What will Dengue cost you today?: The SMB1H experience

Hi, after a long while of idleness, I have became the latest Singapore Idle...

Anyway, received news that the OC500LE under SMRT would be out today. The 1st trip was at 10am. I was awaken by a SMS, sent by WS at a wierd time, 4am. It stated that SMB1H was withdrawn from its TQ shift today, which I found unacceptable and illogical to believe. I was wondering how a KJDEP starter would remove a bus from its shift at 2am in the morning. I could not sleep and woke up, went out and used the com from 5:30-7am. Read a forum message by Alan, stating that he called up KJ and they said that SMB1H was in service. Now, the depot states that it was on service, but a person who CLAMES to be a SMRT staff says otherwise. Of course I would believe the depot starter than a person I do not know.

Left home at 8:50 upon checking iris that 168 arrives in 2 mins. Ran down and made it just in time for 9455M. Arrived at Woodlands Interchange at 9:30. Went to the office to get the new guides. SMRT services suck these days. A female staff in her 20s I approached was 'stunned' by my request for 1 guide for 1 service. No wonder they say that Singaporeans do not possess the service DNA.

Took MRT to Choa Chu Kang. Called JY while waiting for the train, he was still at home and I offered to keep him updated. Arrived at 9:45am. Just then, saw the star of the day, SMB1H turning into CCK Int. 2 SMRT staff was seen taking photos of it at the alighting berth. It was 9:52, no one was seen at CCK Int, probably 'tricked' by that SBS877M. TIB 1133B left at 0953. A guy dint board the bus, there goes my 1st pax of SMB1H :@. Q up, saw the bus reversing at 10am sharp, with 190 EDS. Met Alan who joined me in the trip. Paid cash for the trip, ticket number 2171, 2nd tix...

Found a seat and chatted with Alan. The bus started to fill quick, the next bus, TIB1042E overtook us at Teck Whye, the pax should be thankful that they took 1042E. Read on to find out...

2 things special that we found out at this point:

1) Door closing chime: 'Doors Closing, dee x 12' -Similar to that to MRT train

2) 'Welcome to SMRT bus service, please move to the back, thank you, have a nice day!'

All was well till the slope leading to BKE, 1042E was 3 mins b4 us at this point. The bus lost speed, eventually vibrated at Dairy Farm, Air con dying at Eng Neo, and jerking violently near Lornie Road and breaking down there. Me and Alan went to take some photos of the interior and exterior while the pax were getting off and transferred to other 190 buses. Passengers were heard saying this, 'How can SBS give such a fu*king bus' and other calls such as 'I will be late' were heard. Photos are at the end of the post. We transferred to 881G and continued to New Bridge Road. Met Ben and JY on the bus. We took the same bus back to CCK to see it's replacement bus, to no avail. We had lunch at the Kopitiam and went to Yishun to meet TS and Terrence. We took 927 to Mandai Road to change for 171. While talking about 'printing tix', someone pressed the bell, shocking us. lol. Met with TS and Terrence at Yishun Int. Took a ride on 811 with JY and TS. KP came to join us later. We continued to Tampines and left TS at Yishun Int. We saw 2746U on 292. Called Edwin and found out that 965S on 291. So I left them and took photos at the exit. Photos at the end of the post. Went home after that.

SMB1H Photos