|
|
Post by sid on Jul 27, 2017 15:57:30 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by thesquirrels on Jul 27, 2017 20:19:31 GMT
Will miss the thrash of the GN04 tridents down the A2 but see the sense in giving new buses to a route with further growth potential. I can see the route going up to x15 within a couple of years - certain trips do load very heavily now, and the Earl Estate - Chatham section is a guaranteed moneyspinner from time of yore.
I do think the concept of the Sapphire brand has been diluted since inception - the 700 still lacks a Sunday early/late service and even during the week there are parts of the day when the service is hourly. Some of the Sapphire vehicles on the Medway-Maidstone 101 of late have been quite tired. Unless I can guarantee I will find a bus from 0700-0000 (perhaps 0800-2300 Sundays) I wouldn't regard a route as comprehensive, regardless of the vehicles and spec used.
|
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 29, 2017 19:12:56 GMT
Will miss the thrash of the GN04 tridents down the A2 but see the sense in giving new buses to a route with further growth potential. I can see the route going up to x15 within a couple of years - certain trips do load very heavily now, and the Earl Estate - Chatham section is a guaranteed moneyspinner from time of yore. I do think the concept of the Sapphire brand has been diluted since inception - the 700 still lacks a Sunday early/late service and even during the week there are parts of the day when the service is hourly. Some of the Sapphire vehicles on the Medway-Maidstone 101 of late have been quite tired. Unless I can guarantee I will find a bus from 0700-0000 (perhaps 0800-2300 Sundays) I wouldn't regard a route as comprehensive, regardless of the vehicles and spec used. The 04 reg's are Volvos. The 700 is geared up to Bluewater opening times so there is never going to be a late service on Sundays. There is a 22.25 from Bluewater now though M-S. I know what you mean about the Sapphire concept looking a bit tired though, the 101 that you mentioned and also the 480/490. |
|
|
|
Post by RandomBusesGirl on Aug 2, 2017 9:35:00 GMT
Yeah why have branded single-decker, that's just silly lol. Bloody shame last 700 from Chatham is at 21:27, should be at least one more departure - it's already one non-TfL route I used numerous times and know will use a lot. In comparison, most other Kent DD routes run after 11pm  Yes I'm aware it's catered for Bluewater, but don't mean some people won't use the route for interchange. Having said that, awful shame the 701 from Bluewater to Maidstone no longer runs, even though there is still a timetable present at B…… |
|
|
|
Post by sid on Aug 2, 2017 13:36:10 GMT
Yeah why have branded single-decker, that's just silly lol. Bloody shame last 700 from Chatham is at 21:27, should be at least one more departure - it's already one non-TfL route I used numerous times and know will use a lot. In comparison, most other Kent DD routes run after 11pm Yes I'm aware it's catered for Bluewater, but don't mean some people won't use the route for interchange. Having said that, awful shame the 701 from Bluewater to Maidstone no longer runs, even though there is still a timetable present at B…… I don't know what the thinking was behind that single decker? It's a route that needs double deckers and having people standing between Bluewater and Strood on the fast A2 section certainly isn't ideal.
The 21.27 is an hour later, probably as good as you're going to get. That obviously works the 22.30 from Bluewater.
It was the 703 that went to Maidstone but was withdrawn due to poor usage, remarkable how well the 700 has done by comparison.
6519 on the 101 route! www.flickr.com/photos/105118016@N05/36164615542/in/dateposted-public/ |
|
|
|
Post by moz on Aug 2, 2017 18:25:34 GMT
Yeah why have branded single-decker, that's just silly lol. Bloody shame last 700 from Chatham is at 21:27, should be at least one more departure - it's already one non-TfL route I used numerous times and know will use a lot. In comparison, most other Kent DD routes run after 11pm Yes I'm aware it's catered for Bluewater, but don't mean some people won't use the route for interchange. Having said that, awful shame the 701 from Bluewater to Maidstone no longer runs, even though there is still a timetable present at B…… I don't know what the thinking was behind that single decker? It's a route that needs double deckers and having people standing between Bluewater and Strood on the fast A2 section certainly isn't ideal. If you want standing passengers on the A2, try the Gold 16 on a morning run into Canterbury. Even better, there are bus stops along the A2 with naught more than a standard length bus stop layby. Seerving these can be nerve-wracking at times. Moz |
|
|
|
Post by N230UD on Aug 2, 2017 22:22:26 GMT
It was the 703 that went to Maidstone but was withdrawn due to poor usage, remarkable how well the 700 has done by comparison. I'm surprised there is no direct bus link to Bluewater from Maidstone, especially when you look at how well the 700 has done. Its not easy to get there by train to Greenhithe either. My guess is that Maidstone has quite a thriving town centre, and the 703 had only one return journey which isn't exactly attractive. |
|
|
|
Post by N230UD on Aug 2, 2017 22:28:43 GMT
If you want standing passengers on the A2, try the Gold 16 on a morning run into Canterbury. Even better, there are bus stops along the A2 with naught more than a standard length bus stop layby. Seerving these can be nerve-wracking at times. Moz I know the stops you mean. Must be awkward for drivers! Most of the stops all have attaching footpaths and even a footbridge, but I also notice that one of the stops (the last A2 stop coast-bound, called Rectory Lane East), has seemingly no connecting footpath, and is surrounded by an embankment, so I really can't see the point of it. Are those stops quite popular then? I've only ever noticed someone use one of those stops once, but that was off-peak. |
|
|
|
Post by sid on Aug 2, 2017 22:38:47 GMT
It was the 703 that went to Maidstone but was withdrawn due to poor usage, remarkable how well the 700 has done by comparison. I'm surprised there is no direct bus link to Bluewater from Maidstone, especially when you look at how well the 700 has done. Its not easy to get there by train to Greenhithe either. My guess is that Maidstone has quite a thriving town centre, and the 703 had only one return journey which isn't exactly attractive. The 703 was more frequent but was gradually reduced, likewise the 704 which went to Tunbridge Wells. Shopping facilities aren't that great in the Medway Towns and it's a quick journey on the 700. |
|
|
|
Post by moz on Aug 3, 2017 16:00:01 GMT
If you want standing passengers on the A2, try the Gold 16 on a morning run into Canterbury. Even better, there are bus stops along the A2 with naught more than a standard length bus stop layby. Seerving these can be nerve-wracking at times. Moz I know the stops you mean. Must be awkward for drivers! Most of the stops all have attaching footpaths and even a footbridge, but I also notice that one of the stops (the last A2 stop coast-bound, called Rectory Lane East), has seemingly no connecting footpath, and is surrounded by an embankment, so I really can't see the point of it. Are those stops quite popular then? I've only ever noticed someone use one of those stops once, but that was off-peak. You do get people using them, one of them is a daily user. If you want to get across from Rectory Lane there is a crossing - that's why the central barriers have a diagonal gap between them. Moz |
|
|
|
Post by N230UD on Aug 3, 2017 20:18:58 GMT
I know the stops you mean. Must be awkward for drivers! Most of the stops all have attaching footpaths and even a footbridge, but I also notice that one of the stops (the last A2 stop coast-bound, called Rectory Lane East), has seemingly no connecting footpath, and is surrounded by an embankment, so I really can't see the point of it. Are those stops quite popular then? I've only ever noticed someone use one of those stops once, but that was off-peak. You do get people using them, one of them is a daily user. If you want to get across from Rectory Lane there is a crossing - that's why the central barriers have a diagonal gap between them. Moz Didn't notice that with the central barriers. Not sure i'd want to cross there! As long as people use common sense though, i'm sure its fine. I'm surprised those have been kept open, compared to a Canterbury-bound stop at Gate Services on the 3-group routes, which was closed due to 'safety reasons', but looks a lot safer than the stops we are talking about. Sorry, a bit off-topic! |
|
