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Took 851e from Pearl's Centre at around 3.30 pm, and must say that I'm impressed with the loading, was better than I had expected.
Easily over 70 pax boarded at Chinatown and Bugis with the upper deck being nearly fully seated and about 30+ pax alighted at Blk 207 bus stop along Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Only about 20 pax had remained by the time I alighted at Yishun so I would say 851e is way more popular with Ang Mo Kio residents which is quicker than 130/133/166/851 to and fro from the city. When I took a return trip back to Chinatown the laoding was a bit more modest, with about 30 pax on board throughout Yishun and Ang Mo Kio and majority alighted at Little India MRT. Bus was mostly empty along South Bridge Rd because most of the people who flagged 851e wanted to go to Tiong Bahru.
Took about 40 mins to get from Chinatown to Ang Mo Kio which is comparable to the travelling time by MRT. This service has potential and LTA should consider extending 851e to Bukit Merah Int via Tiong Bahru as it can benefit those travelling to SGH a and the DDs can complement regular 851.
SG5924 on 851e arrive at amk blk207 at 636pm with 10 paxes
Don't see why LTA can't extend 851e to Bukit Merah when it's only 3.5km.
Anyone see a drop in loading on CT8?
Originally posted by SMB128B:Again, it is not the problem of the concept itself, but the flaws in its implementation. Just because of strict scheduling, doesn't mean express svcs are necessarily a failure. Strict scheduling is not a by-product of such svcs, it could've been v easily be done away with. I was never in approval of the DDU anyway.
The strict scheduling is important, it actually makes these express services work. Fixed timings at each bus stop (or at the very least, major stops) has to be published.
Passengers want certainty before they leave their house to take these express services, not be kept in the dark and guessing day to day. It is uncertain wait times that forces many passengers to choose the MRT, even if they know they have to stand.
Originally posted by sgbuses:The strict scheduling is important, it actually makes these express services work. Fixed timings at each bus stop (or at the very least, major stops) has to be published.
Passengers want certainty before they leave their house to take these express services, not be kept in the dark and guessing day to day. It is uncertain wait times that forces many passengers to choose the MRT, even if they know they have to stand.
But strict scheduling fails if the timings aren't even reasonable to begin with! So it traces back to the problem of implementation once again.
Originally posted by Marvel68:Which is why I take 12e only when the bus is within 10 mins waiting time, or else I'm better off taking DTL from Tampines East.. The travel time from Tampines to the city on 12e is about the same as DTL actually (albeit about 10 mins longer) if you don't factor in waiting time and BC driving slowly to keep up with schedule as you mentioned. There was once a few weeks ago when the 12e BC waited up to like 5 mins at Tanah Merah MRT bus stop because I think he was ahead of schedule which 12e has a natural tendency since it has poor demand anyway, and not so much because its an express service.
Just yesterday a typical 40 min journey from West Coast to Bukit Merah took me about an hour on 176 because BC was driving at average speed of just 30km/h throughout WC highway and would slow down to 20km/h about 50m before a green traffic light and immediately hit the brakes the moment it turns yellow. As frustrating it is, it shouldn't be conflated with bus being slower than MRT issues as SMB128B mentioned, such can be easily resolved.
Out of curiousity, you waited 30 mins for 12e just for joyriding purposes or because you needed to head somewhere? If its the latter, my advice is please plan an alternative route next time because there are plenty of alternatives from Tampines East to the city including DTL, or there's 518.
Hi mr marvel68, I wait 25 min for 12E from 5.25 to 5.50pm. Not 30 min. I was transferring from service 9 to catch 12E to go to high street centre near Clarke quay. Gosh it was slow. Yes I know there are many alternatives. By the time I wished to consider other methods, I keep checking the app and see the bus still has 15 min to go. Then keep seeing. 10 min, 8 min, etc. The initial waiting time of 22 min lengthened to 25 min because the bus timing app keeps changing. Possibly due to further slowing down of the bus service before it reaches tampines east mrt. In future, just take mrt. Cheers. Thanks.
Originally posted by Marvel68:Took 851e from Pearl's Centre at around 3.30 pm, and must say that I'm impressed with the loading, was better than I had expected.
Easily over 70 pax boarded at Chinatown and Bugis with the upper deck being nearly fully seated and about 30+ pax alighted at Blk 207 bus stop along Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Only about 20 pax had remained by the time I alighted at Yishun so I would say 851e is way more popular with Ang Mo Kio residents which is quicker than 130/133/166/851 to and fro from the city. When I took a return trip back to Chinatown the laoding was a bit more modest, with about 30 pax on board throughout Yishun and Ang Mo Kio and majority alighted at Little India MRT. Bus was mostly empty along South Bridge Rd because most of the people who flagged 851e wanted to go to Tiong Bahru.
Took about 40 mins to get from Chinatown to Ang Mo Kio which is comparable to the travelling time by MRT. This service has potential and LTA should consider extending 851e to Bukit Merah Int via Tiong Bahru as it can benefit those travelling to SGH a and the DDs can complement regular 851.
Guess AMK Ave 6 has more residents than Bedok South (where 12e plies before hitting ECP), hence explaining why 851e is way more popular?
Also, any observations on 147e?
Originally posted by Marvel68:Took 851e from Pearl's Centre at around 3.30 pm, and must say that I'm impressed with the loading, was better than I had expected.
Easily over 70 pax boarded at Chinatown and Bugis with the upper deck being nearly fully seated and about 30+ pax alighted at Blk 207 bus stop along Ang Mo Kio Ave 6. Only about 20 pax had remained by the time I alighted at Yishun so I would say 851e is way more popular with Ang Mo Kio residents which is quicker than 130/133/166/851 to and fro from the city. When I took a return trip back to Chinatown the laoding was a bit more modest, with about 30 pax on board throughout Yishun and Ang Mo Kio and majority alighted at Little India MRT. Bus was mostly empty along South Bridge Rd because most of the people who flagged 851e wanted to go to Tiong Bahru.
Took about 40 mins to get from Chinatown to Ang Mo Kio which is comparable to the travelling time by MRT. This service has potential and LTA should consider extending 851e to Bukit Merah Int via Tiong Bahru as it can benefit those travelling to SGH a and the DDs can complement regular 851.
Probably today is Vesak day,Try to observe more during peak hours Tommorow..So far i see only 10-18 pax on average for the past 3 days.
I waited for the 7.00pm 851e at the busstop outside People's Park Centre on Moday. I was there from 6.59pm. However the bus did not appear. The board says 7.00pm start at Pearl's Centre and if it had followed schedule, it could not have disappeared so fast.
I waited till 7.13pm, when I finally gave up and took the regular 851 instead since the next 851e timing is 7.30pm. Amazingly the 851, served be SG5045B, did the jouney from People's Park Centre to YCK MRT in under 45mins and I was there before 7.55pm. I must admit the driver was really chionging though. If I had waited for the next 851e, Im sure I would have been later than 7.55pm anyway.
So the timings of the bus really matter. As much as this 851e is faster, it is only faster if it comes at the timing you are there. If not, people might be better off finding alternatives, like my case.
Originally posted by JKYY:Don't see why LTA can't extend 851e to Bukit Merah when it's only 3.5km.
Anyone see a drop in loading on CT8?
I would really like 851e to start at Bukit Merah. Cos I work there and I woud gladly take it from BM to AMK where I stay. Infact I was excited when I heard of 851e but was disappointed that it stoped at New Bridge Rd.
Its time to introduce long distance express service rather than all plying Chinatown.
Boon Lay to Tampines
Punggol to Choa Chu Kang
Sembawang to Bukit Batok
Woodlands to Jurong East
this morning, sv851e (SG5922) took around 35 mins to travel from amk ave 6 (blk 304) to little india station. around 15 paxes on board.
i purposely wait for this 851e when SG5066 came 5 mins before.but the journey is too slow. 851e might as well travel express along marymount road/thomson road instead.
Checking the bus app status, SG5066 reach little india mrt station 5 mins earlier than SG5922.
Originally posted by randomguy10:I would really like 851e to start at Bukit Merah. Cos I work there and I woud gladly take it from BM to AMK where I stay. Infact I was excited when I heard of 851e but was disappointed that it stoped at New Bridge Rd.
Just take 851 to Chinatown and transfer to 851e. The fare is the same as if 851e is running all the way to Bt Metah.
Originally posted by randomguy10:I would really like 851e to start at Bukit Merah. Cos I work there and I woud gladly take it from BM to AMK where I stay. Infact I was excited when I heard of 851e but was disappointed that it stoped at New Bridge Rd.
Depending on which part of AMK you reside in, 132 may be better for you.
poor runtime schedule of 851e by LTA or SBST..
i think most likely by LTA.
31+ mins for 851e to travel from yishun to amk ave 6 blk 304 , the run time is even longer than normal 851 run time.
today SG5922 do the 720am departure. reach anderson JC at 744am,
SG5923 do the 740am departure, reach anderson JC at 805am, reach blk 304 at 812am and stay there for 2 mins..
poor runtime schedule of 851e by LTA or SBST..
i think most likely by LTA.
31+ mins for 851e to travel from yishun to amk ave 6 blk 304 , the run time is even longer than normal 851 run time.
today SG5922 do the 720am departure. reach anderson JC at 744am,
SG5923 do the 740am departure, reach anderson JC at 805am, reach blk 304 at 812am and stay there for 2 mins..
Bukit Batok feeder service 991 launching soon, to be run by SMRT.
Originally posted by p228:Bukit Batok feeder service 991 launching soon, to be run by SMRT.
How do you know?
And 991 should be a trunk service by its numbering.
Hoping it is Bukit Batok Int - Tuas Ter I guess.
[SMRT] Introduction of Short-Trip Service 883A
Link (details in poster)
From Sembawang Vista (Sembawang Int) to Canberra Way (Blk 129).
Is this an official short-trip service or a temporary one?
Serving after last bus of Service 883 departed Sembawang Int only?
Originally posted by p228:Bukit Batok feeder service 991 launching soon, to be run by SMRT.
Route 991:
Bukit Batok Central
Bukit Batok East Avenue 3
Bukit Batok East Avenue 6
Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 (covering new bus stops)
Bukit Batok West Avenue 5
Bukit Batok Road
Brickland Road
Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3
Choa Chu Kang Way
KJE
PIE
Pioneer Road North
Jurong West Avenue 4
Jurong West Street 64
Jurong West Central 3
This is a Bukit Batok - Choa Chu Kang - Jurong West service, meant to entrench the 3-town rule. 129 is another trend to follow 39, 85, 161, 168, 965 & 969.
Originally posted by p228:Bukit Batok feeder service 991 launching soon, to be run by SMRT.
hope go to gombak from new BTO flats (the road that i talked about)
Originally posted by p228:Bukit Batok feeder service 991 launching soon, to be run by SMRT.
991 is a trunk service, similar to 990 and yet finalised ...
Originally posted by JKYY:[SMRT] Introduction of Short-Trip Service 883A
Link (details in poster)
From Sembawang Vista (Sembawang Int) to Canberra Way (Blk 129).
Is this an official short-trip service or a temporary one?
Serving after last bus of Service 883 departed Sembawang Int only?
Temporary
Originally posted by SMB315C:Temporary
Until Canberra Stn opening?