LECIP electronic destination signage (EDS) upgrades

As SBS Transit modernises its fleet with new buses, one of the older bus models in the fleet also underwent modernisation with an electronic destination signage (EDS) upgrade. This is due to the new fleet of buses using EDS systems, which renders the plastic signage used by SBS Transit obsolete.

Volvo Olympian 3 axles batch 3 with its LECIP sigange.

The Volvo Olympian 3 axles recieved the LECIP EDS system, which the size of the system fitted into the current desto board slots, without much modifications.

SBS7402D with its 98M plastic destination plate.

The sight of two light bulbs as off service will also be history.

The ComfortDelgro Engineering bodied (CDGE) B9TLs initially did not have EDS as standard.

But on August 2011, LECIP installation had started, with the first CDGE B9TL SBS7392Z recieving its LECIP EDS. More were soon installed on other CDGE B9TLs. the systems fitted on the CDGE B9TLs are more camera friendly then the ones on the VO3X batch 3s.

Oddly, the size of the LECIP system installed on the CDGE B9TL was the same as the ones on the VO3X batch 3, as the CDGE B9TL looks to be able to accomodate a bigger EDS such as a Hanover system used by its younger Wright B9TL cousins.

SBS7392Z : the first CDGE B9TL to recieve a LECIP EDS.

The rear EDS is bigger as compared to the ones fitted on the VO3X batch 3s. Note the defunct rear plastic plate slot in the advertisment.

Transition in progress : LECIP EDS CDGE B9TL side by side with a plastic signage CDGE B9TL.

And after the installation is complete for the CDGE B9TLs, the next to recieve a LECIP upgrade might be the Volvo Super Olympian fleet, as the oldest VO3X batch 3 recieved its LECIP upgrade due to it still having a long lifespan with SBS Transit.

Most of the Volvo Super Olympian fleet are also using plastic destination board.

SBS9810X with its factory-fitted Transit Media EDS system.

The drawback of LECIP signage system? It is too small to be seen clearly from far, with the route number still squeezed to the right hand side (kerbside) with most of the area dominated by the destination and scrolling route details. All of the font size are also quite small, given that everything is cramped into what used to be just a huge route number signage.


Though defintely, upgrading the older buses with EDS is a good move as part of modernisation, and it allows the bus captain to check and change his signage with a controller at the driver compartment without needing to open up the signage compartment to change the route details/numbers.

**On 30th Dec 2011, SBS9822L was the first in the fleet of Volvo Super Olympians to have the LECIP signage upgrade.

New EZlink Readers/Bus Captain's console.

SBS Transit have installed new EZlink readers on at least 2 buses as of this post date. These new readers are more aesthetically pleasing than the old design, and most of the familiar features of the current EZlink readers are rearranged and refreshed. One of the buses to recieve this new EZlink system is SBS8991M.

SBS8991M is one of the two buses as of this post publish date to recieve the new readers.

SBS Transit had changed the default blue cover for their readers to purple/red for their own readers, while SMRT Buses continues using the default blue cover. It seems that the purple/red covers are more heat tolerant than the default blue covers which some were warped with the readers getting quite hot at times during long hours of operation.

The current EZlink readers found on majority of the public buses. This reader is in its sleep mode.

The new design sees a refreshed/updated layout.

• The current monochrome screen is now a new colour LCD screen that the information can be easily seen at a glance. Information such as time/date and distance is displayed more prominently at its permanent location of top and bottom of the screen, while the centre showing the necessary information for EZlink card transactions, all in distinct colours.

The new layout is attractive and pleasing to the eye. The new design's sleep mode is shown here.

• The LCD screen is larger than the scanning area for the EZlink card, which should easily direct the commuter to the scanning area at the lower part of the reader.  

New colour graphics that shows the fare in eye-catching green boxes.

• The three "traffic" lights, red, yellow and green are now more prominently displayed at the top of the ezlink reader for better visibility. The new reader's sounds are also slightly more sharper.

Comparison of the front entrance's readers.

The current readers at the entrance.

The new readers onboard SBS8991M

Comparison of the exit door's readers.

The current exit door readers

The new exit door readers.

Comparison of the bus captain's console for the EZlink readers.

The current bus captain's console.

The new bus captain's console.

The new EZlink readers and console now has a modern and fresh look, 9 years after its introduction in December 2002 into Singapore's public transport system as a convenient and hassle free method of travelling on public transport. Its uses have been expanding to include payment for other various services such as food & beverage and Electronic Road Pricing.

It is not known whether if the new readers will be progressively installed to other buses in the future as of today (18/04/2011). The other bus, SBS8955T is said to have this new system installed but it was removed a few days later.

ComfortDelgro Scania K230UB recieves EDS!

The SC Chirvalous bodied Scania K230UBs are have started to recieving Electronic Destination Signage (EDS) units.

It replaces the traditional plastic destination signages displaying the route number/details.

PA9596T on A2 with EDS displaying PGP Terminal.

PA9552U on A2 using plastic destination signage.

The EDS is believed to be Coolair while the formatting is, away from the kerb, with the first line showing the terminating destination, and the second line showing the passing by locations.

Using A4 paper to denote A1/A2, depending on the direction of travel.

The EDS is on the top left of the rear windscreen, displaying A1

These ComfortDelgro SC Chirvalous Scania K230UBs are running internal shuttle routes in National University of Singapore. They are of similar specifications to their SBS Transit's cousins.