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Post by northlondon83 on Jul 26, 2023 22:38:57 GMT
There's also people working in hospitality who finish after midnight who may need to rely on night buses. Some bars don't close untol after.midnight and staff may need to stay another 30 minutes to clear up
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Post by cardinal on Jul 26, 2023 23:51:40 GMT
Slough already has some night services to Heathrow in the 4 (soon to be A4) and 7 - there are then connections to TfL night buses there. Struggling to think of why Epsom needs a night bus, and Dartford isn’t exactly a night hot spot either - the 96 runs until pretty late and starts up again early. If ever in the TFL era there was going to be a night service beyond London I'd have staked all my savings on its being a 96. Back in 2004 or even 2009 I could quite easily have seen a 24h service introduced to provide a link from Woolwich to welling/Bexleyheath and a link from BH to Cryaford and Dartford. The drunks and vagrants and homeless don’t frequent Dartford so no demand anymore. |
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Post by DT 11 on Jul 27, 2023 6:40:16 GMT
I have to reach work in Central London for 6am so leave my home at 430am. I’m lucky as I live near Heathrow so day routes start early. So the argument about shift workers should take into account the travel time rather than the time their shifts start. Likewise people who work at Kingston Hospital who live in Sutton if they start work at 5am then clearly they’ll be using a night bus. These jobs are not high wages so will more likely use buses. Then you have people who finish late at night as well. Night buses are key to London and surrounding areas. Not everywhere needs them but it’s pretty obvious where they are needed. There aren’t many NHS shifts that start before 7am. Commonly nurses and health support workers start around 7am. Doctor shifts start around 8am. Night shifts finish between 8-9am. So the need for a night bus isn’t really essential. Hospital visiting hours typically end around 8pm and most facilities like canteens or coffee shops are closed overnight in hospitals. At Kingston for example the canteen opens at 7am and closes at 3pm so the staff there might need to get there for 6/6.30am to prep but they are likely the exception but again they wouldn’t necessarily need a night bus. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go.Sorry but this is very wrong and narrow minded. I am sure many on this group have traveled on a Night bus. I have driven N2 & N137 and funny enough have never seen a Rough sleeper or drunk person on my bus I have definitely experienced these things during day. People who have nowhere to go is funny too. Who the hell would want to sit on a night bus because they have nowhere to go. I can assure you people have places to go at night! From about 4am Night buses actually get very busy because of early workers! You are more likely to get drunks on a Friday or Saturday evening. On Sunday I had a drunk laying on the back seats of my bus at West Croydon on a Sunday afternoon and I took over at Crystal Palace, had to call for assistance to get him removed. Have you ever traveled on a night bus? |
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Post by northlondon83 on Jul 27, 2023 7:35:27 GMT
I have to reach work in Central London for 6am so leave my home at 430am. I’m lucky as I live near Heathrow so day routes start early. So the argument about shift workers should take into account the travel time rather than the time their shifts start. Likewise people who work at Kingston Hospital who live in Sutton if they start work at 5am then clearly they’ll be using a night bus. These jobs are not high wages so will more likely use buses. Then you have people who finish late at night as well. Night buses are key to London and surrounding areas. Not everywhere needs them but it’s pretty obvious where they are needed. There aren’t many NHS shifts that start before 7am. Commonly nurses and health support workers start around 7am. Doctor shifts start around 8am. Night shifts finish between 8-9am. So the need for a night bus isn’t really essential. Hospital visiting hours typically end around 8pm and most facilities like canteens or coffee shops are closed overnight in hospitals. At Kingston for example the canteen opens at 7am and closes at 3pm so the staff there might need to get there for 6/6.30am to prep but they are likely the exception but again they wouldn’t necessarily need a night bus. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go. Have you ever been on a night bus? Why on earth would the homeless go on a night bus when they are very likely poor and can't afford the fare. Besides the only money they carry with them is cash. Drivers would also know if a person is too drunk to board a bus. The majority of people using night buses are either travelling to/from work or travelling home from a night out. For all my experiences on night buses generally they're quiet during the week however some get busy at the weekend. I've had one instance of anti social behaviour on a night bus however this would be no different to a day bus and have not seen any drunks or homeless people on a night bus. There are some people on here who use night buses so please be mindful of what you write before making offensive comments Also, you seem to have shown no consideration for those who use the services, and dismiss the importance of night buses. I can tell you that there's a big hole in NW London where there used to be night buses however there no longer is one. Night buses should cater for most areas that need one and removing the N183 was ridiculous and it should be brought back. It's typical that those on this forum who are downplaying the importance of night buses have never used them. |
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Post by greenboy on Jul 27, 2023 7:42:52 GMT
There aren’t many NHS shifts that start before 7am. Commonly nurses and health support workers start around 7am. Doctor shifts start around 8am. Night shifts finish between 8-9am. So the need for a night bus isn’t really essential. Hospital visiting hours typically end around 8pm and most facilities like canteens or coffee shops are closed overnight in hospitals. At Kingston for example the canteen opens at 7am and closes at 3pm so the staff there might need to get there for 6/6.30am to prep but they are likely the exception but again they wouldn’t necessarily need a night bus. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go. Have you ever been on a night bus? Why on earth would the homeless go on a night bus when they are very likely poor and can't afford the fare. Besides the only money they carry with them is cash. Drivers would also know if a person is too drunk to board a bus. The majority of people using night buses are either travelling to/from work or travelling home from a night out. For all my experiences on night buses generally they're quiet during the week however some get busy at the weekend. I've had one instance of anti social behaviour on a night bus however this would be no different to a day bus and have not seen any drunks or homeless people on a night bus. There are some people on here who use night buses so please be mindful of what you write before making offensive comments The 25 in particular was plagued with homeless people in open boarding bendybus days, probably less of a problem nowadays but I don't suppose it's completely gone away. I have every sympathy with anyone who is homeless but clearly night buses are not intended as mobile hostels. |
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Post by northlondon83 on Jul 27, 2023 7:48:53 GMT
Have you ever been on a night bus? Why on earth would the homeless go on a night bus when they are very likely poor and can't afford the fare. Besides the only money they carry with them is cash. Drivers would also know if a person is too drunk to board a bus. The majority of people using night buses are either travelling to/from work or travelling home from a night out. For all my experiences on night buses generally they're quiet during the week however some get busy at the weekend. I've had one instance of anti social behaviour on a night bus however this would be no different to a day bus and have not seen any drunks or homeless people on a night bus. There are some people on here who use night buses so please be mindful of what you write before making offensive comments The 25 in particular was plagued with homeless people in open boarding bendybus days, probably less of a problem nowadays but I don't suppose it's completely gone away. I have every sympathy with anyone who is homeless but clearly night buses are not intended as mobile hostels. I'd be wary of homeless people. Whilst some are genuine there are a few fake homeless people just trying to steal people's money. I would just walk past a homeless person/beggar and ignore them, most of the time they're requesting money and once you start talking to them it's difficult for them to stop harassing people |
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Post by cardinal on Jul 27, 2023 8:12:01 GMT
There aren’t many NHS shifts that start before 7am. Commonly nurses and health support workers start around 7am. Doctor shifts start around 8am. Night shifts finish between 8-9am. So the need for a night bus isn’t really essential. Hospital visiting hours typically end around 8pm and most facilities like canteens or coffee shops are closed overnight in hospitals. At Kingston for example the canteen opens at 7am and closes at 3pm so the staff there might need to get there for 6/6.30am to prep but they are likely the exception but again they wouldn’t necessarily need a night bus. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go.Sorry but this is very wrong and narrow minded. I am sure many on this group have traveled on a Night bus. I have driven N2 & N137 and funny enough have never seen a Rough sleeper or drunk person on my bus I have definitely experienced these things during day. People who have nowhere to go is funny too. Who the hell would want to sit on a night bus because they have nowhere to go. I can assure you people have places to go at night! From about 4am Night buses actually get very busy because of early workers! You are more likely to get drunks on a Friday or Saturday evening. On Sunday I had a drunk laying on the back seats of my bus at West Croydon on a Sunday afternoon and I took over at Crystal Palace, had to call for assistance to get him removed. Have you ever traveled on a night bus? I think it’s safe to say the author of this disgrace hasn’t travelled on night buses and yes , also is narrow minded and offensive. No apology or anything either which is noted (so probably a troll as well) Of course drunks homeless and vagrants sometimes use buses, as it’s a form of public transport and whether anyone likes it or not , they’re all human. I could go on but having been made homeless once before I have found the authors comment infuriating and offensive. If the admins want any proof of who should be thrown off this group that is evidence right there. |
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Post by DT 11 on Jul 27, 2023 8:38:52 GMT
The 25 in particular was plagued with homeless people in open boarding bendybus days, probably less of a problem nowadays but I don't suppose it's completely gone away. I have every sympathy with anyone who is homeless but clearly night buses are not intended as mobile hostels. I'd be wary of homeless people. Whilst some are genuine there are a few fake homeless people just trying to steal people's money. I would just walk past a homeless person/beggar and ignore them, most of the time they're requesting money and once you start talking to them it's difficult for them to stop harassing people I have come across some genuine ones. If people ask me for money for food I do not give them money. I will instead offer to buy them food they are not using my money to buy drugs and alcohol or any other motive they have! On Monday in West Norwood exactly this happened a hungry man was asking for money to buy food I bought him food instead and he smelled like he had not washed in days. Earlier in the day I was going to use a ATM and someone was standing near it asking people for money to buy Cigarettes I did not bother I went to another ATM. |
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Post by WH241 on Jul 27, 2023 8:51:33 GMT
There's also people working in hospitality who finish after midnight who may need to rely on night buses. Some bars don't close untol after.midnight and staff may need to stay another 30 minutes to clear up But hang up buses don't stop running dead on midnight! most buses run until at least 1am and some even later! Surely when you take a job you consider how you will get to and from work? Why should people suddenly be kicking up a fuss and saying there should be a night service because they can't get home.
Maybe I am missing something here but think we have a pretty decent night bus network with a mixture of 24 hour routes and dedicated night buses, I appreciate some parts of London are not as good as others. It seems nothing is good enough in London unless you don't have wait more than 5 minutes or have a bus running 247 2 seconds from where you want to board the bus. I appreciate my reply will seem sarcastic but think people really need to start appreciating what we have in London instead of demanding more and more all the time.
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Post by Alexis on Jul 27, 2023 13:16:50 GMT
I have to reach work in Central London for 6am so leave my home at 430am. I’m lucky as I live near Heathrow so day routes start early. So the argument about shift workers should take into account the travel time rather than the time their shifts start. Likewise people who work at Kingston Hospital who live in Sutton if they start work at 5am then clearly they’ll be using a night bus. These jobs are not high wages so will more likely use buses. Then you have people who finish late at night as well. Night buses are key to London and surrounding areas. Not everywhere needs them but it’s pretty obvious where they are needed. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go. I use night buses to get to Camberwell garage for my early shifts and to get home from my late shifts and see other bus drivers and workers doing the same so for you to say that is honestly ridiculous. |
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Post by enviroPB on Jul 27, 2023 15:27:08 GMT
There's also people working in hospitality who finish after midnight who may need to rely on night buses. Some bars don't close untol after.midnight and staff may need to stay another 30 minutes to clear up But hang up buses don't stop running dead on midnight! most buses run until at least 1am and some even later! Surely when you take a job you consider how you will get to and from work? Why should people suddenly be kicking up a fuss and saying there should be a night service because they can't get home.
Maybe I am missing something here but think we have a pretty decent night bus network with a mixture of 24 hour routes and dedicated night buses, I appreciate some parts of London are not as good as others. It seems nothing is good enough in London unless you don't have wait more than 5 minutes or have a bus running 247 2 seconds from where you want to board the bus. I appreciate my reply will seem sarcastic but think people really need to start appreciating what we have in London instead of demanding more and more all the time.
That's the thing, you have more options for work if you can get to/from home late at night. That's why night buses are crucial to the hospitality sector in particular; longer opening hours with increased revenue streams only come about with reliable transport options late at night. There are two members on here who work for the DLR, one in east and one in west London. I'm fairly certain these members would need cars to access those early shifts if it wasn't for night buses. Obviously there are some hideous gaps in coverage north-west and east London, but on the whole night buses are there to serve demand that already exists in the capital. As previously stated in a prior post, it'd be foolish of TfL not to capitalise on existing passenger demand. Indeed, one of the reasons for the Night Tube being borne was to alleviate the night bus network which was running at 173% capacity in the 2000s. |
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Post by enviroPB on Jul 27, 2023 15:45:39 GMT
There aren’t many NHS shifts that start before 7am. Commonly nurses and health support workers start around 7am. Doctor shifts start around 8am. Night shifts finish between 8-9am. So the need for a night bus isn’t really essential. Hospital visiting hours typically end around 8pm and most facilities like canteens or coffee shops are closed overnight in hospitals. At Kingston for example the canteen opens at 7am and closes at 3pm so the staff there might need to get there for 6/6.30am to prep but they are likely the exception but again they wouldn’t necessarily need a night bus. Night buses only really serve drunks, the homeless and other vagrants who have nowhere else to go. Have you ever been on a night bus? Why on earth would the homeless go on a night bus when they are very likely poor and can't afford the fare. Besides the only money they carry with them is cash. Drivers would also know if a person is too drunk to board a bus. The majority of people using night buses are either travelling to/from work or travelling home from a night out. For all my experiences on night buses generally they're quiet during the week however some get busy at the weekend. I've had one instance of anti social behaviour on a night bus however this would be no different to a day bus and have not seen any drunks or homeless people on a night bus. There are some people on here who use night buses so please be mindful of what you write before making offensive comments Also, you seem to have shown no consideration for those who use the services, and dismiss the importance of night buses. I can tell you that there's a big hole in NW London where there used to be night buses however there no longer is one. Night buses should cater for most areas that need one and removing the N183 was ridiculous and it should be brought back. It's typical that those on this forum who are downplaying the importance of night buses have never used them. Some people on here may find it hard to believe, but there are some homeless people who would collect money to travel on night buses. I've seen a few mini docs and full-length ones like the Crossrail documentary a decade ago which featured homeless people. It's known by bus drivers that they will deliberately get on the longest night buses to try catch some sleep; in the case of the N9, heading to Terminal 5 for a shower and a shave. As far as the driver is concerned, anyone paying their fare isn't discriminated against. Sure, there are a minority that haven't seen a wash in days, but that just reminds me of how lucky I am to have a roof over my head. I know some want to demean those using night buses. There are too many shift workers who rely on 'em, including railway engineers who have started to use the N15 more between Romford and Stepney/Whitechapel to access Crossrail sites during the night. Tube workers are doing the same instead of taking taxis home, thereby saving TfL some money in the process. London can't claim to be a 24 hour city if the public transport infrastructure isn't there to support it. We're likely never to get 24/7 Tube trains like New York, so let's at least have a proper night bus network. |
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Post by northlondon83 on Jul 27, 2023 16:38:59 GMT
There's also people working in hospitality who finish after midnight who may need to rely on night buses. Some bars don't close untol after.midnight and staff may need to stay another 30 minutes to clear up But hang up buses don't stop running dead on midnight! most buses run until at least 1am and some even later! Surely when you take a job you consider how you will get to and from work? Why should people suddenly be kicking up a fuss and saying there should be a night service because they can't get home.
Maybe I am missing something here but think we have a pretty decent night bus network with a mixture of 24 hour routes and dedicated night buses, I appreciate some parts of London are not as good as others. It seems nothing is good enough in London unless you don't have wait more than 5 minutes or have a bus running 247 2 seconds from where you want to board the bus. I appreciate my reply will seem sarcastic but think people really need to start appreciating what we have in London instead of demanding more and more all the time.
If you lived in an area with no night buses you would probably be complaining, unless you are the type of person who wouldn't use night buses. |
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Post by WH241 on Jul 27, 2023 19:10:13 GMT
I think we do okay for night bus services. The below is from 2016 so not sure if there are now more or less services.
There are a total of 123 bus routes that operate overnight, of which 73 are 24-hour services and 50 are night bus routes.
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Post by northlondon83 on Jul 28, 2023 13:26:42 GMT
Here's my take on night buses.
The whole purpose of them is to give people connections at night when the last tube and day bus has left. I work in a job where I sometimes finish after midnight. I usually rely on taking the tube to work however the cut off point for me to get home by tube is midnight. There are days when I finish later than that and therefore I have to take the night bus. But without night buses you're severing the network completely at night and London has night life and people who work variable hours including early morning starts and post midnight finishes. The night bus network is fairly good however can do with improvements, including restoring former 24 hour routes like the 183 and 114.
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