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Post by rmz19 on Feb 5, 2020 20:38:30 GMT
Thanks for the insight. Now I have more faith in knowing there's something to do at the northern end of the 215 The 375 is one I forgot to include as well, the Passingford Bridge terminus is definitely more of a 'middle of nowhere' location! Can't really think of why anyone would alight there as it's just a roundabout. I reckon there's a case for extending the 375 to Epping so the route has more purpose at its northern end, and would make it an even more picturesque route The 107, 307, 251 and 313 are must do's too (Double Decks on the latter two would enable for even better views along their routings), all routes I've done and would definitely do again for the amazing sceneries. Equally, you can sit at Lea Valley Campsite and wait for a 215 back, generally doesn't stand longer than 10 minutes from experience. The 375 terminates there as it's the first place to turn around after serving the small settlements along the road, also doesn't take much stand time here. In fact, the one I did up pretty much went straight back out - enough time to cross the road to catch it whilst it negotiated the roundabout. An extension to Epping would be nice but it won't happen due to TfL's non appetite for cross border routes both new & existing - of course, happy enough to run Underground, Overground & TfL Rail across the border though! Yes I suppose so. It would be interesting if there's a walkway over Lea Reservoir to provide pedestrians a connection to Brimsdown, making Lee Valley Campsite more accessible. It would also be a scenic walk with views of the reservoir and the London skyline. I digress It makes sense that the 375 uses the roundabout to turn around, as it's the only means of reversing back I suppose it's logical to have the terminus there and stops along the way rather than the 375 terminating elsewhere and having to traverse that way out of service anyway. An extension to Epping would be so beneficial to the route as it would attract custom and justify a frequency increase. It's a shame that crossing the border is an obstacle for TFL. Then again there are no issues with the Underground and Overground crossing the border as you say, so I wonder how TFL would justify that...
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 5, 2020 12:51:29 GMT
Mz19 re 215 215 is quite a nice route, not really in the middle of nowhere, I've done it a few times. Once at the campsite there's a little walk you can do back along the Sewardstone Road to pick up the 379, or a longer walk back to Chingford via Daws Hill and Bury Road and Sewardstonebury. For a real ride to the middle of nowhere I'd suggest the 375. I'd love to do that again but it's a real pain, every 90 minutes only and it really leaves you in a dull country lane with nowt to do. However there's a nice pub nearby, The Rabbits, to kill time until the next bus back. Thanks for the insight. Now I have more faith in knowing there's something to do at the northern end of the 215 The 375 is one I forgot to include as well, the Passingford Bridge terminus is definitely more of a 'middle of nowhere' location! Can't really think of why anyone would alight there as it's just a roundabout. I reckon there's a case for extending the 375 to Epping so the route has more purpose at its northern end, and would make it an even more picturesque route The 107, 307, 251 and 313 are must do's too (Double Decks on the latter two would enable for even better views along their routings), all routes I've done and would definitely do again for the amazing sceneries.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 5, 2020 2:52:31 GMT
That bit of the 210 you use is the most boring bit of it I’d say lol. Yes I’m sure Volvo does disagree with me on the 139, but there you go each to their own. With the reasons he’s given for despising the route I can totally understand why he does. I think the 32 is the straightest in London as well, there’s not any bends in the road at all. And yes it’s incredibly boring. The 149 can’t even be included as arrow straight, because London Bridge-bound it has to navigate the one-way A10 at Rectory Road. And yes I got off the 303 in Colindale, really nice Area, very modern and it’s been spruced up really well. The 32 has 2 turns on the whole route - Edgware High Street and in Kilburn where it turns off to go to Kilburn Park - So is almost definitely the straightest route. The 116 is also a very straight route with only two small deviations at both ends. The H91 is pretty straight too save for the slight deviation at Gunnersbury. The 32, 116, 149 (save for the s/b chicane) and H91 are probably the four straightest routes in London.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 5, 2020 1:15:37 GMT
There are a few routes in particular that I would like to do/do again. The 247 is a route I'm fond of because of the amazing scenery through Hainault, which used to be enjoyable when some Tridents were thrashed along Romford Road It's been years since I used the route so looking forward to using it again. The 331 is another route I would like to do again due to the unique rural venture through Harefield and Denham, again a route I haven't done in ages so it's a must. The 215 is a route I would like to try out. Traversing along the suburban run up to the Lee Valley Campsite looks intriguing, but something tells me this might not be wise as it seems to be in the middle of nowhere I was meaning to do the 216 for a while now but haven't had the chance. The route is definitely one of my priorities as it seems like an enjoyable route with a unique routing to and from Staines compared to the other routes i.e. 117, 203 and 290. I maybe wrong about that though so shall see. I'm quite fond of the 422 because of the contrast of sceneries throughout its routing. From the modern Greenwich Peninsula with views of Canary Wharf, through the somewhat 'villagy' northern Blackheath/southern Charlton, to the urban Woolwich then along the suburban back roads to Bexleyheath. The 422 is certainly a 'chameleon' of a route. In close proximity to the 422 is Blackheath itself, a vastly scenic open space that is breathtaking during the sunset and twilight hours. So a ride on the many routes through there i.e. the 53/54/89/108/202/380/386 is a must. I have great memories of the 269. During the summer months journies on the route were great due to the green and leafy nature of its routing. I think I'll wait until Spring/Summer to start using the route again! The 464 is a nice and rural little route that has a few twisty and hilly roads. It's a shame the trees block an otherwise great view of the countryside. However I enjoyed it the one time I used it (didn't enjoy the wait for it to arrive though!). I think I'll time my journey better the next time I use the route to avoid an awkward wait. The 166 is definitely one of favourite routes. The twisty and hilly roads through Chipstead, the remote feel of Woodmansterne, the great village of Banstead and the rural Epsom Downs are what make the route special. Can't wait to use the route in spring I haven't experienced many cross-boundary routes as of yet, which surprises me as they're potentially the most scenic routes in London and as can be told I'm a sucker for scenic routes The cross-boundary routes in my bucket list are the 81, 298, 405 and 465.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 4, 2020 20:46:09 GMT
The 324 is probably the most interesting on the SD routes around my area - 288/303 are pretty dull and boring, and also quick to ride. If you have a fast DE on the motorway section near Brent Cross then its amazing - DE1019/1025 flew down there recently - some other sections of the route can also see some good pace. Can't wait to sample a DEL on there. I agree with the 210 - not done the full route and most journeys on it consist of going from Brent Cross Shopping Centre - Golders Green (And vice versa), but the rest of it from what I've seen looks great. I also like the route because of the current variety (Batch wise that is) - TE829/905-907/1083-1092/1094/1432 & TEH917-919/1455 can all usually be found on the route, with the occasional MMC TEH (Which I hope to catch on the route at some point) - Currently I'm trying to tick off all of the conventional (And non 15 reg MMC) DDs at W - So far I've managed to get TE829*/906**/1084/1085/1092/1094/1432 & TEH918/1455. With the 139 I think Volvo will disagree with you on that one With the 32 I agree scenery isn't great - although parts of the route such as Colindale aren't too bad, useful route though, but another factor that can ruin it is how busy it can get. Also I wonder if there is any routes straighter than the 32? The only turns really are when it turns of Edgware High Street and again around Kilburn Park - Other than that, thats about it. * - Though this was when it was at EW ** - Managed to bump into this 3 times now That bit of the 210 you use is the most boring bit of it I’d say lol. Actually the Golders Green - Brent Cross bit of the 210 isn't that bad. The most boring part is Finsbury Park - Hornsey Rise. Where it gets really interesting is Hornsey Rise - Golders Green where it feels like you're in a suburban part of London
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 4, 2020 14:16:00 GMT
Seems the east got the raw deal were as buses seem to travel from all other directions into central London! we now have the *cough* temporary cut of the 8 too! If anything the 98 seems lightly used to / from Holborn so perhaps that should have been cut back or made better use of and extended to provide a connection with the 25 in the Holborn / City Thames Link area. I honestly think that the 98 should have been the route cut back off Oxford Street and the 25, or 8 kept. Both of them are far more valued while the 98 doesn't quite start picking up until Marble Arch anyway. Obviously it'd be the best to keep both of them but it'll be the lesser of two evils cutting the 98 Not true. The 98 is just as busy as the 8 and 25 being the only route that connects Holborn/TCR to the north-west along New Oxford Street. Since the 7 has been curtailed to OC the 98 gets busy pretty much from the get go, you can regularly witness rammed buses on the route, especially in the peaks. Cutting the 98 wouldn't be wise nor would it be the lesser of two evils. The 8 and 25 should have been left as they were previously with the latter cut to Holborn if needed, and the 98 remaining as it is.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 3, 2020 13:25:09 GMT
Central Line and Crossrail (even thou the latter’s not here yet). Also the dreadful traffic congestion which is driving people off the buses - what's the point in having loads of near-empty buses sitting in traffic and going nowhere? Have you seen the 55 between TCR/OC and Holborn? Regardless of traffic buses aren't near-empty at all as evident by how overcrowded the 55 gets, it struggles to cope and that's why the 8 should revert back to TCR asap or better yet OC to provide partial assistance and re-establish popular links. Reverting the 25 back to Holborn would just make so much sense, it's so close to its current pointless terminus but TFL don't have the decency to care about valuable broken links.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 1, 2020 12:33:18 GMT
WS128 at go ahead is jerky it has a habit of jolting violently into gear. When i pulled away from Shortlands Stn it jolted the whole way down to the lights lol. The brakes are rubbish on them i pray no traffic lights change. Product of saving running costs. Good ol training buses drive better than 'brand new' state of the 'art' single decks nowdays. This is ridiculous. For a route like the 232, having buses brake like that at high speed is potentially dangerous. There were many instances the driver would brake at high speed and everyone jolted back and forth due to the terrible brakes (if this indeed is the case), it would be even more dangerous for those standing up. If buses are being built to these terrible standards then they shouldn't be commissioned at all, it's just unacceptable.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 31, 2020 17:54:34 GMT
There were two instances I used the 232 between New Southgate and Brent Cross, the first being a few weeks ago and the second earlier today. While I like the StreetLites in general, I find the ones on the 232 to be very shaky while breaking and accelerating. I thought it may have been down to poor driving the first time round, but today this was also the case and even more so. Additionally, during the first instance I overheard a discussion between the driver and Centrecomm about warning lights lighting up on the dashboard showing an issue with the rear left tyre of some sort, Centrecomm then replied saying it's fine and the driver can continue. Regarding the shakiness I believe it might be down to this batch of StreetLites themselves, but does anyone know why this is the case? Other StreetLites are smooth and don't have this issue. They are rapid however, as can be proven along the North Circular. Surely it would have been the engineers at the garage the driver would have been talking to about warning lights on the dashboard rather than Centrecomm. Yes that may have been the case indeed. Not really familiar with this matter.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 31, 2020 16:20:06 GMT
Other StreetLites are smooth and don't have this issue. They are rapid however, as can be proven along the North Circular. You might have some fast Streetlite batches but definitely not smooth! It's been a while since I rode a StreetLite other than the 232 ones but If I recall correctly they were smooth and didn't have this issue.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 31, 2020 15:59:48 GMT
There were two instances I used the 232 between New Southgate and Brent Cross, the first being a few weeks ago and the second earlier today. While I like the StreetLites in general, I find the ones on the 232 to be very shaky while breaking and accelerating. I thought it may have been down to poor driving the first time round, but today this was also the case and even more so.
Additionally, during the first instance I overheard a discussion between the driver and Centrecomm about warning lights lighting up on the dashboard showing an issue with the rear left tyre of some sort, Centrecomm then replied saying it's fine and the driver can continue.
Regarding the shakiness I believe it might be down to this batch of StreetLites themselves, but does anyone know why this is the case? Other StreetLites are smooth and don't have this issue. They are rapid however, as can be proven along the North Circular.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 30, 2020 13:15:31 GMT
It appears ADL has won the tender with Enviro 400 ER plug in hybrids 11m long City type bodywork 66 seats each 100 buses firm initial order, with framework agreement for 600 buses ADL News link Can't help but think how great these Cities look in white, the white on black contrast is very striking. I reckon white on black would suit any bus type as it's an appealing combination. Personally London buses would look great in white with black inserts
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 29, 2020 23:37:30 GMT
Had a short ride on. BDE the other day. I wasn’t greatly impressed I have to say. They feel so heavy. I find the HAs much better they are very quick the BDEs feel slow and a bit sluggish I find I beg to differ. The HAs are indeed quick, but I also find the BDEs very quick, just like the OMEs. Used the 43 at night between London Bridge and Bank a few nights ago, it got up to 30 in no time due to its rapid acceleration. Perhaps they are heavier than the OMEs, but they aren't sluggish at all.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 28, 2020 23:39:51 GMT
Maybe I've not looked at the route as a whole and only just seen how close Pimlico is to the new development that's why I thought it seemed like a good idea. I've never appreciated just how bad the 24 gets but that's probably because I never use it. I do believe any buses serving the new development should go towards central London. On a seperate note I do wonder how many of the new flats will be occupied although don't forget you have apple moving in as well. I see your point and I do sympathise with your view that the 24 gets tantalsingly close to Battersea with the Pimlico terminus, its not that I don't think there's a case for the extension because there is, but more that I think the 24 is too long for an extension, but that link across Chelsea Bridge and (via the 24) to Victoria would be great. Personally cutting a route just because it contends with congestion and protests is illogical, especially a route that's already relatively short. I don't see how the 24 is 'too long' for an extension, it's only 7 miles in length and has a running time of 39-77 minutes. I acknowledge the 24 can be affected by congestion at times but the same can be said about other routes as well yet that does not justify shortening them as a result. It's completely fine the way it is but a short extension will be more beneficial than detrimental.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 27, 2020 23:33:22 GMT
I'll be honest I don't really pay that much interest in the route but it's rare to see a turn on the route on a normal day. Same could have been said with the 88 and look what happened to that. The 88 generally manages a lot better than the 24, but I see the 24 pretty much daily and I actively avoid using the route due to its unreliability. It's rare to see turns however you still do get quite large gaps on it, and there's quite a lot of turns which are spontaneous where you get pretty much no notice and you're chucked off. The 24 is absolutely fine, it's a relatively short route and can manage with an extension to Battersea. Any 'large gaps' are down to the fact that TFL foolishly reduced its frequency. Although protests and roadworks occur along the route this should not be a reason for cutting the 24 by any means. It's certainly far more logical to extend the 24 than the 328, the latter being a comparatively longer route therefore extending it should be ruled out.
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