Into Boon Lay - 174, 241, 243
Kicking off the last trip of the year, I ventured once again to the West side of Singapore. Starting at New Bridge Road Terminal I took Trunk Service 174 all the way to Boon Lay Bus Interchange, passing through Orchard Road, Beauty World and Bukit Batok.
Makeshift bus stop extension to accommodate additional routes stopping here.
Thomson-East Coast MRT works along Outram Road
Service 174 was my daily commute to school for the past 4 years, passing by Chin Swee Road along which Outram Secondary School is located (shoutout to my subject teachers whom I know are going to read this) Another bus service I have a connection to.
From Orchard to Bukit Batok.
Approaching Boon Lay, 174 also serves Jurong Road and Jurong West Avenue 2, formerly a part of the Pan-Island Expressway. (which is why it's so wide)
I had my lunch at Boon Lay, where I also ticked off two Feeder Services, 241 and 243. I did Feeder 241 first, which serves residents of Jurong West Street 91 and 92 along with Trunk 99. Also serving Pioneer MRT Station.
The Clock Tower of the Nanyang Community Club
Afterwards, I took Feeder 243, specifically 243W, the anti-clockwise loop of the route, which is bidirectional. 243 serves residents of Jurong West Street 81, 82 and more.
The roads and flats that are served by Feeder 243
In and Out - 99, 173, 258
After doing two loops on the Boon Lay Feeders 241 and 243, I ventured out to take Trunk Service 258 to Joo Koon Bus Interchange. Service 258 serves roughly the same areas as Feeder 243 but connects through to Joo Koon via Jalan Ahmad Ibrahim through Jurong Industrial Estate.
258 used to serve Boon Lay Bus Interchange itself but was amended to loop outside, along Jurong West Street 64, since June of this year.
Joo Koon Bus Interchange is integrated with the FairPrice Hub Shopping Centre and houses mostly Jurong Industrial Services. One of the exceptions is the aforementioned Trunk Service 99 which I took.
At Clementi, I had a break before taking Trunk Service 173 to Bukit Batok. This unique service connects the residents of Toh Tuck and Hillview private housing estates to amenities and transport centres such as Beauty World MRT Station and Bukit Batok Bus Interchange.
258 used to serve Boon Lay Bus Interchange itself but was amended to loop outside, along Jurong West Street 64, since June of this year.
Entering Jurong Industrial Estate along Pioneer Road North
Joo Koon Bus Interchange is integrated with the FairPrice Hub Shopping Centre and houses mostly Jurong Industrial Services. One of the exceptions is the aforementioned Trunk Service 99 which I took.
The route stretches back into Boon Lay, through Jurong West and East, connecting through to and terminating at Clementi.
Passing through the new commercial developments in Jurong East and arriving in Clementi.
At Clementi, I had a break before taking Trunk Service 173 to Bukit Batok. This unique service connects the residents of Toh Tuck and Hillview private housing estates to amenities and transport centres such as Beauty World MRT Station and Bukit Batok Bus Interchange.
Winding through Toh Tuck Road and the private houses along this stretch.
Hume Avenue and Lorong Batu Nilam in Hillview.
Restricted Access and The Return - 177, 700
Being a Friday late afternoon, I had the great opportunity to break duck on one of the routes I always wanted to take. Trunk Service 177 starts at Bukit Batok and loops at Bukit Panjang via Hillview and the Ministry of Defence's Headquarters in Bukit Gombak, located atop a hill.
177 is mainly used by personnel working for MINDEF and the Army, hence why it only operates during weekday evenings. Since it is a military base, no photography is allowed there, but the view over the hill across to Bukit Panjang is one noteworthy aspect of my ride on this service.
Finally, to wrap up this hectic year, I took Trunk Service 700 back to the City Centre and to Shenton Way Bus Terminal downtown. Aboard a Mercedes OC500LE bus, a less common bus model currently operating on Singapore Roads.
700 uses the Bukit Timah Expressway, like Trunk 190, and links Petir Road in Bukit Panjang to Orchard Road and the Central Business District.
177 is mainly used by personnel working for MINDEF and the Army, hence why it only operates during weekday evenings. Since it is a military base, no photography is allowed there, but the view over the hill across to Bukit Panjang is one noteworthy aspect of my ride on this service.
Finally, to wrap up this hectic year, I took Trunk Service 700 back to the City Centre and to Shenton Way Bus Terminal downtown. Aboard a Mercedes OC500LE bus, a less common bus model currently operating on Singapore Roads.
700 uses the Bukit Timah Expressway, like Trunk 190, and links Petir Road in Bukit Panjang to Orchard Road and the Central Business District.
Upcoming condominiums rising along Petir Road in Dairy Farm.
Somerset and Suntec City
And so, I round of 2017 with this last blog post. Though stressful, I wouldn't say that 2017 was a horrific year, but all I want to say is that I look forward to 2018.
