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Post by sid on Jul 14, 2018 14:16:19 GMT
Whilst in Purley waiting for a 127, I spotted that ENX9 is carrying ENX17’s registration at the rear! Surely this has to be taken off the road ASAP? Driver should have spotted that before taking it out. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 14, 2018 14:43:38 GMT
Just been passed Becontree Heath and noticed the Bus station has gone. It's being developed into housing.
Buses seem to be using a car park to side of the swimming baths to stand.
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Post by Green Kitten on Jul 14, 2018 17:11:45 GMT
They’ve starting placing some new fixed bus stop flags on the W4 (between Wood Green and Oakthorpe Park).
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Post by lwldriver on Jul 15, 2018 7:23:12 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree.
The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly?
Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling.
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Post by sid on Jul 15, 2018 7:32:26 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree. The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly? Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling. I totally agree about bus stops being unnecessarily closed off, just another thing to put people off bus travel, and as you say the driver inevitably gets the flack for it. |
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Post by londonbusboy on Jul 15, 2018 18:57:34 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree. The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly? Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling. The mystery traveller surveys or BCES look for your stopping position at bus stops but if i have a bus following behind i will stop at the end of the cage however this would ultimately knock points off my assessment! If anyone is familiar with the Bromley South Station stop towards Bromley common its on a slight bend and as drivers we cant pull up close to the kerb as our long nearside mirrors will strike street furniture or peoples heads and a driver got scored down because of this! |
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Post by redbus on Jul 15, 2018 19:35:43 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree. The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly? Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling. As far as temporary stops are concerned, TfL have by and large lost the plot as far as providing the best service to passengers is concerned. As you rightly say too often they don't identify suitable alternative stops as they should, and far too easily accept both the closure of a stop and a lack of temporary stop replacement. I think a few years ago TfL were much better, I am not sure if the deterioration is down to them being short of staff, or experienced staff have left, or some other reason. Whatever the reason they need to become properly passenger focussed again which as said by others is essential to keeping and attracting passengers to buses.
In respect of permanent bus stops I think giving drivers a bit of discretion would be helpful. Assuming the stop is clear I think the bus should pull up within the cage near where the passengers wishing to board are standing, which is likely to be near the pole. If it is a busy stop, consideration should be given to pulling up at the top of the cage so buses behind can also pull in and collect passengers. More controversially if the stop is blocked or part blocked by other buses or traffic, then consideration should be given to stopping slightly before the cage rather than waiting for the cage to become clear so long as it is safe for passengers to alight and board. This will allow passengers off faster, allow the faster departure of the bus, benefitting all. Obviously consideration must be given to those lees mobile, so it may be necessary to wait and pull up in the cage for such passengers.
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Post by sid on Jul 15, 2018 19:52:22 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree. The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly? Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling. As far as temporary stops are concerned, TfL have by and large lost the plot as far as providing the best service to passengers is concerned. As you rightly say too often they don't identify suitable alternative stops as they should, and far too easily accept both the closure of a stop and a lack of temporary stop replacement. I think a few years ago TfL were much better, I am not sure if the deterioration is down to them being short of staff, or experienced staff have left, or some other reason. Whatever the reason they need to become properly passenger focussed again which as said by others is essential to keeping and attracting passengers to buses.
In respect of permanent bus stops I think giving drivers a bit of discretion would be helpful. Assuming the stop is clear I think the bus should pull up within the cage near where the passengers wishing to board are standing, which is likely to be near the pole. If it is a busy stop, consideration should be given to pulling up at the top of the cage so buses behind can also pull in and collect passengers. More controversially if the stop is blocked or part blocked by other buses or traffic, then consideration should be given to stopping slightly before the cage rather than waiting for the cage to become clear so long as it is safe for passengers to alight and board. This will allow passengers off faster, allow the faster departure of the bus, benefitting all. Obviously consideration must be given to those lees mobile, so it may be necessary to wait and pull up in the cage for such passengers.
I totally agree, bus stops are far too readily closed off nowadays, usually H&S is the reason/excuse given but nobody gives two hoots about the H&S of passengers who have to walk to or from the next stop. |
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Post by sid on Jul 15, 2018 19:56:46 GMT
So I was today informed of a new TFL survey out for London’s Bus Drivers to discuss the topic of missing bus stops. They made a mistake by putting a comments box at the end and this is what I had to say, feel free to agree or disagree. The clear definition of where you would like us to stop at the bus stop. One minute we are told we must stop with the front of our bus in line with the flag and other times we are told to stop where safe to do so within the box but time and time again most bus stop boxes arent even in line with the flag meaing if we serve the flag we are outside of the box on yellow or red lines, so which is the correct procedure exactly? Another big problem is dolly stops or Temporary Bus Stops. Time and time again Bus stops are closed when there isnt realistically a need to close them, even if work is taking place at or near to a bus stop, if at least one bus can serve the stop and pull away safely without issue then the bus stop shouldnt be closed. Its us bus drivers that get it in the neck from passengers who are frustrated when common sense isnt (as is most of the time) not applied by TFL. This is enraged even more by the classic never ending phrase from Centrecomm: “Our NTC at the scene has said that there isnt a safe place to site a dolly stop so its next or previous im afraid” when often its quite obvious that that NTC is clearly lazy and not passenger focused. Maybe if TFL wasn't so stuck in the past millennium and actually had more consideration for the application of common sense and passenger consideration then patronage levels on London’s Buses across the board wouldn't be dwindling. The mystery traveller surveys or BCES look for your stopping position at bus stops but if i have a bus following behind i will stop at the end of the cage however this would ultimately knock points off my assessment! If anyone is familiar with the Bromley South Station stop towards Bromley common its on a slight bend and as drivers we cant pull up close to the kerb as our long nearside mirrors will strike street furniture or peoples heads and a driver got scored down because of this! I know the stop you mean very well and you would think an assessor, or whoever reads their report, would be able to take that into account. |
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Post by Frenzie on Jul 16, 2018 3:38:12 GMT
What’s more enjoyable to drive; a B5LH or an E40H. There is clearly a distinct difference between the two however what do drivers like most as I’d assume the E40H but I’m not familiar at all with the driving characteristics such as steering, acceleration, braking etc. It’d be interesting to hear of some negatives as well.
Also, do the NRM and E40H have a similar driveline?
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Post by busoccultation on Jul 16, 2018 8:38:45 GMT
Also, do the NRM and E40H have a similar driveline? New Routemasters have Siemens driveline system whereas Enviro 400H has the BAE driveline system. |
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Post by VPL630 on Jul 16, 2018 11:53:20 GMT
What’s more enjoyable to drive; a B5LH or an E40H. There is clearly a distinct difference between the two however what do drivers like most as I’d assume the E40H but I’m not familiar at all with the driving characteristics such as steering, acceleration, braking etc. It’d be interesting to hear of some negatives as well. Also, do the NRM and E40H have a similar driveline? Volvo all day long |
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Post by redbus on Jul 16, 2018 18:31:39 GMT
Also, do the NRM and E40H have a similar driveline? New Routemasters have Siemens driveline system whereas Enviro 400H has the BAE driveline system. They use similar technology in that both E400H and NRM are serial hybrids, so only the electric engine powers the driveline. The electricity to power the electric motor comes from a generator attached to the diesel engine and also from the battery. The diesel engine can charge the battery and the battery is also charged through re-generative braking, at least on newer models.
As busoccultation states the NRM uses the Siemens ELFA II hybrid system, while the E400 generally uses the BAE Systems Hybridrive which I think have important differences. I prefer the BAE Systems Hybridrive system, but no doubt there will be plenty other who prefer the Siemens system. I say the E400H generally uses the BAE system because it is possible to have the E400H body on the Volvo parallel hybrid system chassis.
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Post by vjaska on Jul 17, 2018 1:11:14 GMT
Forgot to mention but the Brixton Hill works started yesterday between Brixton Water Lane & St Matthews Road and will last until October - currently, the southbound bus lane is shut for most of the section as they begin to re-align the kerb. The southbound Rush Common stop is shut without a temporary one set up and whilst both southbound bus shelters have been replaced ages ago in anticipation of the works, my local stop (Brixton Water Lane) still has not received a countdown screen whereas the old shelter had one but the Rush Common stop got a countdown screen with the new shelter - where can I enquire so one can be refitted?
So anyone using the routes along Brixton Hill, expect delays at times and in September, buses will be diverted away from that section during the night.
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Post by Frenzie on Jul 17, 2018 4:42:15 GMT
New Routemasters have Siemens driveline system whereas Enviro 400H has the BAE driveline system. They use similar technology in that both E400H and NRM are serial hybrids, so only the electric engine powers the driveline. The electricity to power the electric motor comes from a generator attached to the diesel engine and also from the battery. The diesel engine can charge the battery and the battery is also charged through re-generative braking, at least on newer models.
As busoccultation states the NRM uses the Siemens ELFA II hybrid system, while the E400 generally uses the BAE Systems Hybridrive which I think have important differences. I prefer the BAE Systems Hybridrive system, but no doubt there will be plenty other who prefer the Siemens system. I say the E400H generally uses the BAE system because it is possible to have the E400H body on the Volvo parallel hybrid system chassis.
Thank you! Does the NRM batteries differ to the E40H one as they usually stay in electric mode a lot longer whereas the BAE ones only mean the engine cuts out for brief moments. This is observation is just from my experience so correct me if I’m wrong. |
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