Peek into the future with DTL2...
The DTL2 alignment is out! I am disappointed with the alignment however due to the following reasons:1) The line misses the high demand areas like Hillview, Hume Park and Hinhede. The Hillview Station is actually outside Hillview. Are Hillview, Hume Park and Hinhede residents expected to take a feeder bus to Hillview and Beauty World Stations?
2) The line is quite redundant to Bt Panjang residents too, if it is estimated to take 45 minutes to travel to the city centre by DTL2 - approximately the same journey time by Svc 190 or 700 during off-peak hours. DTL2 will definitely be faster than buses during peak hours, but to build a MRT line just to save travel time during peak hours?
3) If Svc 190 is to be withdrawn, how is BPLRT to handle the loads of CCK residents heading to DTL2 Bt Panjang station for a train to city? A MRT station between CCK and Bt Panjang would have been more feasible.
Conclusion: I wonder if DTL2 is going to be a white elephant. The only substantial demand I can see so far, is only from Bt Panjang. Not taking construction costs and future returns into consideration, I welcome the initiative to make public transport a choice mode.
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Here are the stations that I had predicted before the alignment was announced and how it differs from the actual alignment (in brackets):
Bt Panjang, Cashew, Hillview, Hume Park (not built), Hinhede (not built), Beauty World, (Blackmore), Sixth Avenue, (Duchess), Botanical Gardens, (Stevens), Newton, (Rochor)
DTL2 Bus Route Rationalisation (My prediction only)
Svc 67: Will be cutback to terminate at Suntec City instead of plying Serangoon Rd, Sims Ave, New Upp Changi Rd and Bedok Reservoir Rd.
Svc 190: Will be amended to ply via Yew Tee and KJE instead of Bt Panjang Rd.
Svc 171: Will be cutback from Marina Centre to terminate Bukit Panjang Interchange instead of plying Orchard, Scotts Rd, Bukit Timah Rd and Upper Bukit Timah Rd.
Svc 700/700A: Will be withdrawn
Svc 960: Will be withdrawn
Svc 963: Will be withdrawn
Svc 970: Will be withdrawn
