167 on MAN NL323F(Euro V) SMB1367X

[SG1201T Citaro]

Having some spare time on my hands for a long bus journey, I decided to embark on 167 partly because of the route length, and also due to the reason that it passes though places on its southerly track that I have never been before. With that, I settled into a short wait at Sembawang Bus Interchange and it was not long before a MAN NL323F Euro V(SMB1367X) pulled into the berth to begin its rotation. At Sembawang, only 5 passengers, myself included, boarded the bus.

Throughout the journey, due in part to the low demand as well as the fact that the route is duplicated on multiple segments by other bus services, the bus is observed to be empty and very few passengers boarded or alighted. Nearing the military bases in the Sembawang Area(Khatib Camp, SBAB, Chong Pang Camp etc.) the bus in fact slowed down and stopped at a few bus stops when no one alighted or boarded, this was possibly due to the low volume of passengers which resulted in the bus running ahead of schedule, a situation in which, under the BSRF(Bus Service Reliability Framework), the driver has to slow down so as not to catch up with the preceding bus or be too far from the successive bus. However, at the Upper Thomson Area, the bus is observed to speed up back to normal speed despite the lack of passengers. More to come as the journey continues.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first time I am covering a bus service LIVE, I am writing this article on board this very bus and I will update it as the journey continues.

[SG1201T Citaro]

UPDATE @ 1525, Bus is under the Thomson Flyover(BS 51059)

Cancel my theory on the bus being early, as of now it is actually, for some reason, late 3 mins

[SG1201T Citaro]

UPDATE @ 1542, Orchard Station/Tang Plaza(BS 09047)

Bus is still relatively empty, but starting to fill up now

And yes, the bus is now 5 mins behind schedule

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UPDATE @ 1552, aft Bras Basah Station Exit A(BS 04179)

For a bus that has passed Orchard Road, Somerset and Dhoby Ghaut, it is still very empty.

Perhaps it is due to the timing that I took this bus?

The bus is still 3 mins behind schedule.

[Tan_CJ]

Wow! Thank you for posting the live updates!

[SG1201T Citaro]

UPDATE @ 1600H, OUE Bayfront(BS 03019)

For a bus that is passing through the CBD area, the bus is really empty although by now the rear seats have filled up almost completely

4 mins behind schedule now


And yes, I could have sworn the driver was posing for the photo

[SG1201T Citaro]

UPDATE @ 1612, Blk 111(BS 10071)

Due to an appearance of the B8L on 851e, I have alighted here and will be changing buses to cover 851E live. Thanks for following this livestream for those who did!

[Tan_CJ]

B8L. Sounds like a good switch!