Fantasy route change. Withdrawal of service 149. Amendments of services 62, 80 and 100.

Click on the picture to view the enlarged version plus the route details although the picture looks ugly. lol.



Anyway, my fantasy route change. I feel that the 149's route that I have created runs parallel with the current 62, 80 and 158. So, I thought of extending 62 to Marina Centre, extend 80 to Punggol following the former 149's route and amend 100 to ply Serangoon Ave 1.

62 will be extended to Marina Centre a little bit different from the former 149's route. It will be going via Victoria Street while the previous 149 went via North Bridge Rd. The reason is 80 is already plying North Bridge Rd and hence I do not wish to duplicate too much of 80's route.

Yi Heng has found a job in Citibank which is commencing on onday. One of his job scope involves dispatching letters to other banks. It is like delivery services. However, it is done on alternate days. In addition, you can work overtime to complete the stack of cheques and letters hat you have pending to be delivered to the clients. When delivered, the client or a representative of the receiving organsiation will have to sign the acknowledgement form to prove in black and white that they have received the cheque or documents. That is like my favourite job no doubt the responsibility is high in safeguarding the $$$ plus checking that the amount and quantity qritten in the acknowledgement form is correct. This is due to the fact that I like to travel and it involves travelling to many places. Besides, $50 transport allowance is given to the dispatcher and I think I won't have to spend $50 for transport. Just buy a bus concession stamp and it involves all my transport needs.

I tried to find other jobs with my friend Yi Heng but no luck. All the jobs require urgent manpower and I am required to start work on the next day. However, I feel that it is too rush for me since I am still committed to my current job as warehouse assistant.

On my hobbies and interests, it was only recently that I found out that my dream job will be to become a bus route planner if there is such a career. It involves creating new bus routes, plus the reasons for such bus routes created plus the demand factor necessary to sustain the profitability of the route. How this comes about is actually since I visited singapore bus forums. I noticed that there are several people who have written numerous route suggestions and posted into the forums. There are arrows and road name to describe the route details. After that, I thought of using Transitlink Bus Guide format to record my new fantasy bus routes created. So here it is. I use Microsoft Word to create the tables merging cells and splitting cells. It looks similar but is different if one examines carefully. It is simply interesting. Plus I can add the types and number of buses that are permanently deployed onto the amended or new bus sevices.

Fantasy roue change 151

Fantasy route change. Service 151 will ply Hougang Ave 1 instead of Hougang Ave 3 from 24th March 2008. For more route details and the pictorial illustration of the route, please click on the image as above to see the enlarged version.

The rationale of changing 151 to ply Hougang Ave 1 which seems to run parallel with Hougang Ave 3 is that there are more residential estates and HDB flats along the road. In addition, many of the commuters who board the service are going to places like Bukit Timah and Clementi Roads where there are educational institutes. SO it is best for 151 to reroute to ply the road where it is nearer to the residential estates. The next reason is that there are several bus services that goes to Hougang Ave 3 stretch the road from Hougang Central. 87, 51 are the two services which fit the bill. By rerouting 151, it creates an uniqueness for this service and it fits the idea of looking from a commuter's perspective of creating bus routes.

Amendment of service 77 (Fantasy route change)

Click on the image to see the enlarged version.

Service 77 will ply Bt Batok West Ave 3 / West Ave 6, East Ave 6 with effect from 16th March 2008. The amended service 77 will benefit residents residing in Bt Batok West Ave 6, East Ave 6 to provide a link to the city.

Fantasy route change Service 52 withdrawn

Fantasy route change. Click on the image to see an enlarged version.
Service 52 will be withdrawn with effect from 10th March 2008 due to heavy duplication with my fantasy route 104.

Basically, service 52 runs parallel with 104 from Sin Ming Rd all the way to Toh Guan Rd at the Jurong East area although there are minor differences in te two routes at Clementi town. Commuters can choose to take 104 instead to get from Sin Ming to Clementi or Jurong area.

Microbe

I went to Ang Mo Kio Library last sun and borrowed a book titled Microbe. Before this book, I have read other books about the description of pirons other than bacteria and viruses or parasites which are commonly known to cause diseases in humans.

Prion receives a name from this phrase as mentioned in the book. Proteinaceous infectious agent.

An example of a prion based disease will be mad cow disease which thankfully doesn't occur in Singapore yet. Little is known about pirons I guess as of now since a search in wikipedia reveals little of how prion manage to cause diseases in humans.

Prion is actually a protein present in our brain. However, if abnormal prions manage to enter our body for example with contact with patients afflicted with mad cow diseases, these abnormal prions can somehow twist the structure of the normal prions in our brains and caused them to become abnormal. These abnormal prions can kill brain cells and left plaques which are large clumps of abnormal prion proteins. The book describes the final appearance of abnormal prion "infected" brain as shards of glass in the brain. Under a microscope, one can see many holes in the brain. Patients can experience neurological defectslike for example sudden mood swings, sudden bursts of laughter, inability to walk. Ultimately, it leads to dementia and complete failure of nervous system and death.

What is unique about prions from bacteria and viruses is that it is able to multiply and reproduce without any genetic material. There is no DNA, RNA molecules and so on. It is just a normal amino acid or protein that we can easily acquire. And because of that, abnormal prions are hard to eradicate. It has been mentioned in the book that prions still remained infectious even though surgical tools that have been utilised on a prion "infected" patients are sterilised, autoclaved. Until the prion, autoclave treatment was able to kill every organism known. Besides, prions are tested for their strength too by exposing them to tons of radiation. As it happened, prions are not deactivated even after tons of radiation. Although prions are so strong and lethal, mad cow disease seems to be a less known disease than HIV.

Mysterious and scary isn't it?

Part time job

I have managed to find a job as warehouse assistant in a SME manufacturing company. It is similar and also different from the one that I have worked previously in DBS.

In this job, I don't really have a job scope. As the sole temp staff in the comapny, I often get pushed around in departments when assistance is required to complete a job. I learnt a bit of picking out stuffs labelled with codes from the warehouse and a bit of updating in the system after the goods have checked with the correct quantity. I also did a bit of data entry of invoices and receipts in the computer. I learn as I go along. I get a chance to see how people use machines. The heaviest load I have handled is 1500 kg crate using a hand operated pellet truck. There is automated pellet truck which is able to transport crates and pellets onto the second level of the warehouse. Plus there is a forklift which can lift out heavy crates from the delivery truck into the warehouse. It is quite cool actually to see how pellets play a major role in easing man's burden in handling heavy and bulky goods.

But as time goes by, it becomes routine and it can get boring over time.

Fantasy Route Change (Amendment of 25 and 26)

Click on the image to view an enlarged version.
Fantasy route change. From 1st March 2008, service 25 and 26 will ply Chai Chee St/Dr instead of New Upper Changi Rd with effect from 1st March 2008. This is one of the measures to improve links to estates with only one feeder service serving. It helps to improve links to other towns from Chai Chee estate and to alleviate 222 demand to Bedok.

ComfortDelgro introduces 7 more premium bus services at 25th February 2008.

Click the image to view the enlarged version. Adapted from SBS Transit website. Visit www.sbstransit.com.sg to see the exact route details and the fares for these services.

ComfortDelgro will be introducing 7 more premium bus services to Shenton Way/Fullerton Rd from the various towns like Punggol, Choa Chu Kang, Punggol, Ang Mo Kio, Sengkang and Bukit Panjang. This will take effect from 25th February 2008. Transitlink Bus Guide version of the routes details will be coming soon.

Care those who cared for you

As I have said in my earlier post, I will like to share some of the interesting functions described in this interesting books entitled "Hepatitis Liver Disease" about liver functions.

The author starts by describing the clear and apparent function of the brain, heart and the stomach. However, there is no single verb that describe what the liver does as it has numerous functions to perform.

To describe liver in simple terms, it is an organ in your body that acts like a highly reliable watchdog, grocer, housekeeper, bodybuilder, energy plant supervisor and sanitation engineer as quoted in the book. Liver is required to process and sort gallons of digested food from the stomach and intestines daily and it must be able to detoxify thousands of substances - ranging from alcohol to bug spray to turpentine fumes. It must also be able to dismantle old red blood cellsand recycle whatever parts that can be saved. It also must have a shared responsibility with the kidneys to control thyroid hormones which influence metabolism. There are other many many more functions of the liver.

The author continues by describing that the liver accomplishes all the functions or missions silently, working in the background, never advertising its presence. And besides, when a part of the liver is damaged or removed, it is sometimes called upon to regenerate itself. When the liver is damaged due to an infection of a virus like Hepatitis and other on, the symptoms that is experienced by the person are common for other illness like for example, flu, fever. By the time you get symptoms specifically for liver disease like jaundice, the liver may have been damaged.

So, I would like to say here is don't neglect those who cares for you silently, or who have been giving you the support in silence. Your liver is one, perhaps another person makes two which you don't know. Treasure them before it is too late.

Amended Service 146 route

Click the image for an enlarged version.

Fantasy route change. Service 146 will be amended with effect from 21st of February 2008. It will be plying Middle Rd, Bencoolen Street and Prinsep Street. For further details of how the change will be, kindly refer to the picture shown above.

198 extension to Soon Lee Bus Pk

Fantasy route change. Service 198 will be extended with effect from 24th February 2008 to Soon Lee Bus Pk. Click on the image to see an enlarged version of the route detials. It will mainly plies St 71, St 81, St 82, St 75 where currently only feeder service 243 plies.
It provides a link between Jurong West to Jurong East and Buona Vista. In that case, time is saved in transferring buses at Boon Lay interchange.



I will be introducing a series of trunk services to places where there are a single feeder services to provide links to other towns. It aims to provide a faster link than to spend time transferring buses or MRT at the interchange.

Ever since I have Orded from the army, my life has become rather mundane. I am still on the way of finding a part time job to kill time. So meanwhile, I am slacking at home, or at times I will help my mum to do some housework. In my opinion, it actually feels rather good to slack once in a while as I know that I will not be enjoying for long. This period will perhaps be the only time when I have zero responsibilities and burden. lol.

Post New Year sickness is commencing in my house in the past few days. My younger brother and sister have been afflicted with colds and flu. I get occasional colds with my nose running on some days.


Some things that I am looking forward will be a new job that can last till my uni orientation, interesting medical books about diseases and inheritation of defective genes, and of course, new bus routes.

On the 19th February 2008, at 2030 in Channel Newsasia, the show entitled "I Journalist" will feature on several bus fans who are really passionate about buses like for example the different models of buses, the buses deployments and so on and so forth related to buses. If you guys want to know more about the world of buses, watch this show then on next tues.

Born to compete?

I have read numerous medical books about diseases. Well, I am interested to see how these small microrganisms work their way and how our body fends off against them.
In addition, I have come to realise one thing. For self interest and for survival, human beings have to compete or sometimes fight with each other.
This world is a dog eat dog world. It is also applicable to the world of bacteria, viruses or even pirions.
Our body immune system is made up of these microrganisms that help us fight against other types of "bad" bacteria and viruses.
Everyday and everytime, the immune system fought countless battles against "bad" microrganisms. Getting sick or even symptoms are indications that the body is engaging in a fierce fight. Even for plants, they also have to compete for sunlight if there are too many of them.

Competition is inevitable. We compete for results in schools, we compete for performances at workplaces, we compare among each other about materialistic things like cars, and so on.

Competition results all becuase of supply and demand factor. If there is a shortage of supply or if the demand is too high, competition will result. Suppose if demand and supply is balanced or kept in check, I will infer that's the only way to eliminate competition. Then again, will that always be the case? Are we born to compete?

Just a thought.

Fantasy route change. Withdrawal of service 82 and 119. Introduction of new feeder service 373.

With effect from 17th February 2008, service 82 and 119 will be withdrawn due to heavy duplication from the other trunk service routes. Service 373 will also be introduced at the same date to cover from Punggol to Punggol Rd End towards Punggol Jetty. Alternative routes are provided in the poster after service 82 and 119 are withdrawn. Route details for 373 are also provided in another poster.

ORD Lor cum Chinese New Year

Finally, the long awaiting day has come.
ORD Date: 7th of Feb 08.

On the 6th February 2008 which is also New Year's Eve, I went back to camp to sign MINDEF Clearance followed by the collection of my pink IC.

This year New Year is especially a joyous occasion as my ORD date is the first day of the Chinese New Year. There is a chinese proverb that says "Good things always come in pairs." I believe that this year will be especially a lucky year. I guess everyone is busy but happy in welcoming this New Year because it starts on Thursday.

I hereby wish everybody a prosperous and a Happy Chinese New Year 2008.

SBS Transit services during Chinese New Year Festive season

SBS Transit Night Owl services 1N to 8N will operate from 6th February to 9th February 2008.

Taken from SBS Transit press releases.

SBS Transit North East Line

On Lunar New Year's Eve (6 February 2008), the last Northbound train will depart HarbourFront Station at 1.55am and the last Southbound train will depart Punggol Station at 1.34am.

The last Northbound train towards Punggol Station and southbound towards HarbourFront Station will depart Dhoby Ghaut Station at 2.04am and 1.56am respectively.

SBS Transit Chinatown Direct Services (CT8, 18 and 28)

Three Chinatown Direct Services (CT 8, 18 and 28) operating hours will be extended for the period between 30 January 2008 and 6 February 2008 as follows:

30 January - 6 February 2008 9pm to 12 Midnight
6 February 2008 11pm (CT8 & CT18), 10.55pm (CT28) to 2am (following day)
7 - 10 February 2008 No operation

SBS Transit CityShopper Services

The CityShopper services, viz 551, 575, 576, 577, 578, 579, 580 & 581, which offer direct connections from eight neighbourhood towns - Ang Mo Kio, Bedok, Hougang, Punggol, Sengkang, Simei, Tampines and West Coast C to Orchard Road and Suntec City, will be operating from 10.00am to 6.30pm on the eve of Lunar New Year. These services will not operate on 7 February 2008 & 8 February 2008.


Amendment of operating hours to other services

There will be no operation for the following bus services.
179A, 68, all Premium bus services, Fast Forward services, 11, 96, 502, 518

Visit www.sbstransit.com.sg for further details under Press Releases.

Change in Operating Hours of several SMRT services starting 6th February 2008 till 8th or 9th of February 2008.

Adapted from SMRT website. Visit www.smrt.com.sg for more details.

Starting from tomorrow, 6th of February 2008, several SMRT services like 177 or so called the Fast Forward services like 854E and 963E will have their operational timing changed.
Besides, SMRT feeder services' operational timing will be extended.
Night rider services will operate on 6th, 8th and 9th February 2008.
Kindly look at the posters for more details.

New fantasy route 41

I have created a new fantasy route 41 which plys between Eunos and Potong Pasir. It will be in operation with effect from 11th February 2008. It serves Eunos, Paya Lebar, Sims Place, MacPherson and Potong Pasir. It provides direct links between Potong Pasir and the nearest East-West Line and also Sims Place to Paya Lebar or Eunos.

Update: Renaming of SBS Transit Bus services

All posters are taken from SBS Transit Website. Visit www.sbstransit.com.sg for more details.

Basically, these trunk bus services have alternative routes operating at certain hours in addition to or in place of the original route. All these alternative routes are now placed a suffix of M besides the service number to let commuters know that the bus is currently plying the alternative route instead of the original route as it arrives at the bus stop.