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Post by busoccultation on Nov 6, 2019 22:04:56 GMT
I’m not a driver but I reckon routes that are unpopular are: 173 - very dull and bleak route, traffic filled, impossible to control, wretched buses 197 - although it’s a brilliant route most of it is 20mph and I bet it’s absolutely infuriating combining that and the ISA. The 173 isn't too bad bad for most drivers as A13 (on the good days) do make things interesting if given a decent bus and lot of the route isn't that bleak at all and buses on the 173 isn't too bad considering the age of those buses. I can imagine that the 325 would probably be a lot worse for DX drivers as it is busy twisty single deck route seeing it does a tour of Newham and with some traffic hotspots such East Ham and Forest Gate.
The 197 is all 30mph between Sydenham and Croydon as well parts of Forest Hill areas so I can't see that as an issue especially if the ISA is somehow been disabled or the bus is running early/on time.
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Post by rif153 on Nov 6, 2019 22:26:20 GMT
For me it has to be the 65.
I know, shock, horror, rif153 thinks his favourite route in London would be awful to drive. Here's why, the route is painfully long, its a dificult and brooding route to drive and control, really a nightamre to operate. Buses often run in pairs, or even threes, but its not RATP's fault really, the traffic conditions along the route are abhorrent. There is just endless gridlock, especially between Richmond and South Ealing; Kew Bridge especially is often at a standstill during the peaks. The route is really a victim of its own usefulness, provides an excellent direct link, and is a much valued radial but close to inoperable due to traffic conditions. When there's little traffic around, the 65 is a fantastic route, but to be avoided like the plague during the peaks because of how much congestion the route has the misfortune of having the battle with.
However, I agree routes like the 11, 19, 112, 139, 173, 266, 297, and 483 would all be worse to drive than the 65, the 65 at least has some nice scenery going for it, other routes don't even have that.
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Post by george on Nov 6, 2019 22:30:06 GMT
For me it would be the 493, Very long with huge traffic hotspots alone the route and goes past so many schools as well.
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Post by rif153 on Nov 6, 2019 22:35:12 GMT
For me it would be the 493, Very long with huge traffic hotspots alone the route and goes past so many schools as well. That reminds me. The 195 would be horrible to drive because it serves lots of schools, but because the buses suffer from chronic overcrowding. |
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Post by george on Nov 6, 2019 22:41:57 GMT
For me it would be the 493, Very long with huge traffic hotspots alone the route and goes past so many schools as well. That reminds me. The 195 would be horrible to drive because it serves lots of schools, but because the buses suffer from chronic overcrowding. My friend can't stand the 195 for those very reasons. He also says the Enviro 200 MMC get too hot in the summer. |
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Post by Volvo on Nov 6, 2019 22:43:07 GMT
Wow you do the 19 end to end without getting paid!! Someone give this guy a medal. I mean I got paid to do it and hated it. Lol. Unfortunately when the tubes do not play ball and Hammersmith bridge falling apart as well as SWR’s reliable train service, it’s the quickest way to get to Roehampton from where I live. I probably need a drugs and alcohol test tbf Loooooool @ the last line. |
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Post by Frenzie on Nov 6, 2019 23:14:52 GMT
Not a driver, but the having spoken to a few drivers the 111 isn’t the most popular route at the garage. Some love it but others hate how long it is in the peaks and how little running time you’re given. Once you’re down on time it’s almost impossible to make it up with passengers at every stop, hence why you see so many turns on the route during the morning and evening rush hour. However, the controllers do a superb job of ensuring that all the drivers have adequate rest at the end of the route and make it back to the garage in time for meal relief etc. Outside of the peaks it can be very pleasant to ride and obviously pretty quick late in the evening. As for the N9 it was more popular out of there two for the night drivers apparently. One driver told me that he liked it because of the long breaks at either end (which were about 20 minutes) and the shorter driving hours as there were no cross links. Now it’s at V it could be different especially since duty 961 starts at 8pm and finishes around 5am. That did not go down well with a few AV drivers who chose not move with the route. Do you know what the most liked route is at AV? Also are shorter routes always more liked than the longer routes? Obviously subjective, but generally the 203 with its MCLs and 110 are deemed nice to drive. I’ve heard the 81 wasn’t too bad either. |
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Post by george on Nov 6, 2019 23:20:46 GMT
Do you know what the most liked route is at AV? Also are shorter routes always more liked than the longer routes? Obviously subjective, but generally the 203 with its MCLs and 110 are deemed nice to drive. I’ve heard the 81 wasn’t too bad either. Interesting, I would have thought the H37. |
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Post by enviroPB on Nov 7, 2019 1:58:46 GMT
I don't believe some of you have done an end to end on the 111 at any time of day and enjoyed it! After doing the 111 whilst being in the Heathrow area one evening, I've never regretted a decision more in my life!! Way too long winded and I genuinely mean this, it's an hour of my life I won't ever get back.  Gotta give my 'not a driver' warning but I suspect routes like the 69, 169, 287 and EL1 are not fondly appreciated during the daytime; particularly the peaks and the 474 probably isn't liked during the evenings because of a thin recovery time at stands. I'm tempted to throw the 145 in there but I've spoken to a BK driver who says when the A12 isn't acting up, it's a joyous route to drive. |
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Post by vjaska on Nov 7, 2019 2:00:43 GMT
I don't believe some of you have done an end to end on the 111 at any time of day and enjoyed it! After doing the 111 whilst being in the Heathrow area one evening, I've never regretted a decision more in my life!! Way too long winded and I genuinely mean this, it's an hour of my life I won't ever get back. Gotta give my 'not a driver' warning but I suspect routes like the 69, 169, 287 and EL1 are not fondly appreciated during the daytime; particularly the peaks and the 474 probably isn't liked during the evenings because of a thin recovery time at stands. I'm tempted to throw the 145 in there but I've spoken to a BK driver who says when the A12 isn't acting up, it's a joyous route to drive. I did enjoy my end to end trip on the 111 during one Saturday afternoon especially as it was a V or W reg VA I had  |
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Post by enviroPB on Nov 7, 2019 2:06:16 GMT
I don't believe some of you have done an end to end on the 111 at any time of day and enjoyed it! After doing the 111 whilst being in the Heathrow area one evening, I've never regretted a decision more in my life!! Way too long winded and I genuinely mean this, it's an hour of my life I won't ever get back. Gotta give my 'not a driver' warning but I suspect routes like the 69, 169, 287 and EL1 are not fondly appreciated during the daytime; particularly the peaks and the 474 probably isn't liked during the evenings because of a thin recovery time at stands. I'm tempted to throw the 145 in there but I've spoken to a BK driver who says when the A12 isn't acting up, it's a joyous route to drive. I did enjoy my end to end trip on the 111 during one Saturday afternoon especially as it was a V or W reg VA I had Glad your bones wasn't crushed for an hour!  |
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Post by Frenzie on Nov 7, 2019 3:16:02 GMT
I don't believe some of you have done an end to end on the 111 at any time of day and enjoyed it! After doing the 111 whilst being in the Heathrow area one evening, I've never regretted a decision more in my life!! Way too long winded and I genuinely mean this, it's an hour of my life I won't ever get back. Gotta give my 'not a driver' warning but I suspect routes like the 69, 169, 287 and EL1 are not fondly appreciated during the daytime; particularly the peaks and the 474 probably isn't liked during the evenings because of a thin recovery time at stands. I'm tempted to throw the 145 in there but I've spoken to a BK driver who says when the A12 isn't acting up, it's a joyous route to drive. I must admit I’ve enjoyed many end to end journeys on the 111 but only in the very late and early hours of the day. It’s a personal favourite, you just need the right driver and bus to enjoy it properly. I do know that some SPs vibrate a lot (SP167 in particular), but once they get going they’re not so bad. The seats are much better now they’ve been refurbished so it’s a lot easier to spend an 1 hour going from one end to the other. However, Richmond Council have ruined most of the route with the introduction of 20 mph limits which results in buses getting stuck behind Uber/ Micra drivers. It’s not very fun when that happens. |
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Post by aaron1 on Nov 7, 2019 10:46:46 GMT
The 226 will be one them beacuse it zig zag from the main routes alot this there other routes like that
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Post by shroudoffrost on Nov 7, 2019 11:38:03 GMT
I cant really put them into order but heres some I routes I didn't enjoy driving at all... H9: Getting from Harrow to Kenton is a nightmare compared to driving the 183 and 114...have to deal with various traffic flows which those do not because you have to go to Northwick Park Hospital first and then the station (soon being withdrawn thank goodness). Emerging from Northwick Avenue onto the Kenton Road during the peaks is also a little cumbersome and can take some time if noone activates the pedestrian crossing. You could get absolutely hammered at Northwick Park Station during the peaks and will basically mess up the entire service on the rest of the route. This is why big gaps and bunching is more common on the H9 than the H10, the latter being an easier route to drive. 139: What everyone above said basically...did lates on it for quite a while and dreaded Friday/Saturday nights due to the terrible traffic in Piccadilly as the entrance into Regent Street kept getting blocked by PHVs and black taxis. And then you have the almost weekly diversions to deal with. The only positive about this route is when all buses would get curtailed far away from Waterloo.  207: I dislike this route purely because of the clientele, fare dodging is rife and drivers getting assaulted (usually verbally or via spit) is also very common. Southall area is not bad in that regard the issues only really begin once you pass through West Ealing or through Shepherds Bush. Acton Vale/Bromyard Avenue is also ridiculously busy during the morning peaks, unless you are scratching your leader you will leave that stop overcrowded. Forgot to add the poor schedule which Abellio are running at the minute with very low recovery time at either end but with padded out running time so they can justify not having to turn late runners. Not good for a long trunk route such as the 207. |
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Post by M1104 on Nov 7, 2019 13:56:25 GMT
I'm not so sure about this but perhaps others can provide an insight into this. How are routes 111, 380, 484, 493 and G1 to drive? Their routings seem quite complex and rather indirect. Route learning the G1 is a mission and a half if you do not know the area as it involves a few loops along route, the biggest being inside St. George's Hospital where you can be within the complex for a good five minutes...by which time you come out somewhat forgetting on which direction you're meant to be heading towards. Suffice to say I once headed back towards Tooting Broadway by mistake when I should have headed in the other direction along Garratt Lane. I've lived near the Tooting area all my life and I made that mistake, imagine a new driver doing the route for the first time not knowing the area other than on the roads they route learnt along. If you don't want to drive down nearly every side street in Tooting don't drive the G1. On the flip side if you love the chance to say "Hello!" to the plenty of boarding/alighting nurses, drive the G1. I chose the latter. |
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