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Post by eggmiester on Apr 6, 2007 14:51:42 GMT
I got talking to a bus driver in Belfast a few months ago... ...Translink Belfast adopted a new way of running their routes early last year, but scrapped it after five months (reason unknown). A controller would stand at the bus terminus at City Hall, and either instruct a bus to depart every ten minutes or so, or when the bus stop got busy with intending passengers, just send another one out. The driver would then drive to the other end of the route, have a 'ten minute breather', then return to rank up in Belfast Town Centre again and await further intructions. - No Time Cards - Impossible to get booked for running early The only downside, apparently, was you never knew what time you were finishing. You did a roughly worked out 7hr shift - when you neared the end of your working day, the controller would instruct you to return to the depot and sign off/pay in as we do. Does anyone think this sort of system would work in London? I suppose the main problem would be where to park the buses while waiting, without causing too much disruption. Then we'd have to work on Tacho surely? Correct me if i'm wrong, but isnt a timecard considered as a copy of the duty roster, a legal requirement for all service bus drivers to have when not working on Tacho?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 6, 2007 16:34:58 GMT
I got talking to a bus driver in Belfast a few months ago... ...Translink Belfast adopted a new way of running their routes early last year, but scrapped it after five months (reason unknown). A controller would stand at the bus terminus at City Hall, and either instruct a bus to depart every ten minutes or so, or when the bus stop got busy with intending passengers, just send another one out. The driver would then drive to the other end of the route, have a 'ten minute breather', then return to rank up in Belfast Town Centre again and await further intructions. - No Time Cards - Impossible to get booked for running early The only downside, apparently, was you never knew what time you were finishing. You did a roughly worked out 7hr shift - when you neared the end of your working day, the controller would instruct you to return to the depot and sign off/pay in as we do. Does anyone think this sort of system would work in London? I suppose the main problem would be where to park the buses while waiting, without causing too much disruption. That's how buses in Shanghai are worked. Timetables are only roughly worked out and they send buses out from each end according to vehicle availability and passenger demand. Of course there are those crap controllers who just send however many buses that are there. Also termini in Shanghai are built to accommodate about 6-10 buses (except on a sideroad when they don't need to 'build' one). Almost all spare buses are kept at the terminous between the morning and afternoon peaks.
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Post by bexleybusdude on Apr 7, 2007 16:56:43 GMT
Two things I wat to rant about. 1) The new Saver tickets. I have just seen a new poster showing the new tickets. They are exactly the same style but a different colour. What's going to stop someone copying these and selling them again? They are not like money where you have watercolour marks etc so I am sur the new ones will be able to be forged as well. 2) What REALLY annoys me at Bexleyheath on Friday/Saturday night between 10pm/12am you have to catch your bus at Arnsburg Way by the tempory stop opp RSVP. Every time I wait there half drunk and the 229 bus turn up I put my hand out and every single time the driver sees me but just drives past. Does ANY 229 bus driver use that f-ing stop? I will be getting sloshed up there tonight, but instead of using that stop I will just stagger the 1.5 miles home instead.
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Post by lc1 on Apr 7, 2007 17:24:53 GMT
Two things I wat to rant about. 1) The new Saver tickets. I have just seen a new poster showing the new tickets. They are exactly the same style but a different colour. What's going to stop someone copying these and selling them again? They are not like money where you have watercolour marks etc so I am sur the new ones will be able to be forged as well. 2) What REALLY annoys me at Bexleyheath on Friday/Saturday night between 10pm/12am you have to catch your bus at Arnsburg Way by the tempory stop opp RSVP. Every time I wait there half drunk and the 229 bus turn up I put my hand out and every single time the driver sees me but just drives past. Does ANY 229 bus driver use that f-ing stop? I will be getting sloshed up there tonight, but instead of using that stop I will just stagger the 1.5 miles home instead. 1) They have a watermark inside the saver ticket only visable when torn (you bringing the new saver ticket up has reminded me of a couple of photos I have (give me two minutes and I put them up in a new thread) 2) I serve the stop, although I know others who don't, best tip I can give you is to go to the stop by the Honda Dealer.
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Post by bexleybusdude on Apr 7, 2007 18:12:44 GMT
Thanks. I always try to get the next stop now or use the stop by the library if it is no too late. It would be nice if all drivers used that stop though. The last time I used it the driver went past me just before christmas. I was really peed off, but then two girls standing beside me started getting frisky with each other snogging/fondling each other. I thought to myself Ahwell its not all bad really. Wose things can happen.
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Post by beaver14uk on Apr 8, 2007 15:04:05 GMT
Think I have always be lucky catching the 229 opposite RSVP. THe 401 on the other hand on one occasion I tried to catch it on the stand by RSVP on a Saturday night and the driver insisted I went round to the clock tower. Round there the Police tried to move me on and insisted I couldn't catch a bus - I suggested they went and spoke with the 401 driver in which case - they rhen found something else to do. The 401 on this occasion picked up at the clock tower. Last night picked up from the stand OK just he got boxed in by a 469 who refused to move.
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Post by lc1 on Apr 8, 2007 15:50:30 GMT
Think I have always be lucky catching the 229 opposite RSVP. THe 401 on the other hand on one occasion I tried to catch it on the stand by RSVP on a Saturday night and the driver insisted I went round to the clock tower. Round there the Police tried to move me on and insisted I couldn't catch a bus - I suggested they went and spoke with the 401 driver in which case - they rhen found something else to do. The 401 on this occasion picked up at the clock tower. Last night picked up from the stand OK just he got boxed in by a 469 who refused to move. Officially the first 401 stop on a Friday/Saturday night is in Woolwich Road, also anyone going to Bexleyheath tonight, beware, we might be put on the diversion again tonight depending on what it's like at kicking out time
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Post by beaver14uk on Apr 8, 2007 22:31:20 GMT
That surprises me as effectively you won't pick up in Bexleyheath as the Woolwich Road stop is some distance. I wonder if this is reflected in the publicity produced for the Friday/Saturday night diversion!!!!! I have now looked at the publicity displayed and it says pick up Geddes Place for the 401. I know the person who produced this and this was based on the Notice of Event issued. Think I have always be lucky catching the 229 opposite RSVP. THe 401 on the other hand on one occasion I tried to catch it on the stand by RSVP on a Saturday night and the driver insisted I went round to the clock tower. Round there the Police tried to move me on and insisted I couldn't catch a bus - I suggested they went and spoke with the 401 driver in which case - they rhen found something else to do. The 401 on this occasion picked up at the clock tower. Last night picked up from the stand OK just he got boxed in by a 469 who refused to move. Officially the first 401 stop on a Friday/Saturday night is in Woolwich Road, also anyone going to Bexleyheath tonight, beware, we might be put on the diversion again tonight depending on what it's like at kicking out time
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Post by Steve80 on Apr 10, 2007 21:37:45 GMT
I will have a rant!!! Route G1...Who the hell invented this route and what were they thinking This bus route serves 3 hospitals, a nusing home, 2 estates as well as 2 main shopping centres in streatham, tooting and clapham junction. It is also the only proper bus route that serves a secondary girls school. Yet they want to operate such a route using 8m single decks running at every 20-30 minutes. Sundays every 60 minutes. One duty, apparentely, gives a driver 50 minutes standtime! Its has taken me 3 days to learn this route. I sure I know it but am worried I will get lost or even stuck in a dead end street. As far as I concerned I will never drive such a route. Rant over!!
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Post by lc1 on Apr 12, 2007 2:18:49 GMT
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Post by eggmiester on Apr 12, 2007 3:23:17 GMT
Exactly, thats the mood of the companies theses days, its all down to PROFIT. Damaged buses that are off the road arent earning the company any revenue and the fact they see is that a driver is easier to replace than a bus is. Personally i think it sucks, but ive got bills to pay and the money is good, but could be better.
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Post by lc1 on Apr 12, 2007 6:18:41 GMT
Exactly, thats the mood of the companies theses days, its all down to PROFIT. Damaged buses that are off the road arent earning the company any revenue and the fact they see is that a driver is easier to replace than a bus is. Personally i think it sucks, but ive got bills to pay and the money is good, but could be better. I agree mate, but surely managers shouldn't be going around saying that I'm going to speak to the union on Friday about making an official complaint and if the worse comes to the worse, then I'll look for a job where I feel I have the full support of the 'management', at the end of the day we are the ones that are in the fireing line day in day out and a bit of support from those that are (supposed to be) in charge wouldn't go amiss
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2007 9:05:59 GMT
Abismal management behaviour! I have never heard of anything like that in this country before!
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Post by Madstuntman on Apr 12, 2007 9:37:46 GMT
I'm going to speak to the union on Friday about making an official complaint and if the worse comes to the worse, then I'll look for a job where I feel I have the full support of the 'management', at the end of the day we are the ones that are in the fireing line day in day out and a bit of support from those that are (supposed to be) in charge wouldn't go amiss Thinking of leaving London bus driving completely then??!?!?! Mind you having said that I dont have a very high opinion of the management at DT but they are not as bad as BX from what i've learned from your comments
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2007 11:51:45 GMT
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