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Post by evergreenadam on Sept 1, 2023 19:25:46 GMT
It certainly doesn’t make sense that the 218 departs from the low level bus station and the 306 departs from the high level bus station at Hammersmith. Both should serve the same stop in the high level bus station to provide easy interchange from the Underground and other bus routes. The first joint westbound stop is in King Street where long dwell times for boarding passengers causes the traffic to tail back onto Hammersmith Broadway, since following the introduction of the King Street cycleway there is no opportunity for any vehicle to overtake a stationary bus at the bus stop. That in turn delays other buses. You couldn’t make it up! This is one of the changes tfl got wrong from the start. The 306 north of Hammersmith is good as useless for anyone who wants Acton town centre. Personally I'd send the 440 back via West Acton giving them a link to CMH and I'd have only the 306 and not introduce the 218 The 306 I'd run from North Acton to Fulham Sands End. Even at the southern end I think it could do with an extension to Wandsworth Unfortunately the frequency of the 306 alone would not be sufficient for the volume of passengers between Acton Vale and Hammersmith. At x12mins it would be less frequent than the 266 it partially replaced. Patronage on the Fulham section of the 306 seems to have declined since it replaced the 391, perhaps due to its appalling performance record and so probably doesn’t need double deckers operating more frequently than x12mins. |
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Post by northlondon83 on Sept 1, 2023 19:34:08 GMT
This is one of the changes tfl got wrong from the start. The 306 north of Hammersmith is good as useless for anyone who wants Acton town centre. Personally I'd send the 440 back via West Acton giving them a link to CMH and I'd have only the 306 and not introduce the 218 The 306 I'd run from North Acton to Fulham Sands End. Even at the southern end I think it could do with an extension to Wandsworth Unfortunately the frequency of the 306 alone would not be sufficient for the volume of passengers between Acton Vale and Hammersmith. At x12mins it would be less frequent than the 266 it partially replaced. Patronage on the Fulham section of the 306 seems to have declined since it replaced the 391, parhaos due to its appalling performance record and so probably doesn’t need double deckers operating more frequently than x12mins. I do wonder then if the 306 could be cut back to Hammersmith with another route being extended to Sands End, or have a route solely run between Hammersmith and Sands End |
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Post by abellion on Sept 1, 2023 19:34:51 GMT
It certainly doesn’t make sense that the 218 departs from the low level bus station and the 306 departs from the high level bus station at Hammersmith. Both should serve the same stop in the high level bus station to provide easy interchange from the Underground and other bus routes. The first joint westbound stop is in King Street where long dwell times for boarding passengers causes the traffic to tail back onto Hammersmith Broadway, since following the introduction of the King Street cycleway there is no opportunity for any vehicle to overtake a stationary bus at the bus stop. That in turn delays other buses. You couldn’t make it up! This is one of the changes tfl got wrong from the start. The 306 north of Hammersmith is good as useless for anyone who wants Acton town centre. Personally I'd send the 440 back via West Acton giving them a link to CMH and I'd have only the 306 and not introduce the 218 The 306 I'd run from North Acton to Fulham Sands End. Even at the southern end I think it could do with an extension to Wandsworth What will the 306 do for Wandsworth? The 28/220 (and 295/C3 if you change) can get you into Wandsworth from almost all of the 306 route, and nobody would be taking it from the Acton end to Wandsworth when Westfield on the 220 is a much bigger objective with people passing up Southside, Putney Exchange, etc for it. Wandsworth-North Acton sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, there are enough horribly run and chaotic SW-NW routes already  |
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Post by northlondon83 on Sept 1, 2023 19:42:24 GMT
This is one of the changes tfl got wrong from the start. The 306 north of Hammersmith is good as useless for anyone who wants Acton town centre. Personally I'd send the 440 back via West Acton giving them a link to CMH and I'd have only the 306 and not introduce the 218 The 306 I'd run from North Acton to Fulham Sands End. Even at the southern end I think it could do with an extension to Wandsworth What will the 306 do for Wandsworth? The 28/220 (and 295/C3 if you change) can get you into Wandsworth from almost all of the 306 route, and nobody would be taking it from the Acton end to Wandsworth when Westfield on the 220 is a much bigger objective with people passing up Southside, Putney Exchange, etc for it. Wandsworth-North Acton sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, there are enough horribly run and chaotic SW-NW routes already The 306 feels like it lacks purpose, on both ends. The 306 is the only route on Imperial Road so they could benefit from a Wandsworth Link. Even then the C3 doesn't go to Wandsworth, it's rather long walk from Wandsworth Bridge to Wandsworth town centre. Changing buses also adds time to people's journeys As I said in a previous post the 306 could be split into two routes, with one operating from Hammersmith to Sands End or Wandsworth, making it more reliable. I'm not sure how much demand there is cross Hammersmith but I can't see many people from Fulham travelling to Acton |
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Post by evergreenadam on Sept 1, 2023 19:59:26 GMT
What will the 306 do for Wandsworth? The 28/220 (and 295/C3 if you change) can get you into Wandsworth from almost all of the 306 route, and nobody would be taking it from the Acton end to Wandsworth when Westfield on the 220 is a much bigger objective with people passing up Southside, Putney Exchange, etc for it. Wandsworth-North Acton sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, there are enough horribly run and chaotic SW-NW routes already The 306 feels like it lacks purpose, on both ends. The 306 is the only route on Imperial Road so they could benefit from a Wandsworth Link. Even then the C3 doesn't go to Wandsworth, it's rather long walk from Wandsworth Bridge to Wandsworth town centre. Changing buses also adds time to people's journeys As I said in a previous post the 306 could be split into two routes, with one operating from Hammersmith to Sands End or Wandsworth, making it more reliable. I'm not sure how much demand there is cross Hammersmith but I can't see many people from Fulham travelling to Acton There are thousands of new flats being built on Imperial Road which will increase demand for bus services in the area eventually. A link to Wandsworth from Sands End would be useful. |
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Post by abellion on Sept 1, 2023 21:09:45 GMT
What will the 306 do for Wandsworth? The 28/220 (and 295/C3 if you change) can get you into Wandsworth from almost all of the 306 route, and nobody would be taking it from the Acton end to Wandsworth when Westfield on the 220 is a much bigger objective with people passing up Southside, Putney Exchange, etc for it. Wandsworth-North Acton sounds like a disaster waiting to happen, there are enough horribly run and chaotic SW-NW routes already The 306 feels like it lacks purpose, on both ends. The 306 is the only route on Imperial Road so they could benefit from a Wandsworth Link. Even then the C3 doesn't go to Wandsworth, it's rather long walk from Wandsworth Bridge to Wandsworth town centre. Changing buses also adds time to people's journeys As I said in a previous post the 306 could be split into two routes, with one operating from Hammersmith to Sands End or Wandsworth, making it more reliable. I'm not sure how much demand there is cross Hammersmith but I can't see many people from Fulham travelling to Acton I didn’t realise there were new developments around Imperial Road, the extension definitely has more potential then. Pretty ironic how the 391 was unreliable before it got cut and then the 306 comes along and ends up the same way. |
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Post by vjaska on Nov 5, 2024 22:46:20 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate
Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay.
It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross.
On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason.
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Post by ronnie on Nov 6, 2024 2:56:30 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay. It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross. On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason. I did the 266 end to end when it still used to run to Hammersmith (this was in 2019). Had to sit in the Nero at Hammersmith for 30 min to wake myself up - was one of the most boring 1.5 hours I have spent in my life |
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Post by vjaska on Nov 6, 2024 3:48:21 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay. It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross. On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason. I did the 266 end to end when it still used to run to Hammersmith (this was in 2019). Had to sit in the Nero at Hammersmith for 30 min to wake myself up - was one of the most boring 1.5 hours I have spent in my life I remember that was a slog for me back when Metroline still had TA's on the route - that and the 260 were equally tiring. |
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Post by thewintersoldier on Nov 6, 2024 5:05:12 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay. It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross. On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason. As a former driver of this it’s one of those routes which needs to be regulated very carefully but with stops so close together, road works and the unpredictable passenger loads compounded with questionable buses it’s actually a nightmare on the ground. It was a lot worse when it ran to Hammersmith. Especially northbound. The section between Hammersmith grove to Willesden Junction was non stop pick ups and Hammering with full loads on occasions and quite often you’d leave the grove and then coming out of the station onto kings street you’d see the next 266 leaving the grove and you’d both end up full behind each other. The reluctance as well to use the Cricklewood broadway and staples corner turns back in the day could also be frustrating. |
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Post by cardinal on Nov 6, 2024 12:31:58 GMT
I did the 266 end to end when it still used to run to Hammersmith (this was in 2019). Had to sit in the Nero at Hammersmith for 30 min to wake myself up - was one of the most boring 1.5 hours I have spent in my life I remember that was a slog for me back when Metroline still had TA's on the route - that and the 260 were equally tiring. I loved the 266 when AC ran it with Metrobuses. It’s one to avoid now. Awful route. |
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Post by bk10mfe on Nov 7, 2024 11:51:55 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay. It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross. On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason. RP are really running some very difficult routes, the 18, 220 & 266 are all incredibly difficult to manage. I kind of get why the 258/266 are being lost to Metroline soon. I’ve heard RP didn’t want to keep running the 18 either but Metroline didn’t want that route back either. |
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Post by vjaska on Nov 7, 2024 12:38:00 GMT
Was looking for a different thread but stumbled across this one which might be a little bit appropriate Did the 266 today for the first time in many years and apologies to anyone but I think whilst the route is very useful, it's one of the most dull & boring routes you could ride and that's nothing to do with vehicles or 20mph limits but just even the scenery is very bland and samey (except for the construction works around North Acton, that peaked some interest). Definitely one I won't be fondly remembering unfortunately. Worst bit of the route is the section of Church Road where all the shops are - so irritating to pass through because people who park and drive through there behave like idiots, one bus stop being completely blocked off to any bus wanting to pull into the bay. It also didn't help that one of my 2 266 journeys today involved everything I dislike with London buses. My first journey from Brent Cross to Acton was ok, driver wasn't particularly quick but wasn't taking the mick either and we encountered little traffic even with the myriad of temporary lights we passed through. After grabbing some lunch, I went to do the return journey - bus pulls in at Acton Town Hall not long after a 266 had already passed, driver then proceeds to drive like a snail to the next stop before then regulating the service at the 2nd stop on the route. After sitting here for a few minutes, he then sets off still driving like a snail all the way to Willesden Junction where the driver changeover occurs - I was hoping the incoming driver would be better but no, he is actually worse and drives in 1st gear (bear in mind, it's an ADE which have short 1st gears) at roughly 5mph all the way to the stop after Craven Park. Going around the Craven Park, he played the regulation message and then proceeded to stop nowhere the stop. Meanwhile, another 266 (one of the ex Quality Line 14 reg ones) was sitting at that stop with hazards on - he signalled to come down to the stop. Once we did that and take on some passengers, we then drove around to the next stop and sat there regulating yet again so you actually had the scenario where there is a 266 each regulating at the first two stops after Craven Park. Sorry but I've never witnessed anything like that down in my area - absolute shambles of a way to run a route IMO. After about 5-10 minutes of regulating, we set off and driver suddenly started flooring the bus on occasions before reverting to snail driving. To cut a long story short, we made it to Brent Cross - remember I mentioned the 14 reg 266 bus regulating without knowing 100%? Well as I was walking to Staples Corner Retail Park, what pops in but that bus about 2-3 minutes after I'd alighted my 266 at Brent Cross. On a different subject, there seems to be too many bus stops between Horn Lane & Willesden Magistrates Court, lots of short distances between stops for whatever reason. RP are really running some very difficult routes, the 18, 220 & 266 are all incredibly difficult to manage. I kind of get why the 258/266 are being lost to Metroline soon. I’ve heard RP didn’t want to keep running the 18 either but Metroline didn’t want that route back either. I’m aware of how difficult the 266 is but that shouldn’t apply on the day I used it given, as I mentioned, there was no issues with congestion along the entire route and my journey towards Acton was perfectly fine. What I witnessed is no excuse and something I’ve never seen on other difficult to run routes |
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18ARustee
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Post by 18ARustee on Nov 19, 2024 23:14:29 GMT
It made sense. The only change I would make is to terminate the 266 at Bromyard Avenue. The 306 extended to Acton Old town hall ( where the 266 currently terminates).
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Post by vjaska on Nov 20, 2024 1:54:03 GMT
It made sense. The only change I would make is to terminate the 266 at Bromyard Avenue. The 306 extended to Acton Old town hall ( where the 266 currently terminates). The only problem with that is the 306 won't be able to interchange as well with the 440 & E3 if it stood at Acton Town Hall rather than stood at Horn Lane. That way, the 266 could remain as is and would be a cheaper package overall. |
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