An online petition on Change.org is gathering steam.
No, it has nothing to do with taking down SgInstaBabes’ Patreon page or championing any inspirational causes this time.
Over 2,000 people simply want their original SBS Bus 14 route back.
SBS Transit announced on 23 Aug that Bus 14 would pass over 7 bus stops, in a bid to “enhance commuters’ connectivity to Buona Vista MRT station”.
The changed route is set to be implemented on 9 Sep.
Problem is, students and parents alike are concerned about the schools that the bus will now skip.
Namely, these bus stops* that service schools in Dover,
*Bus Stop numbers listed in brackets.
Backers of the petition added that they felt the route changes ceased to benefit Buona Vista MRT commuters, and brought “great inconvenience” to residents and students of Dover Avenue.
Affected commuters will also no longer have a direct bus service to East Coast Road and Tanah Merah MRT.
To replace these 7 bus stops, Bus 14 will now service 8 new bus stops* along the way.
*Bus Stop numbers listed in brackets.
We think that’s probably good news to ACJC students, but what other problems do Dover residents foresee?
Some have pointed out that the new route changes may result in more parents fetching their children to school.
Private transport like cars and taxis, may worsen the “already atrocious jam” along Dover Road in mornings and afternoons.
Plus, petitioners claim that many of the new stops covered are already served by other buses which also pass Buona Vista MRT station.
Going from Commonwealth Ave West Opp Blk 19A CP (19019) to Buona Vista MRT station, is currently served by two routes:
The planned changes are supposed to “primarily benefit residents of new HDB developments”, such as Ghim Moh Edge and Ghim Moh Valley.
Currently, these estates don’t have a direct link to Buona Vista MRT station, said LTA.
They’ve also based their decision on “ticketing data”, to conclude that only a “small” number of commuters will be affected.
SBS Transit added that alternatives like bus service 33, 74, 166 or 196 are available, if residents wish to connect to Service 14 after the new route begins.
The first bus from Clementi Interchange will also depart 5 min earlier, at 5.40am daily.
We think it’s unlikely that SBS Transit will amend the new route to cater to petitioners, since “alternatives are already available”.
Affected students and residents will probably just have to brace themselves for the mad morning rushes to come.
Hopefully, current residents’ feedback will be useful for SBS Transit and LTA in planning new bus routes in the future.
If you wish to join the Bus 14 petition, you may sign up here.
Featured image from Google Maps and Change.org.
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