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Post by 6HP502C on Jul 1, 2014 22:59:36 GMT
I was quite excited about reading this article when I saw the title - what a let down that was. "Horrifying" extends to people talking loudly on the bus apparently. Instead of seeing genuine allusions as to what comprises a bad night bus network, I read about a bus where somebody has thrown up. And references to the 176, which I've used at night for years and not seen any evidence that would support a label of one of the worst night buses in London. What a rubbish article!
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Post by Steve80 on Jul 2, 2014 3:48:44 GMT
I first saw this list and I was thinking if there is an N49? Then I saw that the N343 goes to Tower Bridge road and not Trafalgar Square. I'm surprised that the N109 or even the N68 is not in there. A friend of mine said a lot of bad things about the N68. Interesting to see the 152 in this list which immediately gives my doubts about this survey. But I have had quite a few incidents on the route. It was only last month when three passengers came on my bus at Mitcham Fair Green (one 30+ male and female and a elderly male with crutches) all smelling of alcohol and they took over two minutes to get settled on the bus. At the next stop in Mitcham Library, one passenger came on and had a verbal confrontation with them. I thought that was it but when we got to the Streatham Park Cemetery stop, the male passenger gout out of his seat to get off and started swearing at them again. This time the female passenger retaliated and went straight for the other passenger, hitting him repeatedly. The passenger who was getting attacked hit her in the face which floored her. The 30+ male then went to attack that other passenger and it spilled outside. Thankfully it only lasted for roughly 30 seconds or so. I did call centrecomm while the other passengers got their phones out to record the action but I cancel it when they stopped fighting. The 30+ male eventually got back on with the two passengers he was with and the other passenger went on his way. I thought it was strange when the three passengers thanked me as they got off. I already mentioned somewhere in this forum when again on the 152, a man suffered a broken nose when several youths attacked him on my bus. I also had a kid slip underneath my bus and most passengers were screaming at me saying that I ran him over. Thankfully, the ambulance came and reassured everyone that if he went under the wheels then he would have no leg. The passengers then started moaning at the kid's parents
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2014 6:32:10 GMT
Regardless of the inaccurate reporting , it is common London folk law that Night Buses are a by word for rowdy behaviour, although usually in good spirits rather than anything nasty.
When the 29 was operated by MA's there was an incident that was filmed on mobiles and widely reported , large fight at the back of the bus near Wood Green.
But any public transport during the hours of darkness is going to have issues around rowdy behaviour. If anyone wants to see weekly violence, often quite serious, head to the mini cab queues of Croydon and Beckenham on a Friday and Saturday night.
I recall an experiment carried out by Spelthorne Council which used night buses to take punters out of Stanies Town Centre , to avoid the lengthy mini cab queues which were causing so many fights.
Kingston Council encourage's night time economy, because of that the town has an extensive night bus network, which compared to towns of similar sizes is impressive ( should still have the N213 to Croydon though !)
Then you have uninsured "mini-cab" drivers, high rates, rude drivers....
I would always rather a night bus over a mini cab
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Post by sid on Jul 2, 2014 11:39:55 GMT
I was quite excited about reading this article when I saw the title - what a let down that was. "Horrifying" extends to people talking loudly on the bus apparently. Instead of seeing genuine allusions as to what comprises a bad night bus network, I read about a bus where somebody has thrown up. And references to the 176, which I've used at night for years and not seen any evidence that would support a label of one of the worst night buses in London. What a rubbish article! Absolute rubbish indeed, couldn't somebody have done at least a little bit of research first?
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Post by vjaska on Jul 2, 2014 12:16:55 GMT
Regardless of the inaccurate reporting , it is common London folk law that Night Buses are a by word for rowdy behaviour, although usually in good spirits rather than anything nasty. When the 29 was operated by MA's there was an incident that was filmed on mobiles and widely reported , large fight at the back of the bus near Wood Green. But any public transport during the hours of darkness is going to have issues around rowdy behaviour. If anyone wants to see weekly violence, often quite serious, head to the mini cab queues of Croydon and Beckenham on a Friday and Saturday night. I recall an experiment carried out by Spelthorne Council which used night buses to take punters out of Stanies Town Centre , to avoid the lengthy mini cab queues which were causing so many fights. Kingston Council encourage's night time economy, because of that the town has an extensive night bus network, which compared to towns of similar sizes is impressive ( should still have the N213 to Croydon though !) Then you have uninsured "mini-cab" drivers, high rates, rude drivers.... I would always rather a night bus over a mini cab Seems there's a bit of minicab 'bashing' going on here - I've never had a rude minicab driver ever and I've been in many. Also, surely any uninsured minicabs are also the unlicensed lot so just don't get in a unlicensed minicab. Rates also depend on which minicab company you go with - pairing them as totally wrong is silly IMO simply because they are useful to use. I'm not sure a council encourages 'night life' in their area, I think it's more down to the clubs & bars that move into areas. Brixton has always had a night scene but I would say that's only one reason why it has 5 N routes & 4 24 hour routes.
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Post by vjaska on Jul 2, 2014 12:18:33 GMT
I first saw this list and I was thinking if there is an N49? Then I saw that the N343 goes to Tower Bridge road and not Trafalgar Square. I'm surprised that the N109 or even the N68 is not in there. A friend of mine said a lot of bad things about the N68. Interesting to see the 152 in this list which immediately gives my doubts about this survey. But I have had quite a few incidents on the route. It was only last month when three passengers came on my bus at Mitcham Fair Green (one 30+ male and female and a elderly male with crutches) all smelling of alcohol and they took over two minutes to get settled on the bus. At the next stop in Mitcham Library, one passenger came on and had a verbal confrontation with them. I thought that was it but when we got to the Streatham Park Cemetery stop, the male passenger gout out of his seat to get off and started swearing at them again. This time the female passenger retaliated and went straight for the other passenger, hitting him repeatedly. The passenger who was getting attacked hit her in the face which floored her. The 30+ male then went to attack that other passenger and it spilled outside. Thankfully it only lasted for roughly 30 seconds or so. I did call centrecomm while the other passengers got their phones out to record the action but I cancel it when they stopped fighting. The 30+ male eventually got back on with the two passengers he was with and the other passenger went on his way. I thought it was strange when the three passengers thanked me as they got off. I already mentioned somewhere in this forum when again on the 152, a man suffered a broken nose when several youths attacked him on my bus. I also had a kid slip underneath my bus and most passengers were screaming at me saying that I ran him over. Thankfully, the ambulance came and reassured everyone that if he went under the wheels then he would have no leg. The passengers then started moaning at the kid's parents Nothing happens on the N109 except slow bus drivers lool. Even the weird people that get on just fall asleep lol.
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Post by M1104 on Jul 2, 2014 12:18:55 GMT
Seems there's a bit of minicab 'bashing' going on here - I've never had a rude minicab driver ever and I've been in many. Also, surely any uninsured minicabs are also the unlicensed lot so just don't get in a unlicensed minicab. Is it still the case that the majority of minicabs are not allowed to pick up fares without prior bookings?
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Post by overgroundcommuter on Jul 2, 2014 12:20:53 GMT
The London Live tv channel also reported this advertorial as news yesterday. It so happens this tv channel is owned by the Evening Standard!
It shouldn't be a surprise considering I watched the channel once where the guests and presenters were fawning over our dear Mayor which happens to share the same editorial as the paper.
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Post by M1104 on Jul 2, 2014 12:22:39 GMT
I remember a few times on the late 133s where the upperdeck would sometimes smell like someone had been smoking a 'certain substance'. Suffice to say there was hardly any noise whilst I was driving the bus during those incidents. I wonder why? lol
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2014 17:25:05 GMT
Seems there's a bit of minicab 'bashing' going on here - I've never had a rude minicab driver ever and I've been in many. Also, surely any uninsured minicabs are also the unlicensed lot so just don't get in a unlicensed minicab. Is it still the case that the majority of minicabs are not allowed to pick up fares without prior bookings? You would be shocked at the number of people who get in uninsured cabs, touting outside night clubs. I expect the problem is even worse outside London, where law enforcement in that area is sporadic. The licensing departments across the London council's vary greatly. Kingston council have always encouraged night time economy, partly because of the large amount of students resident in the borough. Contrast that borough with Bromley, and Bromley Town Centre and Kingston Town Centre , you will see a difference in approach.
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Post by snoggle on Jul 2, 2014 18:36:48 GMT
Is it still the case that the majority of minicabs are not allowed to pick up fares without prior bookings? You would be shocked at the number of people who get in uninsured cabs, touting outside night clubs. I expect the problem is even worse outside London, where law enforcement in that area is sporadic. The licensing departments across the London council's vary greatly. Kingston council have always encouraged night time economy, partly because of the large amount of students resident in the borough. Contrast that borough with Bromley, and Bromley Town Centre and Kingston Town Centre , you will see a difference in approach. Do the Boroughs have any say in the control and licensing of minicabs / private hire vehicles and operators? I thought it was all done by TfL these days. I'm not 100% certain about who controls the numbers of vehicles serving any local centre. Presumably done by control of operator licences and how many vehicles they can run. Local councils still have the regulatory role outside London.
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 3, 2014 12:14:43 GMT
I was about to create a thread discussing this topic but mondraker275 beat me to it! . Here is the image I've taken from The Metro detailing this topic. Still puzzled about how they came to this as most of these 'Night Bus Routes' do not exist!. Perhaps what was meant are late evening journeys on these routes, as well as night buses, hence why they falsely used 'N'. Sorry about the landscape angle, could not rotate it to portrait for some reason. Attachment Deleted
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Post by snoggle on Jul 3, 2014 12:45:55 GMT
The Empire, well Leon Daniels, strikes back in the Standard. At last at attempt to wrest back the argument.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 4, 2014 0:41:53 GMT
Its too little too late though, its been picked up and run by almost every major newspaper and newsite now. Short of calling the authors jaded liars with axes to grind and a less reputable research method than Alistair Crowley there isnt much that a normal 'right of reply' could achieve. Those in the know knew already, those outside dont understand, dont care, and wouldnt believe a rebuff.
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Post by Steve80 on Jul 4, 2014 3:18:53 GMT
I first saw this list and I was thinking if there is an N49? Then I saw that the N343 goes to Tower Bridge road and not Trafalgar Square. I'm surprised that the N109 or even the N68 is not in there. A friend of mine said a lot of bad things about the N68. Interesting to see the 152 in this list which immediately gives my doubts about this survey. But I have had quite a few incidents on the route. It was only last month when three passengers came on my bus at Mitcham Fair Green (one 30+ male and female and a elderly male with crutches) all smelling of alcohol and they took over two minutes to get settled on the bus. At the next stop in Mitcham Library, one passenger came on and had a verbal confrontation with them. I thought that was it but when we got to the Streatham Park Cemetery stop, the male passenger gout out of his seat to get off and started swearing at them again. This time the female passenger retaliated and went straight for the other passenger, hitting him repeatedly. The passenger who was getting attacked hit her in the face which floored her. The 30+ male then went to attack that other passenger and it spilled outside. Thankfully it only lasted for roughly 30 seconds or so. I did call centrecomm while the other passengers got their phones out to record the action but I cancel it when they stopped fighting. The 30+ male eventually got back on with the two passengers he was with and the other passenger went on his way. I thought it was strange when the three passengers thanked me as they got off. I already mentioned somewhere in this forum when again on the 152, a man suffered a broken nose when several youths attacked him on my bus. I also had a kid slip underneath my bus and most passengers were screaming at me saying that I ran him over. Thankfully, the ambulance came and reassured everyone that if he went under the wheels then he would have no leg. The passengers then started moaning at the kid's parents Nothing happens on the N109 except slow bus drivers lool. Even the weird people that get on just fall asleep lol. I observed a bit of trouble on the N109 but for some reason it was much worse when it was the N159. There was one journey on the N109 when the driver refused to accept anyone without a valid ticket. this led to the most painful journey ever from Brixton to Croydon and it was the journey where I decided that I was going to go back from QB to BC
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