Operators that still prefer destination blinds

[Deleted]

I must say i havent experienced many thick people hailing the wrong buses, or 'not in service' buses, and I wait at stops with loads of schoolkids and sixth formers. My friends, who never caught buses before starting the sixth form in September, usually see a bus at actually look where its going, and they dont hail the wrong buses or 'not in service' ones! So there are intelligent people out there!!

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2009 12:18:47 GMT snowman said:

The economics of running dead along the route are always questionable, somehow I feel a better timetable that allows buses to run in service to/from a garage (even if it is only part of a route) should be more cost effective than dead running.

Gosh Southend is really bad for dead running, i often wonder if "NOT IN SERVICE" is actually First's favourite destination lol.

As for Arriva...they run a bus dead to Grays in the morning from Southend...run a bus dead from Lakeside in the evening to Southend...and Sunday routes 44 and 150 all run dead to/from Thurrock from Southend and even more strangely still have short journeys from when they used to run into Grays depot .

And an evening bus that runs a number 1 from Rayleigh to Shoeburyness then runs dead back to Southend...for a number 1 to Rayleigh...what computer thought of that?!

Cheers

PT

[john]

Nov 3, 2009 12:18:47 GMT snowman said:

another thing, if it was a foreigner they might not be used to dead running whilst displaying a route number whilst bus is on the route.

easy solution, blank the number box as well.

DM used to do this with their TN/TNL's, change the destination to Not In Service, and the number blind to First corporate. In fact, i've still seen them do this with their DN's, but it seems to be done less now. Greeny, what's the garage's official stand on it?

[Deleted]

Nov 3, 2009 22:14:55 GMT john said:

Nov 3, 2009 12:18:47 GMT snowman said:

another thing, if it was a foreigner they might not be used to dead running whilst displaying a route number whilst bus is on the route.

easy solution, blank the number box as well.

DM used to do this with their TN/TNL's, change the destination to Not In Service, and the number blind to First corporate. In fact, i've still seen them do this with their DN's, but it seems to be done less now. Greeny, what's the garage's official stand on it?

This was discussed at the forum meet on Saturday.

It was a ritual introduced, and strictly enforced, in Capital Citybus days (by Leon Daniels?).

It lasted well into First London days, certainly at Dagenham, Northumbrland Park and Waterden Road.

It DOES seem to be falling off now though!

[vjaska]

Nov 3, 2009 9:46:36 GMT @rm1 said:

Maybe she couldn't actually read it (English may not be her first language)?? Don't know exactly but it could be a reason.

If I was with you at the time you'd have to try hard to stop me from laughing ;D

Honestly though the amount of people I see trying to hail dead-running buses is ridiculous.

Nov 2, 2009 23:46:30 GMT vjaska said:

A lady of Far East origin today put her hand out when a 'Not In Service' MW WVL was approaching but still carried on even when the bus was right up close. Then she was looking amused when the bus went past and looked back to everyone else as if to say that the bus should of stopped. I wanted to laugh so much because it helps to READ .

Well if she can't read English, she won't get far in this country, just like I wouldn't if I went to the Far East and didn't learn to read the appropiate oriental language.

My nan is one of these people who try to hail 'Not In Sevice' buses, though you can't tell her it's a 'Not In Service' bus ;D

[greeny253]

Nov 3, 2009 22:14:55 GMT john said:

Nov 3, 2009 12:18:47 GMT snowman said:

another thing, if it was a foreigner they might not be used to dead running whilst displaying a route number whilst bus is on the route.

easy solution, blank the number box as well.

DM used to do this with their TN/TNL's, change the destination to Not In Service, and the number blind to First corporate. In fact, i've still seen them do this with their DN's, but it seems to be done less now. Greeny, what's the garage's official stand on it?

I was told (I started when we still had a TN/L fleet) to use the First logo and "Not in Service" to reduce confusion though it differs by which supervisor is on. We either have the route number and "Not in Service" or, as John identified, the First logo and "Not in Service". The DN's put up the company logo as that's how they are programmed...... though it helps if drivers take any notice of the notice that was put up that told them HOW to find it

[Deleted]

Here in Liverpool, we have Arriva (or is it 'non-Arrival'?) and most brand new Cadets and Commanders on city services seem to do routes up to 8miles showing 'Liverpool' with the route number going to and from the city centre!! Most of these same buses have their side and back (LED) indicators either switched off or unused!! Arriva don't give a d*mn about passengers and route information is a joke. At least Stagecoach buses all show the correct destination and scrolling Via points on the front and sides with the route number on the front back and side. Well done Stagecoach!

Mal

[Deleted]

Also, why cant London Buses put something on the blinds or window which says the bus is full, like they do in other parts of the country. A problem with this though, is the fact TfL use blinds (whereas most companies which use the 'bus full' sign have digital displays), also it would take up alot of driver's time putting notices up.
The reason I think they should do this is because I actually think when the bus drives straight past a stop, the waiting passengers think the drivers do it because they cant be bovered to stop, or for a laugh.....

[vjaska]

Nov 12, 2009 17:06:00 GMT @truffles1234 said:

Also, why cant London Buses put something on the blinds or window which says the bus is full, like they do in other parts of the country. A problem with this though, is the fact TfL use blinds (whereas most companies which use the 'bus full' sign have digital displays), also it would take up alot of driver's time putting notices up.
The reason I think they should do this is because I actually think when the bus drives straight past a stop, the waiting passengers think the drivers do it because they cant be bovered to stop, or for a laugh.....

TfL blinds have more places on their blinds than other parts of the country.

[Steve09]

Nov 12, 2009 17:06:00 GMT @truffles1234 said:

The reason I think they should do this is because I actually think when the bus drives straight past a stop, the waiting passengers think the drivers do it because they cant be bovered to stop, or for a laugh.....

Indeed, its like that on the 401 when it gets filled up At Bexleyheath Shopping Centre, Bexleyheath School is the next stop which usually has loads of kids waiting there. When the bus drives past loads of the kids give the driver a one fingured sign and usually shout out offensive names to the Driver.

I do remember when loads of 269's were getting smashed windows in Albany Park about 3 years ago, the drivers would just drive past The Cleeve Park kids and stones were thrown at windows.

[ajw]

Oct 3, 2009 18:20:55 GMT @truffles1234 said:

I am quite glad London has kept the blinds though, it does seem much clearer than digital displays, and you can still see the destination when the sun is bright!

Good quality colour LED desto's don't have this problem. They can be configured to be seen in all conditions and are much clearer than other forms of dot matrix destos.

[smiler52]

sorry to bring a old topic back up are there any firms out there apart from wilts&dorset that use roller blind and how do hey work is it just like digital display on buses

[Deleted]

I think some of the roller blinds can be changed digitally, just like the digital display. Some still have the old traditional way of changing blinds though.