The NUS Shuttle Bus Experience

I like the free NUS Shuttle Bus service. Without it, I can't imagine walking for 10-15 minutes to Business faculty from School of Computing. Modern looking shiny orange buses. They are a beautiful sight on the roads.

The hills provide for a unique experience that can be found in few places in Singapore. Sometimes, I wonder how the full bus ever manages to climb up such a slope.

However, the service does come with some *minor* issues. Read on...

This image is stolen from other websites as I couldn't find better ones.

The experience below is recounted from a first person view. I was heading to the Central Library.

1. (Arrival at the crowded SOC Bus Stop at 1330hrs) Plan which bus to take. Look at the map at the bus shelter for more information. Wait for Service A1.
2. (Bus Service D arrives) Scratch head on this undocumented new bus. Quickly see the map. No information on Service D. See the bus pole and realise there is a "Service D (TERM Time Only)". See list of bus stop locations which make no sense to a freshie. Make mental note to check the map online.
3. (Bus Service A1 arrives) Now I have two options. To board from the rear or to go by the front. The rear offers a higher chance of securing a seat. The front may leave me behind if the bus gets too full. Wait and see if rear door opens and whether anyone flocks to it.
4. (Rear Door opens and someone starts alighting) To go or not to go? What if he closes the door?
5. (Some just-in-time comers rush to the rear door) Green light! Board from the rear! And many people follow along too.
6. (Find Seat) I find a seat at the centre and the bus starts going. Keep a mental note of where the blue bus stop button is. Keep another mental note on a second bus stop button in case the first doesn't work. And finally, another third note of where a SBS-style-bus-stop button is.
7. (Before alighting bus stop) Now I need to press the bus stop button. I see 3 buttons on top. Press all. None work. SHIT!
8. (Rushing for the button) Rush for the 2nd backup button and press. Nothing. Panicking, I press the SBS-style-bus-stop button at the roof of the bus. IT WORKS! I recall one of the 3 buttons worked last time in the other bus...
9. (Alighting at central library) Bus stops in an odd position - a 30 degrees downwards slope. As I was seated in the centre of the bus near the window, the primary task was to get off while maintaining balance.
10. (Check Service D Map Position Online) Found it here. No information on bus stop location. Map quality sucks. Resorted to taking the bus myself to explore.

We hope you enjoyed the tour of the NUS Shuttle Bus Experience!