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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Nov 27, 2019 23:26:33 GMT
The folly of cutting so many buses from a busy route such as the 18 proved the wrong decision today. Roadworks in Harlesdon and associated idiotic drivers ignoring temporary lights was causing delays of up to an hour. Credit to LU the controllers were doing a great job at trying to ensure an even service. Lots of turns ( Paddington Green, Harrow Road "Police Station" , Craven Park, Stonebridge Park) I caught VH45234 after it was turned at Harrow Road as it went back to Sudbury. Full up by Ladbroke Grove. Even the bunched buses were carrying standing loads. So despite an extra train per hour on the overground, that doesn't help most of the route as it's on it's own between Wembley and Harlesdon. Ridiculous decision made, dare I say, just to provide buses on the cheap for the 306. Which is a Frankenstein route created by another tfl madcap decision to butcher another Brent route (266) I tell you what route I think will be next on their hitlist. The 29. That had a huge fall in patronage last year and has a huge PVR, they’ve been working their way through the busiest routes as TfL are shelling out the most money for them so they can obviously see big savings there. The seven busiest routes are the 18, 25, 29, 140, 149, 243 and 207. Five of those have been dealt with (18 and 25 had huge cuts as we know, 207 frequency reduction, 140 butchered and the 149 was adjusted in the CLBC consultation). I’d imagine the 243 is safe for now as that is getting continually busier, I suspect they will turn their attention and get their unleash their guillotine on the 29 pretty soon. I was thinking exactly the same regarding the 29, TfL seem to be working down a pecking order of route's that need "sorting out" before they become monsters effectively that cannot be cut and even more resources need to be thrown at them. The cut to the 25 was one that was clearly engineered over a very long period of time - starting back when the Bank Shorts became Mile End shorts which paved the way for the 425 to be extended and eventually the 25 being removed in bits. As for the 18, it's almost as if someone at TfL towers just saw the Overground getting its extra train by chance a few weeks ago and then ran into the office and realised there was no better time to randomly slash the 18. TfL also "sorted out" the 5 in 2016 while that was growing with the EL2 extension (but in hindsight that's probably the best sorting out of a route we've had recently). I'm also very doubtful that the 207 has seen the end of it, the impending 427 cut will now doubt cause its usage to soar and TfL will be just as aware of it as we are and I imagine they already have a plan in place should that happen but they're just waiting to see what effect the Elizabeth Line has on it. The 243 I imagine is on their hitlist for certain, as you mention it's getting busier and TfL will probably want to reverse that and pile the load onto other routes or other modes of transport that they operate. I'm sure there's something coming for the 149 too, it's just a matter of when TfL get the time to get around to it.
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rml1969
Conductor
Adolescent & Youth Worker - OWR Driver
Posts: 69
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Post by rml1969 on Nov 28, 2019 2:54:01 GMT
Going carefully through all the Central London bus changes, I have come to a conclusion that route 25 change to City Thameslink was the most idiotic cut (only my opinion).
It must cause severe disruption and inconvenience to Morning and Evening commuters. From Ilford to reach Oxford Circus the commuters are required to change buses 3 times - 25 - 8 - 55/98/390. Nothing useful, pure hassle.
To elaborate, we need to acknowledge that many commuters are on low wages and therefore cannot afford to commute via the Underground or Rail. Action needs to be taken to notify TFL about the impact these changes have on public.
TFL = Keeping London Moving
MORE LIKE
TFL= Making London Standstill
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Post by twobellstogo on Nov 28, 2019 18:00:36 GMT
If anyone has any thought that routes should be further shortened, they are probably right. I’m currently having a pretty hellish journey on the usually bucolic 411 with the distinct thought that even this route is too long 🙄
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 28, 2019 18:11:35 GMT
So I was back in Croydon today for the first time since the major changes took place and I have to say TfL could have done a lot better with publicising these changes. I caught E39 on the 405 to Croydon earlier and passengers were still thinking it goes to West Croydon. This wasn't helped by the fact all 405's apart from E96 that I saw were either showing South Croydon South End or South Croydon HALING PARK ( which is what E39 was showing) on the blinds. I also needed to catch the 433 from the new first stop, Fairfield Halls, however there was no information whatsoever to tell me that the 433 was in fact on diversion due to George's Walk being closed and it was only when I went back to the stand and saw 8785 departing the stand and then turning right that I realised it was actually on diversion . I eventually had to walk up to East Croydon and catch a 64 to Selsdon instead. I'm also surprised that despite the changes happening three weeks ago that smartblinded buses have not yet been reprogrammed and are still showing the incorrect blinds. Both the 405 and 433 allocation have Croydon Town Centre on their destination blinds so all C and BC need to do really is the blinds reprogrammed and a side blind insert. I'm sure these inserts are on their way soon.
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Post by kenmet on Nov 28, 2019 18:39:23 GMT
So I was back in Croydon today for the first time since the major changes took place and I have to say TfL could have done a lot better with publicising these changes. I caught E39 on the 405 to Croydon earlier and passengers were still thinking it goes to West Croydon. This wasn't helped by the fact all 405's apart from E96 that I saw were either showing South Croydon South End or South Croydon HALING PARK ( which is what E39 was showing) on the blinds. I also needed to catch the 433 from the new first stop, Fairfield Halls, however there was no information whatsoever to tell me that the 433 was in fact on diversion due to George's Walk being closed and it was only when I went back to the stand and saw 8785 departing the stand and then turning right that I realised it was actually on diversion . I eventually had to walk up to East Croydon and catch a 64 to Selsdon instead. I'm also surprised that despite the changes happening three weeks ago that smartblinded buses have not yet been reprogrammed and are still showing the incorrect blinds. Both the 405 and 433 allocation have Croydon Town Centre on their destination blinds so all C and BC need to do really is the blinds reprogrammed and a side blind insert. I'm sure these inserts are on their way soon. Is the 433 on diversion? I don't see why it can't set down in Park Street, then use the former 264 stand and then pick up opposite Fairfield Halls? Unless of course I'm missing something? The whole situation is nothing short of shambolic.
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Post by rif153 on Nov 29, 2019 8:01:58 GMT
If anyone has any thought that routes should be further shortened, they are probably right. I’m currently having a pretty hellish journey on the usually bucolic 411 with the distinct thought that even this route is too long 🙄 That route is a nightmare because it’s no chronically overcrowded yet it doesn’t see deckers anymore which it did in its EB days.
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 29, 2019 11:33:18 GMT
So I was back in Croydon today for the first time since the major changes took place and I have to say TfL could have done a lot better with publicising these changes. I caught E39 on the 405 to Croydon earlier and passengers were still thinking it goes to West Croydon. This wasn't helped by the fact all 405's apart from E96 that I saw were either showing South Croydon South End or South Croydon HALING PARK ( which is what E39 was showing) on the blinds. I also needed to catch the 433 from the new first stop, Fairfield Halls, however there was no information whatsoever to tell me that the 433 was in fact on diversion due to George's Walk being closed and it was only when I went back to the stand and saw 8785 departing the stand and then turning right that I realised it was actually on diversion . I eventually had to walk up to East Croydon and catch a 64 to Selsdon instead. I'm also surprised that despite the changes happening three weeks ago that smartblinded buses have not yet been reprogrammed and are still showing the incorrect blinds. Both the 405 and 433 allocation have Croydon Town Centre on their destination blinds so all C and BC need to do really is the blinds reprogrammed and a side blind insert. I'm sure these inserts are on their way soon. Is the 433 on diversion? I don't see why it can't set down in Park Street, then use the former 264 stand and then pick up opposite Fairfield Halls? Unless of course I'm missing something? The whole situation is nothing short of shambolic. Apparently so but there was no notice of it whatsoever! And I agree that the whole situation is a complete shambles and could have been handled a lot better than it was initially
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Post by george on Nov 29, 2019 11:39:29 GMT
If anyone has any thought that routes should be further shortened, they are probably right. I’m currently having a pretty hellish journey on the usually bucolic 411 with the distinct thought that even this route is too long 🙄 That route is a nightmare because it’s no chronically overcrowded yet it doesn’t see deckers anymore which it did in its EB days. Weekends are always very busy on the route, don't really see the route in the week so can't comment what loadings are like during that time.
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Post by twobellstogo on Nov 30, 2019 9:35:59 GMT
That route is a nightmare because it’s no chronically overcrowded yet it doesn’t see deckers anymore which it did in its EB days. Weekends are always very busy on the route, don't really see the route in the week so can't comment what loadings are like during that time. Oh I can : rush hours are very crowded indeed and of late the route has become rather unreliable at those times.
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Post by george on Nov 30, 2019 9:48:39 GMT
Weekends are always very busy on the route, don't really see the route in the week so can't comment what loadings are like during that time. Oh I can : rush hours are very crowded indeed and of late the route has become rather unreliable at those times. Not surprising since there are very few alternatives in Molesley
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Post by YY13VKP on Nov 30, 2019 10:17:17 GMT
Of all announcement chimes to use when the driver uses the PA, why did TfL choose one for buses which sounds rather spooky as if you're in a graveyard? It doesn't sound appropriate imo. Mind you for some reason when the driver of my 405 used it on Thursday to tell us we were on diversion, the "Announcement in Progress" message did not appear on iBus (or at least I didn't notice it)
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Nov 30, 2019 10:28:24 GMT
Of all announcement chimes to use when the driver uses the PA, why did TfL choose one for buses which sounds rather spooky as if you're in a graveyard? It doesn't sound appropriate imo. Mind you for some reason when the driver of my 405 used it on Thursday to tell us we were on diversion, the "Announcement in Progress" message did not appear on iBus (or at least I didn't notice it) I believe the intention was for it to sound like Big Ben's chime as opposed to sounding like a church bell
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Post by M1104 on Nov 30, 2019 12:00:04 GMT
Of all announcement chimes to use when the driver uses the PA, why did TfL choose one for buses which sounds rather spooky as if you're in a graveyard? It doesn't sound appropriate imo. Mind you for some reason when the driver of my 405 used it on Thursday to tell us we were on diversion, the "Announcement in Progress" message did not appear on iBus (or at least I didn't notice it) I believe the intention was for it to sound like Big Ben's chime as opposed to sounding like a church bell I reckon a 3-tone chime would have been more effective.
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Post by Paul on Nov 30, 2019 16:24:11 GMT
So when did the Lewisham stand for the 185s change to Anywhere BUT the Thurston Road Bus Stand? 😉
Seen them littering most of Lewisham today! 😂
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Deleted
Deleted Member
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2019 17:06:52 GMT
I believe the intention was for it to sound like Big Ben's chime as opposed to sounding like a church bell I reckon a 3-tone chime would have been more effective. Yes I agree. I find the 3-tone chime used on Thameslink services very effective in getting people's attention. This same chime is used all over the railway network in The Netherlands. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-UA4GVlUJU
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