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Post by l1group on Mar 31, 2017 22:38:45 GMT
flic.kr/p/TnT5j1 - first 139 southbound with London Sovereign - VH45158. And so it begins....
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Post by vjaska on Mar 31, 2017 23:21:27 GMT
Went by Finchley Road and the new timetables are up, 82 tiles removed and a scrolling message on ibus informing of the change Seems north of Baker Street that the tiles and timetables have been updated but in Central London, the 82 tiles or timetables haven't been removed.
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Post by redbus on Mar 31, 2017 23:30:23 GMT
Went by Finchley Road and the new timetables are up, 82 tiles removed and a scrolling message on ibus informing of the change Seems north of Baker Street that the tiles and timetables have been updated but in Central London, the 82 tiles or timetables haven't been removed. Indeed and the oddball of Swiss Cottage Station (both directions) which hasn't been updated, but the stops either side have.
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Post by ian on Apr 1, 2017 0:17:39 GMT
On way home from the West End tonight and just saw an 'old' northbound 13 for Golders Green passing a 'new' southbound 13 to Victoria.
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Post by LBOTG on Apr 1, 2017 7:41:42 GMT
I only ever read this thread but these changes seem fairly confusing to me - I dread to think what Jo Public will think tomorrow As with all changes there will be annoyed and confused people and then people will progressively learn what's changed and what bus to catch. The biggest problem will be new operators taking on new routes because we all know what happens on first days. I actually think the Orpington changes are going to be far, far more confusing for people simply because you have a much older population of users who don't cope with change particularly well. I can also see "objectors" blockading new roads that are getting a bus service for the first time. You know what some people are like and the local paper will just love laying it all on with a trowel and portraying everything as a disaster. I definitely agree with you there, the Orpington changes involve many route changes which have no other alternatives. Sure, the Finchley Road changes will confuse people, but if people do end up on the wrong bus, they can easily hop onto another one which takes them back into Central London. However, with the Orpington routes, many links are broken and people are going to be confused when the bus doesn't show up, or if there is a change of number. The elderly population are used to just getting on the bus without really checking the number, because most residential areas are only served by one R-route. However, if the bus takes a different route they will easily be upset and may complain to the driver. An example of this is the R1 route down Tower Road, the passengers may easily be confused by the new routeing and instantly get off thinking that they caught the wrong bus, resulting in a longer walk to the Walnuts Centre and shops. The Foots Cray removal on the R11 was a very bad idea in my opinion. I think the new destinations for the R7 will confuse people, especially as it does not terminate at the Aquilla Estate anymore. I also studied the timetable for this route and I fear that the running time is far too tight and buses are often going to be late, which is going to lead to very angry passengers who may stop using the bus service, despite the significant improvements. When I trek down there next week, it'll be interesting to see how busy the new sections of route are, especially for the R7. Rant over
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Post by l1group on Apr 1, 2017 11:48:15 GMT
Routes after one night and morning of operation: last "old" 13 next to first "new" 13 (both in terms of northbound) - www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/33730118256First 139 under Sovereign - www.flickr.com/photos/wltmauc/33614401662/The routes seem to be running well, with the new 13 only having minor reliability issues. Notably, there is no N189, contrary to the consultation. Thus a 24 hour 189 terminates at Marble Arch, with all buses displaying "Oxford Street SELFRIDGES".
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Post by redbus on Apr 1, 2017 16:53:36 GMT
What a baptism of fire!
Why? Diversions, diversions, diversions!
Bus 139 has THREE diversions today. 1) West End Lane is closed, so it continues down Finchley Road to Finchley Road station, and then follows the C11 route back to line of route on West End Lane. 328 has same diversion. 2) Oxford Street. 3) Piccadilly Circus. To add to that there are temporary light at the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road (where the Abbey Road studios are). Bus 13 is also impacted by Oxford Street and by Bressenden Place works in Victoria. Buses 113 and 189 are being turned at Selfridges, and so are not serving Oxford Circus and Marble Arch respectively (which is why the blinds show Oxford Street Selfridges)
It's a poor service on both the 13 and 139 as a result, with bunching of buses and significant gaps in service. I think I have seen just about every turn being proven on day 1! I was at Golders Green and London Sovereign must have been pulling their hair out. A number of drivers waiting to take out 139s, only no buses as they were running late.
In an odd way the Finchley Road has had a good service overall north of Finchley Road station as the 139 and 328 have combined with the 13 and 113!
We'll see what happens when normality returns.
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Post by abc on Apr 1, 2017 18:36:39 GMT
Not all 189s. Saw one going to Marble Arch on Oxford Street 4 hours ago and one resting at Marble Arch 2 hours ago. I can confirm that 113s did not go to Marble Arch.
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Post by sid on Apr 1, 2017 21:37:44 GMT
As with all changes there will be annoyed and confused people and then people will progressively learn what's changed and what bus to catch. The biggest problem will be new operators taking on new routes because we all know what happens on first days. I actually think the Orpington changes are going to be far, far more confusing for people simply because you have a much older population of users who don't cope with change particularly well. I can also see "objectors" blockading new roads that are getting a bus service for the first time. You know what some people are like and the local paper will just love laying it all on with a trowel and portraying everything as a disaster. I definitely agree with you there, the Orpington changes involve many route changes which have no other alternatives. Sure, the Finchley Road changes will confuse people, but if people do end up on the wrong bus, they can easily hop onto another one which takes them back into Central London. However, with the Orpington routes, many links are broken and people are going to be confused when the bus doesn't show up, or if there is a change of number. The elderly population are used to just getting on the bus without really checking the number, because most residential areas are only served by one R-route. However, if the bus takes a different route they will easily be upset and may complain to the driver. An example of this is the R1 route down Tower Road, the passengers may easily be confused by the new routeing and instantly get off thinking that they caught the wrong bus, resulting in a longer walk to the Walnuts Centre and shops. The Foots Cray removal on the R11 was a very bad idea in my opinion. I think the new destinations for the R7 will confuse people, especially as it does not terminate at the Aquilla Estate anymore. I also studied the timetable for this route and I fear that the running time is far too tight and buses are often going to be late, which is going to lead to very angry passengers who may stop using the bus service, despite the significant improvements. When I trek down there next week, it'll be interesting to see how busy the new sections of route are, especially for the R7. Rant overĀ Funnily enough I had went on a R7 this morning and the driver said exactly that about tight running times. I'm sure our resident R7 driver will offer his thoughts in due course. The Finchley Road changes are needlessly confusing, if the 82 had remained all passengers would have to deal would be the withdrawl of the 13 and the extension of the 139 to Golders Green, the 113 and 189 changes are fairly minor.
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Post by sid on Apr 1, 2017 21:40:42 GMT
What a baptism of fire! Why? Diversions, diversions, diversions! Bus 139 has THREE diversions today. 1) West End Lane is closed, so it continues down Finchley Road to Finchley Road station, and then follows the C11 route back to line of route on West End Lane. 328 has same diversion. 2) Oxford Street. 3) Piccadilly Circus. To add to that there are temporary light at the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road (where the Abbey Road studios are). Bus 13 is also impacted by Oxford Street and by Bressenden Place works in Victoria. Buses 113 and 189 are being turned at Selfridges, and so are not serving Oxford Circus and Marble Arch respectively (which is why the blinds show Oxford Street Selfridges) It's a poor service on both the 13 and 139 as a result, with bunching of buses and significant gaps in service. I think I have seen just about every turn being proven on day 1! I was at Golders Green and London Sovereign must have been pulling their hair out. A number of drivers waiting to take out 139s, only no buses as they were running late. In an odd way the Finchley Road has had a good service overall north of Finchley Road station as the 139 and 328 have combined with the 13 and 113! We'll see what happens when normality returns. It was exceptionally bad today but there is disruption in Central London virtually every weekend, I suspect this is a major factor in the decline in bus usage, the tube seems busier than ever.
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Post by Paul on Apr 1, 2017 21:48:55 GMT
Funnily enough I had went on a R7 this morning and the driver said exactly that about tight running times. I'm sure our resident R7 driver will offer his thoughts in due course. You'll have to be more specific since I think there's 3 of us around here now For the record we've all said the running times are tight. The traffic on Summer Hill in the peaks will wreck reliability. The one bright spot is the running time over the original part of the route hasn't changed and that can be a little excessive so there's opportunity for catching up there. I can't say anything concrete for now though since I'm off this weekend. I'm on the 7s all next week though so I'm sure I'll offer my thoughts in due course
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Post by thewintersoldier on Apr 2, 2017 8:12:39 GMT
What a baptism of fire! Why? Diversions, diversions, diversions! Bus 139 has THREE diversions today. 1) West End Lane is closed, so it continues down Finchley Road to Finchley Road station, and then follows the C11 route back to line of route on West End Lane. 328 has same diversion. 2) Oxford Street. 3) Piccadilly Circus. To add to that there are temporary light at the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road (where the Abbey Road studios are). Bus 13 is also impacted by Oxford Street and by Bressenden Place works in Victoria. Buses 113 and 189 are being turned at Selfridges, and so are not serving Oxford Circus and Marble Arch respectively (which is why the blinds show Oxford Street Selfridges) It's a poor service on both the 13 and 139 as a result, with bunching of buses and significant gaps in service. I think I have seen just about every turn being proven on day 1! I was at Golders Green and London Sovereign must have been pulling their hair out. A number of drivers waiting to take out 139s, only no buses as they were running late. In an odd way the Finchley Road has had a good service overall north of Finchley Road station as the 139 and 328 have combined with the 13 and 113! We'll see what happens when normality returns. Yep I can vouch for that. I decided instead of using the Thameslink from Blackfriars to Cricklewood on my way home from work I'll jump on the 139. We left waterloo at 2220 and the bus was obviously late as I watched it come in on its southbound journey. Arrived at Golders Green About 2345. I didn't see many 139's on the road and I saw at least one Piccadilly Circus turn. 189's were also nowhere to be seen and the 113's were randomly on stand at Portman Square, was 3 when we showed up. The 13's were carrying air. No 82's in sight either.... FYI
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Post by ian on Apr 2, 2017 10:55:45 GMT
I saw some night-time 13s last night and they appeared to be pretty much empty. I imagine the 113s will become busier as they serve the areas with nightlife.
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Post by vjaska on Apr 2, 2017 10:57:59 GMT
What a baptism of fire! Why? Diversions, diversions, diversions! Bus 139 has THREE diversions today. 1) West End Lane is closed, so it continues down Finchley Road to Finchley Road station, and then follows the C11 route back to line of route on West End Lane. 328 has same diversion. 2) Oxford Street. 3) Piccadilly Circus. To add to that there are temporary light at the junction of Abbey Road and Grove End Road (where the Abbey Road studios are). Bus 13 is also impacted by Oxford Street and by Bressenden Place works in Victoria. Buses 113 and 189 are being turned at Selfridges, and so are not serving Oxford Circus and Marble Arch respectively (which is why the blinds show Oxford Street Selfridges) It's a poor service on both the 13 and 139 as a result, with bunching of buses and significant gaps in service. I think I have seen just about every turn being proven on day 1! I was at Golders Green and London Sovereign must have been pulling their hair out. A number of drivers waiting to take out 139s, only no buses as they were running late. In an odd way the Finchley Road has had a good service overall north of Finchley Road station as the 139 and 328 have combined with the 13 and 113! We'll see what happens when normality returns. Pretty much agree - the traffic around Portman Square and the long line snaking from Hyde Park Corner to Victoria was horrendous. The 13 looked ok at the Victoria end but they're were a rarity at the North Finchley end and saw a couple running dead straight into the bus station to start the journey south. Patronage on the 13 was very healthy - my bus had a good load all the way to North Finchley and I didn't really see any empty ones so most have seemed to recognise that's the bus they now need. Slightly unrelated but the first day of the 2's contract also saw it fall to bits - I didn't see one make it beyond Hyde Park Corner and my own 2 I boarded at Norwood Garage, already blinded for Victoria, ended up being curtailed to Vauxhall!!!
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Post by redbus on Apr 2, 2017 15:43:15 GMT
It's not much better today on the 13/139 as the diversions / road works all seem to still be in place. If anything the service is worse as there are larger gaps since the frequency on both routes is lower on a Sunday. LVF showing significant gaps between buses as well as bunching. London Sovereign and TT have their work cut out again.
Hopefully the diversions / road works will be over by tomorrow, Monday, and let's see how well they run the service in more normal conditions.
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