new bus service for train commuters in the north

COMMUTERS living in the north can soon take a new bus service to work instead of squeezing with MRT crowds. SBS Transit service 128 will begin its first trip next Monday, starting its journey at Yio Chu Kang MRT and ending at Tanjong Pagar MRT.

The new service is part of a plan to let bus services duplicate parts of mature rail lines that face heavy passenger loads, giving commuters more travel options.

These services were scrapped previously when the MRT lines started operations.

Service 128 will make stops at 13 MRT stations along its route, with stops in between stations as well.

The service will run four trips each during the morning and evening rush hour.

Besides service 128, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) said in a press statement on Monday that the number of premium bus services has grown to 76, from 42 in January.

Premium bus services offer commuters a fast and direct journey from the heartlands to the Central Business District, with few stops and a guaranteed seat.

LTA chief executive Yam Ah Mee said the LTA will continue to work with operators to make sure that more of such services will be available.


what's shocking - LTA apparently lost their bearings and claimed that Yio Chu Kang is in the north. So where will Sembawang, Woodlands, Bt Panjang be? Super-north of Singapore? Or we should call ourselves Malaysians because LTA has considered the area to be part of Southern Johor?

those people suffering are those in the super-north. Imagine you board from Marsiling or Woodlands to find all the seats taken, then stand for 16 stops to Raffles Place. Or try to take a bus down town, to find no buses that goes to Shenton Way at all. Add in the daily congestion from the checkpoint and the feeder buses are all choked because most of them run around the checkpoint area.

LTA is still not getting their transportation basics right. SMRT is now helping LTA screw it up further.

where are the 66 new SMRT buses? Oh, one came to Singapore. During the maiden trip, the shiny and green bus broke down on BKE and had to be towed back to workshop. Totally embarrassing. Sheesh.

i'm full of sarcasm in this post because MOT/LTA/SMRT has disappointed the masses again and again. The professional management of SMRT is fast becoming a liability and a thorn in the public transportation landscape. Take note, all the big guns reading.