rng
Cleaner
Posts: 13
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Post by rng on Oct 21, 2019 15:27:13 GMT
I drove the Canning Town to London City Airport route yesterday. The routeNot sure what the scheduled headway was on this one, think it was every 7-8 minutes during my late shift and the service finished around 10pm. The only calling points were Canning Town and London City Airport. The changeover point was at Canning Town. Single deckers were allocated, most likely because a lot of passengers would have bulky luggage and wouldn't want to go upstairs. The route was short and literally ran alongside the DLR line, on the 474 line of route from end to end. A lot, and I mean a lot of the people of West Silvertown and Pontoon Dock were really upset about the replacement bus arrangements. Some took to Twitter to make their views known, probably because there are no station staff on the DLR to complain to. I was subjected to expletives and rude/exasperated gestures from people waiting at those stations who were watching some lightly loaded rail replacement buses whizz past. At least 6 different people at Canning Town implored me to make extra stops at those stations, specifically citing poor reliability on the 474's evening service which is supposed to run every 15 minutes. No idea how true it was but the 474's stop at Canning Town seemed to be crowded all 7 times I drove past it, as well as most of the buses I saw leaving there. Somehow people at Canning Town were expecting to be taken to the Woolwich Free Ferry which doesn't actually run after 19:30 on Sundays. People were getting on the 474 and replacement service hoping to get closer to Woolwich Arsenal when the only river crossing for miles is actually the Jubilee Line at Canning Town. I decided to make announcements, welcoming people to the UK on leaving London City Airport and offering brief advice on onward connections. LoadingsMost of the buses were hammered. Some which left LCA in a bunch or between flight arrivals left lightly loaded, but this was the minority. Buses were filling up quickly at both ends until around 8pm. As flights were arriving, I picked up a full double deck load as late as 21:30 from City Airport. Abellio sent some long E200s and MMCs from the C10 but also quite a few shorter E200s from the 484 and one of the P13's legendary MMCs, 8344. It's not the first time that one has escaped onto a rail replacement route. The 474 was under severe pressure from Canning Town. Running timesThey were fine, well matched to actual running times. Vehicle ChoiceDue to the predicted heavy loads and risk of suitcases rolling around, I wanted a bus with extra smooth braking and acceleration. I initially had C10 MMC 8844 but failed it after one rounder. The spare bus happened to be a double deck MMC, 2618 which fit the bill perfectly. SummaryI quite liked the route as a one off. Busy and passengers didn't seem too put out at having to use a bus service to get to the Tube. Route difficulty rating - 1/3 (easy) Enjoyability - 3/5 (moderate) Next route review - Clapham Junction to Chessington South So Pontoon Dock and West Silvertown has no replacement? What about King George V ? Sounds like this one needs revising to a stopper service.
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Post by enviroPB on Oct 21, 2019 22:08:26 GMT
I drove the Canning Town to London City Airport route yesterday. The routeNot sure what the scheduled headway was on this one, think it was every 7-8 minutes during my late shift and the service finished around 10pm. The only calling points were Canning Town and London City Airport. The changeover point was at Canning Town. Single deckers were allocated, most likely because a lot of passengers would have bulky luggage and wouldn't want to go upstairs. The route was short and literally ran alongside the DLR line, on the 474 line of route from end to end. A lot, and I mean a lot of the people of West Silvertown and Pontoon Dock were really upset about the replacement bus arrangements. Some took to Twitter to make their views known, probably because there are no station staff on the DLR to complain to. I was subjected to expletives and rude/exasperated gestures from people waiting at those stations who were watching some lightly loaded rail replacement buses whizz past. At least 6 different people at Canning Town implored me to make extra stops at those stations, specifically citing poor reliability on the 474's evening service which is supposed to run every 15 minutes. No idea how true it was but the 474's stop at Canning Town seemed to be crowded all 7 times I drove past it, as well as most of the buses I saw leaving there. Somehow people at Canning Town were expecting to be taken to the Woolwich Free Ferry which doesn't actually run after 19:30 on Sundays. People were getting on the 474 and replacement service hoping to get closer to Woolwich Arsenal when the only river crossing for miles is actually the Jubilee Line at Canning Town. I decided to make announcements, welcoming people to the UK on leaving London City Airport and offering brief advice on onward connections. LoadingsMost of the buses were hammered. Some which left LCA in a bunch or between flight arrivals left lightly loaded, but this was the minority. Buses were filling up quickly at both ends until around 8pm. As flights were arriving, I picked up a full double deck load as late as 21:30 from City Airport. Abellio sent some long E200s and MMCs from the C10 but also quite a few shorter E200s from the 484 and one of the P13's legendary MMCs, 8344. It's not the first time that one has escaped onto a rail replacement route. The 474 was under severe pressure from Canning Town. Running timesThey were fine, well matched to actual running times. Vehicle ChoiceDue to the predicted heavy loads and risk of suitcases rolling around, I wanted a bus with extra smooth braking and acceleration. I initially had C10 MMC 8844 but failed it after one rounder. The spare bus happened to be a double deck MMC, 2618 which fit the bill perfectly. SummaryI quite liked the route as a one off. Busy and passengers didn't seem too put out at having to use a bus service to get to the Tube. Route difficulty rating - 1/3 (easy) Enjoyability - 3/5 (moderate) Next route review - Clapham Junction to Chessington South Sounds like Tfl called it right with the extras on the 474 then! The route has very little recovery at nights, especially at the Canning Town end. If any spanner is thrown in the works along the route towards Canning Town, then expect the return trip to Manor Park to be delayed as well. Why does everybody forget the foot tunnel between Woolwich and North Woolwich?! Passengers were likely requesting King George V so they are dropped closer to the foot tunnel. Sounds like Tfl botched the replacement service for local people by only having in effect a shuttle to and from London City. The cash-strapped planners in Tfl Towers found an easy way to charge Joe & Jenny Public by propping up the 474 bus route, and as eluded to very few local people do actually alight at London City DLR so it's clear to see who the express replacement buses were aimed for.
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Post by goldenarrow on Oct 22, 2019 19:22:28 GMT
Very little publicity over this. But last Saturday, a replacement bus service ran from Heathrow CBS to Terminal 4 to cover the absence of the inter-terminal transfer operated by TfL Rail. Terminal 5 passengers were redirected via the Piccadilly line. 20 min service was covered by Hallmark Streetlite vehicles.
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Post by LBOTG on Oct 27, 2019 11:35:59 GMT
There's a fun looking one from Ally Pally to Stevenage today. Anyone know it it's buses or coaches?
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Post by 6HP502C on Oct 28, 2019 3:59:59 GMT
Sounds like Tfl called it right with the extras on the 474 then! The route has very little recovery at nights, especially at the Canning Town end. If any spanner is thrown in the works along the route towards Canning Town, then expect the return trip to Manor Park to be delayed as well. Why does everybody forget the foot tunnel between Woolwich and North Woolwich?! Passengers were likely requesting King George V so they are dropped closer to the foot tunnel. Sounds like Tfl botched the replacement service for local people by only having in effect a shuttle to and from London City. The cash-strapped planners in Tfl Towers found an easy way to charge Joe & Jenny Public by propping up the 474 bus route, and as eluded to very few local people do actually alight at London City DLR so it's clear to see who the express replacement buses were aimed for. It wasn't so much forgetting about the Woolwich Foot Tunnel as not being aware of its existence! I'm not sure what TfL's stance is on promoting it as an alternative route - I can't see any evidence that it was! To be fair most of the express replacement buses were absolutely packed and wouldn't have been able to accommodate extra passengers. A good service was provided for the airport traffic. I've had a look at the DLR's Twitter and there was quite a bit of feedback there about the weekend. As for the 474 - a good idea to boost it but I'd hope something was put in place to reimburse anybody who interchanged between rail and the 474 at Canning Town. Meanwhile on Canning Town to Barking, the 238 was once again under severe pressure with so many buses packed to the rafters, some with standees upstairs on the section between West Ham Park and Upton Park - and this was with extras laid on! The replacement bus service seldom seems to be anywhere near that busy.
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Post by redexpress on Oct 28, 2019 7:48:36 GMT
There's a fun looking one from Ally Pally to Stevenage today. Anyone know it it's buses or coaches? Can't answer re: yesterday, but when I've used the service in the past it's been coaches. Often with creative drivers choosing their own routes.
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Post by 6HP502C on Oct 28, 2019 19:01:13 GMT
There's a fun looking one from Ally Pally to Stevenage today. Anyone know it it's buses or coaches? Can't answer re: yesterday, but when I've used the service in the past it's been coaches. Often with creative drivers choosing their own routes. Often a mix. HCT Group have been known to appear on it. If I'm honest it's a route I'd really like to drive, especially if it starts from Finsbury Park!
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Post by richard on Oct 28, 2019 21:54:13 GMT
There's a fun looking one from Ally Pally to Stevenage today. Anyone know it it's buses or coaches? Can't answer re: yesterday, but when I've used the service in the past it's been coaches. Often with creative drivers choosing their own routes. Often a mix. HCT Group have been known to appear on it. If I'm honest it's a route I'd really like to drive, especially if it starts from Finsbury Park! There is the Tottenham to Ally Pally shuttle during match days
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 2, 2019 10:06:25 GMT
Busy day tomorrow. The SWML is shut between Clapham Junction and Byfleet so a full on rail replacement service will be in operation through Wimbledon.
The western end of the District Line is also shut, including the Wimbledon branch so expect the town will be busier than usual with buses.
Hopefully all rail replacement buses will comply with DDA by having the destination displayed somewhere on the front of the bus. Some contractors sort it themselves but others don't bother and First don't tend to supply them. With the recent attention the legislation has seen smoking out non compliant buses and coaches, I expect this element will also be under scrutiny. It's also good practice as several services run and dwell times are much increased because people have no option but to ask the driver where the bus is going!
Also St Johns Hill will be taken over by SWR rail replacement buses setting down, picking up, laying over and taking PNBs because Grant Road is shut - assume the SLL Canada Water service is also affected. Not sure how this will work with there being more than enough service buses as it is. Kudos to First for disseminating a brief on this because normally, nobody takes any responsibility for informing rail replacement drivers of road closures on line of route, even if it is planned - TfL routes excluded as briefs and maps are supplied.
I'll be shuttling between Clapham Junction and Twickenham via Kingston enjoying the usual eventfulness of the closure!
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Post by John tuthill on Nov 2, 2019 10:37:52 GMT
Busy day tomorrow. The SWML is shut between Clapham Junction and Byfleet so a full on rail replacement service will be in operation through Wimbledon. The western end of the District Line is also shut, including the Wimbledon branch so expect the town will be busier than usual with buses. Hopefully all rail replacement buses will comply with DDA by having the destination displayed somewhere on the front of the bus. Some contractors sort it themselves but others don't bother and First don't tend to supply them. With the recent attention the legislation has seen smoking out non compliant buses and coaches, I expect this element will also be under scrutiny. It's also good practice as several services run and dwell times are much increased because people have no option but to ask the driver where the bus is going! Also St Johns Hill will be taken over by SWR rail replacement buses setting down, picking up, laying over and taking PNBs because Grant Road is shut - assume the SLL Canada Water service is also affected. Not sure how this will work with there being more than enough service buses as it is. Kudos to First for disseminating a brief on this because normally, nobody takes any responsibility for informing rail replacement drivers of road closures on line of route, even if it is planned - TfL routes excluded as briefs and maps are supplied. I'll be shuttling between Clapham Junction and Twickenham via Kingston enjoying the usual eventfulness of the closure! If you're calling at Norbiton, don't forget the low bridge(if your driving a D/D)
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 2, 2019 17:43:18 GMT
If you're calling at Norbiton, don't forget the low bridge(if your driving a D/D) Thanks for the heads up but I should be ok 7 years of dedicated rail replacement driving, I keep a sharp eye out for bridge heights. That said, I almost had a heart attack and left tyre marks on the road in Chislehurst one night a few weeks ago because somebody decided it was a good idea to put a 14'3" restriction sign on the bridge itself, despite the warning sign some way back stating the correct height of 14'6" . The sign on the bridge has since been rectified. Fortunately I was running empty! I preferred the St Mildreds Road, Catford variant where they put 14'3" on the warning board ahead of the bridge and the convoy of 5 deckers I was leading caused mayhem whilst I established that the bridge was still safe for 14'6" by flagging down a 202 and checking the plate in the cab!
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Post by John tuthill on Nov 2, 2019 17:46:59 GMT
If you're calling at Norbiton, don't forget the low bridge(if your driving a D/D) Thanks for the heads up but I should be ok 7 years of dedicated rail replacement driving, I keep a sharp eye out for bridge heights. That said, I almost had a heart attack and left tyre marks on the road in Chislehurst one night a few weeks ago because somebody decided it was a good idea to put a 14'3" restriction sign on the bridge itself, despite the warning sign some way back stating the correct height of 14'6" . The sign on the bridge has since been rectified. Fortunately I was running empty! Are brown trousers and bycycle clips part of your uniform?
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Post by MoEnviro on Nov 3, 2019 10:03:43 GMT
Busy day tomorrow. The SWML is shut between Clapham Junction and Byfleet so a full on rail replacement service will be in operation through Wimbledon. The western end of the District Line is also shut, including the Wimbledon branch so expect the town will be busier than usual with buses. Hopefully all rail replacement buses will comply with DDA by having the destination displayed somewhere on the front of the bus. Some contractors sort it themselves but others don't bother and First don't tend to supply them. With the recent attention the legislation has seen smoking out non compliant buses and coaches, I expect this element will also be under scrutiny. It's also good practice as several services run and dwell times are much increased because people have no option but to ask the driver where the bus is going! Also St Johns Hill will be taken over by SWR rail replacement buses setting down, picking up, laying over and taking PNBs because Grant Road is shut - assume the SLL Canada Water service is also affected. Not sure how this will work with there being more than enough service buses as it is. Kudos to First for disseminating a brief on this because normally, nobody takes any responsibility for informing rail replacement drivers of road closures on line of route, even if it is planned - TfL routes excluded as briefs and maps are supplied. I'll be shuttling between Clapham Junction and Twickenham via Kingston enjoying the usual eventfulness of the closure! If you're calling at Norbiton, don't forget the low bridge(if your driving a D/D) I am seeing pics to suggest a Morton's Double Decker has hit Norbiton bridge.
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 3, 2019 10:20:20 GMT
If you're calling at Norbiton, don't forget the low bridge(if your driving a D/D) I am seeing pics to suggest a Morton's Double Decker has hit Norbiton bridge. I've seen the images on social media
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Post by 6HP502C on Nov 3, 2019 10:36:34 GMT
Thanks for the heads up but I should be ok 7 years of dedicated rail replacement driving, I keep a sharp eye out for bridge heights. That said, I almost had a heart attack and left tyre marks on the road in Chislehurst one night a few weeks ago because somebody decided it was a good idea to put a 14'3" restriction sign on the bridge itself, despite the warning sign some way back stating the correct height of 14'6" . The sign on the bridge has since been rectified. Fortunately I was running empty! Are brown trousers and bycycle clips part of your uniform? No, but I have a strong stomach fortunately! I have come across the odd low bridge without warning but the idea is you stop and go back the way you came until it's safe to spin the bus around, calling the police for help if necessary. Once took a wrong turn and ended up on the road to Rettendon in Essex where after a few miles warnings appeared for a 13'3 bridge, prompting a turn by a car lot. And running dead from FW to Surbiton I happened upon a 14'0" bridge on St Mary's Road in Surbiton. I suppose many years of riding buses in London, I get used to being on double deckers so if on a road I don't know where I'm not certain deckers run, I approach any bridge that looks even remotely suspect with caution, just in case. I don't drive a car or a regular route with smaller vehicles or use a satnav - for some who do, there may be a risk of going into autopilot. If anything I get the opposite and have to override the pang in my stomach when going under a low bridge in a single decker, which i rarely drive. All that said some bridges which are plated as safe are still quite scary to drive through due to a tiny margin for error - St James's Road in Bermondsey for example, I will never take a decker under that bridge again!!
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