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Post by M1104 on Jul 13, 2024 13:40:28 GMT
Can buses go on their own diversion? Can a in service bus on a bus route go on their own diversion? Not without official instruction as for starters some roads may have to be checked for clearance in case of roadworks, low hanging trees, bad parking, etc
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Post by gwiwer on Jul 14, 2024 23:35:05 GMT
Can buses go on their own diversion? Can a in service bus on a bus route go on their own diversion? no In London the general answer is no. Even if the driver knows the road they plan to use is clear of obstructions and large enough to accommodate their vehicle. Permission must be sought first. Emergency road closures will normally be attended by ground staff who will advise drivers accordingly. There is also - almost always - a radio broadcast advising of the diversion to be used. I cannot be sure how much of that information drivers absorb whilst concentrating on the road ahead as in some cases the diversions are rather complex. Other areas and operators will have their own arrangements but again the rule is that permission must be sought first or the directions of emergency services officers followed at the scene if present. Bus routes are registered and failure to adhere to the registered route can result in fines for operator and driver. In rural areas common sense prevails. If there is another way and the driver knows it then - if back-to-base comms are not available - they might simply divert as the situation requires. If they can phone or radio for permission first this should be done. It ensures someone else knows what is happening and in many cases will ensure that someone else who also knows the area will be able to confirm that the proposed diversion is suitable and safe. I once found myself second-on-scene after a serious collision. Two vehicles some short time ahead of me had basically met head-on on a winding hill. There was one more car in front of me and then the road was blocked. I had no radio and was in a mobile phone black hole without coverage. Car ahead confirmed they had managed to call the emergency services and that I might not want to approach the scene any closer. Sure enough within a few minutes there were sirens and blue lights screaming up the hill behind me. I found enough space to reverse down the hill until I could turn the bus in a farm gateway, return the way I had come and take an alternative route. I was also able to flag down and warn my colleague heading uphill on the next trip to to likewise. Sadly that proved to be a double fatality event. There are two small white crosses at the scene to this day. I wasn't able to let the garage know until I got back in to town over an hour later (and almost an hour late) by which time they already knew anyway.
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Post by Catford94 on Jul 15, 2024 19:18:31 GMT
Bus routes are registered and failure to adhere to the registered route can result in fines for operator and driver.
First I've ever heard of it resulting in fines for a driver - going off route (without proper authority) might well be a disciplinary offence that the operator can take action against the driver for, but don't think it's something that the traffic commissioner can take action against an individual driver for.
Driver may end up following the instructions of a police officer - although driver needs to think it through rather than just follow instructions, in case police officer is not aware of a low bridge or similar.
I agree that in general, most operators would not expect drivers to work out a diversion for themselves, but as you say, there will be times (especially with smaller operators and / or more rural areas) where it's not possible for driver to contact 'control'.
It is standard that any diversion / curtailment should be reported by driver to operator, and a sensible operator will keep a record of it. One operator I've been with in the past kept a weekly record of major disruptions, road closures, diversions and the like, and pro-actively report that to the regional Traffic Commissioner. I'm not sure how common that is.
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Post by yunus on Jul 19, 2024 16:36:11 GMT
Who will be running the Rail Replacement buses this weekend?
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Post by gwiwer on Jul 19, 2024 19:52:25 GMT
Who will be running the Rail Replacement buses this weekend? Which one(s)?
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Post by yunus on Jul 19, 2024 22:16:18 GMT
Who will be running the Rail Replacement buses this weekend? Which one(s)? I am interested in the Piccadilly Line & Overground mostly.
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Post by capitalomnibus on Jul 20, 2024 9:33:19 GMT
Bus routes are registered and failure to adhere to the registered route can result in fines for operator and driver.
First I've ever heard of it resulting in fines for a driver - going off route (without proper authority) might well be a disciplinary offence that the operator can take action against the driver for, but don't think it's something that the traffic commissioner can take action against an individual driver for.
Driver may end up following the instructions of a police officer - although driver needs to think it through rather than just follow instructions, in case police officer is not aware of a low bridge or similar.
I agree that in general, most operators would not expect drivers to work out a diversion for themselves, but as you say, there will be times (especially with smaller operators and / or more rural areas) where it's not possible for driver to contact 'control'.
It is standard that any diversion / curtailment should be reported by driver to operator, and a sensible operator will keep a record of it. One operator I've been with in the past kept a weekly record of major disruptions, road closures, diversions and the like, and pro-actively report that to the regional Traffic Commissioner. I'm not sure how common that is.
The fines would not go to the driver, but to the company. I.e. if a diversion is set up without approval via NMCC, and especially if it misses out more stops, then TfL can and at times refused to pay for mileage gone off route without their consent.
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Post by gwiwer on Jul 20, 2024 11:05:02 GMT
I held a licence for many years. We were always threatened with a fine for diverting without authority. Two colleagues were dismissed for it. We were also fined for late running on school contracts no matter what the road conditions.
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Post by LD71YLO (BE37054) on Jul 20, 2024 12:43:41 GMT
I held a licence for many years. We were always threatened with a fine for diverting without authority. Two colleagues were dismissed for it. We were also fined for late running on school contracts no matter what the road conditions. Did this apply to afternoon journeys or just to the morning journeys?
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Post by Catford94 on Jul 21, 2024 13:37:24 GMT
I held a licence for many years. We were always threatened with a fine for diverting without authority. Two colleagues were dismissed for it. We were also fined for late running on school contracts no matter what the road conditions.
hmm.
technically not a 'fine' if not imposed by a court of law, which is where i was coming from.
in some circumstances, employers can make a deduction from wages, although it's a bit legally dubious...
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Post by gwiwer on Jul 21, 2024 15:55:05 GMT
I held a licence for many years. We were always threatened with a fine for diverting without authority. Two colleagues were dismissed for it. We were also fined for late running on school contracts no matter what the road conditions. Did this apply to afternoon journeys or just to the morning journeys? Any contracted journey serving a school. Some of which were open-door, in the timetable and usually carried other passengers and others not.
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Post by yunus on Jul 23, 2024 20:02:07 GMT
I need some information regarding Freedom Passes so if anyone on here uses one, you may be able to answer.
What is the procedure if you hold one and then move outside of London area? Can you keep it until expiry date or do you need to apply for a replacement?
Thanks
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Post by Dstock7080 on Jul 23, 2024 20:31:51 GMT
I need some information regarding Freedom Passes so if anyone on here uses one, you may be able to answer. What is the procedure if you hold one and then move outside of London area? Can you keep it until expiry date or do you need to apply for a replacement? Thanks www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedom-pass/am-i-eligible-freedom-passIf you are no longer a resident in London a Freedom Pass can be stopped before the expiry date.
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Post by gwiwer on Jul 23, 2024 21:03:27 GMT
I need some information regarding Freedom Passes so if anyone on here uses one, you may be able to answer. What is the procedure if you hold one and then move outside of London area? Can you keep it until expiry date or do you need to apply for a replacement? Thanks www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/services/freedom-pass/am-i-eligible-freedom-passIf you are no longer a resident in London a Freedom Pass can be stopped before the expiry date. Broadly speaking if you move out of the London Boroughs but are within England then you are normally entitled to a bus pass issued by your new local authority; that allows you the same travel concessions on London buses as before but you lose free travel on all other London networks (tube, suburban rail etc) as that is only granted for London Borough residents. As with the London Freedom Pass you do not get free travel anywhere in Wales or Scotland other than on a few cross-border bus routes where you may travel to a specified limit (or to the end of the route if none is specified) if you board in England but not the other way around. If you move to Scotland or Wales you become entitled to an equivalent pass for your new nation of residence only; Scottish passes are not valid in England or Wales and vice versa. As with all things there are limited exceptions so checking with your local authority is always advised. It is also a good idea to change your pass ASAP because once you are identified as living elsewhere (which can be a change in the electoral register or other publicly-available information, or your local authority cross-checking their Council Tax or other records) your London Freedom Pass can and often will be hotlisted if it has not been surrendered. It would be somewhat embarrassing to discover your pass had been hotlisted when boarding a bus in Essex or Cumbria for example; the driver is obliged to collect it from you but will allow you to make the one journey you are boarding. Passes cannot be de-hotlisted; you will need to apply for a new one in the correct area. There are instances of bus passes being accepted at hours beyond the national / London standards but this applies only to those issued by the relevant authority. Cornwall allows free bus travel at any time (and yes they do have buses running almost all hours of the day; the only gap is between around 03.30 and 05.00) for Cornish residents but not if they are issued by other authorities.
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Post by yunus on Jul 28, 2024 21:04:55 GMT
Not bus related but is there a way to walk from around Canary Wharf across to Canada Water/Surrey Quays?
It is only 1 stop on the Jubilee Line so I am wondering if you could travel between in any other way?
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