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Post by sid on Oct 10, 2018 8:28:27 GMT
Yesterday,I managed to get off the bus,walk to Costa,get a drink & walk back to the bus stop whilst the bus was regulating.Come On,these waiting times are getting silly It's beyond ridiculous, a bus I was on recently a passenger asked the driver if he had time to get off and have a cigarette while he was waiting, can imagine how infuriating this is to somebody in a hurry. This and buses being curtailed mid journey is only going to drive more people towards uber! Even worse is buses waiting at busy stops preventing other buses from accessing the stop. |
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Post by lwldriver on Oct 10, 2018 8:51:26 GMT
Yesterday,I managed to get off the bus,walk to Costa,get a drink & walk back to the bus stop whilst the bus was regulating.Come On,these waiting times are getting silly It's beyond ridiculous, a bus I was on recently a passenger asked the driver if he had time to get off and have a cigarette while he was waiting, can imagine how infuriating this is to somebody in a hurry. This and buses being curtailed mid journey is only going to drive more people towards uber! Interesting point and of course its always us drivers that get it in the neck. The main issue here is unrealistic schedules, particularly on nights. Take the N136 for instance, its a vital night route which generally sees a lot of patronage but between Oxford Circus and Vauxhall there is too much running time and you have to poodle, Victoria Street is the worst part as you have to loose time at all the stops along there going towards Chislehurst. Its reasonable between Vauxhall and New Cross. From New Cross until Catford the running time gets tighter but still doable but from Catford to Chislehurst the time is impossible to do without breaking the 20mph speed limit in force from Downham Way until Mottingham Road. The route would be perfect for both drivers and passengers alike if 5 minutes was taken from the Victoria section and given to the Grove Park section. Likewise in the other direction on busy trips (03:55 & 04:25 from Chislehurst) as soon as you are late you are not making that time up and again its not tailored to the above mention 20mph section which also features a lot of stops and a lot of busy stops on those trips so usually you are late by Catford in which case the late running will just keep rising until you get to Oxford Circus late often into double figures in terms of minutes. N21 is the same although its well timed Trafalgar Square - Eltham High Street. Eltham High Street - Bexleyheath if you are late forget it you are making that time up. As for other NX night routes, The N171 could do with more running time throughout. The N321 & N453 are adequate and the N343 has too much running time. |
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Post by John tuthill on Oct 10, 2018 9:29:09 GMT
Yesterday,I managed to get off the bus,walk to Costa,get a drink & walk back to the bus stop whilst the bus was regulating.Come On,these waiting times are getting silly It happens far too commonly now. Be grateful it was only a Costafortune drink and not a three course meal!  Someday soon you'll come back to an empty bus with a skeleton behind the wheel  |
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Post by galwhv69 on Oct 10, 2018 16:20:01 GMT
It happens far too commonly now. Be grateful it was only a Costafortune drink and not a three course meal! Someday soon you'll come back to an empty bus with a skeleton behind the wheel I wouldn't mind a 3 course meal (as long as its free) whilst the bus i'm on is patiently waiting for me :-P But It Is True That It Is Beyond Ridicolous. |
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Post by redbus on Oct 10, 2018 19:18:02 GMT
Maybe we should introduce a new competition - what can you do whilst the bus is waiting to regulate the service  
Perhaps TfL should introduce refreshments to be served on buses whilst they wait to regulate the service. On the other hand perhaps not, because even if TfL were flush with money they couldn't afford it as it happens so often now! |
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Post by snoggle on Oct 10, 2018 20:12:58 GMT
Maybe we should introduce a new competition - what can you do whilst the bus is waiting to regulate the service
Perhaps TfL should introduce refreshments to be served on buses whilst they wait to regulate the service. On the other hand perhaps not, because even if TfL were flush with money they couldn't afford it as it happens so often now! Just leave it to the private sector - lots of places in the world have traders who dash along station platforms selling food, drink and other items when long distance trains stop at stations. You can just imagine the roaring trade that could be done at places like Elephant and Castle when all the small traders are booted out of the shopping centre. I happen to think hot fresh empanadas [1] being served to waiting passengers at Seven Sisters (the South American market is under threat AGAIN) is a great opportunity. [1] and yes I've eaten some - *delicious* and ridiculously good value for money. |
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Post by busaholic on Oct 10, 2018 20:29:05 GMT
Maybe we should introduce a new competition - what can you do whilst the bus is waiting to regulate the service
Perhaps TfL should introduce refreshments to be served on buses whilst they wait to regulate the service. On the other hand perhaps not, because even if TfL were flush with money they couldn't afford it as it happens so often now! Just leave it to the private sector - lots of places in the world have traders who dash along station platforms selling food, drink and other items when long distance trains stop at stations. You can just imagine the roaring trade that could be done at places like Elephant and Castle when all the small traders are booted out of the shopping centre. I happen to think hot fresh empanadas [1] being served to waiting passengers at Seven Sisters (the South American market is under threat AGAIN) is a great opportunity. [1] and yes I've eaten some - *delicious* and ridiculously good value for money. On my only visit to the USSR in 1974, we took the train from Leningrad to Moscow and stopped at a few stations in the middle of nowhere. At one of these a gaggle of peasant women (I'm not being pejorative, it is a true description) rushed on to the train to sell, at great speed and with genuine fear on their faces, caviar sandwiches on black bread at the equivalent of 10p per sandwich. The only time I've eaten caviar, and it was the only food or drink on sale during that journey. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 10, 2018 21:37:48 GMT
In general I would expect the passengers already on the bus to have some kind of priority and consideration. They have already paid their fare expecting the bus to take them to their destination. I agree with those against turns being decided en route except for exceptional circumstances. Sure stuff happens from time to time and that is when you may have those exceptional circumstances. The controller should be thinking about those already on the bus when considering a turn en route. How many passengers are on the bus, so how many might be affected by the early turn? How long will the passengers have to wait for a through bus? Allowing a through bus to pass with a long wait behind for the next one is just unacceptable. The controller should ensure passengers can transfer to the through bus before it overtakes, this is just basic customer service. I totally agree and it's about time TfL put their foot down on such practices, once the journey has commenced the bus should continue to its advertised destination except in extreme circumstances such as the X26 that I mentioned. Certainly on a fairly local route like the 486 there are other ways to get the bus back on time such as continuing to Bexleyheath and on the next trip running out of service to North Greenwich or a point on the route where the bus is back on time. I really can't imagine any other business treating customers with such contempt and TfL wonder why people are abandoning bus travel. They can do this, but they would be the one getting a poo service ultimately to put it. TfL do not want virtually any dead mileage runs done for traffic curtailments, especially if the bus comes out with another bus, they would refuse to pay for it. So in your aspect to turn the bus at the start of the route, would have to wait in many cases to the bus reached the next end of the route. You can end up with a huge gap in front and returning on the opposite trip as the bus would probably have to runs with 2 or 3 other buses to the end of the route to then be turned on the next trip. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 10, 2018 21:46:57 GMT
I think in half the cases the turn is usually worth it, you have to consider those cases where the driver is due to be finished (after 8-9hours shift) already and do you really want to put extra 1-1/2 hours on his shoulders to carry all those people to destination and then back to do the driver swap? Because in most cases it's traffic that gets you turned and a simple 2-5 miles can turn into hours...that said I do agree what others said, I wish at least the controllers told the estimated time for the drivers of the bus behind so that you could inform the passengers rather than just leave them in the middle of nowhere turn wishing them best of luck, would be really professional of driver to know how far is the next bus and iBus never bothers with it...nor will they respond because if you get turned chances are they're too busy to call you back anyways. Or as you mention at times, it could end up with a driver hour breach of 5 hours 30 mins in heavy traffic etc. a turn may prevent this happening. At times when a bus is left to run and the driver reaches the hours, it would result in further disappointment for passengers as they would be ultimately kicked off the bus as the driver would not be allowed to go further. |
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Post by sid on Oct 11, 2018 4:57:47 GMT
Another bus stop calamity this time in Woolwich, routes 53 and 122 are being diverted westbound via Vincent Road and so are not serving the stop outside the public market. The problem is there is absolutely nothing telling intending passengers, indeed both routes are showing on the countdown display so people are waiting for buses that will never appear, you really couldn't make it up!
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Post by sid on Oct 11, 2018 5:10:51 GMT
I think in half the cases the turn is usually worth it, you have to consider those cases where the driver is due to be finished (after 8-9hours shift) already and do you really want to put extra 1-1/2 hours on his shoulders to carry all those people to destination and then back to do the driver swap? Because in most cases it's traffic that gets you turned and a simple 2-5 miles can turn into hours...that said I do agree what others said, I wish at least the controllers told the estimated time for the drivers of the bus behind so that you could inform the passengers rather than just leave them in the middle of nowhere turn wishing them best of luck, would be really professional of driver to know how far is the next bus and iBus never bothers with it...nor will they respond because if you get turned chances are they're too busy to call you back anyways. Or as you mention at times, it could end up with a driver hour breach of 5 hours 30 mins in heavy traffic etc. a turn may prevent this happening. At times when a bus is left to run and the driver reaches the hours, it would result in further disappointment for passengers as they would be ultimately kicked off the bus as the driver would not be allowed to go further. I can understand buses being curtailed if the driver is in danger of running out of driving time but it's being done far too often. Looking at the TfL twitter feed this, and buses waiting at stops to regulate the service, seem to be the top subject for complaint and can only result in a further decline in usage. |
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Post by snoggle on Oct 11, 2018 10:36:23 GMT
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Post by cl54 on Oct 11, 2018 18:44:36 GMT
The saga of turning 486s at Charlton station continues.
Just after 6.20pm I got off a very crowded train at the station.
A bus was visible across the road pointing towards Bexleyheath.
(Arriving trains are visible to the bus driver.)
Several of us started running towards the stop.
At this point the driver put his foot down and an empty bus left some very annoyed people behind.
Next bus 12 minutes away.
Got back on a train to Woolwich and the chaos of too many buses trying to use the stop in Woolwich New Road.
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Post by sid on Oct 12, 2018 6:25:30 GMT
The saga of turning 486s at Charlton station continues. Just after 6.20pm I got off a very crowded train at the station. A bus was visible across the road pointing towards Bexleyheath. (Arriving trains are visible to the bus driver.) Several of us started running towards the stop. At this point the driver put his foot down and an empty bus left some very annoyed people behind. Next bus 12 minutes away. Got back on a train to Woolwich and the chaos of too many buses trying to use the stop in Woolwich New Road. I saw a 486 to Charlton Station yesterday evening, I can't help thinking the 486 would be better operated from MG with curtailments at the Bexleyheath end of the route although it would increase dead running. Appalling behaviour from the driver to put his foot down when he saw intending passengers approaching. That's a common problem in Woolwich at busy times. |
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Post by 15002 on Oct 12, 2018 7:39:23 GMT
I reckon I should give my thoughts before coming back to London to visit on using the bus service in Leicester for nearly two months (for those interested). The bus I use on a regular basis, the 31A, is wonderful. The day I arrived in Leicester was the chance of me experiencing my very first time going on an Arriva E400 MMC which felt weird because there weren’t any in London. Right away I noticed the one door which is a common trend for buses outside of London, it didn’t really bother me as much as I thought, all I had to do was wait for people to come out of the bus and then I enter in. I guess it increases waiting time but I’m generally a patient person so it didn’t really affect me. Another thing I noticed is the “Arriva Sapphire” brand that happened to be on my local bus. Meaning that there was free WiFi, leather seats and several USB sockett like those that are on the X26 and the electric buses. I was honestly happy since it meant that my journey was made 10 times better, and I wish London had those features. Now for those that think that Garston was bad with single decker/double decker allocation, what I’m about to tell you is gonna make Garston seem good at allocating correct vehicles to their routes. I see at least one single decker on my 31A (or 31) every other day which commonly used the E200 MMC. Seeing as this bus is quite busy, it isn’t always the best thing to see a single decker on it as a passenger, although I appreciate the variety as an enthusiast. I’ve even seen an Optare Solo once on the 31 as well. There are a lot of variety too on the 31A, I’ve seen so far an E200 MMC, Volvo B9TL (didn’t even know Arriva owned first hand Gemini 2s at all), Volvo B7TL and for the 31 I’ve seen the Optare Solo and the rest of the buses I mentioned. Having to guess which bus I’m going on is something I can appreciate, which I like over my previous local route the 372, especially after it isn’t gonna get its hybrids. Time to talk about the fare. There are three zones for Arriva, Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone Plus+. Zone 1 and 2 have the same fare being £4.20 for a day pass, and Zone Plus+ being £5.60 but you can travel to Derby as well as in between zones. You have to pay separately for Zone 1 and 2. For Zone 1 it’s mainly the towns that are more closer to the Ciry Centre in Leicester, so just your regular town. However, Zone 2 are the rural areas. Even children have to pay for a fare of £3 a day for Zone 1 and 2, as well as £4.20 for the Zone Plus. Count yourself lucky for those that have a free Oyster card  There seems to be a lot of routes that have a letter after the route number, and I really like it. Let me take my local routes for an example, Route 31 and 31A. They follow each other from Leicester to the Pound World in Oadby. The 31 carries on going straight but the 31A turns a right into a junction. They’re virtually the same route but go through different roads in Oadby, thus complimenting each other. I have a mixed opinion on the LEDs. The white LEDs are fine, I can see them perfectly fine, and I can appreciate the detail put onto the LEDs. However... for LEDs like this are horrible. I prefer even the paper blinds from London to this type of LED honestly. There is also a “night” service for the 31 and the 31A called the 31E, it starts around 8PM and ends around 11PM. Essentially it follows the 31 to Oadby, The Grange. It then goes to Oadby, Coombe Rise as well and then follows the 31A to Haymarket Bus Station. Since it follows the 31 bus rather than the 31A, walking home requires a 10 minute walk rather than a 1 minute walk. Still better than the 365 for sure. But overall I’ve liked using the bus service in Leicester, but despite me pretty much praising them, I still prefer London. I just like the amount of places that I can go in London compared to Leicester, as well as a variety of bus companies all over London whereas Leicester only has four major companies (Arriva, First, CentreBus, and Stagecoach) and I certainly can’t wait to go to London tomorrow! |
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Someday soon you'll come back to an empty bus with a skeleton behind the wheel 
