The longest possible bus route

[Deleted]

Dorking Station is served by London Bus Route 465
Potters Bar Station is served by London Bus Route 313
If there was one bus service running between the two points, which routeing which you choose for it - and if there was a limited stop version of this service, which points along the route should the bus serve?

[eggmiester]

That would depend what drivers rules you would be using for the drivers.

If UK Domestic (UKD) rules were to apply the routing must be less than 50km otherwise it would have to be split into two routes to not require the use of a tachograph.

If the routing was to exceed 50km the route would have to be worked under EU (AETR) rules using a tachograph.

You can still, run a timetabled service under EU rules but drivers working day and rest day patterns will be different to incorporate the required breaks and rest periods that are stipulated under the EU rules. UK Domestic (UKD) rules are a bit slacker then the EU rules, but can only be applied in certain situations i.e. the route must be a registered scheduled service with an identified number of stops and must not exceed 50km in length (not including light running). Break requirements are also slightly different.

The only operations that are exempt from EU rules (i.e. can be worked under domestic regulations) are Emergency Rail Replacements (not planned or scheduled ones - these full under the relevant UKD or EU rules), special arrangement work that is not being used for hire or reward (i.e. bus loans, or bus movements between operators or facilities) and delivery journeys worked under trade licensing rules (vehicles on trade plates).

So you would need to consider your routing based on what drivers hours regulations you would be employing.

[Deleted]

The ridiculous rule that requires routes to be split into two is overcome by changing route numbers mid route.

[Deleted]

I'd like to throw in a new contender for a longest route, Watford Junction (served by the 142 and 258) to Chartwell (served by the 246), with a route thrown in too.

Watford Junction - Staples Corner (142 routing)
Staples Corner - Kilburn High Road Stn (32 routing)
Kilburn High Road Stn - Victoria (16 routing)
Victoria - Lewisham (436 routing)
Lewisham - Bromley South (208 routing)
Bromley South - Keston Windmill (146 routing)
Keston Windmill - Chartwell (246 routing)