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Post by ServerKing on Mar 12, 2018 19:15:53 GMT
Seems some residents in Greenwich borough are not happy about Chariot minibuses. Short article on BBC London News this evening with residents complaining about the minibuses on "their" streets and about the virtual bus stops. They are saying they weren't consulted - not strictly true as there was a public consultation albeit buried on the TfL website. Apparently the local boroughs were consulted but I wonder if local councillors said anything or spoke to any locals. The residents have said the problem is for TfL to solve as TfL should tell Chariot where the buses can run. TfL were quoted as saying they only check the route is "safe". Chariot were quoted as saying they have all the requisite licences and permissions. Looks like something that will run and run. This is the Uber of buses. This will run and run, but I see the service petering out like that posh Docklands to Muswell Hill effort a few months ago  |
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Post by wirewiper on Mar 12, 2018 19:27:10 GMT
Seems some residents in Greenwich borough are not happy about Chariot minibuses. Short article on BBC London News this evening with residents complaining about the minibuses on "their" streets and about the virtual bus stops. They are saying they weren't consulted - not strictly true as there was a public consultation albeit buried on the TfL website. Apparently the local boroughs were consulted but I wonder if local councillors said anything or spoke to any locals. The residents have said the problem is for TfL to solve as TfL should tell Chariot where the buses can run. TfL were quoted as saying they only check the route is "safe". Chariot were quoted as saying they have all the requisite licences and permissions. Looks like something that will run and run. Were any passengers asked for their point of view - or aren't there any yet?  |
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Post by danorak on Mar 12, 2018 19:51:02 GMT
Seems some residents in Greenwich borough are not happy about Chariot minibuses. Short article on BBC London News this evening with residents complaining about the minibuses on "their" streets and about the virtual bus stops. They are saying they weren't consulted - not strictly true as there was a public consultation albeit buried on the TfL website. Apparently the local boroughs were consulted but I wonder if local councillors said anything or spoke to any locals. The residents have said the problem is for TfL to solve as TfL should tell Chariot where the buses can run. TfL were quoted as saying they only check the route is "safe". Chariot were quoted as saying they have all the requisite licences and permissions. Looks like something that will run and run. I'm not sure Greenwich Council (sorry, the Royal Borough  ) has a great track record with this sort of thing - if it doesn't affect Eltham, they don't really seem interested. That road looked like somewhere on the top of Shooters Hill: perhaps a good indicator of attitudes in the area and why the idea of a double deck 244 has caused angst. |
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Post by snoggle on Mar 12, 2018 20:17:50 GMT
Seems some residents in Greenwich borough are not happy about Chariot minibuses. Short article on BBC London News this evening with residents complaining about the minibuses on "their" streets and about the virtual bus stops. They are saying they weren't consulted - not strictly true as there was a public consultation albeit buried on the TfL website. Apparently the local boroughs were consulted but I wonder if local councillors said anything or spoke to any locals. The residents have said the problem is for TfL to solve as TfL should tell Chariot where the buses can run. TfL were quoted as saying they only check the route is "safe". Chariot were quoted as saying they have all the requisite licences and permissions. Looks like something that will run and run. Were any passengers asked for their point of view - or aren't there any yet? Two people were shown boarding and travelling along. They were not interviewed. Whether 2 passengers is indicative of usage I have no idea. I haven't see any Chariot minibuses in service and, of course, you can't see inside the vehicles because of the advertising. |
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Post by stuckonthe486 on Mar 13, 2018 10:56:28 GMT
Seems some residents in Greenwich borough are not happy about Chariot minibuses. Short article on BBC London News this evening with residents complaining about the minibuses on "their" streets and about the virtual bus stops. They are saying they weren't consulted - not strictly true as there was a public consultation albeit buried on the TfL website. Apparently the local boroughs were consulted but I wonder if local councillors said anything or spoke to any locals. The residents have said the problem is for TfL to solve as TfL should tell Chariot where the buses can run. TfL were quoted as saying they only check the route is "safe". Chariot were quoted as saying they have all the requisite licences and permissions. Looks like something that will run and run. It's Greenwich, councillors don't share anything with residents. I saw a Chariot leaving North Greenwich the other afternoon - it was heading down Bugsby's Way, which isn't one of its permitted routes. Couldn't see if it was carrying any passengers. |
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Post by snoggle on Aug 13, 2018 23:32:25 GMT
I see in the latest LSP Bulletin that Chariot are letting a couple of their Wandsworth routes lapse but are creating a new circular Wanderloo route from Wandsworth Common to Waterloo. Also of interest is that the Shooters Hill Shot is proposed for diversion via Westcombe Park Station "due to considerable public demand". I assume commuters are fed up with being unable to get on packed 108s and don't want the longer drag on the 422 to reach NOG. That looks like it may be one to watch in that people are prepared to pay a higher fare just to be able to travel at a convenient time. |
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Post by cl54 on Aug 14, 2018 5:53:04 GMT
I see in the latest LSP Bulletin that Chariot are letting a couple of their Wandsworth routes lapse but are creating a new circular Wanderloo route from Wandsworth Common to Waterloo. Also of interest is that the Shooters Hill Shot is proposed for diversion via Westcombe Park Station "due to considerable public demand". I assume commuters are fed up with being unable to get on packed 108s and don't want the longer drag on the 422 to reach NOG. That looks like it may be one to watch in that people are prepared to pay a higher fare just to be able to travel at a convenient time. <iframe width="22.160000000000082" height="3.8799999999999955" style="position: absolute; width: 22.160000000000082px; height: 3.8799999999999955px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none;left: 15px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_65143843" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="22.160000000000082" height="3.8799999999999955" style="position: absolute; width: 22.16px; height: 3.88px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1049px; top: -5px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_42991277" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="22.160000000000082" height="3.8799999999999955" style="position: absolute; width: 22.16px; height: 3.88px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 15px; top: 134px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_69547010" scrolling="no"></iframe> <iframe width="22.160000000000082" height="3.8799999999999955" style="position: absolute; width: 22.16px; height: 3.88px; z-index: -9999; border-style: none; left: 1049px; top: 134px;" id="MoatPxIOPT0_66648841" scrolling="no"></iframe> Wealthy residents from the Shooters Hill will surely be heading for the Elizabeth line at Woolwich from December. (The 108 doesn't run anywhere near there.) Westcombe Park is hardly a good interchange given the awkward service pattern on the line since the introduction of Thameslink services. I live next door to the Old Royal Military Academy site which has been converted into luxury housing. There is a constant flow of Uber vehicles at the gates. |
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Post by snoggle on Aug 14, 2018 8:10:02 GMT
I see in the latest LSP Bulletin that Chariot are letting a couple of their Wandsworth routes lapse but are creating a new circular Wanderloo route from Wandsworth Common to Waterloo. Also of interest is that the Shooters Hill Shot is proposed for diversion via Westcombe Park Station "due to considerable public demand". I assume commuters are fed up with being unable to get on packed 108s and don't want the longer drag on the 422 to reach NOG. That looks like it may be one to watch in that people are prepared to pay a higher fare just to be able to travel at a convenient time. Wealthy residents from the Shooters Hill will surely be heading for the Elizabeth line at Woolwich from December. (The 108 doesn't run anywhere near there.) Westcombe Park is hardly a good interchange given the awkward service pattern on the line since the introduction of Thameslink services. I live next door to the Old Royal Military Academy site which has been converted into luxury housing. There is a constant flow of Uber vehicles at the gates. Eh? The Chariot route is called the "Shooters Hill Shot" and goes to North Greenwich. It currently avoids Westcombe Park Stn. Locals seemingly want it to stop there. I assume that is because they are fed up of not being able to board crush loaded buses (108 and 422) heading to NOG. What the residents of Shooters Hill may do come December is not relevant to this proposed change. |
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Post by cl54 on Aug 14, 2018 8:30:51 GMT
Wealthy residents from the Shooters Hill will surely be heading for the Elizabeth line at Woolwich from December. (The 108 doesn't run anywhere near there.) Westcombe Park is hardly a good interchange given the awkward service pattern on the line since the introduction of Thameslink services. I live next door to the Old Royal Military Academy site which has been converted into luxury housing. There is a constant flow of Uber vehicles at the gates. Eh? The Chariot route is called the "Shooters Hill Shot" and goes to North Greenwich. It currently avoids Westcombe Park Stn. Locals seemingly want it to stop there. I assume that is because they are fed up of not being able to board crush loaded buses (108 and 422) heading to NOG. What the residents of Shooters Hill may do come December is not relevant to this proposed change. Shooters Hill – Plum Lane, Dalin Road, Eglinton Hill, Condover Crescent, Moordown, Donaldson Road. It would then pick up in Kidbrooke – Corelli Road, Dursley Road, Hargood Road and Begbie Road – before running fast to North Greenwich station via the Blackwall Tunnel approach. The point I made is that this is nowhere near the 108. The current route allows access to North Greenwich via the back door route (as used by the 132). This would be lost with a diversion and potential traffic delays. One of the problems with the Blackwall Tunnel is a three lane approach road and (currently) a two lane tunnel. I would like to see the inside lane become a bus lane. To be used by commuter coaches as well as buses. |
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Post by John tuthill on Aug 14, 2018 13:14:03 GMT
That looks a lot like a van to me. so the rumours are correct. You HAVE been to Specsavers!  |
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Post by danorak on Aug 14, 2018 13:36:23 GMT
Wealthy residents from the Shooters Hill will surely be heading for the Elizabeth line at Woolwich from December. (The 108 doesn't run anywhere near there.) Westcombe Park is hardly a good interchange given the awkward service pattern on the line since the introduction of Thameslink services. I live next door to the Old Royal Military Academy site which has been converted into luxury housing. There is a constant flow of Uber vehicles at the gates. Eh? The Chariot route is called the "Shooters Hill Shot" and goes to North Greenwich. It currently avoids Westcombe Park Stn. Locals seemingly want it to stop there. I assume that is because they are fed up of not being able to board crush loaded buses (108 and 422) heading to NOG. What the residents of Shooters Hill may do come December is not relevant to this proposed change. Very interesting. I can see two reasons for this. Firstly, as you say, the 108 is packed towards North Greenwich in the morning. There is likely to be more interest in a premium service from Westcombe Park than the council housing served on the Brook Estate. Secondly, sitting on the A102 in the morning peak is not a great passenger experience, Westcombe Hill will not be any slower and will gain a passenger or two. I wonder if they will be allowed to use the bus gate. |
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Post by redbus on Aug 14, 2018 13:39:11 GMT
I see in the latest LSP Bulletin that Chariot are letting a couple of their Wandsworth routes lapse but are creating a new circular Wanderloo route from Wandsworth Common to Waterloo. Also of interest is that the Shooters Hill Shot is proposed for diversion via Westcombe Park Station "due to considerable public demand". I assume commuters are fed up with being unable to get on packed 108s and don't want the longer drag on the 422 to reach NOG. That looks like it may be one to watch in that people are prepared to pay a higher fare just to be able to travel at a convenient time. I think TfL need to learn from this. Send buses to the places passengers wish to travel rather than where TfL want to send them, and do so with sufficient capacity.
That the likes of Chariot are succeeding with this sort of things shows that TfL are not doing their job fully.
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Post by snoggle on Aug 14, 2018 14:50:34 GMT
I see in the latest LSP Bulletin that Chariot are letting a couple of their Wandsworth routes lapse but are creating a new circular Wanderloo route from Wandsworth Common to Waterloo. Also of interest is that the Shooters Hill Shot is proposed for diversion via Westcombe Park Station "due to considerable public demand". I assume commuters are fed up with being unable to get on packed 108s and don't want the longer drag on the 422 to reach NOG. That looks like it may be one to watch in that people are prepared to pay a higher fare just to be able to travel at a convenient time. I think TfL need to learn from this. Send buses to the places passengers wish to travel rather than where TfL want to send them, and do so with sufficient capacity.
That the likes of Chariot are succeeding with this sort of things shows that TfL are not doing their job fully. Before I saw the LSP yesterday I was actually to post asking whether people had seen the Chariot services in use and whether they had picked up a regular clientel. I tend to avoid the rush hour these days so I'm unlikely to ever be in the right place to see Chariot in action. If they have regular passengers who are forking out for the privilege then perhaps yes they are succeeding. I just haven't heard anything from any source as to what is going on. The news about serving Westcombe Park is the first hint that something may be going right. |
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Post by danorak on Aug 14, 2018 16:13:30 GMT
I think TfL need to learn from this. Send buses to the places passengers wish to travel rather than where TfL want to send them, and do so with sufficient capacity.
That the likes of Chariot are succeeding with this sort of things shows that TfL are not doing their job fully. Before I saw the LSP yesterday I was actually to post asking whether people had seen the Chariot services in use and whether they had picked up a regular clientel. I tend to avoid the rush hour these days so I'm unlikely to ever be in the right place to see Chariot in action. If they have regular passengers who are forking out for the privilege then perhaps yes they are succeeding. I just haven't heard anything from any source as to what is going on. The news about serving Westcombe Park is the first hint that something may be going right. I see them occasionally but because they are so heavily branded it's hard to see whether anyone's on board or not! I know Roger French has tried them out and not seen any other passengers. Having considered this a bit further, I'm surprised they're not looking to penetrate Westcombe Park a bit more. There's no direct link from there to the Tube at North Greenwich - running via Westcombe Park Road and Beaconsfield or Coleraine Roads might add a minute or two but could prove lucrative. |
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Post by snoggle on Sept 2, 2018 15:44:28 GMT
I note that the latest London Service Permit contains two more services, this time under contract, for Chariot. This time the services are in the Stockley Park area with a peak time shuttle to / from Hayes and Harlington and a lunchtime service to / from Uxbridge. Shows what Easit Stockley Park (the contracting party) think of TfL's bus services! Consultation links below. Stockley Park shuttleUxbridge service |
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) has a great track record with this sort of thing - if it doesn't affect Eltham, they don't really seem interested. That road looked like somewhere on the top of Shooters Hill: perhaps a good indicator of attitudes in the area and why the idea of a double deck 244 has caused angst.
