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I catch the SBS Transit Bus 74 at a bus stop near SIM and Ngee Ann Polytechnic on Clementi Road. And as you can imagine, boarding is a challenge. If you are unlucky, the bus doesn't stop as the bottom deck is full of students - even though there are empty seats on the upper deck.
If you miss the 'packed' bus and are lucky, the next bus may arrive within 5 minutes. If you are unlucky, it may take 30 minutes, and again be filled to the brim downstairs. This means the cycle repeats itself again, playing havoc with your schedule.
When you call the Customer Relations Hotline to report the matter, you are greeted with a message to leave your number and they will return your call the next working day. Hmm... a hotline that returns calls the following day? What is a hotline for then?
Despite calling the bus company with suggestions, no action has been taken.
My suggestions included having inspectors on board to direct passengers to empty sections of the bus so capacity is not compromised by students resenting the 'leh cheahness' (troublesomeness) of having to go to the upper deck for a short journey, installing a seat number counter on the front of the bus so we can see where the empty seats are before boarding, and getting the bus driver to encourage more passengers to fill the empty seats.
It is little wonder that people buy cars so they can better manage their time.
The inconsistencies of the public transport is a bugbear we have to bear with. But could students please help alleviate the situation by moving upstairs next time?
Jessica Lim Soik Wah (Ms)
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