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Post by sid on Jul 22, 2019 5:00:15 GMT
I know this is a fantasy thread but my view is that there is no need to bring the suffix lettering back. I would suggest that there was no need to have gotten rid of them in the first place, just TfL wasting money solving problems that don't actually exist like the daft idea of the 390 being renumbered 13.
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Post by sid on Jul 22, 2019 4:56:55 GMT
There is also the 89,96 and B16 between Welling and Bexleyheath, at the other end there is no alternative. Life doesn't end at Welling. The 89 and 486 are carrying good loads over most of the route. The retail parks at Charlton have generated lots of extra weekend journeys. Passengers with shopping and buggies don't want to changing buses half way. The point I'm making is that if reductions have to be made on the 486 it's better to make them at the quieter Bexleyheath end by terminating alternate buses from North Greenwich at Welling.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 19:03:13 GMT
Would be nice to see the 12A and 68A back in Croydon to bring those low classic route numbers back. 312 and 468 don't quite sound as classic as 12 and 68. Although the 312 no longer has any connection with the 12. I thought it was a pointless exercise changing the 68A.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 18:59:20 GMT
It's been talked about since the 1970s at least so who knows? I think it should go to Hayes/Beckenham Junction thus freeing up capacity for enhancements on other routes between Lewisham and London Bridge. The only downside is that the Mid Kent Line would no longer be available as a diversionary route. Haven’t Bromley council actively fought against any Bakerloo extension to Hayes because of local concerns of increased journey times into Central London? Hence why it’s unofficially been scaled back to Lewisham? It may reach Catford or Sydenham however, I can understand Hayes line users reluctance in having a relatively quick semi fast journey to Charing Cross replaced by a smaller Bakerloo line train which will take much longer, I do also understand that capacity on the SEML would be freed up in the event of an extension. I don't really see how the Bakerloo Line is going to take much longer and obviously it offers the benefit of serving more of Central London. It's probably commuters that aren't happy about having to change for London Bridge. The trains will obviously be smaller but they'll be more frequent.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 18:54:54 GMT
This myth about TfL banning Mercedes products stems from the fact that they don't have the stop/start feature that TfL specify. It makes sense though! I know we’re trying to cut back emissions by implementing it on all buses, but it damages the bus a lot! I’ve heard from loads of engineers about certain parts having to be replaced, as engines aren’t designed to be turned off that many time during a day. I can’t remember who it is, but someone who is high up in Mercedes said that that was also the reason why they won’t implement it It's up to Mercedes, TfL are entitled to specify stop/start and if they're not going to provide it they won't get the orders although their cars have it. Anyway it'll be all electric buses soon.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 18:46:36 GMT
The North Greenwich end is nearly always busy unlike the Bexleyheath end. Sorry but you are wrong. I regularly use both ends of the route. There is also the 89,96 and B16 between Welling and Bexleyheath, at the other end there is no alternative.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 16:20:46 GMT
Just travelled on a very full 486 from North Greenwich. Seriously crowded when a wheelchair user boarded at the cinema stop and as for the Ikea stop. The planner who cut the Sunday service needs their head examined. The North Greenwich end is nearly always busy unlike the Bexleyheath end.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 15:26:37 GMT
Hi, New to this forum. I've got a weekend in London from next Friday until the following Tuesday. Just wondering where in particular I should go to find any endangered types in London? As close to Crystal Palace as possible as that's roughly where I'm staying. One day out is planned to be in West London on the line out of Paddington, so anything in that area could be possible to visit too. Many thanks in advance. Arriva's remaining Pulsar Gemini DW's that are likely to be gone at the end of next month. There tends to be a few on the 194 and 197 that go fairly close to Crystal Palace.
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Post by sid on Jul 21, 2019 14:08:24 GMT
The difference between the Stagecoach ones and the 358 MEC’s is the Stagecoach ones required upgrading whereas the 358’s MEC’s are Euro VI from new. The 108’s MEC’s have been upgraded for the Lewisham corridor and are now Euro VI as well. The 108s won’t survive another contract anyways, which is sad. I still don’t think that will deter TFL from trying to go with someone who doesn’t offer MECs as if I recall correctly, no one can purchase new mecs for London and TFL don’t appear to be the happiest with them staying in for another contract. This myth about TfL banning Mercedes products stems from the fact that they don't have the stop/start feature that TfL specify.
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Post by sid on Jul 20, 2019 15:02:18 GMT
I think because it's outside the London area that TFL are reluctant. I did hear something once that Kent Police weren't keen. r I think that myth (along with the myth that Dartford Council "wouldn't allow a night service") was disproved in a previous discussion on this forum. if that was the case how come Arriva ran a night service on the 480/490 for a while? Ted B Well I've never heard that one before,I thought it was hybrids Dartford Council supposedly wouldn't allow? Anyway back to reality and the point was that TfL are unlikely to fund a night service to Dartford. All things considered a night service on the 422 might be a better option serving the Bedonwell area, Welling is already served by the N89.
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Post by sid on Jul 19, 2019 20:26:21 GMT
A few minutes yes but it does seem pointless to me because most if not all people would be going towards Bromley at that point Shortlands to Bromley North - 6(?) minutes Stand time - 8(?) minutes Bromley North to Shortlands - 8(?) minutes 22 minutes seems like a big chunk to me. Those timings are estimates from me; I haven’t done a serious shift on the 227s in around 7 years! But a Shortlands turn would seem like a handy tool to have. Yes, most people want Bromley but can anyone name a curtailment that DOESN’T inconvenience passengers? Just to clarify the reference to just a few minutes being saved was me assuming, wrongly it seems, that the bus terminating at Shortlands would have then run empty to Bromley North. I think this curtailment point should be used only in extreme cases only, if the last stop is Ashmere Avenue that's a few stops from Shortlands anyway. I think curtailments should be made in the opposite direction at Beckenham or Penge as far as possible.
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Post by sid on Jul 19, 2019 16:40:18 GMT
Loadings to and from Bluewater have dropped seemingly on all routes, such is the onset of online shopping, but ideally I think the 428 should stay as it is and instead the 492 be withdrawn between Dartford and Bluewater. The 492 is proposed to be withdrawn between Dartford and Bluewater. Oh right, I thought it was only the 428 being withdrawn between Crayford and Bluewater. I obviously agree with withdrawing the Dartford to Bluewater section of the 492 which is outside the TfL area anyway, should make the route a bit more reliable as well. As you mentioned evenings can be busy at Bluewater and the 96 can be unreliable if there are problems at the Dartford Crossing so I'd rather leave the 428 as it is, maybe reduce the daytime frequency if necessary?
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Post by sid on Jul 19, 2019 16:15:32 GMT
Loadings to and from Bluewater have dropped seemingly on all routes, such is the onset of online shopping, but ideally I think the 428 should stay as it is and instead the 492 be withdrawn between Dartford and Bluewater.
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Post by sid on Jul 19, 2019 11:13:20 GMT
It's more dangerous following it than not I've worked out, especially in the Greenwich and Lewisham areas as cars will just overtake you when they get a chance, even if it means it's around a bend and we all know what that could lead to. I’ve been on buses running late that have overtaken cars doing 20 mph in 20 zones. My heart was certainly racing after that experience. I wonder if the bus drivers concerned are still in a job? It only takes one of the car drivers to send in dash cam footage.
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Post by sid on Jul 19, 2019 11:10:52 GMT
Given the traffic at times 15mph May be too high! Jokes apart hope this doesn’t get approved 20mph is bad enough and it's the minority that obey it. It's not that they really care about people's safety it's just to get people flashed by the camera imo! It's the City of London Corporation that are behind it, I've no strong opinion either way but I doubt if it will make much difference to bus running times.
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