Causeway Link services start operation today
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From today (15 May 2003), beside SBST 170 and Singapore-Johor Express, commuters can choose to take Malaysia-owned Causeway Link buses between Kranji MRT station and Larkin Terminal.
The next 2 routes to be introduced are:
Larkin Terminal - Queen Street Terminal via Causeway
Larkin Terminal - Jurong East Interchange via 2nd Link
In the future, if you are going to JB, which of the 3 operators will you choose to take their buses? -
Yes, Causeway Link is operational today
I first tried Queen Street terminal at about 1300 today, but found no Causeway Link buses. After that, I took 960 to Kranji
At Kranji, I found the Causeway Link buses. They are MAN citybuses, but I could not identify the model. After that, I met Hao Rui at Kranji MRT.
These buses have a simple front desto that says CW-1 in the middel and Larkin-Johor Bahru to the left and Kranji MRT to the right. Hao Rui suggested that it may be 18.XXX, and the bus was painted basically all yellow, and appeared to be Volgren bodied ( the boxy kind that those Transitlink buses have in JB ). The bus is cooled by Carrier and the AC vents inside are similar to those found in private buses ( those that you can flip open and close ). Hao Rui and I later took the bus to Woodlands custom for 80 cents Singapore dollar, and the receipts issued are similar to those of that in S'pore, but longer in dimensions. The anti-slip flooring is spotted blue in colour, and the vibration is quite audible in the bus
The gearbox used is the Voith, and the dashboard is very similar to that of the 0405, except that it has more dials and a large bold MAN lettering above the speedometer. However, the gear change sounded more like a ZF gearbox than a Voith one. The noise level is not as low as the company claim, and the engine noise is a cross between the DAF and an 0405.
The seats are as hard and uncomfortable as those of TIBS, is like those seats found in the Volgren 0405 and Lance 211, but the colour is yellow and blue, and the texture is smoother.
Interestingly, the speed limit of the bus is given as 90km/h, as seen from the rear sticker, and the speed of the bus on Woodlands Rd. is noticeably faster than that of the SBST's Mk IIIs.
The doors are similar to that of the Lance 245, with plastic, grey handrails.
For those interested to take a Malaysian bus w/o crossing the causeway and get a complimentary 14 days temperature check, it is possible to take the bus from opposite Kranji Mrt to Woodlands Checkpoint for 80cents, and only exact change. If you dare, the fare is $1.30 from Kranji to Larkin. The reverse direction cost the same, except that it is in Ringgit is you board in Malaysia. At Woodlands Checkpoint, just cross the overhead back to the arrival hall. The berth of the Causeway link is using the existing SJE one, but there is a prominant new sign that says CSW-1 in yellow. Buses are frequent at ~10 minutes interval, 0500 - 0030, all round the year.
It is quite an interesting experience to take a Malaysian public bus in Singapore, as the monopoly held by 170 over the years is now gone. However, the routes to Queen St and Jurong East had not been scheduled to run just yet. -
An intersting observation at Kranji today: SBST sent a lot more of Mk IIIs on 170 today, and on average, there are 3 buses waiting at the bus stop opposite Kranji MRT. These buses are only serving the shortworking sector, and when another 170 arrive from Queen St, that makes 4 at the berth. This is a far far cary from the times when passengers had to wait 10 minutes for 1 bus, and there were very few people waiting at Kranji today, in fact, nobody was queing, save for a service captain in his lime green uniform, which is no doubt, due to SARS.
On the other end, at the escalator landing, was the service captain of Causeway Link. It is co-incidence that his uniform looks very similar to the old blue SBS uniform, complete with epaulets. He was there pulling passengers and explaining the fare to the passengers, 80cents to the Caustoms, $1.30 to Larkin, and wasn't very successful as many did not want, or perhaps dare to try the new service and was loyal to 170. On the other hand, the service captain of SBST was sitting there passively, and chatting with the bus captains.
MAybe the competition for pax would increase tenfold once SARS blow over and SBST start to lose passengers, in fact, most of the buses today were running on empty when they left Kranji, interestingly, right after a Causeway Link bus departed the bus stop. -
I would be loyal to 170, as I'm using a concession pass and is much cheaper for me, compared to 80cents. I also do not have to prepare change if I take 170, as there is something called the ez-link card.Originally posted by tranquilice:From today (15 May 2003), beside SBST 170 and Singapore-Johor Express, commuters can choose to take 3 services of Malaysian-owned Causeway Link buses.
The 3 routes are:
Larkin - Queens Street via Causeway
Larkin - Kranji MRT via Causeway
Larkin - Jurong East via 2nd Link
In the future, if you are going to JB, which operator will you choose?
However, CW-1 is faster as it turns directly onto CAuseway Dr. from woodlands Rd., unlike 170 that has to make one big round in Woodlands Ctrl before going into Woodlands Custom. As the speed limit is 90, compared with 60, it is faster to get to Larkin by CW-1 than by 170. -
Hi,Originally posted by tranquilice:From today (15 May 2003), beside SBST 170 and Singapore-Johor Express, commuters can choose to take 3 services of Malaysian-owned Causeway Link buses.
The 3 routes are:
Larkin - Queens Street via Causeway
Larkin - Kranji MRT via Causeway
Larkin - Jurong East via 2nd Link
In the future, if you are going to JB, which operator will you choose?
All 3 services have started operations? Are you sure? I thought CLink only began the Larkin-Kranji-Larkin sector, while the Larkin-Queen Street-Larkin sector will be introduced sometime next month. The Larkin-Jurong East-Larkin via 2nd Link will begin services in mid-July.
CLink will also install Cashcard readers, so commuters can use Cashcard to pay the fares. A side note here, STTV news reporter reported that CLink is to begin services to Queensway instead of Queen Street *LMAO!
Cheers and warm regards -
Yes, I purposely asked my father to drive me there and I saw FOUR B10M Mk IIIs parked opposite Kranji MRT with a forlorn MAN 18.250 on Causeway Link parked there. I'd take Causeway Link for the novelty but that's about the most I would do.Originally posted by TIB1186Z:An intersting observation at Kranji today: SBST sent a lot more of Mk IIIs on 170 today, and on average, there are 3 buses waiting at the bus stop opposite Kranji MRT. These buses are only serving the shortworking sector, and when another 170 arrive from Queen St, that makes 4 at the berth. This is a far far cary from the times when passengers had to wait 10 minutes for 1 bus, and there were very few people waiting at Kranji today, in fact, nobody was queing, save for a service captain in his lime green uniform, which is no doubt, due to SARS.
On the other end, at the escalator landing, was the service captain of Causeway Link. It is co-incidence that his uniform looks very similar to the old blue SBS uniform, complete with epaulets. He was there pulling passengers and explaining the fare to the passengers, 80cents to the Caustoms, $1.30 to Larkin, and wasn't very successful as many did not want, or perhaps dare to try the new service and was loyal to 170. On the other hand, the service captain of SBST was sitting there passively, and chatting with the bus captains.
MAybe the competition for pax would increase tenfold once SARS blow over and SBST start to lose passengers, in fact, most of the buses today were running on empty when they left Kranji, interestingly, right after a Causeway Link bus departed the bus stop.
Also, the reason why the MAN has an O405 dash is because MAN and Mercedes-Benz share components. The interior looks rather cheery and bright, compared to SBST(too much purple), however I do find the seats comfortable(after all you likened it to the Volgren O405 seats). -
causeway link buses:
hmm yes very ncie buses. definately not body by volgren. i reckon is the same as those ISB NUS coach in singapore whcih means fuso.
i saw so many zero step MAN in NZ...i have yet to try one MAN...here is my chance
i would rather take MAN bus (clappers) than volvo mark 3 170 (yuckies)
i will be taking one day to try out the rattling and uncomfortable seats MAN SL 252 (windy says so) bus of causeway link. perhaps i might start a new bag for cuaseway link bus tickets..yaaaay
80 cents is the fare. how big is the busticket. is it bigget ahn singapore ones?
ZYX -
Bodywork is by HICOM. Tickets are of same lengths as the Singapore ones but they are wider.Originally posted by xin1jun2:causeway link buses:
hmm yes very ncie buses. definately not body by volgren. i reckon is the same as those ISB NUS coach in singapore whcih means fuso.
i saw so many zero step MAN in NZ...i have yet to try one MAN...here is my chance
i would rather take MAN bus (clappers) than volvo mark 3 170 (yuckies)
i will be taking one day to try out the rattling and uncomfortable seats MAN SL 252 (windy says so) bus of causeway link. perhaps i might start a new bag for cuaseway link bus tickets..yaaaay
80 cents is the fare. how big is the busticket. is it bigget ahn singapore ones?
ZYX -
That's very direct competition, the route to Queen Street. If it passes by Bt. Timah Rd, i'd rather take CLink to Queens StreetOriginally posted by tranquilice:From today (15 May 2003), beside SBST 170 and Singapore-Johor Express, commuters can choose to take Malaysia-owned Causeway Link buses between Kranji MRT station and Larkin Terminal.
The next 2 routes to be introduced are:
Larkin Terminal - Queen Street Terminal via Causeway
Larkin Terminal - Jurong East Interchange via 2nd Link
In the future, if you are going to JB, which of the 3 operators will you choose to take their buses? -
IMO, CLink complements Service 170 on the Larkin-Kranji vv sector. CLink will either complement or compete with SJE on the Kranji-Queen St vv sector.Originally posted by oliver_yuen87:That's very direct competition, the route to Queen Street. If it passes by Bt. Timah Rd, i'd rather take CLink to Queens Street
Give it a thought. JB authorities restricted Svc 170's boarding and alighting activities at JB bus stops. Do you think LTA will let CLink operate any boarding/alighting activities along Upp/Bt Timah Rd? Very unlikely right?
The CLink's Larkin-Jurong East will have no competitions and will be a totally brand new service, but I strongly thinks that it is to replace Maju's defunct services to Singapore.
Cheers and warm regards[/b] -
Originally posted by Superbus:
I don't think there's be any boarding/alighting allowed for CLink service to Queen Street. Sould be an express service to Queen Street.
IMO, CLink complements Service 170 on the Larkin-Kranji vv sector. [b]CLink will either complement or compete with SJE on the Kranji-Queen St vv sector.
Give it a thought. JB authorities restricted Svc 170's boarding and alighting activities at JB bus stops. Do you think LTA will let CLink operate any boarding/alighting activities along Upp/Bt Timah Rd? Very unlikely right?
The CLink's Larkin-Jurong East will have no competitions and will be a totally brand new service, but I strongly thinks that it is to replace Maju's defunct services to Singapore.
Cheers and warm regards[/b][/b]
JB Maju 262 used to ply between Larkin terminal and Tuas terminal. -
Hmm, I got charged 50 cents(child fare) instead of 80 cents and I didn't get a ticket. The bus is very powerful and comfortable, seats are the same as Pininfarina and Volgren bendies, ie Vogelsitze.
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Well actually most of the seats on Tibs buses are Vogelsitze, except that the habit buses from 1148J and the Volgren Bendies from 1178Y have the same seat design as that of the Causeway Link services. You can see that from the handle or the bar of the seat.Originally posted by SBS9818A:Hmm, I got charged 50 cents(child fare) instead of 80 cents and I didn't get a ticket. The bus is very powerful and comfortable, seats are the same as Pininfarina and Volgren bendies, ie Vogelsitze. -
Darryl,Originally posted by SBS9818A:Hmm, I got charged 50 cents(child fare) instead of 80 cents and I didn't get a ticket. The bus is very powerful and comfortable, seats are the same as Pininfarina and Volgren bendies, ie Vogelsitze.
Are they governed to 60 km/h? Since I haven't heard these buses, i can only say that I THINK they are SL252s. If not, then 18.280 HOCL-Rs. There is no 18.250 chassis, since they don't exist
(I take it you meant 18.280 anyway). Do they have loud hub reduction?
Cheers, -
It seemed ungoverned, it's a Malaysian bus after all! Hub reduction was rather loud IMO, next time you are down in Singapore you should board it and see for yourself.Originally posted by Windy_hates_B10TLs:Darryl,
Are they governed to 60 km/h? Since I haven't heard these buses, i can only say that I THINK they are SL252s. If not, then 18.280 HOCL-Rs. There is no 18.250 chassis, since they don't exist (I take it you meant 18.280 anyway). Do they have loud hub reduction?
Cheers, -
How does hub reduction sound like?Originally posted by SBS9818A:It seemed ungoverned, it's a Malaysian bus after all! Hub reduction was rather loud IMO, next time you are down in Singapore you should board it and see for yourself.