Singapore's Hidden History (2)

[Kohliantye]

Just 50 years ago........

What a serene scene of the Causeway then compared to now.

Looks like and Opel car and the old GREEN Bus heading forward.

Good pictures.

Make more available. Thanks

 

[halsey02]

Is it true that these building belonged to the family of the TAY KOH YAT Bus Company. Hdence the colours resembled that of the bus.

For nostalgia, can someone make available a photo of these bus. I used to take No 9 from Bartley Road to city.

Mine was 7 or 8 to the city, I used to call it the mosquitoes bus, it had wooden shutters, when it rains, you have open up your umbrella in the bus. Then they modernize they had buses with the pull down/up glass windows with aluminum frames, that it gets stuck; same with the umbrella.

Tay Koh Yat Bus Terminal used to be at that spot, opposite the STB ( SINgapore Telephone Board) Exchange now SINGTEL, passengers like me used to groan, when the bus have to pull into the terminal or depot whatever to "pa u" ( top up diesel) & that waste about 20 to 30 minutes of traveling time.

The buses used to discharge black fumes from the exhausts at the rear, btw no air conditioner ; natural wind cooled ha ha ha

 

[halsey02]

>Maybe, the fear of the falling overhead bridge could have made them more frightened that they just entered the white and red apartment till the arrival of that medium who advised it to be painted red. At least they could have returned to the Bukit Brown Cemetery nearby. That too has been earmarked for demolition.
Maybe they will enter the white and black bungalows in Mt Pleasant and Gymkhana Avenue.>

They can take up resident in a few choice homes, (1) The Minister who is in charge of the clearing of Bukit Brown, (2) The House next to Plaza SIngapura, (3) The house at Oxley. ha ha ha

 

[moolightaffairs]

After reading your input, I could not help revealing something that I had been keeping to myself for so many years.

Yes, many people said or claimed that the old PA was haunted.

That recruits used to be carried to the Parade Square whilst sleeping soundly only to wake up there in the darkest night.

That the quarters where the Women recruits stayed was a no go area inhabited by Pontianak.

About the Tales of Headless Japanese and British soldiers marching around on the parade square after midnight with chains clanging away.

However, this was prior to 1967 - the days when mata-matas from Malacca form the bulk of the Force.

After 1967, the scenario changed and a massive EXORCISM Exercise started...

Many educated young men joined the police and made PA their home for 6 months.

They were better lettered then their Field Instructors who only knew Kiri-kanan, ke-belakang pusing and berhenti.

The story goes that these bright young men got togather and devised a scheme to rid the Academy of the residents ghosts, ghouls, pontianaks, orang-minyak, toyols and maybe Draculas.

Being multi-racial and multi-religious, they staged a wild party in which there was much merry-making and feasting on different kinds of food.

The former "Resident Evil" panicked and gave up.

They packed their belongings and ran out of PA so fast and furious, that in so doing, the Toa Payoh flyover gave way and collapsed killing one Bhai-Serabat (by name of Hakimuddin Barkat).

Maybe, the fear of the falling overhead bridge could have made them more frightened that they just entered the white and red apartment till the arrival of that medium who advised it to be painted red.

At least they could have returned to the Bukit Brown Cemetery nearby. That too has been earmarked for demolition.

Maybe they will enter the white and black bungalows in Mt Pleasant and Gymkhana Avenue.

If anyone wish to write a Singapore Ghost Story you can use my services.

The book will be sold by thousands and we will all live happily ever after.

Ha Ha Ha Ha. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEggggggggggggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

yes female barrack delta company. actually back gate is part of bukit brown grave yard.

 

[Force 136]

50 years ago.......view outside Cathay Cinema towards YMCA and Orchard Presbytarian Church. Especially for Tay Koh Yat bus fans......... Singapore was so serene, without the crowds of FTs .....

 

[halsey02]

Bus 16 okay?
Sorry about the colour.

Is this along Serangoon Road Opposite Beatty Secondary school, between the two Indian Temples, just before an entrance to Race Course Road!!

 

[Kohliantye]

Mine was 7 or 8 to the city, I used to call it the mosquitoes bus, it had wooden shutters, when it rains, you have open up your umbrella in the bus. Then they modernize they had buses with the pull down/up glass windows with aluminum frames, that it gets stuck; same with the umbrella.

Tay Koh Yat Bus Terminal used to be at that spot, opposite the STB ( SINgapore Telephone Board) Exchange now SINGTEL, passengers like me used to groan, when the bus have to pull into the terminal or depot whatever to "pa u" ( top up diesel) & that waste about 20 to 30 minutes of traveling time.

The buses used to discharge black fumes from the exhausts at the rear, btw no air conditioner ; natural wind cooled ha ha ha

Yes, you brought back my dim memories. It is confirmed that the site mentioned above (red building) was indeed a Bus depot. Maybe that is why it was always lingering in my mind that the site may belong to the Tay Koh Yat Family. Hope some confirmation could come from forummers.

Totally agreed, re-fuelling was one of the worst moment.

I had experienced such re-fuelling while taking Paya Lebar Bus Services buses. Their re-fuelling base used to be after Plantation Avenue and before St Heliers Avenue along old Yio Chu Kang Road or Chia Keng.

Whatever, peiople may say, this buses provided true national service to everyone during the racial riots of 1964 and 1969. When curfew was declared, the last buses plying picked many people, especially students free of charge and sent them home along their plying route.

The other students who were stranded found their way to nearby police stations where the police "Black Marias" took them home in batches.

Much to share about the 1964 Riots. Will do so in a new thread.

 

[Kohliantye]

Mine was 7 or 8 to the city, I used to call it the mosquitoes bus, it had wooden shutters, when it rains, you have open up your umbrella in the bus. Then they modernize they had buses with the pull down/up glass windows with aluminum frames, that it gets stuck; same with the umbrella.

Tay Koh Yat Bus Terminal used to be at that spot, opposite the STB ( SINgapore Telephone Board) Exchange now SINGTEL, passengers like me used to groan, when the bus have to pull into the terminal or depot whatever to "pa u" ( top up diesel) & that waste about 20 to 30 minutes of traveling time.

The buses used to discharge black fumes from the exhausts at the rear, btw no air conditioner ; natural wind cooled ha ha ha

Yes, you brought back my dim memories. It is confirmed that the site mentioned above (red building) was indeed a Bus depot. Maybe that is why it was always lingering in my mind that the site may belong to the Tay Koh Yat Family. Hope some confirmation could come from forummers.
Totally agreed, re-fuelling was one of the worst moment.

The old STB that was next to an old police station (wooden building built on stilts with a big copper peice hanging outside next to the pictures of "WANTED PEOPLE".

I also had experienced such re-fuelling while taking Paya Lebar Bus Services buses. Their re-fuelling base used to be after Plantation Avenue and before St Heliers Avenue along old Yio Chu Kang Road or Chia Keng. The bus will go round an old bungalow and then stop at the pump.

Whatever, people may say, this buses of yester-years provided true national service to everyone during the racial riots of 1964 and 1969.
When curfew (kai-giam) was declared, the last buses still plying, picked many people, especially students free of charge and sent them home along their plying route.

The other students who were stranded found their way to nearby police stations where the police grouped them in "kampong" and placed in their "Black Marias" which then took them home in batches.

Much to share about the 1964 Riots. Will do so in a new thread.

 

[halsey02]

Yes, you brought back my dim memories. It is confirmed that the site mentioned above (red building) was indeed a Bus depot. Maybe that is why it was always lingering in my mind that the site may belong to the Tay Koh Yat Family. Hope some confirmation could come from forummers.

Totally agreed, re-fuelling was one of the worst moment.

I had experienced such re-fuelling while taking Paya Lebar Bus Services buses. Their re-fuelling base used to be after Plantation Avenue and before St Heliers Avenue along old Yio Chu Kang Road or Chia Keng.

Whatever, peiople may say, this buses provided true national service to everyone during the racial riots of 1964 and 1969. When curfew was declared, the last buses plying picked many people, especially students free of charge and sent them home along their plying route.

The other students who were stranded found their way to nearby police stations where the police "Black Marias" took them home in batches.

Much to share about the 1964 Riots. Will do so in a new thread.

Back in those days, there were no smartphone, to call whomever you are meeting in town, say Capitol Cinema, the damn bus pull in to "pa u" one is 'dead meat' especially if time is tight & one is getting late. Whomever is waiting, maybe your new girl friend, waiting to see that movie..."dead meat"!

 

[Kohliantye]

50 years ago.......view outside Cathay Cinema towards YMCA and Orchard Presbytarian Church. Especially for Tay Koh Yat bus fans......... Singapore was so serene, without the crowds of FTs .....

A truly magnificent photo..
Turning left towards the old Amber Arcade on the right and Penang Road.
Then passing the old Borneo Motors, Universal Motors and Ford Motors on the right before turning left towards the direction of the old Redifussion Bldg, Donald Moore Galleries, the former National Theatre, Tuan Mong High School (Tank Road) and finally onwards towards Pulau Saigon Road Bridge and Havelock Road.

The white van at the rear of the bus seems to me to be a 36-Door Mercedes.

Thank you bro.

 

[Kohliantye]

Is this along Serangoon Road Opposite Beatty Secondary school, between the two Indian Temples, just before an entrance to Race Course Road!!

I don't think so. It cannot be as these routes (city routes or what is know as CBD) was then monopolized by the Singapore Traction Company. Poor local Chinese bus companies used to operate on the outskirts then.
The above place may possibly be close to Chin Choo Hong or Chinatown (where Tay Koh Yat use to end. I may be wrong.

 

[neddy]

I don't think so. It cannot be as these routes (city routes or what is know as CBD) was then monopolized by the Singapore Traction Company. Poor local Chinese bus companies used to operate on the outskirts then.
The above place may possibly be close to Chin Choo Hong or Chinatown (where Tay Koh Yat use to end. I may be wrong.

It has been a long time, maybe this will help. OK, it is for 1966, can't find earlier ones.

http://sgwiki.com/wiki/Singapore_Bus_Routes_1966


6 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 1 Mata Gate (Sembawang Rd 15 m.s.) to Nee Soon Village
87 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 2 Hoi How Rd to Rotherdam Gate (Naval Base)
88 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 3 Hoi How Rd to Sembawang Rd 15 m.s.
89 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 5 Hoi How Rd to R.N. Air Station, Sembawang
90 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 6 Nee Soon Village to Nee Soon British Transit Camp
91 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — Nos. 8 and 8A Sembawang Hills Estate to Havelock Road
92 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 9 International Airport to Havelock Rd (Ministry of Labour Building)
93 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 9A Havelock Rd to Serangoon Garden Circus
94 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 10 Bartley Rd/Paya Lebar Rd to Ayer Rajah Rd/South Buona Vista Rd
95 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 10A Bartley Rd to Rumah Bomba Circus
96 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 11 Aljunied Rd to Woodsville Circus
97 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 12 MacPherson Rd/Serangoon Rd to Aljunied Rd/Geylang Rd
98 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 12A MacPherson Rd/Serangoon Rd to International Airport
99 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 14 Hoi How Rd to Norfolk-Owen Housing Estate

 

[Television]

Yes, you brought back my dim memories. It is confirmed that the site mentioned above (red building) was indeed a Bus depot. Maybe that is why it was always lingering in my mind that the site may belong to the Tay Koh Yat Family. Hope some confirmation could come from forummers.
Totally agreed, re-fuelling was one of the worst moment.

The old STB that was next to an old police station (wooden building built on stilts with a big copper peice hanging outside next to the pictures of "WANTED PEOPLE".

I also had experienced such re-fuelling while taking Paya Lebar Bus Services buses. Their re-fuelling base used to be after Plantation Avenue and before St Heliers Avenue along old Yio Chu Kang Road or Chia Keng. The bus will go round an old bungalow and then stop at the pump.

Whatever, people may say, this buses of yester-years provided true national service to everyone during the racial riots of 1964 and 1969.
When curfew (kai-giam) was declared, the last buses still plying, picked many people, especially students free of charge and sent them home along their plying route.

The other students who were stranded found their way to nearby police stations where the police grouped them in "kampong" and placed in their "Black Marias" which then took them home in batches.

Much to share about the 1964 Riots. Will do so in a new thread.

Uncle do so please, Start a thread asap..It will be a very interesting read for us Gen Y Stinky sinkies.
By the way, I always hear conspiracy theories about the riots etc. "Lky orchestrated the Riots to claim Singapore for himself since the British did not want to give him Rule and Also did not want Singapore to be an Independent country or "The Indonesians did not want us and Malaysia to be United as it will be a threat to them"

In my own opinion I think to make Singaporeans turn on each other and DE-stabilize the Island will simply be to turn the different races on one another, The easiest and most deadly way is to pit the Malays against the Chinese and vice versa.

Just open a new thread Please.

 

[neddy]

Just 50 years ago........

No need checkpoint. Going to Singapore refers to the city, not the entire island.
Times flies. Everything here should be left to posterity.

 

[Kohliantye]

It has been a long time, maybe this will help. OK, it is for 1966, can't find earlier ones.

http://sgwiki.com/wiki/Singapore_Bus_Routes_1966


6 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 1 Mata Gate (Sembawang Rd 15 m.s.) to Nee Soon Village
87 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 2 Hoi How Rd to Rotherdam Gate (Naval Base)
88 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 3 Hoi How Rd to Sembawang Rd 15 m.s.
89 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 5 Hoi How Rd to R.N. Air Station, Sembawang
90 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 6 Nee Soon Village to Nee Soon British Transit Camp
91 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — Nos. 8 and 8A Sembawang Hills Estate to Havelock Road
92 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 9 International Airport to Havelock Rd (Ministry of Labour Building)
93 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 9A Havelock Rd to Serangoon Garden Circus
94 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 10 Bartley Rd/Paya Lebar Rd to Ayer Rajah Rd/South Buona Vista Rd
95 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 10A Bartley Rd to Rumah Bomba Circus
96 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 11 Aljunied Rd to Woodsville Circus
97 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 12 MacPherson Rd/Serangoon Rd to Aljunied Rd/Geylang Rd
98 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 12A MacPherson Rd/Serangoon Rd to International Airport
99 Tay Koh Yat Bus Co. Ltd. — No. 14 Hoi How Rd to Norfolk-Owen Housing Estate

Thanks for the wonderful picture and reawakening of my mind. The old numbers of the buses and the new numbers which were given when they formed the ABS, UBS prior to becoming SBS.
Many thanks bro.

 

[Kohliantye]

No need checkpoint. Going to Singapore refers to the city, not the entire island.
Times flies. Everything here should be left to posterity.

You see the boatman rowing towards the Lion City.
If it was today, all hell will break loose. The Police, ICA, Maybe Army, Customs and even the Gurkhas would have punced on him making way to Singapore - the First World Country meant for 4 millions but where 6 millions resides and who may be worse then that poor boatman.
WELCOME TO SINGAPORE

 

[whoami]

Much to share about the 1964 Riots. Will do so in a new thread.

Yes, Ah Hia. Open another new thread here.

And bros...keep those nostalgic photos coming ya

Tks to Bro Force 136, Neddy....

 

[neddy]

Thanks for the wonderful picture and reawakening of my mind. The old numbers of the buses and the new numbers which were given when they formed the ABS, UBS prior to becoming SBS.
Many thanks bro.

You are welcomed. It is for myself as well.
It is amazing how much materials are out there.

 

[whoami]

You see the boatman rowing towards the Lion City.
If it was today, all hell will break loose. The Police, ICA, Maybe Army, Customs and even the Gurkhas would have punced on him making way to Singapore - the First World Country meant for 4 millions but where 6 millions resides and who may be worse then that poor boatman.
WELCOME TO SINGAPORE

Ayah. Wat security?

When i came back fm JB, they checked my bag lah, my friends car/motor cycle lah. But how come when i came back fm overseas, at Terminal 1, how come my bag not screened? How come they didnt check my bag? How come huh?

Security???

 

[Kohliantye]

You are welcomed. It is for myself as well.
It is amazing how much materials are out there.

Really big-hearted of you for SHARING with us Bro Neddy.

Truly appreciate you for your kind thought.

What we know we ought to share for the good of those that came after us.

Because sometimes History can conceal the right facts.

Has happened in Germany, China and Japan, even in Malaysia.

How sure are you that it will not happen here or MAY HAVE HAPPENED.????????????????