When the North East Line (NEL) first opened on 20 June 2003, a mass rationalization exercise was conduced in three phases on 21 June, 27 July and 7 December for Services 21, 22, 53, 62, 70/70M, 81, 82, 97, 103, 106, 111, 130, 139 and 502, while Services 85, 501, 511 and 512 were axed.
While the mass rationalization exercise was deemed necessary in order to reduce the duplication of public transport services and encourage commuters to switch to the NEL, it has resulted in the loss of certain direct connections which could have well served as alternatives for commuters in the event of train service disruptions or divert the high passenger demand to.
It is agreeable that the NEL does provide certain connections from the residential towns of Serangoon, Hougang, Sengkang and Punggol more quickly in comparison to the bus services shortened or withdrawn during the rationalization. However, they could have been better tweaked to reduce duplication and serve as an alternative to the NEL.
Nevertheless, it is impossible to bring the routes back to how they were. Moreover, with an additional rail line (i.e. CCL serving Serangoon New Town), the "pre-NEL" routes would be even more redundant today. However, having some alternatives that provide travel time that equates to travelling on the NEL/CCL may be a good move.
Currently, Punggol New Town has no full day bus service that connects to the city areas, namely Orchard, Chinatown, Shenton Way, Bugis and Marina Centre, while Sengkang New Town only has Service 80, which has to go through the eastern parts of Singapore before serving the city regions. Thus, most commuters can only rely on the NEL to get to town (excluding peak hours w/ City Direct 654/Premiums 550, 569) As such, greater focus will be placed on the connections for Sengkang and Punggol New Towns in the route suggestions below.
It is understandable that the Sengkang & Punggol Ints are running low on space to accommodate more bus services. Nevertheless, the route suggestions below will take a hypothesis that the bus interchanges still have some space for new bus services.
Route 146: Punggol Temp Int - HarbourFront Int
Slightly mirroring the old sv85 between Orchard & HarbourFront but with a faster route from Punggol/Sengkang/Buangkok via the CTE.
Direction 1
Punggol Temp Int, (Punggol Pl), Punggol Central, Punggol Rd, Sengkang East Way, Sengkang East Rd, Buangkok Green, Yio Chu Kang Rd, (CTE), Bt Timah Rd, Sungei Rd, Bencoolen St, Middle Rd, (Prinsep St, Bras Basah Rd), Bencoolen St, Orchard Rd, Penang Rd, Somerset Rd, Grange Rd, Orchard Blvd, Paterson Rd, (Paterson Hill), Irwell Bank Rd, Kim Seng Rd, Outram Rd, Tiong Bahru Rd, Lower Delta Rd, Kg Bahru Rd, Telok Blangah Rd, (Seah Im Rd), HarbourFront Int.
Direction 2
HarbourFront Int, (Seah Im Rd), Telok Blangah Rd, Kg Bahru Rd, Lower Delta Rd, Tiong Bahru Rd, Zion Rd, Hoot Kiam Rd, (Paterson Hill), Paterson Rd, Orchard Rd, Prinsep St, Selegie Rd, Bt Timah Rd, (CTE), Yio Chu Kang Rd, Buangkok Green, Sengkang East Rd, Sengkang East Way, Punggol Rd, Punggol Central, (Punggol Pl), Punggol Temp Int.
Route 148: Sengkang Temp Int - Shenton Way Ter
Slightly mirroring the old sv82 between Serangoon/Bendemeer Rd & Shenton Way Ter with an extended loop via Marina Centre & Bayfront but a faster route from Sengkang/Hougang via the CTE.
Direction 1
Sengkang Int, (Sengkang Square), Compassvale Rd, Compassvale St, Rivervale Dr, (Sengkang East Ave), Upp Serangoon Rd, Hougang Ave 10, Hougang Ave 2, Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, (CTE), Jln Toa Payoh, Bendemeer Rd, Lavender St, Crawford St, Beach Rd, (Bras Basah Rd, Raffles Blvd), Temasek Blvd, Temasek Ave, Bayfront Ave, Central Blvd, Shenton Way, Palmer Rd.
Direction 2
Palmer Rd, (Shenton Way, Keppel Rd), Anson Rd, Robinson Rd, Marina Blvd, Bayfront Ave, Raffles Ave, (Stamford Rd), Beach Rd, Crawford St, Lavender St, Serangoon Rd, Jln Toa Payoh, (CTE), Ang Mo Kio Ave 3, Hougang Ave 2, Hougang Ave 10, Upp Serangoon Rd, (Sengkang East Ave), Rivervale Dr, Compassvale St, Compassvale Rd, (Sengkang Square), Sengkang Int.
Will add in more suggestions in time to come. Comments are welcome.
With regards to the NEL bus rationalisation, as to why some connections were lost, apart from some of them already served by NEL, I think the other reason is because back then, bus routes were designed for profits, thus less demanded connections may have been removed.
What I am suggesting is more on optimising resources, because space is limited and I do not think we can forever have more buses on the roads. I believe if we update bus networks, we may not need so many buses on the roads. especially with more and more MRT stations coming along, I think the more we should update the bus networks to take advantage of them. not say take advantage la, but, to optimise resources.
Lakeside MRT and Taman Jurong I can understand why. last time 98 keep having more and more buses, before 49 came in. 240 also quite packed. reason is quite simple: many people do not like to keep climbing stairs. which is why I said (but -deleted- that reply soon after) that if there were a bus route from JE to TJ via CG, bus routes like 98 and 49 may experience fall in loading. because people will prefer this new route as they can take it directly from CG mrt, and directly to JE mrt.
really, I am really glad I chance upon the driving feature on google maps. it has really helped me a lot in creating new routes to suggest. you should try it to. i did not accept all the routes it generated la, but at least it has helped me come out with better route suggestions then if i were to just "trial-and-error".
Service 102: Hougang Central - Punggol (via Seletar Airport)
Hougang Ctrl Int
Hougang Ctrl
Upp Serangoon Rd
Upp Serangoon Cres (Upp Serangoon View in opposite direction)
Upp Serangoon Rd
Buangkok Dr (New bus stops)
Sengkang Ctrl (Buangkok MRT)
Compassvale Dr
Compassvale Rd
Sengkang East Way (Sengkang MRT)
Sengkang West Way
Fernvale Rd (Fernvale LRT) (New bus stop)
Sengkang West Ave
Sengkang West Rd (New bus stops)
Seletar Aerospace Way (New bus stop)
Oxford St
West Camp Rd
Seletar West Link (New bus stops)
Seletar North Link (New bus stops)
Punggol Way (Nibong and Sumang LRT) (New bus stops)
Punggol Ctrl
Punggol Pl
Punggol Temp Int
- Replace svc 324 (which has disastrous loading anyway); if demand grows, can introduce 102M to ply existing route of 324, so that those along Upp Serangoon Cres/View don't have to walk so much
- Connect Buangkok Dr (which has no service today) to Buangkok MRT, and better utilise Buangkok MRT at the same time
- Connect Sengkang West Way (which only has the terrible svc 85) to Sengkang MRT and Seletar Mall
- Connect Seletar Aerospace Park to Sengkang and Punggol MRT stations (the nearest MRT stations)
- Provide a trunk service for Nibong and Sumang LRT (which has no service today) and flats there under construction
- The sector between Seletar Airport and Punggol seems windy and redundant, so may consider looping at West Camp Rd instead
- If implemented, expect loading on svc 85 to drop even further
Originally posted by array88:Service 102: Hougang Central - Punggol (via Seletar Airport)
Hougang Ctrl Int
Hougang Ctrl
Upp Serangoon Rd
Upp Serangoon Cres (Upp Serangoon View in opposite direction)
Upp Serangoon Rd
Buangkok Dr (New bus stops)
Sengkang Ctrl (Buangkok MRT)
Compassvale Dr
Compassvale Rd
Sengkang East Way (Sengkang MRT)
Sengkang West Way
Fernvale Rd (Fernvale LRT) (New bus stop)
Sengkang West Ave
Sengkang West Rd (New bus stops)
Seletar Aerospace Way (New bus stop)
Oxford St
West Camp Rd
Seletar West Link (New bus stops)
Seletar North Link (New bus stops)
Punggol Way (Nibong and Sumang LRT) (New bus stops)
Punggol Ctrl
Punggol Pl
Punggol Temp Int
- Replace svc 324 (which has disastrous loading anyway); if demand grows, can introduce 102M to ply existing route of 324, so that those along Upp Serangoon Cres/View don't have to walk so much
- Connect Buangkok Dr (which has no service today) to Buangkok MRT, and better utilise Buangkok MRT at the same time
- Connect Sengkang West Way (which only has the terrible svc 85) to Sengkang MRT and Seletar Mall
- Connect Seletar Aerospace Park to Sengkang and Punggol MRT stations (the nearest MRT stations)
- Provide a trunk service for Nibong and Sumang LRT (which has no service today) and flats there under construction
- The sector between Seletar Airport and Punggol seems windy and redundant, so may consider looping at West Camp Rd instead
- If implemented, expect loading on svc 85 to drop even further
Hi mr array88, not very true la. Sbs 85 loading will not drop much even if this service is introduced. Everybody has the wrong misconception that whatever service duplicates a sector of sbs 85, then its loading will drop. This service does not even serve the other side of Punggol central/Punggol east/sengkang east drive/sengkang east way/rivervale drive/compassvale drive which gives sbs 85 its loading. So why should sbs 85 loading drop? Everybody thinks sbs 85 loading comes from Punggol mrt side but it is actually considered a vital service for Punggol east near to the Riveria LRT and sengkang east people. To be frank, sbs 85 loading is increasing due to pent-up frustration for Punggol central residents. There are more and more flats and no new services for Punggol central and east people. Cheers.
Havn't been planning routes for quite awhile, inspired to do this after personally experiencing it yesterday.
SMRT Service 984
Choa Chu Kang - Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 (Loop)
Via:
Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zmJW9VteOoJY.k5FF5ssW4u8o&usp=sharing
Noone's a perfectionist, so comments are warmly welcomed.
Route Suggestion: Service 102
- Direct connectivity between Buangkok MRT and Sengkang West Road (relieves 50/163 by providing link to another MRT station)
- Connects Jln Kayu/Sengkang West Way BTOs to Seletar Mall
Please comment on my suggestion and ways I can improve
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z-ZflH1PNuy8.kZMNV9TZFGpk
Townlink Service at Jurong East Bus Interchange
Service 338: Jurong East Bus Interchange to Jurong West Street 52, 51, 42, 41 and Jurong East Street 32 (Loop)
Route: Uses Service 335, 334 and 333's route
Buses: 9 SD and 16 DD
Originally posted by Guides anyone?:Havn't been planning routes for quite awhile, inspired to do this after personally experiencing it yesterday.
SMRT Service 984
Choa Chu Kang - Ang Mo Kio Avenue 6 (Loop)
Via:
- Choa Chu Kang Ave 4
- Choa Chu Kang Dr
- KJE (express)
- BKE (express)
- SLE (express)
- Upp Thomson Rd
- Yio Chu Kang Rd
- Ang Mo Kio Ave 5
- Ang Mo Kio Ave 8
- Ang Mo Kio Ave 6 (LOOP)
- Ang Mo Kio Ave 5
- Yio Chu Kang Rd
- Upp Thomson Rd
- SLE (express)
- BKE (express)
- KJE (express)
- Choa Chu Kang Dr
- Choa Chu Kang Loop
- Provides Direct Connection for CCK residents to AMK other than NSL
- Connecting YCK Rd/ AMK Ave 5 residents to YCK MRT, providing them an alternative station to transfer to the MRT other than AMK, complenting 138 at the same time for that stretch
Map link: https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zmJW9VteOoJY.k5FF5ssW4u8o&usp=sharing
Noone's a perfectionist, so comments are warmly welcomed.
why don't make it terminate at YCK bus terminus?
instead of looping at AMK Ave 6 via AMK Ave 8, make it loop at ave 8 via Ave 6
Originally posted by SMB145B:why don't make it terminate at YCK bus terminus?
instead of looping at AMK Ave 6 via AMK Ave 8, make it loop at ave 8 via Ave 6
YCK cannot accomodate one more svc already,Too cramped.Even AMK already bursting with those added fleet feeders.
Originally posted by SMB145B:why don't make it terminate at YCK bus terminus?
instead of looping at AMK Ave 6 via AMK Ave 8, make it loop at ave 8 via Ave 6
Like what carbikebus said, taking into consideration the cramped interchanges, it is better to make it a loop service.
If loop via avenue 8, I cant seem to find a place for a bus stop near YCK MRT. Any recommendations??
Originally posted by carbikebus:YCK cannot accommodate one more svc already,Too cramped.Even AMK already bursting with those added fleet feeders.
Originally posted by Guides anyone?:Like what carbikebus said, taking into consideration the cramped interchanges, it is better to make it a loop service.
If loop via avenue 8, I cant seem to find a place for a bus stop near YCK MRT. Any recommendations??
what if, the ultimate solution is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)?
coming soon: Thomson MRT Line
interim measure: bus interchange expansions
Originally posted by JurongWestresident:what if, the ultimate solution is the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)?
coming soon: Thomson MRT Line
interim measure: bus interchange expansions
Even with new MRT Lines, it isn't bad at all to have supplementary routes that complement them.
I would like to suggest svc 229 to ply Bedok South Ave 1 (new bus stop) and New Upper Changi Road on the way back to Bedok Int, skipping a portion of Bedok South Rd.
In this way, it will call at a bus stop outside Bedok MRT before heading towards Chai Chee and back to Bedok Int. This will allow pax who board at Bedok South Ave 3 and Bedok South Rd to transfer to EWL directly here, instead of either alighting at New Upper Changi Road and walking to MRT or wasting time going aroung Chai Chee. Those going to Chai Chee Rd can also have one more service if they choose to take the bus at Bedok MRT bus stop instead of Bedok Int. The two bus stops skipped already have many services to Bedok Int.
Sadly, the route towards Bedok South Ave 3 cannot be amended like this because the bus cannot turn from New Upper Changi Rd to Bedok South Ave 1.
Originally posted by array88:Service 102: Hougang Central - Punggol (via Seletar Airport)
Hougang Ctrl Int
Hougang Ctrl
Upp Serangoon Rd
Upp Serangoon Cres (Upp Serangoon View in opposite direction)
Upp Serangoon Rd
Buangkok Dr (New bus stops)
Sengkang Ctrl (Buangkok MRT)
Compassvale Dr
Compassvale Rd
Sengkang East Way (Sengkang MRT)
Sengkang West Way
Fernvale Rd (Fernvale LRT) (New bus stop)
Sengkang West Ave
Sengkang West Rd (New bus stops)
Seletar Aerospace Way (New bus stop)
Oxford St
West Camp Rd
Seletar West Link (New bus stops)
Seletar North Link (New bus stops)
Punggol Way (Nibong and Sumang LRT) (New bus stops)
Punggol Ctrl
Punggol Pl
Punggol Temp Int
- Replace svc 324 (which has disastrous loading anyway); if demand grows, can introduce 102M to ply existing route of 324, so that those along Upp Serangoon Cres/View don't have to walk so much
- Connect Buangkok Dr (which has no service today) to Buangkok MRT, and better utilise Buangkok MRT at the same time
- Connect Sengkang West Way (which only has the terrible svc 85) to Sengkang MRT and Seletar Mall
- Connect Seletar Aerospace Park to Sengkang and Punggol MRT stations (the nearest MRT stations)
- Provide a trunk service for Nibong and Sumang LRT (which has no service today) and flats there under construction
- The sector between Seletar Airport and Punggol seems windy and redundant, so may consider looping at West Camp Rd instead
- If implemented, expect loading on svc 85 to drop even further
Good route... just that I prefer it rather loops @ Seletar hills rather than go West Camp road. And yes it should substitute 324 as you correctly pointed out that has quite bad loading... In fact, it can do Upper Serangoon Crescent in both directions... as the stop along view has no takers... no hdbs around.. and the schools also have stop for 62/136. 85 loading will be affected because of Sengkang West way to Sengkang MRT unlike what dupdup said... but also want to point out.. my observation is people rather prefer to walk to LRT rather than take 85 to alight at Sengkang East road and walk... + the not so good frequency of 85.
85 in future will work as a good intra-town in my opinion once west area develops...
Feeder 227: Bedok - Jln Pari Burong (Loop)
Bedok Int
Bedok North Dr
Bedok North Ave 1
New Upper Changi Rd (Bedok MRT)
Bedok North Ave 3
Bedok North St 2 (New bus stops)
Bedok North Rd
New Upper Changi Rd (Tanah Merah MRT)
Bedok Rd
Upper Changi Rd (New bus stops)
Jln Pari Dedap (New bus stop)
Jln Pari Burong (New bus stop)
Upper Changi Rd
Bedok Rd
New Upper Changi Rd (Tanah Merah MRT)
Bedok North Rd
Bedok North St 2 (New bus stops)
Bedok North Ave 3
New Upper Changi Rd (Bedok MRT)
Bedok North Ave 1
Bedok North Dr
Bedok Int
- New bus service for Bedok North St 2, Upper Changi Rd (Anglican High), Jln Pari Dedap and Jln Pari Burong
- Connection to Bedok and Tanah Merah MRT, as well as Bedok Market Place and East Villege
- Alternative for svc 14 (at Tanah Merah), 28, 67, 222 (at Bedok MRT)
Originally posted by array88:I would like to suggest svc 229 to ply Bedok South Ave 1 (new bus stop) and New Upper Changi Road on the way back to Bedok Int, skipping a portion of Bedok South Rd.
In this way, it will call at a bus stop outside Bedok MRT before heading towards Chai Chee and back to Bedok Int. This will allow pax who board at Bedok South Ave 3 and Bedok South Rd to transfer to EWL directly here, instead of either alighting at New Upper Changi Road and walking to MRT or wasting time going aroung Chai Chee. Those going to Chai Chee Rd can also have one more service if they choose to take the bus at Bedok MRT bus stop instead of Bedok Int. The two bus stops skipped already have many services to Bedok Int.
Sadly, the route towards Bedok South Ave 3 cannot be amended like this because the bus cannot turn from New Upper Changi Rd to Bedok South Ave 1.
I had made this suggestion as well.. 229 is quite long winding especially for Bedok South Ave 3 and latter part of Bedok south road where it is the only service connecting to Bedok MRT.
229 should go directly via Bedok south road instrad of doing Chai Chee... and should have short feeder 224 introduced that does Bedok Interchange >> Upper Changi Rd >> Chai Chee & back to Bedok Interchange in loop fashion with 3 buses.
Originally posted by Guides anyone?:Like what carbikebus said, taking into consideration the cramped interchanges, it is better to make it a loop service.
If loop via avenue 8, I cant seem to find a place for a bus stop near YCK MRT. Any recommendations??
the bus stop could be just after Avenue 6 junction, near to the entrance to the bus terminal
Route Suggestion for Svc 807 (Yishun - Yishun Ave 1)
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zlV7JFPSU_ZU.kcKRf1c4AY_0
Originally posted by JurongWestresident:
- some ideas on Bedok town feeder network(s).
- 33 buses for eight minutes frequency. 41 buses for six minutes frequency. 74 buses for three minutes frequency.
- https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=z0EIBCs5wxHI.k1czokCdU5Kk&usp=sharing
Bedok feeders are quite mature and I would say they are quite well designed (except the windy 229). With the help of other feeder-like trunks such as 14, 17, 38, 60, 66, 69 etc, these services are generally doing good enough.
Your design seems good in some ways, but some links are missing (not exactly like 300 saga). There is definitely a need for areas such as Chai Chee and Bedok Reservoir (e.g. sv 228's looping point) to be connected to Bedok where a lot of facilities are. Some feeders proposed are already covered very well by trunks (e.g. 17, 60) and there's no need to break them into separate feeders. And don't expect everyone to walk from Changi Rd to Kembangan MRT or wait for additional 10 minutes to Eunos Int. Some sectors of Bedok North Rd, Bedok North Ave 3 and Chai Chee St also have no service at all (if trunks are not there).
On the other hand, some of the services currently plying Bedok Reservoir Rd (from Eunos Link to Kaki Bukit Ave 1) can be diverted to Kaki Bukit MRT via Jln Damai, Kaki Bukit Ave 1 and Jln Tenaga, to link Kaki Bukit MRT to Bedok Reservoir while still keeping the bus stops along Jln Damai and Jln Tenaga after services there go back to Kaki Bukit Ave 1. Maybe svc 22 can do the job since it already duplicates many services. Svc 228 can also be extended to Kaki Bukit MRT.
DTL3 is also a chance for more services in Ubi and Kaki Bukit to cover the roads that do not have a bus service today (there are quite a lot).
I know this is rather random but just want to have a try...
Service 18: Tampines - Eunos
Tampines Int
Tampines Ctrl 3
Tampines Ave 7
Tampines St 42 (New bus stops)
Tampines Ave 9 (Tampines East MRT)
Tampines Ave 2
Tampines Ave 1 (Tampines West MRT)
Bedok Reservoir Rd
Bedok North Ave 3 (Bedok Reservoir MRT)
Bedok North Rd
Bedok North Ave 2
Bedok North St 1
Bedok North Interchange
Bedok Int (enter interchange in both directions - can also save parking lots)
Bedok North Dr
Bedok North Ave 1
Siglap Rd
Marine Parade Rd (Marine Terrace MRT)
Telok Kurau Rd
East Coast Rd
Joo Chiat Rd
Marine Parade Rd (Marine Parade MRT)
Amber Rd
Haig Rd (New bus stops)
Geylang Rd (Sims Ave, Engku Aman Rd and Geylang Rd in opposite direction)
Paya Lebar Rd (Paya Lebar MRT)
Eunos Ave 5
Eunos Rd 8
Eunos Ave 4 (New bus stops) (Eunos Ave 5, Eunos Rd 5, Eunos Ave 6 in opposite direction) - There are a lot of unidirectional roads here... This route is okay as per Google Maps
Eunos Rd 2
Eunos Int