BUSES & TECHNOLOGIES
Buses and their technologies have come a long way in Singapore over the years. In the past, buses used to be mostly diesel-powered and operated manually by drivers. However, with advancements in technology and the increasing need for more sustainable and efficient transportation, Singapore has been gradually transitioning towards a greener and smarter bus system.
In the late-90s, there was a growing move by bus companies to expand the capacities of their buses. On one side was SBS who preferred the double-decker bus, and on the other side was TIBS who preferred the articulated (or bendy) bus. TIBS supposedly preferred the bendy bus as it had more doors to allow faster boarding times and could better accommodate physical and mobility issues. However, the longer buses also took up more space on the roads.
After TIBS was taken over by SMRT, the bendy buses were gradually phased out in favour of the double decker bus. Kids at the front row of the upper deck could peer into the mirrors that provided visability for the driver, until they were replaced by cameras.
Articulated Buses vs Double-Decker Buses
Other familiar sounds.
References
FastCarsNoRules220, “The History of Singapore's Transit Buses Part 1/3 (1973-2001).” YouTube video, 6:07. January 15, 2021. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tauRGawVtxI.
FastCarsNoRules220, “The History of Singapore's Transit Buses Part 2/3 (2001-2006).” YouTube video, 7:17. April 2, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCKRpW6iQE8.
FastCarsNoRules220, “The History of Singapore's Transit Buses Part 3/3 (2016-2018 & Beyond).” YouTube video, 5:37. April 2, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7ZxUs2zqRs.
Lee, Meiyu. “The Road to Nationalisation: Public Buses in Singapore.” BiblioAsia, October 5, 2017. https://biblioasia.nlb.gov.sg/vol-13/issue-3/oct-dec-2017/roadtonationalisation.
Sharp, I. The journey: Singapore’s land transport story. Singapore: SNP International Publishing Pte Ltd.
York, F. W., and A. R. Phillips. Singapore: A History of its Trams, Trolleybuses & Buses. Croydon: DTS Publishing, 1996.
Lochoff, Alex. “Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott.” YouTube video, 6:08. January 15, 2021. https://youtu.be/kGisA_Q0w1c.
Ng Ser Miang (黄思绵) "Transportation in Singapore, Accession Number 004018, Reel/Disk 11 of 28." Interview by Teo Kian Giap. Oral History Centre, National Archives of Singapore, 21, 2017. Audio 00:36:23.
