|
Post by sid on Jul 16, 2019 21:10:09 GMT
In the end yeah perhaps I could do code red, maybe TFL even covers for mileage loss in such cases if cops are involves and then I as driver have to do occurrence reports at which point the company will look at my driving standards and see me driving with one hand or something and give me the bollocking, unfortunately that's the reality of bus operating now days lol. And as for ronnie's comment with knife crime you're dead on man, that's what another fellow driver told me as well, he said just not worth arguing over 1.50 for potential stab in the back after work. Best driver advice I got in the past year I think. The joke of this is the bus Operator and TfL clearly don't care Surely a person not paying then sitting down is a revenue enforcement matter, not a police matter, Different if they are being disruptive or upsetting others due to abusive behaviour, then it is police What I mean is there should be revenue staff on call who drive (fast) to meet you, not you inconvenience other fare paying passengers by staying put. I don't like the attitude of TfL that its acceptable to disrupt others journeys, unless they are trying to discourage travel. At the very least if they do choose to hold the bus, everyone else on it ought to get some sort of automatic fare refund for the time wasted, perhaps that would focus minds on better way to deal with it. Surely it becomes a police matter if the person refuses to pay or get off the bus? Whether the police would attend such a relatively trivial incident is another matter. Revenue inspectors aren't going to be able to do anymore than the driver.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 20:44:43 GMT
I had an idea a while ago about making the 53 run non stop between E&C and NX, omitting Bricklayer’s Arms and the the entire OKR, Passengers along the OKR generally want destinations further into the West End which can be achieved via the 453 while any eastbound beyond Deptford can change at NX. The 53 already omits the Bricklayers Arms but I can't see any other stops being removed.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 18:26:26 GMT
In the long term it might be better for Crossrail to take over everything east of Dartford leaving Southeastern and Thameslink to concentrate on the local stuff. If 12tph are planned for Abbey Wood extend 6tph to Dartford and Gravesend and 2tph to Rainham. That would cause an unusual situation in which a TfL line will go further out of London than the national rail lines, when it’s usually the other way around. Also I doubt that the Gravesend CrossRail extension will happen any time soon, if ever, if it does it’ll probably be way down the TfL list of priorities after the Silvertown Tunnel, DLR to Thamesmead, CrossRail 2 aka Chelney line, Northern line split, Bakerloo extension, etc I’m guessing it’ll be the 2040s, early 2050s before we get anywhere on that front. Crossrail is going to Reading which is about the same distance from London as Rainham in Kent. And Southeastern would still go to Rainham and beyond,just not via Dartford.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 17:35:22 GMT
The Southeastern network is complex; a change I would like to see would be; Metro Via Woolwich 2tph - Cannon Street - Dartford via Greenwich 2tph - Cannon Street Loop via Greenwich (return via Sidcup) 2tph - Cannon Street Loop via Greenwich (return via Bexleyheath) 2tph - Charing X - Gravesend via Lewisham Via Bexleyheath Same service as now Via Sidcup 2tph - Charing X - Dartford (same as now or via Lewisham) 2tph - 2tph - Cannon Street Loop via Lewisham (return via Greenwich) Divert the TL 2tph - Luton - Rainham - with this service either via Lewisham or fast from LBG to Hither Green fast to New Eltham then as per Gravesend service of all stations from HGR (with 2 later services) - this would result in timetable changes as this service couldn’t run via Sidcup with the timings which was worked on by TL and NWR If the Hayes branch ever transfer to LU then a extra stopping service via Grove Park maybe - 2tph - Victoria - Orpington All other metro routes same as now 2tph - Blackfriars - Beckenham Junction service would be good all day depends on how they could work the timetable on all service (metro & mainline) through Herne Hill, I have a slight feeling in the future NWR May advise again on all Sutton TL all terminating at Blackfriars bay platforms and increasing all to 4tph on each branch which was originally proposed which could then have the Sevenoaks & Orpington’s running to/from St Albans with fresh stock for Sutton services maybe run by TFL Mainline Speed up the Charing Cross services to Ramsgate & Dover fast from Lbg to Tonbridge then either skip stop - stopping at Paddock Wood & Staplehurst to Ashford or fast from Tonbridge to Ashford 2tph - Charing Cross to Tunbridge Wells & Ashford (split at Tonbridge) And Hasting service as they are now I’d keep the Medway service going via Woolwich, the connections on that line are much needed; CrossRail at Abbey Wood, DLR at Woolwich Arsenal, the O2 centre and other attractions at Greenwich Peninsula which can be reached by getting off at Charlton. All Gravesend and Medway services would run via the Woolwich and Greenwich lines while the Sidcup and Bexleyheath lines would generally terminate at Dartford or he loop services. In the long term it might be better for Crossrail to take over everything east of Dartford leaving Southeastern and Thameslink to concentrate on the local stuff. If 12tph are planned for Abbey Wood extend 6tph to Dartford and Gravesend and 2tph to Rainham.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 17:04:51 GMT
That deflection off Ben Stokes's bat to the boundary...... what were the chances of that happening? Sometimes you need a bit of luck! I don’t recall ever having seen anything like it before. The whole ending to the match was unbelievable even down to the Super Over being drawn and the match being decided on boundaries! But it’s always fantastic to say ‘England win the World Cup!’ Now go and win the Ashes boys! Absolutely and an England team getting a bit of luck at a World Cup is long overdue!
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 6:08:59 GMT
The same thing was done in Berlin where open boarding was abolished for the same reason and prominent no entry stickers on the rear and centre door have done the trick. Anyway a lot of people pass the driver without paying, invalid oyster or just walk straight past and the driver says nothing. I sometimes use a paper ODTC on buses and many drivers don't even look at it.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 6:02:06 GMT
What a game and what an amazing finale........England win the World Cup, don't get to say that very often!
That deflection off Ben Stokes's bat to the boundary...... what were the chances of that happening?
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 15, 2019 5:56:27 GMT
was in oxford today and noticed that a oxford tube service was using a Enviro 400 MMC Stagecoach Gold bus rather than the usual coach, I believe this is very rare, Am I correct by thinking that? I think it's very rare indeed? I've certainly never seen any such workings before.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 15:05:40 GMT
Just to show that one journey proves nothing, it was pretty dead between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood when I used it yesterday but got a bit busier towards Plumstead picking up passengers who were probably waiting for a 472. I think it's significant that you and sid appeared to be travelling in opposite directions. The 301, especially with minimal publicity, is likely to take time to build up leaving Woolwich because it doesn't serve the key stops in the town centre near the shops. If it picked up in Thomas Street or at Woolwich Arsenal Station, where most people board, then more 244/472 users might have been picked up. Coming into Woolwich, that's not an issue. Do we know why it doesn't serve Woolwich Arsenal? Would it add another bus to the PVR? Is it just a temporary arrangement? It's missing an awful lot of potential users at the moment.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 9:49:46 GMT
MHV71 on the 40 with Monument on the front and side. I'm sure that baffled some 40 users who are getting used to seeing Clerkenwell Green on the front of their bus Indeed and some people must have thought the 40 had returned to its old route. The driver said a lot of people don't know where Clerkenwell Green is anyway and he's had people get on and tell him he's going the wrong way for Camberwell Green!
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 9:45:32 GMT
Picture this, you're running late and you're going to get on a bus. Said route you're planning on using is an LT route. You're speed-walking to the stop when an LT comes bombing past you. Eager not to miss it you run for the bus, as you draw closer to the stop you see the rear door is open, the rear door is supposed to be exit-only but you want to get on the bus. Do you get on at the rear door and walk to the driver to pay? I understand your point but the same scenario can occur on two door buses. I think it would be ridiculous to take the rear door and staircase out of use on LT's.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 9:40:07 GMT
Does the 301 use the same stand as the 51/99/386 in Woolwich? Yes but it only picks up at the stop opposite the indoor market.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 9:01:35 GMT
I presume the notice at Bexleyheath has been put up by an enthusiast? It was pretty dead between Woolwich and Thamesmead when I used it yesterday but got a bit busier towards Bexleyheath picking up passengers who were probably waiting for a 401 or B11. It does seem a bit wasteful having two routes along Nathan Way, I think the 301 only needs to run between Bexleyheath and Thamesmead until the 472 is altered? In the long term maybe it should be extended to North Greenwich in place of the 161 enabling it to serve Woolwich town centre properly and avoid the awkward routing that the 161 has to take? Just to show that one journey proves nothing, it was pretty dead between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood when I used it yesterday but got a bit busier towards Plumstead picking up passengers who were probably waiting for a 472. It's likely to get busier the nearer it gets to Bexleyheath or Woolwich, even if people don't the route the destination confirms where it will end up.
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 14, 2019 8:51:31 GMT
Travelled on a 301 from Bexleyheath to Plumstead Station yesterday morning. It was lightly used and passengers waiting at stops did not know where it was going so the driver had to explain each time. Double deckers going down New Road was a bit strange and is a tight fit when two meet and parked cars at the junction of New Road and Woolwich Road. The only notices seen were on the shelter at Bexleyheath Market Place which was a line diagram with the main places indicated. It did not show which roads it took between the places. Why does it go via Nathan Way? The 472 can cope with the industrial estate traffic.
I presume the notice at Bexleyheath has been put up by an enthusiast? It was pretty dead between Woolwich and Thamesmead when I used it yesterday but got a bit busier towards Bexleyheath picking up passengers who were probably waiting for a 401 or B11. It does seem a bit wasteful having two routes along Nathan Way, I think the 301 only needs to run between Bexleyheath and Thamesmead until the 472 is altered? In the long term maybe it should be extended to North Greenwich in place of the 161 enabling it to serve Woolwich town centre properly and avoid the awkward routing that the 161 has to take?
|
|
|
Post by sid on Jul 13, 2019 19:34:23 GMT
Took a return trip from Woolwich to Bexleyheath on the new 301. DW482 bizarrely the first pick up point is opposite the covered market, somewhat remote from the main shopping area and station. Only two other people on board until Thamesmead but a bit busier after that, quite a few photographers taking snaps. The stand at Bexleyheath is the old emergency bus stop for when the area around the clock tower was closed and if a second bus arrives the road is blocked. DW486 on the return journey with Thamesmead on the front although the driver and I bus confirmed it was going to Woolwich. Reasonably busy for the first day as far as Thamesmead but pretty quiet after that with a 472 not far in front. We were regulated at the stop near PD, a bit ridiculous so close to the end of the route. Took my 8 year old grand daughter on a ride round on the DLR which she loved then....... RM1933 on the 15H from Tower Hill to Aldwych, picked up a fair load from the tower with the conductor announcing apologetically that contact less wasn't valid but oyster cards were. He went round both decks validating oyster cards and happily dealt with any travel quires. My grand daughter loved the old bus and so it seems did everyone else........ still doesn't matter what they think it needs to be axed pronto!! Never seen such a passive aggressive post re the 15 H
Of course everyone else is making it up with other observations.
What other observations? I mean seriously why did you post this other than to incite conflict? And then you'll complain that you're being bullied again..... sigh!!
|
|