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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 20:29:01 GMT
I don't even bother attempting to use a bus along that corridor now, you're actually better off getting on the Central Line. If it's the bus I just use the 15s way, where most of it is walking distance from the 8s corridor in Central London or the extra bus is worth it. To be honest I'm amazed that both of you still bother going to Central London and use the bus to do so. With the shambolic state of the bus service and never ending demonstrations practically every day of the week for months I can't see a single reason for going there nor to use the buses. I'm a sucker for punishment I try and not drive at weekends and the thought of a hour on a 147 to Ilford tends to push me towards central London at least the scenery is usually more pleasant.
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Apr 20, 2019 20:49:56 GMT
I don't even bother attempting to use a bus along that corridor now, you're actually better off getting on the Central Line. If it's the bus I just use the 15s way, where most of it is walking distance from the 8s corridor in Central London or the extra bus is worth it. To be honest I'm amazed that both of you still bother going to Central London and use the bus to do so. With the shambolic state of the bus service and never ending demonstrations practically every day of the week for months I can't see a single reason for going there nor to use the buses. Don't have much of a choice these days unfortunately as both Uni and my place of work are located in the West End. I once upon a time loved using the bus in Central London, it was a feeling you'd never get elsewhere. I dare say I'm still living in a false hope that I'll get such a feeling again if I use a bus however these days using the bus just results in my blood pressure rising due to traffic caused by demonstrations or from excessive regulation. What's funny is traffic from congestion is actually quite rare in Central London with the only example in the congestion zone I can think of being those disastrous lights at Tottenham Court Road, however I am not sure if that's changed from today due to TCR going two way.
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Post by busaholic on Apr 20, 2019 20:59:52 GMT
Didn't need a cut in frequency to achieve what you experienced: take the cut to the 25, add the cut to the 242 a little earlier and allow for the 521's non-appearance on Saturdays and you've got the situation described. If you had a warped sense of humour, you might describe it as a joke, but in truth it's pathetic. I agree I wouldn't mind if there was at least two routes travelling further west so at least you had a chance of getting a bus and seat. The 46 is useless as it turns into Gray's Inn Road. The last time I was in that part of London on a Saturday was during the so-called Year of the Bus which TfL was then able to embrace without irony. I was on the special bus service of RT type buses organised over the 'old' 22 between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton, and I was interested to see from my front top deck seat on RT1 not only the 22s coming the other way but the 8s, 25s and 242s, of which there were many between TCR and Bank, and was heartened by the reasonable loads I saw them carrying. Yes, the cuts-minded could probably have said that not quite so many bph were needed on that section at a weekend, but they were carrying more than the 'fresh air' sometimes alleged by detractors including, unfortunately, one or two regulars on this forum.
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Post by 15002 on Apr 20, 2019 21:03:07 GMT
To be honest I'm amazed that both of you still bother going to Central London and use the bus to do so. With the shambolic state of the bus service and never ending demonstrations practically every day of the week for months I can't see a single reason for going there nor to use the buses. Don't have much of a choice these days unfortunately as both Uni and my place of work are located in the West End. I once upon a time loved using the bus in Central London, it was a feeling you'd never get elsewhere. I dare say I'm still living in a false hope that I'll get such a feeling again if I use a bus however these days using the bus just results in my blood pressure rising due to traffic caused by demonstrations or from excessive regulation. What's funny is traffic from congestion is actually quite rare in Central London with the only example in the congestion zone I can think of being those disastrous lights at Tottenham Court Road, however I am not sure if that's changed from today due to TCR going two way. I definitely felt the same when I was younger, I vividly remember being excited to go to Central London with the Bendies on the 25, nowadays whenever I visit London from Leicester I actively avoid Central London unless there is a bus change.
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Post by sid on Apr 20, 2019 21:21:30 GMT
I agree I wouldn't mind if there was at least two routes travelling further west so at least you had a chance of getting a bus and seat. The 46 is useless as it turns into Gray's Inn Road. The last time I was in that part of London on a Saturday was during the so-called Year of the Bus which TfL was then able to embrace without irony. I was on the special bus service of RT type buses organised over the 'old' 22 between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton, and I was interested to see from my front top deck seat on RT1 not only the 22s coming the other way but the 8s, 25s and 242s, of which there were many between TCR and Bank, and was heartened by the reasonable loads I saw them carrying. Yes, the cuts-minded could probably have said that not quite so many bph were needed on that section at a weekend, but they were carrying more than the 'fresh air' sometimes alleged by detractors including, unfortunately, one or two regulars on this forum. What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not.
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Post by busaholic on Apr 20, 2019 21:24:36 GMT
The last time I was in that part of London on a Saturday was during the so-called Year of the Bus which TfL was then able to embrace without irony. I was on the special bus service of RT type buses organised over the 'old' 22 between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton, and I was interested to see from my front top deck seat on RT1 not only the 22s coming the other way but the 8s, 25s and 242s, of which there were many between TCR and Bank, and was heartened by the reasonable loads I saw them carrying. Yes, the cuts-minded could probably have said that not quite so many bph were needed on that section at a weekend, but they were carrying more than the 'fresh air' sometimes alleged by detractors including, unfortunately, one or two regulars on this forum. What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not. No, sergeant-major, I was the only one in step.
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Post by sid on Apr 20, 2019 21:26:13 GMT
What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not. No, sergeant-major, I was the only one in step. Pardon? Why talk in riddles?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 20, 2019 21:39:35 GMT
The last time I was in that part of London on a Saturday was during the so-called Year of the Bus which TfL was then able to embrace without irony. I was on the special bus service of RT type buses organised over the 'old' 22 between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton, and I was interested to see from my front top deck seat on RT1 not only the 22s coming the other way but the 8s, 25s and 242s, of which there were many between TCR and Bank, and was heartened by the reasonable loads I saw them carrying. Yes, the cuts-minded could probably have said that not quite so many bph were needed on that section at a weekend, but they were carrying more than the 'fresh air' sometimes alleged by detractors including, unfortunately, one or two regulars on this forum. What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not. The thing is Sid the 25 was not carrying fresh air before the cut! It carries fresh air now because its useless past Aldgate. I suggest a few casual observations of the 8 towards Tottenham Court Road (Thats a joke in its self as it stops away from the station) to see just how busy this route is as a result of the cuts.
But not doing this argument again.
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Post by sid on Apr 20, 2019 21:43:17 GMT
What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not. The thing is Sid the 25 was not carrying fresh air before the cut! It carries fresh air now because its useless past Aldgate. I suggest a few casual observations of the 8 towards Tottenham Court Road (Thats a joke in its self as it stops away from the station) to see just how busy this route is as a result of the cuts.
But not doing this argument again.
I agree and I think that the 25 should still go to Oxford Circus until Crossrail opens.
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Post by vjaska on Apr 20, 2019 23:02:39 GMT
The last time I was in that part of London on a Saturday was during the so-called Year of the Bus which TfL was then able to embrace without irony. I was on the special bus service of RT type buses organised over the 'old' 22 between Piccadilly Circus and Homerton, and I was interested to see from my front top deck seat on RT1 not only the 22s coming the other way but the 8s, 25s and 242s, of which there were many between TCR and Bank, and was heartened by the reasonable loads I saw them carrying. Yes, the cuts-minded could probably have said that not quite so many bph were needed on that section at a weekend, but they were carrying more than the 'fresh air' sometimes alleged by detractors including, unfortunately, one or two regulars on this forum. What's unfortunate about it? If I see buses carrying fresh air that's what I'll report. I don't really see the point of making out routes are busy when they're not. Genuine question by the way but I hope your not trying to suggest that others on here lie when they say they see this route regularly full?
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Post by ronnie on Apr 21, 2019 16:24:40 GMT
Did the X26 and 75 end to end today
X26 (Heathrow to Croydon): must say it’s a great route. Long and quite scenic for a majority of the route. Starts off with great views of the airport and then the multitude of leafy locales for the rest of the route. Plus it was amazing weather for an end to end on this route! Only issue being that it got quite hot sitting in the sun - sure the rest of the bus was cool but the front seats were boiling!!! Thankfully this is now a DD route
75 (Croydon to Lewisham): of course not quite as picturesque; but got pretty well loaded.
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Post by 10121ddo on Apr 21, 2019 16:37:20 GMT
Random observations from today's voyage: Sth Kensington -> Wandsworth -> Tooting -> Streatham -> Brixton 1. Most enjoyable ride on a B7TL yet, WVL120, even with the cooling fan going full pelt 2. Surprising over-revving on HV34 (compared with the batch on the 29 which I'm more accustomed to) 3. Thrash on the 109 batch of E40H MMCs pretty much beats every other I've come across - yet to try the 332 or H12's lots so I might stand corrected... 4. Only in Brixton would two fire engines be called to an Iceland...
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Post by vjaska on Apr 21, 2019 17:42:23 GMT
4. Only in Brixton would two fire engines be called to an Iceland... Are you sure they were for Iceland given we never opened today?
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Post by busaholic on Apr 21, 2019 21:13:07 GMT
As I make few journeys nowadays, I don't contribute to this thread normally, but a journey I did this afternoon might interest one or two, even though it was well away from London, but certainly involved an ex-London bus.
The occasion was the 12th Vintage Bus Running Day held in Penzance, Cornwall. I've attended a few now, they're always around Easter, they principally feature buses once worked by Western National or its successors, of which perhaps half are Bristols of various vintages, with many VRs. They operate many current and former routes/part routes from Penzance Bus Station, located right next to the railway terminus. The weather is usually great for at least part of the day, and this year's was no exception.
London buses have featured before, but usually the odd Routemaster. This year RTL 1163 was, for me, star of the show. So few RTLs, as opposed to RTs, survive in preservation, fewer still capable of carrying passengers still.I had no idea it was going to be there, but I saw it standing in the bus station ten minutes before my faltering steps allowed me to get up close. An added thrill for me was it's blinding for the 176 route, the last preserve of these vehicles in 1968 and one, coincidentally, that passed right by my secondary school, not that I ever had reason to use it then. I bought a £5 programme, from which I learned it was rostered to work the 12.40 departure on the 10B to St Just, England's westernmost town, returning as a 10 to Penzance.
The programme revealed the bus to have been a tram/trolleybus replacement vehicle at Wandsworth, WD being unique in losing both types at the same time, moving to Stockwell in 1955, from which it was withdrawn in 1963 and sold for 'spares'. Luckily, someone had better ideas! It was one of the slightly more prolific Park Royal bodied vehicles. As I boarded, I realised I'd not travelled on an RTL since their last week in service on the 176, and that experience had been ruined by an incompetent, uncaring Willesden driver who obviously hated the type and couldn't wait to get back on an RM. The look of the bus was an absolute delight, it appeared freshly painted, had SW garage plates and, before we set off, the blinds all round had been changed to the 2, with Crystal Palace destination. The internal advertising was appropriate for the late 50s/early 60s period, and I was reminded that LT Buses used to consider 8.30 to 9.30 and 5.0 to 6.30 as the peak periods to be avoided if possible!(they expressed it as I've done here.)
The route is largely rural, particularly the outward one which passes through moorland, which in the clement weather looked delightful. I loved hearing that Leyland engine sound again, particularly when climbing hills, although the final 17% gradient between Botallack and St Just almost defeated the old girl. I heard the very experienced driver telling his conductor at St Just that, if we'd had a full load (it was about 75%), he'd not have made it: they then discussed altering the following journey later on so that the bus only did that bit downhill! All in all, a most enjoyable afternoon trip and I even got to pull the bell cord on the way back as I wanted to get off shy of the bus station.
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Post by rif153 on Apr 22, 2019 9:31:28 GMT
Piccadilly line to Baron's Court District Line to Victoria Southeastern to Lewisham - I have to say this is a really nice train ride to do. Its so pleasant and scenic and this is now my preffered way to get to Lewisham rather than from Charing Cross 261 to Princess Royal University Hospital - I love this route. The scenery was really good and I especially enjoyed the final section of the route from Bromley to PRUH 358 to Bromley - Nice Citaro ride on a good route 119 to Purley Way, Colonnades - This is one of my favourite routes to do, once again, lovely and scenic and a really enjoyable adventure. The highlight has to be going on the tramway between Sandilands and East Croydon, this is one of my favourite routes 119 to Croydon Library 250 to Brixton - Maybe its because I had already done the 109 but I found this route boring. The only new section of the route for me was the residential streets in Thornton Heath which weren't that interesting. Overall I didn't enjoy this route. 35 to Clapham Junction - I'd forgotten how nice Clapham Common is SWR to Kew Bridge 65 Home
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