Our Ref: T/AK/1.7/04
TO: ALL AMK SERVICE CAPTAINS
FROM: SDO/AMK
DATE: 10th August 2004
TRANSFER OF SERVICE 859 TO AMK DEPOTWe would like to inform all service captains that with effect from 5th September 2004, AMK would be operating Service 859.
Service captains who are keen to apply to ply this service are to submit their application forms by
16th August 2004.
For your information, please.
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Implications
It happens on the same day as the withdrawl of Service 605. It could mean SSB buses will start to be sent at WLDEP for SMRTB repainting works straight away on that day.
It implies that changes to the route of Service 859, or even Sembawang services generally, is on the way. Likely possibilities include the extension of Service 859 beyond Yishun, or simply the merger of a Yishun trunk service with Service 859, most likely with either service 853, 854 or 857. Note that this could happen right on 5th Sep itself, just that the posters are not ready for public display yet.
The full (?. don't count cameos.) Bendy fleet status of Service 859 could be gone. Volgren Bendies will disappear from Yishun Int with the exception of those few on 856 and sometimes 857. It is likely some Habits of Svc 859 may go to AMKDEP to beef up its fleet a bit in case it runs a shortage of buses due to this depot change, and some O.405's going over to WLDEP in exchange for the Habits cannot be ruled out too.
It could also be seen as a preparation for Service 950's launch. The 20 buses could officially end their duties on their current deployed services and be marked as permanent buses for Service 950. Volgren Bendies and Habits freed up by the release of Service 859 might be used to replace the 20 buses. But whether KJDEP buses out of the 20 Svc 950 buses will be replaced is yet to be seen, but it is possible some Habits may end up in KJDEP as well.
"
Service captains who are keen to apply to ply this service are to submit their application forms by 16th August 2004." This sentence is also something worth understanding. What will happen to those wldep drivers who have been driving Svc 859 since amdep drivers will be taking over Svc 859 since the letter is addressed to amdep captains?