Commuters left in the lurch after smaller premium bus shows up
16 Apr 2015|2,218 views
The Straits Times reported that commuters using a premium bus service, which charges $4 for a guaranteed seat were left in the lurch yesterday morning when a smaller bus pulled up.
A video clip from a passenger on board showed the driver of service 564, which goes from Farrer Road to the central business district, telling commuters sheepishly that the bus could take only six more. This was because operator SBS Transit had downsized from a 46-seater bus to a 30-seater.
The waiting commuters appeared flabbergasted. In all, 11 people boarded the bus. The driver, who did not move off, repeated the no-standing rule. Eventually, those who were not seated disembarked - but not before protesting.
In defence, SBS Transit said that, based on its records, the service had an average of 35 passengers. Company spokesman Tammy Tan said, "The old 46-seater was removed from service as it was due to be scrapped. A new 35-seater bus was to have been put in its place but, due to exigencies, a 30-seater ran instead. We will be deploying the 35-seater on 16th April, and this should be able to meet demand. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed."
SBS Transit, which currently operates 25 premium bus services, said it could not reveal how many seats each one had because of 'competitive reasons'.
Regular bus commuter Tan Pang Soon, 26, said such incidents will continue to surface as bigger buses are replaced by smaller ones. He said it might be better for the Government to review the premium bus service framework and perhaps launch more tax-funded City Direct services to cater to demand.
The Straits Times reported that commuters using a premium bus service, which charges $4 for a guaranteed seat were left in the lurch yesterday morning when a smaller bus pulled up.
A video clip from a passenger on board showed the driver of service 564, which goes from Farrer Road to the central business district, telling commuters sheepishly that the bus could take only six more. This was because operator SBS Transit had downsized from a 46-seater bus to a 30-seater.
The waiting commuters appeared flabbergasted. In all, 11 people boarded the bus. The driver, who did not move off, repeated the no-standing rule. Eventually, those who were not seated disembarked - but not before protesting.
In defence, SBS Transit said that, based on its records, the service had an average of 35 passengers. Company spokesman Tammy Tan said, "The old 46-seater was removed from service as it was due to be scrapped. A new 35-seater bus was to have been put in its place but, due to exigencies, a 30-seater ran instead. We will be deploying the 35-seater on 16th April, and this should be able to meet demand. We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as needed."
SBS Transit, which currently operates 25 premium bus services, said it could not reveal how many seats each one had because of 'competitive reasons'.
Regular bus commuter Tan Pang Soon, 26, said such incidents will continue to surface as bigger buses are replaced by smaller ones. He said it might be better for the Government to review the premium bus service framework and perhaps launch more tax-funded City Direct services to cater to demand.
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