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Post by Eastlondoner62 on May 16, 2021 16:20:08 GMT
It's funny you mention that, if you look at how much the area has changed since then and should the 369 still exist instead of the EL1 then the Bastable Avenue stretch would probably be the easiest part to run with the Ilford to Barking section being the nightmare. The 369 used to have a PVR of 13 at every 8 minutes and now the EL1 has a PVR of 19 at every 5 minutes. Although you could always wonder whether the demand down Ilford Lane would still be the same if the ELT programme never materialised, Ilford Lane was far wider before the ELT related "improvements" were carried out so traffic used to flow a lot better than today. But then did the blinged up buses have an effect? Good ol Ilford Lane. The road nowadays is so narrow you would rather wait behind the bus rather than trying to overtake it due to the traffic coming in the opposite direction. As for Bastable Avenue. I just remembered when those high rises were there especially around Abridge Way before it got knocked down. I respect how those drivers did it at night time. Even when the 179 used to go to Barking (I miss it still up to this day) I think that route would have been easier to do. Charlie Brown's roundabout would have been a bit of a hit and miss but Woodford Avenue with those Northern Counties Arrows and Plaxton Presidents those drivers would thrash it down Woodford Avenue. Along with the 123. Overtaking a bus on Ilford Lane is a total nightmare, I only go in for the overtake if I know for certain there's nothing coming the other way. Not to mention people down that road don't seem to acknowledge the use of crossings so you never know where someone will jump out onto the road. I miss the 179 running to Barking too, the link up to Gants Hill was very valuable. We still do have the 366 going up Cranbrook Road but using that route to Ilford is a joke. |
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Post by MKAY315 on May 16, 2021 16:39:14 GMT
Good ol Ilford Lane. The road nowadays is so narrow you would rather wait behind the bus rather than trying to overtake it due to the traffic coming in the opposite direction. As for Bastable Avenue. I just remembered when those high rises were there especially around Abridge Way before it got knocked down. I respect how those drivers did it at night time. Even when the 179 used to go to Barking (I miss it still up to this day) I think that route would have been easier to do. Charlie Brown's roundabout would have been a bit of a hit and miss but Woodford Avenue with those Northern Counties Arrows and Plaxton Presidents those drivers would thrash it down Woodford Avenue. Along with the 123. Overtaking a bus on Ilford Lane is a total nightmare, I only go in for the overtake if I know for certain there's nothing coming the other way. Not to mention people down that road don't seem to acknowledge the use of crossings so you never know where someone will jump out onto the road. I miss the 179 running to Barking too, the link up to Gants Hill was very valuable. We still do have the 366 going up Cranbrook Road but using that route to Ilford is a joke. Believe I've had my near miss experiences on that road. I do like the 20 as well. I think that route is easy to remember. The only part that could pose a difficulty for me would be around the Debden Estate, especially around Hillyfields and Jessel drive. |
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Post by Paul on May 16, 2021 17:30:01 GMT
I’ve never driven it but surely the 129 would be the easiest to learn? The thing is, route learning is very subjective. It’s different for everyone (don’t mean this to sound smug, sorry if it does) I never needed more than 1 rounder on any route before I drove it but I knew drivers that could spend 8 hours riding around on a route then still make a wrong turn. 261 was very easy to learn (helped by knowing the 126) other than Bromley town centre and a little left - right at the south circular followed by a left towards Lewisham it’s pretty much 1 road. First TfL route I drove I did with absolutely no route learning was the B13. I did my first rounder on the phone via a hands free earpiece to another driver. (Many years ago... it was a different time!!) did my first rounder on the 286 that way too. There's a TB driver on YouTube who said the 61 and 261 were pretty easy to learn but the B14 with all its twists and turns is a nightmare. The only slightly difficult bit of the 261 is the Lee Green curtailment. I’d go with the 61 and 261 being easy enough. The 61 is essentially just turn left at Locksbottom, turn left at Orpington War Memorial, turn left at Goodmead Road while the 261 is essentially just turn left at Lee Green! The curtailment at Lee Green is apparently quite fluid - officially it’s via Kidbrooke but I know some drivers have been advised to use Blackheath Village The B14 though, I nailed in a rounder. The Crays part I knew from living that way, the twisty bit around the back of Sidcup was a little tricky while Albany Park is pretty straightforward. After that it’s very simple into Bexleyheath The only route I’ve needed more than one rounder to learn is the 314 and even then it was only the bit between Bromley and Hayes. I very much agree that route learning is subjective - some drivers have a very good sense of direction while others need to work on it |
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Post by greenboy on May 16, 2021 17:54:22 GMT
There's a TB driver on YouTube who said the 61 and 261 were pretty easy to learn but the B14 with all its twists and turns is a nightmare. The only slightly difficult bit of the 261 is the Lee Green curtailment. I’d go with the 61 and 261 being easy enough. The 61 is essentially just turn left at Locksbottom, turn left at Orpington War Memorial, turn left at Goodmead Road while the 261 is essentially just turn left at Lee Green! The curtailment at Lee Green is apparently quite fluid - officially it’s via Kidbrooke but I know some drivers have been advised to use Blackheath Village The B14 though, I nailed in a rounder. The Crays part I knew from living that way, the twisty bit around the back of Sidcup was a little tricky while Albany Park is pretty straightforward. After that it’s very simple into Bexleyheath The only route I’ve needed more than one rounder to learn is the 314 and even then it was only the bit between Bromley and Hayes. I very much agree that route learning is subjective - some drivers have a very good sense of direction while others need to work on it Yes I heard about some drivers going to Blackheath Village to turn around and avoid the awkward left turn at Lee Green coming back from Kidbrooke. Some drivers will know certain areas better than others, I'd like to think I know most South London routes but no doubt there are a few that would catch me out. |
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Post by VWH1419 on May 16, 2021 22:01:14 GMT
Hardest: 260 is tricky for an route that is suburban with lots of turns for an hour plus journey.
Would also add 326 to that list. Somewhat easy from Brent Cross to Finchley Central, but ramps up in difficulty when entering West Finchley to the rest of Barnet areas, especially both ways.
Easiest: 460 just 4-5 turns, but very straightforward and even an cakewalk when not in peak times. Some fun curtailing recently due to traffic though.
32,16,332 and 316 could be done with eyes closed, but does require patience, even if you are an passenger. Traffic around Kilburn and Maida Vale is quite fun.
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Post by DT 11 on May 17, 2021 20:08:46 GMT
I’d go with the 61 and 261 being easy enough. The 61 is essentially just turn left at Locksbottom, turn left at Orpington War Memorial, turn left at Goodmead Road while the 261 is essentially just turn left at Lee Green! The curtailment at Lee Green is apparently quite fluid - officially it’s via Kidbrooke but I know some drivers have been advised to use Blackheath Village The B14 though, I nailed in a rounder. The Crays part I knew from living that way, the twisty bit around the back of Sidcup was a little tricky while Albany Park is pretty straightforward. After that it’s very simple into Bexleyheath The only route I’ve needed more than one rounder to learn is the 314 and even then it was only the bit between Bromley and Hayes. I very much agree that route learning is subjective - some drivers have a very good sense of direction while others need to work on it Yes I heard about some drivers going to Blackheath Village to turn around and avoid the awkward left turn at Lee Green coming back from Kidbrooke. Some drivers will know certain areas better than others, I'd like to think I know most South London routes but no doubt there are a few that would catch me out. I know exactly what your on about. Eltham Road into Burnt Ash Road I’ve had to do that left turn while on diversion on the 160. The only way it can be done is to use both lanes. Not possible in the left lane |
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Post by metrobusfan on May 18, 2021 9:14:43 GMT
I’d say r9 and r6 are quite easy routes
G1 is a pain I would say
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Post by Deleted on May 18, 2021 10:21:15 GMT
Having just learnt it I would have to nominate the S3 as a hard route to learn, not made easier by the fact that I had to follow a service bus in a car. Lost bus 4 times at lights and busy junctions but managed to guess right each time and catch up. My colleague gave up confused before we got to Sutton from Malden Manor. The journey took an hour and a quarter, but going back my way took just 15 minutes as heading to New Malden to try and teach colleague the K1. And I thought the K5 was hard! I only recently caught a S3. That is a tricky route, especially between Sutton and Worcester Park. Quite a pleasant trip through endless suburbia. K5 , I have managed to memorise it between Morden and where it deviates off at New Malden. Again I like it though, feels like a proper village bus route between Ham and Kingston. Is it a “senior driver” route at TV ? I’d imagine the rota nice, every Sunday off on both the K5 and S3 , or do you have to work Sundays on different routes ? i think I’d be bored on the K4 |
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Post by vjaska on May 18, 2021 11:09:15 GMT
Having just learnt it I would have to nominate the S3 as a hard route to learn, not made easier by the fact that I had to follow a service bus in a car. Lost bus 4 times at lights and busy junctions but managed to guess right each time and catch up. My colleague gave up confused before we got to Sutton from Malden Manor. The journey took an hour and a quarter, but going back my way took just 15 minutes as heading to New Malden to try and teach colleague the K1. And I thought the K5 was hard! I only recently caught a S3. That is a tricky route, especially between Sutton and Worcester Park. Quite a pleasant trip through endless suburbia. K5 , I have managed to memorise it between Morden and where it deviates off at New Malden. Again I like it though, feels like a proper village bus route between Ham and Kingston. Is it a “senior driver” route at TV ? I’d imagine the rota nice, every Sunday off on both the K5 and S3 , or do you have to work Sundays on different routes ? i think I’d be bored on the K4 I’ve managed to memorise the whole G1 which can be tricky, the P5’s section between John Ruskin Street & Penrose Street can be tricky as well |
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Post by Volvo on May 18, 2021 12:05:56 GMT
Easiest routes to drive for me
123, 142, 149, 243 & 253
Hardest 251 because of the numerous narrow main roads and also parking.
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Post by MKAY315 on May 18, 2021 12:15:38 GMT
Easiest routes to drive for me 123, 142 149, 243 & 253 Hardest 251 because of the numerous narrow main roads and also parking. 67 I would find easy to do. The only hiccup on that route would be the turning from Black Boy Lane into West Green Road but other than that I think it's an easy route to manage. |
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Post by Volvo on May 18, 2021 12:29:59 GMT
Easiest routes to drive for me 123, 142 149, 243 & 253 Hardest 251 because of the numerous narrow main roads and also parking. 67 I would find easy to do. The only hiccup on that route would be the turning from Black Boy Lane into West Green Road but other than that I think it's an easy route to manage. When I did the 67s At Ann's Road near Stamford Hill was a complete nightmare. I know there are double yellows on once side of the road now but back then the parking issues was a joke. Black boy lane is also a nightmare near West green road especially if another large vehicle is coming. |
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Post by 725DYE on May 18, 2021 13:40:36 GMT
Having just learnt it I would have to nominate the S3 as a hard route to learn, not made easier by the fact that I had to follow a service bus in a car. Lost bus 4 times at lights and busy junctions but managed to guess right each time and catch up. My colleague gave up confused before we got to Sutton from Malden Manor. The journey took an hour and a quarter, but going back my way took just 15 minutes as heading to New Malden to try and teach colleague the K1. And I thought the K5 was hard! I only recently caught a S3. That is a tricky route, especially between Sutton and Worcester Park. Quite a pleasant trip through endless suburbia. K5 , I have managed to memorise it between Morden and where it deviates off at New Malden. Again I like it though, feels like a proper village bus route between Ham and Kingston. Is it a “senior driver” route at TV ? I’d imagine the rota nice, every Sunday off on both the K5 and S3 , or do you have to work Sundays on different routes ? I think all of the "S" prefix routes are rather tricky. S1 is probably still the easiest and if its rerouting goes ahead (to allow for longer buses) as per the Sutton consultation then it should get even easier as it'll be sticking to more main roads, especially around St. Helier.
The S4 continues to baffle me to this day and the 463 H&R routing around Woodmansterne seems like one massive arse ache.
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Post by MKAY315 on May 18, 2021 15:24:39 GMT
67 I would find easy to do. The only hiccup on that route would be the turning from Black Boy Lane into West Green Road but other than that I think it's an easy route to manage. When I did the 67s At Ann's Road near Stamford Hill was a complete nightmare. I know there are double yellows on once side of the road now but back then the parking issues was a joke. Black boy lane is also a nightmare near West green road especially if another large vehicle is coming. I can imagine. I wonder how the LTs are able to get around it. It's been years since I last hopped on the 67. (2016 to be exact). |
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Post by enviroPB on May 18, 2021 15:58:42 GMT
I've combed this thread to find someone mention the W12 but no one has! Got no firm idea of the routing between Walthamstow Central and Whipps Cross & between South Woodford and Wanstead as it's too twisty. However it's to be noted the W12 trundling on Snaresbrook Road is very idillic and picturesque.
Before the reroute in Hainult, I'd have nominated the 462 as a hard route to learn as well. However going via Fairlop first to reach Hainult and Grange Hill before Limes Farm gives more fluidity to the route IMO, and removes a double run as well for passengers who may or may not succumb to wrong blind syndrome. Just gotta remove the hail & ride along Beehive Lane the neighbours lobbied for and the 462 would be perfect! 👌😂
Easiest round these parts is route 323. Before the electrics appeared, it was any and every spare driver on the route. Now that the E200 EVs are on the route, it's become more standardised as to who drives the 323.
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