus journey today .
I meet FS at woodlands around 11 am , I took 9842 today , the bus travelled quite fast even through it was fully loaded and I was happy with the bus . The VSO buses had been having problems initially but I am sure once the bus is seasoned , SBS will have less technical problems with the bus . I reached there in 45 mins and met FS at the control station . He wanted to take the photo of the VSO bus but the mrt train delayed him . We decided to take 187 to Boon lay ( waiting for the habit bus ) when Darryl told us that they are coming to WL on bus 9843 and then FS and I decided to take 9843 to Sengkang to try and catch 9800A on bus 502(hopefully ) . We didnt see 9800A there so we decided to have a LO 2 Axles ride at toa payoh . We took bus 159 ( SBS245L) Nice number right FS ? to Toa payoh and then waited for the one and only LO 2 axles bus on 157 ( We observed other buses on bus 157 fleet ) . The bus number is 7184 . We talked to the bus driver after reaching boon lay , he is happy driving with the LO 2 and 3 axle bus , he is quite happy .
Anyway , we took a break for a while , we went bus spotting and FS took a lot of pictures of the LO 2 axles buses . We decided to go to Woodlands and catch 1105 ( on bus 187 ) to Woodlands where we catch another VSO bus (168 ) to Bedok . 9842 was our bus and the driver speed all the way to Bedok . We noticed that during day time , the VSO and other drivers who drive on 161 and 168 route doesnt speed during the day time but speed during night time . We reached bedok very fast and had dinner there before going back home . FS was lucky to catch another VSO (9846) , the same one that broke down at WL interchange a couple of days ago .
Great bus trip , but i am still looking for 9800A !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cheers
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I feel that when VSOs are running on the expressway, it seems that they are always stuck on the 3rd gear and cannot change to the 4th gear. Like what Darryl had said, they are 'constipated'. I suppose that the mechanics have changed the settings of the engine and the flow of the fuel is being controlled. That is why the VSOs cannot unleash their potential.
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Originally posted by TIB1186Z:
Eventually you still got your VSO. Not bad. Are you sure the ride was so good as you described? The trip on sv 161 9843 was *yawn yawn* but luckily sv 168 9842 was slightly better.
Sorry, Darryl, Hao Rui and others. I was unable to meet up with u cos I was holed up in my friend's house in Bt Timah till about 1330. However, what I am going to say is going to disappoint Windy_hates_B10TLs, perhaps.
Arrived at Bedok Int at 1430, waited a while and saw SBS 9842 entering interchange on 168. I was delighted, and shortly after, saw a B10M Mk 4 Alexander and a B10M Mk 4 DM entering interchange tgt with 168 destos, and 9842 suddenly left interchange, then SBS 391 came to the berth to pick up passengers,and that driver gave me kinda funny stare b4 driving off, musta be thinkin that I am mad to miss a bus with lousy fequency.
After that, SBS 9846 came into interchange, and gone after dropping off pax, and I thought they were going off service, and that explains the the 2 B10M, maybe to replace them. Wait 15 mins, then that Volvo B10M DM came. I was too angry at SBST to notice that license plate,
To my delight, SBS 9842 came back into the interchange 10 minutes later, and I boarded it. Must say that the power of the engine is damn good.... Driver was good enough to beat 3 successive red lights btw Bedok and Tampines jus as they are turning red... the turn is executed so smoothly, and it was a good experience for me sitting at the top deck in the front. Never felt a bus with so much power throughout, even the Scanias and Dennis LAnce [b]245s could not do it.. acceleration is damn good. However, the real test still lies in the express sector..
I was plaeasantly pleased at the performance of the VSOs.. too bad there were not any TIBS buses there to compare with, or they will probably travel at the same speed, from experience, and the top deck was so quiet compared to the MBs and some of the Volvo B10Ms.
After the Lentor flyover, it starts to rain heavily, and the Air Con jus feels great, not too cold and not too stuffy, and I personally feel that the best way to experience the VSOs is to take it on an expressway during a thunderstorm.... it jus whizs by another Volvo B10M Dm on 161, plus the view is fabulous, especially the flooded orchid nurseries.
Overall, it is the best trip I had taken on a VSO, at leat my butt is not that pain after 1hr. The VSOs look better at the partially sheltered WR interchange, with lights all on and wet from the rain.. simply wonderful, and I'm not exaggerating. Perhaps darryl's luck was abit down when he took those VSOs.
[/b] -
Don't forget that I was the one who used the term "kek sai". Just that constipated is the correct term for it.Originally posted by SBS9816E:I feel that when VSOs are running on the expressway, it seems that they are always stuck on the 3rd gear and cannot change to the 4th gear. Like what Darryl had said, they are 'constipated'. I suppose that the mechanics have changed the settings of the engine and the flow of the fuel is being controlled. That is why the VSOs cannot unleash their potential. -
Please click here for links to view the photos which I took:
[url]http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/groups/singapore_buses/message/6930
After Darryl's experience, I dare not create a direct link from this forum. -
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Originally posted by TIB1186Z:
VSOs whizzing by on the highway? Even a tow truck towing a car can go much faster than 9842D and 9843B!
Sorry, Darryl, Hao Rui and others. I was unable to meet up with u cos I was holed up in my friend's house in Bt Timah till about 1330. However, what I am going to say is going to disappoint Windy_hates_B10TLs, perhaps.
Arrived at Bedok Int at 1430, waited a while and saw SBS 9842 entering interchange on 168. I was delighted, and shortly after, saw a B10M Mk 4 Alexander and a B10M Mk 4 DM entering interchange tgt with 168 destos, and 9842 suddenly left interchange, then SBS 391 came to the berth to pick up passengers,and that driver gave me kinda funny stare b4 driving off, musta be thinkin that I am mad to miss a bus with lousy fequency.
After that, SBS 9846 came into interchange, and gone after dropping off pax, and I thought they were going off service, and that explains the the 2 B10M, maybe to replace them. Wait 15 mins, then that Volvo B10M DM came. I was too angry at SBST to notice that license plate,
To my delight, SBS 9842 came back into the interchange 10 minutes later, and I boarded it. Must say that the power of the engine is damn good.... Driver was good enough to beat 3 successive red lights btw Bedok and Tampines jus as they are turning red... the turn is executed so smoothly, and it was a good experience for me sitting at the top deck in the front. Never felt a bus with so much power throughout, even the Scanias and Dennis LAnce [b]245s could not do it.. acceleration is damn good. However, the real test still lies in the express sector..
I was plaeasantly pleased at the performance of the VSOs.. too bad there were not any TIBS buses there to compare with, or they will probably travel at the same speed, from experience, and the top deck was so quiet compared to the MBs and some of the Volvo B10Ms.
After the Lentor flyover, it starts to rain heavily, and the Air Con jus feels great, not too cold and not too stuffy, and I personally feel that the best way to experience the VSOs is to take it on an expressway during a thunderstorm.... it jus whizs by another Volvo B10M Dm on 161, plus the view is fabulous, especially the flooded orchid nurseries.
Overall, it is the best trip I had taken on a VSO, at leat my butt is not that pain after 1hr. The VSOs look better at the partially sheltered WR interchange, with lights all on and wet from the rain.. simply wonderful, and I'm not exaggerating. Perhaps darryl's luck was abit down when he took those VSOs.
[/b] -
Yes I agree with you, but the speed is considered fast compared to those Volvo B10Ms that crawl on the highway, thus I used the comparison. Well, it is not slightly better, but I think it is much better than 9840 on 133 that I took today, but it is a vast improvement over the single deck Volvos, haven't have time to take 9843 yet though.Originally posted by SBS9818A:VSOs whizzing by on the highway? Even a tow truck towing a car can go much faster than 9842D and 9843B! -
I second and share your grief. Today, I took 9840J on Upp. S'goon Rd, and the AC and speed was very refreshing after I gave up on that snail SBS 9674 on 85 from Sengkang. It was uneventful all the way to Suntec, fast bus with pleasant and smooth ride. However, after turning out from Stamford rd., I think the engine gave up at the bus stop opposite CHIJMES on Victoria St. Poor Bus Driver though, he restarted it 3 times and then died 2-3 seconds later. I think its the battery or distributor got something wrong. THe driver performed'CPR' by running the engine at low speeds w/o AC and lights to help juice up the battery. After that, another 133 MB0405 came along and overtook it. After 5 minutes, 9840 got running again, and kudos to that bus driver, obviously late, used the full power to do what I think VSOs are best at: Beating the lights. at S'goon Ave 2, the bus driver made full use of Newtons' Laws of motion to accelerate down the steep slope, and call it coincidence or what, the engine quitted again there and then as soon as he opened the doors.Originally posted by SBS9816E:ARH! SBS9840J DISAPPOINTED ME! it BROKE DOWN IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE! Why was that VSO such a inferior one?! Sigh Sigh Sigh! How I feel like not seeing it again! I want my Qoo Bus Back!!! 
A few passengers grumbled audibly as the bus driver started to do ' CPR' again, and got running after 5 minutes. Again, he drove faster and faster, and the AC, also got stronger for some unknown reasons. The bus driver seems exasperated when he finally reached AMK interchange. I don't think they took SBS 9819Y's feedback seriously yesterday. -
Originally posted by TIB1186Z:
Adui! See lah?! SBS 9840 J is quite a bad bus! Yesterday, the doors couldn't close. And now, the engine almost died off! I think it's a black horse among the newer VSO batch. Or maybe, this bus is a jinx...!? I don't know. I hope that SBST does something about this bus. Or, (it might not be possible) change another VSO to serve Svc 133! Btw, when did it reach S'goon Ave 2?
I second and share your grief. Today, I took 9840J on Upp. S'goon Rd, and the AC and speed was very refreshing after I gave up on that snail SBS 9674 on 85 from Sengkang. It was uneventful all the way to Suntec, fast bus with pleasant and smooth ride. However, after turning out from Stamford rd., I think the engine gave up at the bus stop opposite CHIJMES on Victoria St. Poor Bus Driver though, he restarted it 3 times and then died 2-3 seconds later. I think its the battery or distributor got something wrong. THe driver performed'CPR' by running the engine at low speeds w/o AC and lights to help juice up the battery. After that, another 133 MB0405 came along and overtook it. After 5 minutes, 9840 got running again, and kudos to that bus driver, obviously late, used the full power to do what I think VSOs are best at: Beating the lights. at S'goon Ave 2, the bus driver made full use of Newtons' Laws of motion to accelerate down the steep slope, and call it coincidence or what, the engine [b]quitted again there and then as soon as he opened the doors. A few passengers grumbled audibly as the bus driver started to do ' CPR' again, and got running after 5 minutes. Again, he drove faster and faster, and the AC, also got stronger for some unknown reasons. The bus driver seems exasperated when he finally reached AMK interchange. I don't think they took SBS 9819Y's feedback seriously yesterday.[/b] -
The VSO bus can speed as FS and I can vowed , I have took VSO buses many times and the drivers speed fast at night and slower during the day time .
As for 9840J , i took that bus , the bus was running fine at that time , its a new bus , give it 2-3 weeks time , the bus engine will be running smoothly . -
Is there anything wrong with the last photo (SBS3703L)? Why does this bus made you people so excited?Originally posted by SBS9819Y:Please click here for links to view the photos which I took:
[url]http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/groups/singapore_buses/message/6930
After Darryl's experience, I dare not create a direct link from this forum. -
Originally posted by TIB1186Z:
We sent our feedback by mail, Hoe Jyh! SBS 9840J really needs to have some checks done. First, the interlock system screwed up, then the engine dies. Was the driver an old man wearing glasses? And was the O405 SBS 322?
I second and share your grief. Today, I took 9840J on Upp. S'goon Rd, and the AC and speed was very refreshing after I gave up on that snail SBS 9674 on 85 from Sengkang. It was uneventful all the way to Suntec, fast bus with pleasant and smooth ride. However, after turning out from Stamford rd., I think the engine gave up at the bus stop opposite CHIJMES on Victoria St. Poor Bus Driver though, he restarted it 3 times and then died 2-3 seconds later. I think its the battery or distributor got something wrong. THe driver performed'CPR' by running the engine at low speeds w/o AC and lights to help juice up the battery. After that, another 133 MB0405 came along and overtook it. After 5 minutes, 9840 got running again, and kudos to that bus driver, obviously late, used the full power to do what I think VSOs are best at: Beating the lights. at S'goon Ave 2, the bus driver made full use of Newtons' Laws of motion to accelerate down the steep slope, and call it coincidence or what, the engine [b]quitted again there and then as soon as he opened the doors. A few passengers grumbled audibly as the bus driver started to do ' CPR' again, and got running after 5 minutes. Again, he drove faster and faster, and the AC, also got stronger for some unknown reasons. The bus driver seems exasperated when he finally reached AMK interchange. I don't think they took SBS 9819Y's feedback seriously yesterday.[/b]
FYI, there's no such word as "quitted".
Tranquilice, SBS 3703L is the FIRST repainted Scania, which got us all excited back in Jan/Feb and it was on Sv. 231 when I took it. Now it has been transferred to BNDEP and serves Sv. 291, which was a shock as we didn't expect to see it at Tampines. -
Give it 2-3 weeks? I gave SBS 9800A NINE months and it broke down on me. Sometimes I really do have to agree with Windy re the VSOs.Originally posted by Airbus330Captain:The VSO bus can speed as FS and I can vowed , I have took VSO buses many times and the drivers speed fast at night and slower during the day time .
As for 9840J , i took that bus , the bus was running fine at that time , its a new bus , give it 2-3 weeks time , the bus engine will be running smoothly . -
Perhaps one could say that you could urinate faster than a B10TL on the TPE/CTE/PIE?Originally posted by SBS9818A:VSOs whizzing by on the highway? Even a tow truck towing a car can go much faster than 9842D and 9843B!
Enjoy!