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SBS Transit's Bus Captain Development Centre aka BC Training School is located at Hougang Depot. It has its perm fleet of training buses used for newbies - you can tell from the additional wing mirror, permanent L-plates and the instructor's seat located beside the driver. Notable perm training buses include SBS 700P, SBS 572S, a number of old NAC Scania N113s, as well as Soon Chow MK4 SBS 8024E / 8025C. In particular, these two buses were the only two out of 10 buses allocated to SBS after the dissolving of SBSL, which were not fitted with any fare equipment during the refurbishment unlike its 8 brothers on Service 78.
For safety reasons, these buses have been converted specifically for training use so that they can be driven by new recruits under proper supervision. As such, they can never be deployed on commuter revenue service.
The orientation route for new drivers usually takes them out from HGDEP, around several Hougang neighbourhoods, past the interchange, as well as a loop at Lorong Ah Soo/Hougang St 11. Naturally these are the places where training buses are most commonly seen (along with training cars from Comfort Driving Centre, and training 3-tonners from SAF Kaki Bukit Driving School!)
In addition, Hougang may activate split-shift buses during their swing break to use as training buses for purposes of refresher course or route orientation. As the targets of these training have passed their basic BC licence, regular revenue buses can be used. That is why non-training buses can still be spotted with the "Training Bus" desto, and found in areas outside of HGDEP training route.
Similarly, other depots may conduct their own familiarisation, refresher or other training using their own buses.
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Originally posted by sv966:
In addition, Hougang may activate split-shift buses during their swing break to use as training buses for purposes of refresher course or route orientation. As the targets of these training have passed their basic BC licence, regular revenue buses can be used. That is why non-training buses can still be spotted with the "Training Bus" desto, and found in areas outside of HGDEP training route.
Similarly, other depots may conduct their own familiarisation, refresher or other training using their own buses.
Ang Mo Kio Depot does the same. The other bus parks do not practice the 'Training during Swing break' perm status.Though most training buses can be found in Hougang, they may go places as far as Changi Village, Boon Lay, Tuas or even Sembawang. It would be unusual that if you spot a training bus at a not-so-common place. As for what place is not-so-common, is up to you to determine.
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