"Good morning yesterday. You wake up, and time has slipped away. And suddenly it's hard to find, the memories you left behind. Remember. Do you remember?" - Paul Anka, Times of Your Life
Monday, November 14, 2011
Old roads quiz (2) - Bus terminus
I think some of the readers who have been making comments at this blog lately should have no difficulty identifying this place. Hope it triggers more memories for you.
Photo courtesy of Peter Chan
This is a photo of the former Princess Elizabeth Estate School taken in in 2007. Is this the same place as that in the black and white photo? Hope readers can provide more details.
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But how about this one? I think this one is not so easy.
Photo courtesy of Geoffrey Pain. Below is a close up on the ticketing hut - where bus conductors submit their collections and collect their tickets. The words say, in both English and Chinese; "Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd". The sign on the white bus says "12" and "Shenton Way".
The words on the side of the front bus says; "Paya Lebar Bus Service".
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Just received this photo from Russ Wickson (16 Nov 2011)
Since I have no freaking idea, I would like to take the opportunity share that I've always enjoyed your quizzes! Keep them coming :)
So far I've only got one right for the BoA branch at Taman Jurong. Yippee!
I am still puzzled that you are only 15 years my senior; but Singapore even then has changed quite a bit from your generation to mine! Don't talk about now. LOL!
Its so fun rediscoverying the old Singapore I've missed!
well judging from the buses this was taken a bit later than the early 60s - that first bus might be a Payar Lebar one so maybe this was at the then Singapore International Airport at Payar Lebar?
In Photo no. 2, I think the bus in front is a Paya Lebar bus; and the one behind is STC. Difficult to make out the words. Also this photo is taken around mid-1960s.
Hi Chun See. It's Paul Warner. The pictures of old buses brought back memories of the doorless bone-shakers that used to billow out black smoke in the days before air-conditioned buses with all the mod cons like televisions. A popular pastime of some of my friends was to collect the old tickets (prices used to start from 10cents) with numbers like 0001 and 1234 particularly sought after. I also recall SBS getting rid of bus conductors and introducing one-man operating services - or OMO as it was known!
By the way, I should inform readers that I don't know the answer to no1 2. This photo was taken by Geoffrey's father and so he is not too sure himself.
I am depending on you to supply the answer. But I suspect that Brian is right. That is probably the car park and bus terminus at Paya Lebar airport.
Brian is no stranger to Paya Lebar Airport. New readers should check out Brian's adventures in plane-spotting at Paya Lebar.
Well not bad if after nearly 50 years I can spot a place several thousand of miles away! Pity the pic is not of high enough quality to check out the writing on that stall. I think the green bus does say Paya Lebar on it but I can't read the stall of course - can you?
I can't make out the Chinese words on the stall/hut. But the English words look like Tay Koh Yat Bus Company.
By the way, I just posted another photo of a bus terminus.This one fresh from Russ Wickson. And he provided the answer. But I think it will be too difficult without clues. Still I could be wrong. GMY readers have often surprised me with their knowledge of the old Spore.
It just occured to me that the working conditions for the clerk inside that Bus Ticketing hut must be quite tough; especially on a hot day. Obviously there was no air-con and no trees nearby. In comparison, today's bus terminus' have comfortable air-conditioned offices with canteen nearby.
Well I am going to guess Changi Village but only because its the only place I knew - although it looks too tidy to be there (the village was once a tarmac road in the middle of dirt parking)
On page 289 of my copy of the Singapore Guide & Street Directory, 9th edition (March 1969), it lists STC Bus 12 as plying between Shenton Way and Singapore Airport. So those who guessed Paya Lebar Airport should be correct.
It also lists Bus 12A as plying between MacPherson Estate and Shenton Way.
The carpark @Paya Lebar Airport still is around. If you drive to the end until you come to a roundabout, you see straight ahead a sentry post, behind the fence is the same carpark. This carpark served the international departure lounge building - I was told parts of it still around and used by RSAF pilots as briefing room.
The other building that is still around is the former control tower building just behind the fence@roundabout. I think it's 10 storey tall.
Hey! What about that! Your (non) resident expert on spotting bus places is thousands of miles away and can still recognise places from nearly 50 years ago. I even spotted that it had to be some years after my time at Changi which ended in 1962 - when I think the buses were just on hard dirt and under the trees.
Let me analyse how you could have easily guessed the answer to Russ Wickson's photo. (1) The bus terminus at Changi Village is the only one you remember. (2) And guess where Russ Wickson was stationed when he was in Spore? RAF Changi.
Hehee. Lately I have been watching the TV series, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Love the show. Only find it a bit difficult to follow the many English characters in each episode.
JATCC, Joint Air Traffic Control JATCC operated by the RAF. Its taks is to liase between civil and military aircraft - giving guidance and ensuring adequate clearence between civil/military aircraft. It takes a lot of time and effort and concentration to maintain the appropriate spacing between aircraft flight levels and lateral spacing.
The open space behind the present RSAF hangers (plus the road to connect Singapore Aerospace hangers to the runway) had many high frequency signal towers and wooden blocks which housed the military equipment.
Chun See, you are quite right. I have no right to be smug but I did even suspect you of setting me up on this one - putting up photos of two places you knew I ought to recognise and seeing if I managed it!
Hi LCS. The 1st picture is confirmed the bus terminus at Princess Elizabeth Estate, and the school is PEES as mentioned by Joanne above. The school was converted to the Red Cross Home (I am not sure if it is still in current use). The SIT block at the corner top right of the photo was Blk 21 Princess Anne Hill. I used to stay in that very unit (No. 126) at the corner.
I have a picture of the same terminus taken from the opposite angle at my blog at this link:- http://hjtann.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-bus-stops-in-singapore.html
Chun See. To your question to Joanne about the green patch in the colored photo, the answer is No. Close but no cigars. The bus terminus was to the right of the green patch. The green patch covers what was then part of the road, Elizabeth Drive. This was a cul-de-sac that ran up the slope and curved right behind Blk 21 and lead to a small car park between Blks 17 and 18 ( 2x SIT 7-storey blocks). The terminus was directly fronting Blk 21 Princess Anne Hill and was of the same length as the block. Unfortunately I do not have a photo of that block.
Photo of me and my dog Nappie from my kampong days (around 1967 or 68)
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29 comments:
Hello Chun See,
Since I have no freaking idea, I would like to take the opportunity share that I've always enjoyed your quizzes! Keep them coming :)
So far I've only got one right for the BoA branch at Taman Jurong. Yippee!
I am still puzzled that you are only 15 years my senior; but Singapore even then has changed quite a bit from your generation to mine! Don't talk about now. LOL!
Its so fun rediscoverying the old Singapore I've missed!
Cheers!
Jared Seah
well judging from the buses this was taken a bit later than the early 60s - that first bus might be a Payar Lebar one so maybe this was at the then Singapore International Airport at Payar Lebar?
The first bus stop is at Princess Elizabeth Estate, the building behind is Princess Elizabeth Estate School.
Joanne
Hi Joanne. Would you say then that the exact location of this place is the grass patch behind the building in this photo?
In Photo no. 2, I think the bus in front is a Paya Lebar bus; and the one behind is STC. Difficult to make out the words. Also this photo is taken around mid-1960s.
Yes, it is the old address of the school, which has moved to Bukit Batok.
Joanne
Hi Chun See. It's Paul Warner.
The pictures of old buses brought back memories of the doorless bone-shakers that used to billow out black smoke in the days before air-conditioned buses with all the mod cons like televisions.
A popular pastime of some of my friends was to collect the old tickets (prices used to start from 10cents) with numbers like 0001 and 1234 particularly sought after.
I also recall SBS getting rid of bus conductors and introducing one-man operating services - or OMO as it was known!
By the way, I should inform readers that I don't know the answer to no1 2. This photo was taken by Geoffrey's father and so he is not too sure himself.
I am depending on you to supply the answer. But I suspect that Brian is right. That is probably the car park and bus terminus at Paya Lebar airport.
Brian is no stranger to Paya Lebar Airport. New readers should check out Brian's adventures in plane-spotting at Paya Lebar.
Well not bad if after nearly 50 years I can spot a place several thousand of miles away! Pity the pic is not of high enough quality to check out the writing on that stall. I think the green bus does say Paya Lebar on it but I can't read the stall of course - can you?
The wooden stall = bus ticketing hut where conductors hand-in their trip collections and get fresh bus tickets.
I can't make out the Chinese words on the stall/hut. But the English words look like Tay Koh Yat Bus Company.
By the way, I just posted another photo of a bus terminus.This one fresh from Russ Wickson. And he provided the answer. But I think it will be too difficult without clues. Still I could be wrong. GMY readers have often surprised me with their knowledge of the old Spore.
It just occured to me that the working conditions for the clerk inside that Bus Ticketing hut must be quite tough; especially on a hot day. Obviously there was no air-con and no trees nearby. In comparison, today's bus terminus' have comfortable air-conditioned offices with canteen nearby.
Well I am going to guess Changi Village but only because its the only place I knew - although it looks too tidy to be there (the village was once a tarmac road in the middle of dirt parking)
Jared. Most of my photo are from the 60's. Of course it will be tough for you.
On page 289 of my copy of the Singapore Guide & Street Directory, 9th edition (March 1969), it lists STC Bus 12 as plying between Shenton Way and Singapore Airport. So those who guessed Paya Lebar Airport should be correct.
It also lists Bus 12A as plying between MacPherson Estate and Shenton Way.
The carpark @Paya Lebar Airport still is around. If you drive to the end until you come to a roundabout, you see straight ahead a sentry post, behind the fence is the same carpark. This carpark served the international departure lounge building - I was told parts of it still around and used by RSAF pilots as briefing room.
The other building that is still around is the former control tower building just behind the fence@roundabout. I think it's 10 storey tall.
Those STC buses were one of the few first aircon buses in Singapore. They could be the Nissan or Izuzu model.
I think #9 Tay Koh Yat ended here.
OK. Here's the answer to the3rd photo. Brian is right again. It is Changi Village 1967.
Hey! What about that! Your (non) resident expert on spotting bus places is thousands of miles away and can still recognise places from nearly 50 years ago. I even spotted that it had to be some years after my time at Changi which ended in 1962 - when I think the buses were just on hard dirt and under the trees.
Hey Brian. Don't be so smug OK.
Let me analyse how you could have easily guessed the answer to Russ Wickson's photo. (1) The bus terminus at Changi Village is the only one you remember. (2) And guess where Russ Wickson was stationed when he was in Spore? RAF Changi.
Hehee. Lately I have been watching the TV series, Agatha Christie's Miss Marple. Love the show. Only find it a bit difficult to follow the many English characters in each episode.
By the way, Geoffrey Pain father was stationed at RAF Seletar but worked at JATCC at Paya Lebar Airport. Question - what does JATCC stand for?
Joint Air Traffic Control Center
JATCC, Joint Air Traffic Control JATCC operated by the RAF. Its taks is to liase between civil and military aircraft - giving guidance and ensuring adequate clearence between civil/military aircraft. It takes a lot of time and effort and concentration to maintain the appropriate spacing between aircraft flight levels and lateral spacing.
The open space behind the present RSAF hangers (plus the road to connect Singapore Aerospace hangers to the runway) had many high frequency signal towers and wooden blocks which housed the military equipment.
Chun See, you are quite right. I have no right to be smug but I did even suspect you of setting me up on this one - putting up photos of two places you knew I ought to recognise and seeing if I managed it!
Hi LCS. The 1st picture is confirmed the bus terminus at Princess Elizabeth Estate, and the school is PEES as mentioned by Joanne above. The school was converted to the Red Cross Home (I am not sure if it is still in current use). The SIT block at the corner top right of the photo was Blk 21 Princess Anne Hill. I used to stay in that very unit (No. 126) at the corner.
I have a picture of the same terminus taken from the opposite angle at my blog at this link:-
http://hjtann.blogspot.com/2009/07/old-bus-stops-in-singapore.html
Chun See. To your question to Joanne about the green patch in the colored photo, the answer is No. Close but no cigars. The bus terminus was to the right of the green patch. The green patch covers what was then part of the road, Elizabeth Drive. This was a cul-de-sac that ran up the slope and curved right behind Blk 21 and lead to a small car park between Blks 17 and 18 ( 2x SIT 7-storey blocks). The terminus was directly fronting Blk 21 Princess Anne Hill and was of the same length as the block. Unfortunately I do not have a photo of that block.
Apologies, my mistake in the above entry...
"...a cul-de-sac that ran up the slope and curved right behind Blk 21 and led to a small car park between Blks 17 and 18 .."
It should be between Blks 23 and 24.
The first bus stop is at Queen Electronic Property, the building behind is Queen Electronic Property University.
Well I am going to think Changi Town but only because its the only position I realized - although it looks too clean to be there.
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