|
Post by Alex on Jan 9, 2016 16:28:29 GMT
Here's a crazy idea: For awkward routes like the 108, is reusing Citaro Bendy Buses an option? They could be used like regular buses, with the two rear doors only functioning as exits. No, not crazy - I've thought this loads of times, I think they would be just the ticket.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 9, 2016 0:31:55 GMT
Sounds as if PVL115 wasn't that badly damaged. If it is still at Silverton, I'd be surprised. Well said about the age situation of London's buses. I gather from my Canadian friend that they're getting about 7-8 years out of their low floor buses, which is just ridiculous. And they go for scrap after that. Their high floor buses generally lasted for over 30 years, from what I've been told. It wasn't that badly damaged - put it this way, deroofed buses have reappeared and it wasn't anywhere near that bad. Sounds bad in Canada Thanks for the 'well said' but I realise I've contradicted myself a bit, moaning about things not being mechanical, then moaning about fumes........sure you can see what I mean, there's a sensible balance somewhere
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 9, 2016 0:15:53 GMT
To be honest, the main thing I remember was that the car was a write off. The back end was totally done in (if I recall correctly it was a BMW, I was more taken by the controlled attitude of the car driver to the London Buses staff, the driver was back by the van, I wondered if he would explode any second).
Damage to bus mainly to front skirt, it was all a bit of a mess. I did wonder, looking at the age of the bus, if it would be back in service, far worse has happened and buses repaired.
Says something about the bus culture today - I say "age of the bus", none of the buses in London are old vehicles these days. The trend for going for 'modern' technology instead of sticking to basic mechanical working will make things obsolete quicker and a more wasteful culture.
That said, riding in older vehicles last year and smelling exhaust/oil/diesel offloads throughout my journey makes me appreciate newer stuff and tighter controls a little bit more, so it can't all be bad.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 8, 2016 23:43:16 GMT
Thanks That was my initial thought, as that road narrows in several places so bus stops could be installed next to the massive concrete wall for the new railway line. The other location I thought of was Cyprus Place, as a small minority of idiots do drive too fast down there . Although it was the North Woolwich turning circle where WVL423 had a head-on collision in 2014. I couldn't walk that far though! A mile is my absolute maximum No worries A mile? Ah, do that a few times and it'll be nothing, then do two miles, then three etc. My little pit stop is in Greggs at Stratford Centre for a tandoori chicken baguette (carefully timed as these run out after about 13:30), shame they have about as much calories as Vjaska's customary Big Mac
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 8, 2016 23:38:18 GMT
I'm probably gonna get shot down in flames over this (from several quarters at least) but from what I can see one operator would make sense - bringing it all back in house. To me the savings in not having the red tape to do with the tendering process, not having multiple sets of management, having maintenance facilities less duplicated with specialist areas catering for a wider area of specialist need, having scheduling more centralised instead of to and fro debates going on, and - most importantly, costed estimates for routes being to cover operations alone without a bit for the shareholders - must save a fair amount. Add to this more integration for services and initiatives - something which seems to be illegal between the present arrangement with private companies.
A mate of mine (CPC operator holder for a firm in Sussex) and I went through some tenders on the TfL site, despite not knowing the full picture, it seemed the amount quoted for routes could easily pay for vehicles, fuel, insurance, and also allow for vastly improved driver conditions. I know I'm no expert, but a CPC man at least knows a little bit. A well run 'London Transport' seems to me a much better alternative than what we have now.
Apologies if I seem ignorant, and mis-informed, I'll admit I'm not a bus operations expert, but there's lots in the modern game that doesn't seem to add up, and I think a centralised and well run organisation could work better for the public, as passengers, and as tax payers also.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 8, 2016 23:13:26 GMT
Anyone know which road PVL115 had the accident on? Yes, Albert Road Silvertown, heading towards Canning Town, by Tate and Lyle - Lord Street if I recall correctly...... I actually saw it! I recall the bus, the red London Buses van and the rather poorly car in front of it......was gonna post but guessed someone here would post all the details - wish I had posted now , I was on one of my regular Plumstead to Edmonton walks to meet the fiancee from work (yes, I do this on my day off, I'd be the size of a house if I didn't)........ After I arrived at Canning Town Bus Station, I looked around and noticed that the place was swarming with Stagecoach ALX400s. I don't think I've seen so many in one place for a long time. Yes! That's the beauty of the place - on the aforementioned walk, Barking Road is very good too, lots going by on the 5, 115, 147, 330, 241, and to a lesser degree the 473. Sadly this will lessen in Canning Town/Barking Road with the losses of the 69/147 but there should still be a few about for a while - if anyone's interested, from the Woolwich foot tunnel the walking route is basically the 473 to Stratford, 158 to Highams Hill then a scoot across Tottenham Marshes and Brantwood Road into Fore Street, Edmonton. Lots of Trident spotting opportunities on this.......
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 8, 2016 23:01:54 GMT
A great thread, brings back memories. I jointed ELBG/Selkent in 2009, worked at Plumstead for the duration, with the exception of a brief holiday for a few weeks when the 122 transferred from PD to TL. I loved my time there, despite the sometimes erratic shift patterns and passengers pushing you to the edge at times! It's probably a bit easier now considering there is no more cash being taken on the platform. Likewise to you 10001, I was a baby faced young driver, which was often a great source of amusement to my colleagues and passengers alike, take it as a compliment and endeavour to prove any naysayers wrong. It is a great job and company if you are looking to move up, a number of drivers I worked with are now controllers and instructors. One thing I can guarantee is time flies when on the buses, I blinked and 4 and a half years flew by me! Yes, it is a great thread Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year 10301 (and the other forumers), and thanks for the recent updates, I read with interest about the door override (and that post about the H28 amused me a bit) B7tl - PD garage? I live round the down the road from there, moved first part of 2013.....so looking at your 4.5 years from 2009 you'd have been driving when I first moved here . PD to me was very fun then, I loved learning the area (which is a bus enthusiast haven - lots going on) with the Tridents and E400s that were about at the time. It's lost a bit of it's charm now it's hybrid city (the last Stagecoach fleet list showed only 9 Tridents left) but I have good memories. I know I've mentioned my PD memories before (sorry regular posters) but it was a fun time of my life, I feel very at home in SE18 You mention 122, and heading to TL......did you spend a lot of time on the 122? It's actually my favourite bus route, an interesting blend of areas on it. Were the duties etc paired with route 53 back then (as now)? Mr 10301 (or can I say Dave lol) how's the Romford nomination coming along? Have you managed to get a rest day there yet? Also with this talk of LT's, have you bagged much Scania work, I recall you saying you liked them. Hoping the job still has the excitement angle that it would have had when new. I've been on public transport 10 years this year (LU) and still enjoy it - to be honest I can't see me doing anything else apart from transport. When I was a kid, there were two things I wanted to be, a bus driver or a tube driver, and I'm like it as a grown up
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Jan 4, 2016 23:16:23 GMT
Must be something in the water....I stumbled across this video in the morning and was glad to have found it. I saw it when it was on TV (when I was 10) and had wanted to see it ever since. Certainly is a gem. Couldn't get over how the pay rates sounded......though by all accounts £5.60 per hour (or not if you were on a midibus) in 1992 was pretty good. I was told that in those days there were big enhancements for lates/nights, and getting paid for all of a spreadover duty, so would have all added up. The union blokes seemed a bit harsh towards the chap who was always running early - I can see their point but I think people nowadays might try to be a bit more objective.......though running 20 mins early is quite a chunk Also joking in the canteen about him getting the sack (when he actually could have done) is something I don't think I would do......but I don't know the humour of a bus canteen..... Also the conductor saying about how you can never please the public while the people walk down the stairs behind him, not sure that would get in the clip now.....and I'm sure the bit about not seeing a working toilet for 4.5 hours is relevant today as well......
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 18, 2015 19:38:01 GMT
Thank you so much for posting!!!! I've been waiting for these for so long, I'd given up that TfL were going to do it. Looks like my evening is sorted lol
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 15, 2015 0:50:18 GMT
Many thanks to Carl for the SWT news - fascinating stuff indeed and please keep the updates coming - just a quick question though Carl, when I used to travel on the SW main line I couldn't figure out where the 100 mph stretches were (I recall seeing the 100 signs around the Fleet area - am I right?), as for years I thought the SW main line was 90 line speed, but indeed saw the 100 signs here and there. How much of it is cleared for 100 mph running, at the time I was living on the main line I only had a Nokia N95 (without the GPS speed apps - and to be honest Desiros block out GPS anyway) and was doing rough calculations doing timings between mile posts. 95 - 100 came up a lot in my rough calculations.......
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 15, 2015 0:09:49 GMT
Just from one steering wheel! I also put a towel on the drivers seat, because, not long after I started driving buses, I had a boil come up in my nether region. Had to go to A+E to have it lanced and the doctor told me it was because of the drivers seats. No Yes, it was indeed the drivers seats I was referring to with the newspaper.....read the post back and realised I had just put 'seats'. The thing about A&E really startled me though. I remember one celebrated incident where a few of us went in my mate's RML to Showbus, and someone in the party decided to relieve themselves into an Apple Tango bottle on the M11 while on the rear platform (yes, I know). After this he put the filled bottle in the rubbish sack we had, and it was only when we got back to the yard it transpired the bottle was still on board - of course my mate was cross and said to the other chap to get rid of it. Thing is, I was sat near the rubbish bag and was certain I had put my hands in it putting bits of rubbish away - I woke up the next day with ulcers round my mouth and feeling unwell I'm glad of this thread though, as it's nice to know it's not just me that worries about this sort of thing Going back to the original jist of the thread, it's not unheard of to have unsavoury things happen before on the buses (two examples).... www.thetottenhamindependent.co.uk/news/11186990.display/www.southwarknews.co.uk/news/homeless-man-sentenced-to-hard-time-for-masturbating-on-bus-six-times/
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 13, 2015 17:14:44 GMT
When I get in the cab, anything I have to touch is wiped with an anti bacterial wipe, steering wheels are the worst; Is that just off the steering wheel? That is some build up....one night, I got a bit too merry out and about and ended up waking up in PD garage (fortunately this has happened before so I knew how to get to the gate to get out) - but one thing I did spot was the amount of seats which had newspaper on them. This is a tube train thing too, particularly in the summer (where it's common for the seat to be wringing wet with the previous persons sweat)....... I recall one 93 driver when I lived that way, he used to carry round one of the old school beaded seat covers for this purpose, I've seen the thin gore tex covers used too.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 12, 2015 0:53:34 GMT
Anyone reckon he washed his hands before touching the steering wheel? Vile individual. Sadly bus/tube/train cabs and the like are very manky places as it is. Plenty of drivers don't wash hands after toilet (I've witnessed people coming out of toilet cubicles then proceed with their work without washing hands), also anyone with a cold etc can leave germs around the cab from being in it for so long. It was even mentioned on 'Big Red Bus' about ten years ago that finding Lucozade bottles in the cab was generally a driver who couldn't hang on any longer..... Plus the story I read on this forum about a driver who blocked a CCTV camera to put STD cream on themselves in the cab...... It's all immensely depressing. Sadly the passenger seats are filthy too, there are a lot of people out there with low/no standards. I certainly don't eat on public transport any more, and when returning home after a journey I wash my hands straight away. Some very manky people out there who have touched the seats/handrails/bell pushes. Sadly you have to plough on with it, if you thought too much into everything most people wouldn't even leave the house........ Like I say - depressing.
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 10, 2015 21:22:31 GMT
Metrobus WHV65 is on loan to A for type training for the 93's new WHV's. I hope they appear on the 154, because I've had enough of those awful DOE's! I had DOE12 this afternoon and it looked absolutely awful inside and outside. The rear seats had been completely worn out and it sounded horrible too. I think it had a broken diff, but not sure. These buses need to be scrapped if you ask me! I don't see how GAL managed to retain the route with existing DOE's! Yes, agreed. I travelled on a DOE back in July heading to a mates house and was shocked at the interior condition on it. I used to live in SW London and remembered these when brand new. I was shocked that only six years later they were in such a state......
|
|
|
Post by Alex on Nov 10, 2015 1:09:05 GMT
Yes DS is duty schedule and TS is time schedule as per LT days when they were separately compiled, nowadays they are generally compiled together so are the same number. Go ahead still use DS and TS numbers despite adopting the Grampian duty system and having different time cards. Also Go-Ahead are following suit of of some other operators and removing the intermediate timing points from the time cards of high frequency routes to encourage drivers to use their ibus headway displays more. Only start point and end point will be shown with any changeover points / variations where necessary. That's interesting......I'm thinking of a situation whereby the ibus system (and the driver MDT) failed in some way? Having timing points would give an indication to how a driver is doing time-wise. Also do headways actually tally up with the end to end running times? Imagining this as a variable I can guess in some cases they don't.
|
|