SMRT Double Deckers to Begin Service on 13 July 2014

Commuters may look forward to more room on board Bus Service 972 when the first 3 of 201 Double Deckers begin their maiden journey along this route on 13 July 2014. The launch of SMRT’s Double Deckers will bring greater comfort and help ease congestion, particularly during peak hours, along Bukit Panjang Road, Penang Road, Orchard Road, Somerset Road and Scotts Road.

On Sunday, 6 July 2014, a preview event was organized for Bukit Panjang grassroots leaders to familiarise themselves with the Double Deckers in the lead-up to the launch. The event was graced by Bukit Panjang Adviser Dr. Teo Ho Pin who, along with about 80 grassroots members, embarked on a Double Decker tour around the Bukit Panjang estate. Besides giving a brief
orientation of the Double Decker, which sports wheelchair friendly features, safety mechanisms and greater capacity, grassroots leaders also got an overview of the initiatives SMRT has undertaken to enhance service standards.

In the next 3 months, more Double Deckers will be progressively introduced to 9 other bus services, following a series of road tests, tree pruning and personnel training. These are essential services plying longer, heavily used routes, namely Bus Services 106, 188, 190, 850E, 951E, 960, 963, 966 and 969.

To enhance commuters' traveling experience, SMRT will continue to monitor the road conditions causing congestion and traffic jams closely, and where necessary, provide swift and dynamic reinforcement.

Mr. Benny Lim, SMRT Senior Vice President for Roads Business said, “The Double Decker launch marks a significant milestone in our quest to provide greater comfort to passengers who journey with us. This involves changing the way which bus drivers and technicians are trained, retrofitting existing bus depots, as well as observing new safety standards. Our collective efforts have today borne good results, and we are thrilled that we can finally put these Double Deckers on the road.”