In a move to increase capacity, SMRT will add more than 100 double-decker buses to its fleet in batches from June, reported The Straits Times. The public transport operator currently only has regular and 'bendy' buses plying the roads.
Speaking during a media preview of its revamped 'learning journey' yesterday, SMRT Buses Vice President Tan Kian Heong said the double-deckers will be deployed on longer routes from residential estates to the city.
Mr. Tan noted that while the double-deckers will be useful for adding capacity on services into the city, they are not as suitable for heavily-used feeder routes.
He said that it would be inconvenient for commuters to climb up and down the upper deck when they may only be taking the bus for a short distance.
Mr. Tan said SMRT is also actively hiring more drivers. He added that the new double-deckers are part of several initiatives SMRT is implementing to improve the commuting experience.
The operator has also conducted a trial of a telematics system for its buses - essentially a 'black box' that will record and transmit data during a journey. Mr. Tan said these 'black boxes' will be installed on SMRT's bus fleet over time, and allow the operator to track the driving behaviour of its drivers. In the longer term, the plan is to analyse the data gathered to identify potential problem areas.
SMRT has 1,263 buses in its fleet and about 2,500 drivers. It operates bus services from Yishun, Sembawang, Woodlands, Bukit Panjang, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok.
