Photos of still-existent SBS Transit Express Services as of 2 June 2006Before viewing through the pictures, do take note that, depending on the response, this may (or may not) be my last posting of bus pictures on SINBus and Singapore Buses @ sgForums.
The reason being that I do not want to waste time editing my photos that would only get poor responses from you people here...........
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Over the past few years, numerous SBS Transit Express routes (such as 501, 503, 505, 507, 508, 511, 512 etc) are either cancelled or rerouted due to NEL and/or poor ridership of these services (their fares are very expensive).
So far, the only bunch of surviving SBS Transit Express services are 502 (with its newly created auxiliaries 502A and 502B), 506, and 518 (with its newly created auxiliaries 518A and 518B).
Below are the complete set of photos depicting the surviving batch of SBS Transit Express services:
Express 502: Pioneer Road North <-> Orchard Road and Marina Centre (loop)
Originally between Hougang (later Sengkang) and Boon Lay, this service was rerouted to run between Boon Lay and Marina Centre (loop) after the NEL commencement/rationalisation. On 26 December 2005, it was split into 3 different services (502, 502A and 502B) and rerouted to run between Pioneer Road North and Marina Centre (loop). Runs on all days.
Express 502A: Pioneer Road North <-> Orchard Road and Marina Centre (loop; skips Jurong East areas)
Originally running as AM-peak shortworking trip from Sengkang to Traders Hotel @ Tanglin Road (and after the NEL rationalisation being from Boon Lay to Suntec City), it was rerouted to run as Pioneer Road North <-> Marina Centre weekday peak hour loop service from 26 December 2005 onwards, as a result of reorganisation of Express 502. 502A skips Jurong East areas (which would be covered by 502B).
Express 502B: Jurong West Avenue 1 <-> Marina Centre (loop)
This service is created as a result of Express 502's reorganisation on 26 December 2005. It is a peak hour service that covers the areas in Jurong East that are not covered by Express 502A (502 is not operating when 502A and 502B are in operation.)
Express 506: Jurong East <-> Bedok
Express 506 provides a speedy link between Bedok, Eunos, Toa Payoh, Bukit Batok, and Jurong East. For most of the time, it ran on its original route since its inception. During the years of 2001 and 2002, it was extended to Changi Airport. After the opening of Changi Airport MRT extension (in 2002), it was shortened back to Bedok due to overlapping with MRT lines.
Express 506 runs on all days. Based on my observation, the ridership of Express 506 is rather poor especially in the eastern leg of Express 506's route (except the peak hours).
Express 518: Pasir Ris <-> Marina Centre (loop)
Evolved from Express 503 (Tampines <-> Shenton Way) and Express 505 (Pasir Ris <-> Bukit Merah and World Trade Centre/Harbourfront loop service), Express 518 provides the quickest link between eastern Singapore and City Centre.
On 26 December 2005, 518 was split into 3: 518, 518A, and 518B, during the reorganisation of 518-series services.
Express 518 runs on all days. Ridership on this service is considered very good. Do take note that when 518A and 518B are in operation, 518 would stop running temporarily.
Express 518A: Pasir Ris <-> Marina Centre (loop)
Originally ran as a morning peak shortworking trip from Pasir Ris to Marina Centre, it was rerouted to run between Pasir Ris and Marina Centre as a weekday peak hour loop service since 26 December 2005. This service skips the Tampines and Bedok North areas, which would be served by 518B.
Note that SBS 2888 T is a perm on 518 and 518A.
Express 518B: Tampines Ave 7 <-> Marina Centre (loop)
This service was created as a result of Express 518's reorganisation on 26 December 2005. It was set up to cover the Tampines areas (which are not served by 518A) when 518 was split into 2 services during the weekday peak hours: 518A and 518B. Ridership is considered good for this service.
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Depending on the response for these photos, this may be my last posting of Singapore Bus photos on SINBus and sgForums. If the response/demand is poor, I would not be posting bus pictures on SINBus and sgForums anymore, forever.
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