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Post by VPL630 on Jan 4, 2020 20:13:49 GMT
Ensignbus were out on Distric Line between Barking and Liverpool Street today helping out Arriva, due to ULEZ, only BCI's were out
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Post by george on Jan 4, 2020 20:18:00 GMT
Ensignbus were out on Distric Line between Barking and Liverpool Street today helping out Arriva, due to ULEZ, only BCI's were out They was also helping out on the SWR replacement services.
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Post by VPL630 on Jan 4, 2020 20:22:35 GMT
Ensignbus were out on Distric Line between Barking and Liverpool Street today helping out Arriva, due to ULEZ, only BCI's were out They was also helping out on the SWR replacement services. and GTR in Peterborough, along with C2C Upminster to Grays
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 10, 2020 12:41:11 GMT
Massive closure in North West London over the weekend with three routes for the Jubilee/Met. JL2 - Baker Street to Wembley Park ML1 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Rayners Lane ML2 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Northwood The JL2 will be operated by Abellio London Limited. Tomorrow it's a 20bph service as far as Willesden Green with a PVR of 57 buses! Heaven only knows how many operators will actually be out but I'm fairly certain there will be variety. I will be out to witness the fun and games. In the meantime I've been brushing up on the route by watching a route visuals taken on one of those nice old Y plate Tridents. I suppose it'll mostly be Euro 5 E400s these days which aren't quite the same!
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Post by snowman on Jan 10, 2020 13:12:35 GMT
Massive closure in North West London over the weekend with three routes for the Jubilee/Met. JL2 - Baker Street to Wembley Park ML1 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Rayners Lane ML2 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Northwood The JL2 will be operated by Abellio London Limited. Tomorrow it's a 20bph service as far as Willesden Green with a PVR of 57 buses! Heaven only knows how many operators will actually be out but I'm fairly certain there will be variety. I will be out to witness the fun and games. In the meantime I've been brushing up on the route by watching a route visuals taken on one of those nice old Y plate Tridents. I suppose it'll mostly be Euro 5 E400s these days which aren't quite the same! Also quite a big rail replacement in SW London this weekend Replacement bus services will run on the following routes (Saturday): Between Clapham Junction and Surbiton. Between Clapham Junction and Raynes Park (to connect with trains to Epsom). Between Clapham Junction and Chessington South. Between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Wimbledon. Replacement bus services will run on the following routes (Sunday): Between Clapham Junction and Woking / Weybridge via Surbiton Between Clapham Junction and Surbiton. Between Clapham Junction and Hampton Court Between Clapham Junction and Effingham Junction via Cobham Between Clapham Junction and Epsom. Between Clapham Junction and Chessington South. Between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Wimbledon Between Ascot and Reading And since 1st January 2020 the regulations have been updated for DDA compliance for rail replacements Not just wheelchair assessible, but also full audio and visual announcements of all stops etc So if not programmed, drivers will have to use PA at each stop, and display proper destinations (not scruffy bits of paper)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 17:19:37 GMT
Massive closure in North West London over the weekend with three routes for the Jubilee/Met. JL2 - Baker Street to Wembley Park ML1 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Rayners Lane ML2 - Stonebridge Park - Wembley Park - Northwood The JL2 will be operated by Abellio London Limited. Tomorrow it's a 20bph service as far as Willesden Green with a PVR of 57 buses! Heaven only knows how many operators will actually be out but I'm fairly certain there will be variety. I will be out to witness the fun and games. In the meantime I've been brushing up on the route by watching a route visuals taken on one of those nice old Y plate Tridents. I suppose it'll mostly be Euro 5 E400s these days which aren't quite the same! Also quite a big rail replacement in SW London this weekend Replacement bus services will run on the following routes (Saturday): Between Clapham Junction and Surbiton. Between Clapham Junction and Raynes Park (to connect with trains to Epsom). Between Clapham Junction and Chessington South. Between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Wimbledon. Replacement bus services will run on the following routes (Sunday): Between Clapham Junction and Woking / Weybridge via Surbiton Between Clapham Junction and Surbiton. Between Clapham Junction and Hampton Court Between Clapham Junction and Effingham Junction via Cobham Between Clapham Junction and Epsom. Between Clapham Junction and Chessington South. Between Clapham Junction and Kingston via Wimbledon Between Ascot and Reading And since 1st January 2020 the regulations have been updated for DDA compliance for rail replacements Not just wheelchair assessible, but also full audio and visual announcements of all stops etc So if not programmed, drivers will have to use PA at each stop, and display proper destinations (not scruffy bits of paper)That will be a challenge for First to organise.
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 10, 2020 17:53:19 GMT
That will be a challenge for First to organise. They have experience, although the rules tightening on procurement doesn't help. Someone should really take responsibility for ensuring the buses display the correct destination at the front though, especially with so many services operating. TfL and Go-Ahead provide slipboards for contractors. Even Abellio Rail provide an A4 sheet which is better than nothing. First only provide a generic rail replacement slipboard with space to place the running number, but not the destination!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 10, 2020 19:09:20 GMT
That will be a challenge for First to organise. They have experience, although the rules tightening on procurement doesn't help. Someone should really take responsibility for ensuring the buses display the correct destination at the front though, especially with so many services operating. TfL and Go-Ahead provide slipboards for contractors. Even Abellio Rail provide an A4 sheet which is better than nothing. First only provide a generic rail replacement slipboard with space to place the running number, but not the destination! A couple of weekends ago, First forgot to route buses to cover the Kew Bridge branch. I overheard a contractor telling would be passengers getting off at Barnes for a replacement bus service that they could only go to Richmond or Twickenham. A few people were just left at Barnes pondering how to get to Chiswick and Kew Bridge. Pretty appalling.
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 10, 2020 20:59:35 GMT
They have experience, although the rules tightening on procurement doesn't help. Someone should really take responsibility for ensuring the buses display the correct destination at the front though, especially with so many services operating. TfL and Go-Ahead provide slipboards for contractors. Even Abellio Rail provide an A4 sheet which is better than nothing. First only provide a generic rail replacement slipboard with space to place the running number, but not the destination! A couple of weekends ago, First forgot to route buses to cover the Kew Bridge branch. I overheard a contractor telling would be passengers getting off at Barnes for a replacement bus service that they could only go to Richmond or Twickenham. A few people were just left at Barnes pondering how to get to Chiswick and Kew Bridge. Pretty appalling. That sort of thing happens from time to time. Once a 10bph rail replacement service was running on the Forest Hill line to supplement a full 8tph London Overground rail service. Meanwhile the London Bridge to Tulse Hill line had a planned closure on and no rail replacement service. The only passengers I picked up were people who wanted a lift to Crystal Palace Parade for the fireworks!
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 11, 2020 9:13:10 GMT
Lewisham is very busy with a 4bph service to Orpington including 2x double deck which are scheduled and advertised to bypass Elmstead Wood. And 4bph to Dartford via Bexleyheath. So far seen one bus blinded for the 37 (rare to see PM on rail!) and one for the 648, buses from several garages are out.
To stop the place snarling up I hope the service buses are being encouraged to use the Thurston Road stand so the on-road stands can be used by rail buses.
It looks like Abellio Rail Replacement beat First to procuring some buses as some contractors that normally do SWR are on Baker Street to Wembley!
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Post by allentc on Jan 11, 2020 10:09:29 GMT
Someone should really take responsibility for ensuring the buses display the correct destination at the front though, especially with so many services operating. TfL and Go-Ahead provide slipboards for contractors. Even Abellio Rail provide an A4 sheet which is better than nothing. First only provide a generic rail replacement slipboard with space to place the running number, but not the destination! The SWT replacement bus service is always an utter shambles, a complete disaster. You'd think SWT would learn from previous experience but in fact if anything, it seems to get progressively worse!
All other replacement services, at least the tube and GAL operated ones I've been on, have a piece of paper prominently on the dash telling people what the final destination is - simple, but it works. The SWT buses never have cards in the window and half the time the station staff don't seem to know either where they are going when the buses arrive which causes unnecessary initial panic and confusion (both amongst staff and passengers) when one rolls up.
The number of operators and variety of buses and coaches are great for bus/coach enthusiasts but what makes them think that 16 seater executive mini-buses are an appropriate size of vehicle to provide? Not much help when there are 30+ people wanting to get on and nobody knows when the next bus in the same direction is due (because the staff coordinating it don't have a clue)! I thought there were rules about what the minimum size of vehicle provided should be?
There are often large crowds outside Clapham Junction and the staff aren't provided with megaphones and have to resort to shouting which can't be very healthy for them doing a long shift. Shouting is waste of time anyway as its not loud enough given the background traffic noise and the rumbling of the idling bus engines.
In terms of drivers getting lost the SWT service seems to be the worst one I have been on by far. Does anyone know what kind of route training or resources it is that the drivers receive?
Rant over! The fault lies entirely with SWT not equipping buses with destination sheets, providing inadequate route training to drivers, not arming station staff with the suitable equipment to communicate with waiting passengers (megaphones, portable white boards/signs) and providing minibuses which are far too small.
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Post by goldenarrow on Jan 11, 2020 14:37:47 GMT
An NRM was on the ML-2 today. Somewhat ironic that it is ergonomically better suited to rail replacements with three doors and no fare protection!
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Post by MoEnviro on Jan 11, 2020 15:57:02 GMT
An NRM was on the ML-2 today. Somewhat ironic that it is ergonomically better suited to rail replacements with three doors and no fare protection! Imagine that... Boris buses become a fleet of rail replacement buses solely used at weekends...
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Post by bottomless on Jan 12, 2020 7:40:35 GMT
I remember controlling an SWT rail replacement for London United at Clapham Junction for service to Twickenham with Stagecoach operating the Sunday 1 bus an hour service to Kew Bridge out of Basingstoke garage. Two of the three buses provided collided with each other with neither being left fit for service and no Stagecoach control provided. 1bus left for service meaning a 3 hourly service on this replacement until replacement buses could be provided from Basingstoke. Lots of extremely unhappy passengers unloading their wrath onto the only person available IE me. Had selected buses serve Barnes Bridge and suggested passengers for Kew Bridge either went to North Sheen for a 391 or Richmond for a 65. Passengers for Chiswick to do the same but get a 391 to Turnham Green then change for a 272 or E3. As for the use of minibuses these were used by SWR last year for Wimbledon to Hampton Court, Effingham Junction or Woking. People left behind at most stations in either direction, no station staff in evidence anywhere other than Surbiton or Woking, drivers setting their mobile phones for use as Sat Nav, and even a 16 seat minibus used for last service from Woking which left people stranded at Woking. To my mind this is SWR failing its passengers very badly and needs to be rectified quickly. In my day on rail replacement maps were provided for the route at the very least, and drivers were notified they were doing replacement services in advance so if they were conscientious they could go out and route learn the roads in their car, which most did. From what I have seen recently some companies doing this work need to act with a lot more professionalism.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 12, 2020 7:57:18 GMT
I remember controlling an SWT rail replacement for London United at Clapham Junction for service to Twickenham with Stagecoach operating the Sunday 1 bus an hour service to Kew Bridge out of Basingstoke garage. Two of the three buses provided collided with each other with neither being left fit for service and no Stagecoach control provided. 1bus left for service meaning a 3 hourly service on this replacement until replacement buses could be provided from Basingstoke. Lots of extremely unhappy passengers unloading their wrath onto the only person available IE me. Had selected buses serve Barnes Bridge and suggested passengers for Kew Bridge either went to North Sheen for a 391 or Richmond for a 65. Passengers for Chiswick to do the same but get a 391 to Turnham Green then change for a 272 or E3. As for the use of minibuses these were used by SWR last year for Wimbledon to Hampton Court, Effingham Junction or Woking. People left behind at most stations in either direction, no station staff in evidence anywhere other than Surbiton or Woking, drivers setting their mobile phones for use as Sat Nav, and even a 16 seat minibus used for last service from Woking which left people stranded at Woking. To my mind this is SWR failing its passengers very badly and needs to be rectified quickly. In my day on rail replacement maps were provided for the route at the very least, and drivers were notified they were doing replacement services in advance so if they were conscientious they could go out and route learn the roads in their car, which most did. From what I have seen recently some companies doing this work need to act with a lot more professionalism. You raise many excellent points. Possibly the most important is the lack of staff provided by the rail operator. I too can recall a few chaotic scenes outside Clapham Junction station where it was bus controllers getting all the hassle. Sadly London United, or United Motorcoaches, don’t do this work anymore. However I recall hearing a reason why Epsom Coaches were always reluctant to get involved. And it was simply because they didn’t want their brand name associated with such an appalling service.
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