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Post by george on Sept 3, 2019 10:52:44 GMT
I didn’t say it was the worst. Just always busy, not enough good areas to eat and lacks charm. Richmond is far nicer to spend time in. (I’ve been going to Kingston everyday for the last 6 years so maybe I’ve just become bored). I think Kingston is a lovely lovely area, I love it can’t get enough of the place. In contrast to the St Nic’s centre I went to in Sutton yesterday the Bentalls is very very grand with fabulous architecture, absolutely thriving that place and I think it’s refreshing to see a town centre doing well rather than everywhere closing down. Non bus related but interesting fact about the Bentall centre is that it has the longest single truss escalator in the world with only a top and bottom to support it.
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Post by rif153 on Sept 3, 2019 11:38:30 GMT
I didn’t say it was the worst. Just always busy, not enough good areas to eat and lacks charm. Richmond is far nicer to spend time in. (I’ve been going to Kingston everyday for the last 6 years so maybe I’ve just become bored). I think Kingston is a lovely lovely area, I love it can’t get enough of the place. In contrast to the St Nic’s centre I went to in Sutton yesterday the Bentalls is very very grand with fabulous architecture, absolutely thriving that place and I think it’s refreshing to see a town centre doing well rather than everywhere closing down. The Bentalls Centre is bloody brilliant and has just about everything one could want/need. I don't often go to Kingston but I really do enjoy it when I do, and unlike other areas, its a fantastic shopping destination.
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Post by rj131 on Sept 3, 2019 11:41:23 GMT
Going to properly write up my enjoyable day out yesterday. Started off at E&C on the 363, taking it down to Peckham Bus Station for the main event. Very quick journey and the traffic was incredibly light even on Old Kent Road. The driver was determined to make the most of it the bus I had EH68 was also disappointingly bumpy rattly and noisy. I thought better of MMC’s from this period onwards, 64 and 15-reg ones yes. But not 66-reg ones. Now to the main thing I went for, the 197 on EH339. The bus was absolutely lovely and smooth and the 197 itself is fantastic. Top marks there. When we got to the outskirts of Croydon we caught up with the 197 in front of us and it was PACKED (my one was rather quiet). I didn’t think patronage of the 197 was very high at the Croydon end because the Overground is generally preferable?? There must have been a gap to pick up all those people. Now to the elephant in the room, the ISA. I have to say I actually complete forgot the bus had it until we got to the first of many 20mph zones the 197 has. Up until that point the bus was whizzing off and getting up to speed like any other MMC does (ie like a rocket), so I’m glad the ISA doesn’t dampen the acceleration as much as I first thought. Then when we got to the 20 zone, oh dear. I thought to myself ‘why are we going so slow??’ I then I realised it was the ISA, I had genuinely forgotten it had it up until that moment. The bus had been keeping up with cars absolutely fine until we got to the 20 zones where the bus got restrained and the cars in front left us for dead. One argument could be ‘well the ISA’s great then if doesn’t generally affect the journey experience’, but at the same time if the journey experience under ISA is no different to any other, then why bother with it? I can happily report that my 197 journey didn’t feel any faster or slower than any other journey I’ve ever had on any other bus, *except* the 20 zones where it is apparent. So if the experience is the same then it clearly means drivers are by and large very professional in their job and know how to do it properly, so to me my reservations about ISA being installed because drivers aren’t trusted to do their jobs remain completely intact. And are merely only a complete annoyance in 20mph zones rather than assistance, which London is getting annoyingly increasingly more of. Onto more of a positive note, there’s something else the bus did which was actually a very very good idea and is *genuine* assistance. Coming up to Norwood Junction station, the 197 turns left out of Manor Road, and there is a low bridge directly on the right under which the 130 passes, thus restricting it to single deck operation. As we pulled out of the junction the bus sent out a warning: *Warning! Low Bridge! Warning! Low Bridge!* which I think is a great idea and a very useful thing to have. Since when have buses been doing this? Is this also part of the new safety initiatives TfL have been introducing buses along with ISA and camera mirrors? Or have buses been doing this a while, ie would WHV46 have given the same warning when that was on the 197 yesterday? Overall really really nice route and by and large with brilliant buses. If ISA wasn’t there it would be an epic change, as it just makes the route far slower than it needs to be. Next came the 407 from Croydon to Sutton on 2587, which as I mentioned yesterday was a fabulous bus. The 407 itself was extremely busy too despite only just being converted to decker operation, so this route must have got absolutely slaughtered with its single deckers. The route itself from what I rode of it was equally fabulous, Carshalton especially is so quaint and peaceful, lovely lovely place. So top marks there too. The 407 seems to have two distinct purposes as it has a massive town (ie Croydon) slap bang in the middle of the route, one purpose is a trunk route between Sutton and Croydon, and the other is to provide a trunk service between Croydon and Caterham, so no wonder it’s such a busy service. The bus was nearly fully seated when we got to Sutton and this was only at midday, supposedly a quiet time! I have no doubt that especially when the schools go back we’re going to be seeing some serious crush loads on that route in the near future. Next to the total other end of the scale, the 164 end to end from Sutton to Wimbledon. Absolutely wretched route and an equally wretched variety of vehicles to go with it. Enough said. From Wimbledon I got on the tube to Putney Bridge to try out the new SEs on the 209 and 378. I had SE300 on the 378 to PB to Mortlake, then SE295 on the 209 from Mortlake to Castelnau. Tbh these routes are WAY too short to enjoy these vehicles properly as they are absolutely brilliant. Tbh there’s really no point in the charging points on these buses as the journeys are so short you’ll never be able to charge your phone significantly enough to get any decent charge On another note and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but my 378 had TWENTY people on at one point on the route, so this route has really really picked up. I think the lower, more suited frequency to this route now may have something to do with it as every, 5-6 minutes the 209 provided was way way too superfluous which is why buses were always empty. That and I think people can see it’s genuine usefulness now, it’s a rapid link to a tube station so it’s very useful. After getting off the 209 I then walked over Hammersmith Bridge to the upper Hammersmith bus station. Yesterday in particular getting up there was an ABSOLUTE PAIN, as the escalators up to the bus station were out of service, AND so was one of the lifts. So there was a very very long queue for the one lift that was working to get up there (and anyone who has been there would know these lifts are very small and PAINFULLY slow so the wait was very very long), and this no doubt caused a lot of arguments between regular people trying to use it and rude entitled mothers with their pushchairs thinking they should get priority. It was total carnage. Anyway after I finally got up there I took the 23 from Hammersmith to Knightsbridge Station, and this section of the 23 that used to just carry fresh air has really really picked up now thank goodness, so hopefully now people are used to the change the usage figure for the 23 should pick up quite a lot next year
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Post by 15002 on Sept 3, 2019 12:12:47 GMT
rj131 In regards to the rattly and noisy MMCs, most of the 16 regs MMCs that Arriva seem to have in the Leicester area are a prime example of this. They don’t sound great if I’m being honest and I can barely hear the Voith sound if I sit at the back of the MMC on the top decker.
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Post by rj131 on Sept 3, 2019 12:23:38 GMT
rj131 In regards to the rattly and noisy MMCs, most of the 16 regs MMCs that Arriva seem to have in the Leicester area are a prime example of this. They don’t sound great if I’m being honest and I can barely hear the Voith sound if I sit at the back of the MMC on the top decker. Yes you’re absolutely right, the 16-reg Scania MMCs that are in East Kent 15261-90 are like this too, they bodywork is shocking, they were even like it when they first came out. However with 66-reg models onwards I don’t know what they’ve done to them but they just seem to be a lot sturdier, except EH68 like I had yesterday as I pointed out. Every other 66-reg or newer MMC I’ve been on I don’t hear so much as a squeak from. AF’s MMCs, the 427’s, 45’s, 407’s, 196’s, H12’s, 258’s etc are all brilliant. It’s just the older ones
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Post by Frenzie on Sept 3, 2019 13:14:29 GMT
I didn’t say it was the worst. Just always busy, not enough good areas to eat and lacks charm. Richmond is far nicer to spend time in. (I’ve been going to Kingston everyday for the last 6 years so maybe I’ve just become bored). I think Kingston is a lovely lovely area, I love it can’t get enough of the place. In contrast to the St Nic’s centre I went to in Sutton yesterday the Bentalls is very very grand with fabulous architecture, absolutely thriving that place and I think it’s refreshing to see a town centre doing well rather than everywhere closing down. Maybe its just the poorly run council and the fact it’s a magnet for junkies and drunks at night. The mess left behind in the morning is incredible. Cromwell Road bus station is also disgusting, with blocked drains near the western side and smokers polluting the air on the eastern side. The traffic that occurs every time a lane is closed on the one way system is awful. The council is completely incompetent in that regard. They have also changed the light sequences so buses no longer get priority. Overall it’s probably the type of people who frequent the area as well as total mismanagement by the council which has caused me to dislike the place. But some of the buildings are just plain ugly.
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Post by vjaska on Sept 3, 2019 13:18:09 GMT
rj131 the low bridge warning has been in place since I-Bus was installed and sounds when passing close to a low bridge. Another place you can hear it is on the 35, 45 & 345 as it approaches the Loughborough Road/Hinton Road junction due to the low bridge on Loughborough Road. Before I-Bus, at least some operators would have a device fitted that could warn drivers about low bridges.
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Post by george on Sept 3, 2019 13:26:04 GMT
I think Kingston is a lovely lovely area, I love it can’t get enough of the place. In contrast to the St Nic’s centre I went to in Sutton yesterday the Bentalls is very very grand with fabulous architecture, absolutely thriving that place and I think it’s refreshing to see a town centre doing well rather than everywhere closing down. Maybe its just the poorly run council and the fact it’s a magnet for junkies and drunks at night. The mess left behind in the morning is incredible. Cromwell Road bus station is also disgusting, with blocked drains near the western side and smokers polluting the air on the eastern side. The traffic that occurs every time a lane is closed on the one way system is awful. The council is completely incompetent in that regard. They have also changed the light sequences so buses no longer get priority. Overall it’s probably the type of people who frequent the area as well as total mismanagement by the council which has caused me to dislike the place. But some of the buildings are just plain ugly. Couple of points. Loads of areas are magnets for junkies and drunks at night. Aren't traffic light signal controlled by TfL? Not sure where these plain ugly buildings are you speak of. Kingston has some lovely buildings including ones from Tudor times near the market square.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 7, 2019 19:05:54 GMT
I usually only have London bus trips 3 times a year. I have just booked my train journey home in connection with my November trip, likely to be based on Kensington. I had pencilled in Kensington & Hammersmith for October. However, it was not just the "collapse" of Hammersmith Bridge that caused the collapse of my London plans for October! It's just that I have a personal incentive to include Warrington on my October daytrip instead.
My November trip should include for example routes 23 & 452, but also route 70 linking the individual LT-free zones of South Kensington & Ladbroke Grove!
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Post by VWH1414 on Sept 7, 2019 22:01:54 GMT
Did a trip that was quite local but involved a decent amount of bus usage this morning: VWH1412 on the 302 between Mill Hill Broadway and Kingsbury Green DE876 on the 324 between Kingsbury Green and Kingsbury Station Then after I was done in Kingsbury: DE876 (Again on its return trip) between Kingsbury Station and Colindale TEH1217 on the 32 between Colindale and Burnt Oak DE20168 on the 251 between Burnt Oak and Mill Hill Then a break before catching VWH1360 on the 302 to Burnt Oak and then later on VWH1416 on the 302 back to Mill Hill
Been using the 324 quite a bit recently - never realised how useful it is, going around all the back roads and linking places up.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 7, 2019 22:28:32 GMT
Did a trip that was quite local but involved a decent amount of bus usage this morning: VWH1412 on the 302 between Mill Hill Broadway and Kingsbury Green DE876 on the 324 between Kingsbury Green and Kingsbury Station Then after I was done in Kingsbury: DE876 (Again on its return trip) between Kingsbury Station and Colindale TEH1217 on the 32 between Colindale and Burnt Oak DE20168 on the 251 between Burnt Oak and Mill Hill Then a break before catching VWH1360 on the 302 to Burnt Oak and then later on VWH1416 on the 302 back to Mill Hill Been using the 324 quite a bit recently - never realised how useful it is, going around all the back roads and linking places up. I rode route 324 at the Stanmore end with London Sovereign in 2012, and in the Hendon area with Metroline last year.
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Post by george on Sept 8, 2019 18:07:47 GMT
Went to Caterham to try out the 407 route was. E162 on the 337 to Putney Station DOE9 on the 93 to Wimbledon Station DOE19 on the 164 to St Nicholas Centre 2580 on the 407 to Caterham Walked from Caterham to Caterham on the Hill tesco T62 on the to 466 to East Croydon bus station WVL338 on the X26 to New Malden the fountain DE20134 on the 265 to Rosslyn Park rugby football club 33 back home.
Nothing that interesting to add really, There was two lads being complete T*ats on the 466 spraying loads of deodorant on the seats and then getting lighters out luckily even they weren't stupid enough to comprehend putting the lighter on the seat. Also on the X26 the driver got flagged down by a policemen as there was an accident on Fiveways meaning that we had U-turn in the middle of the road.
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Post by rif153 on Sept 8, 2019 18:16:37 GMT
Went to Caterham to try out the 407 route was. E162 on the 337 to Putney Station DOE9 on the 93 to Wimbledon Station DOE19 on the 164 to St Nicholas Centre 2580 on the 407 to Caterham Walked from Caterham to Caterham on the Hill tesco T62 on the to 466 to East Croydon bus station WVL338 on the X26 to New Malden the fountain DE20134 on the 265 to Rosslyn Park rugby football club 33 back home. Nothing that interesting to add really, There was two lads being complete T*ats on the 466 spraying loads of deodorant on the seats and then getting lighters out luckily even they weren't stupid enough to comprehend putting the lighter on the seat. Also on the X26 the driver got flagged down by a policemen as there was an accident on Fiveways meaning that we had U-turn in the middle of the road. Looks like a very nice day indeed.
How fast/slow was the X26's diversion route?
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Post by YY13VKP on Sept 8, 2019 18:19:24 GMT
Went to Caterham to try out the 407 route was. E162 on the 337 to Putney Station DOE9 on the 93 to Wimbledon Station DOE19 on the 164 to St Nicholas Centre 2580 on the 407 to Caterham Walked from Caterham to Caterham on the Hill tesco T62 on the to 466 to East Croydon bus station WVL338 on the X26 to New Malden the fountain DE20134 on the 265 to Rosslyn Park rugby football club 33 back home. Nothing that interesting to add really, There was two lads being complete T*ats on the 466 spraying loads of deodorant on the seats and then getting lighters out luckily even they weren't stupid enough to comprehend putting the lighter on the seat. Also on the X26 the driver got flagged down by a policemen as there was an accident on Fiveways meaning that we had U-turn in the middle of the road. Must have been a very long walk from Caterham Station to Caterham-on-the-Hill Tesco!
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Post by george on Sept 8, 2019 18:29:10 GMT
Went to Caterham to try out the 407 route was. E162 on the 337 to Putney Station DOE9 on the 93 to Wimbledon Station DOE19 on the 164 to St Nicholas Centre 2580 on the 407 to Caterham Walked from Caterham to Caterham on the Hill tesco T62 on the to 466 to East Croydon bus station WVL338 on the X26 to New Malden the fountain DE20134 on the 265 to Rosslyn Park rugby football club 33 back home. Nothing that interesting to add really, There was two lads being complete T*ats on the 466 spraying loads of deodorant on the seats and then getting lighters out luckily even they weren't stupid enough to comprehend putting the lighter on the seat. Also on the X26 the driver got flagged down by a policemen as there was an accident on Fiveways meaning that we had U-turn in the middle of the road. Looks like a very nice day indeed.
How fast/slow was the X26's diversion route? I would say it probably added 15 minutes onto the Journey, traffic was bad due to the traffic diverting.
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