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Post by mondraker275 on Jul 2, 2014 15:01:58 GMT
Scrolling message on I-Bus display on a 230 this morning to say the route is affected by Tour de France road closures on Monday. No audible message though which seems to be a shame. Worse the "cats" message played while the Tour de France message was scrolling. That sort of confused mess really should be banned as it could be confusing to people who have poor hearing / sight and rely on the other sense to work out what's going on. There really should be consistency on something which affects those with a disability. Saw it on the 158 yesterday evening. I was also wondering about that clash of information. Surely, they could have introduced cashless buses after the Tour de France.
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Post by snoggle on Jul 2, 2014 15:24:03 GMT
Scrolling message on I-Bus display on a 230 this morning to say the route is affected by Tour de France road closures on Monday. No audible message though which seems to be a shame. Worse the "cats" message played while the Tour de France message was scrolling. That sort of confused mess really should be banned as it could be confusing to people who have poor hearing / sight and rely on the other sense to work out what's going on. There really should be consistency on something which affects those with a disability. Saw it on the 158 yesterday evening. I was also wondering about that clash of information. Surely, they could have introduced cashless buses after the Tour de France. Yes I was pondering that too. Strikes me as not the best bit of timing I've ever come across. Perhaps I need to do a "Tour de Debden / Brentwood / Swanley / Dorking / Epsom and Staines" in the near future to see how many people are being booted off buses due to them not accepting cash?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2014 21:58:02 GMT
The information given by TfL is quite decent compared to that from Essex County Council. They have publicised the event, such as putting leaflets through doors, but public transport has not been mentioned. There is, however, some information which can be accessed through the Essex CC website, but I wonder how many people know its there? Also, not everyone who uses buses actually uses the internet. And many who use the internet don't really think to look on there for bus information. I think many passengers still rely on roadside information, and there is no information at all in Essex, even along TfL routes. Actually, there is a poster at Loughton Station showing a map of the 20/397 diversions, but INSIDE the ticket barriers!
Essex CC have a list of affected bus services, but it is certainly not complete! It is missing important routes such as the 255 (Waltham Cross - Loughton/Debden) which crosses the Epping New Road at the Wake Arms roundabout which the race is passing. Also the Townlink 19/20/21 which double runs down Epping High Street which will be closed for the event, so the 19/20/21 will be severely affected, but there is no mention of this whatsoever!
The 20 diversion should be interesting as it is diverted via the 549 route, which has a low-bridge at Roding Valley Station. So, single-deckers will have to be allocated to the 20, which hasn't happened since those P-reg Darts new to Grey-Green operated the route. At least the 20 drivers won't have the troublesome local schools to deal with, as I think they will be closed.
The 397 is being separated into two routes, one operating Debden to Buckhurst Hill, then following the 549 route down to terminate at Buckhurst Hill Station. The other route will be Chingford Station - Crooked Billet. I guess there will be low numbers on the route, as most passengers use it to get from Loughton/Debden to Chingford.
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Post by snoggle on Jul 2, 2014 22:18:11 GMT
The information given by TfL is quite decent compared to that from Essex County Council. They have publicised the event, such as putting leaflets through doors, but public transport has not been mentioned. There is, however, some information which can be accessed through the Essex CC website, but I wonder how many people know its there? Also, not everyone who uses buses actually uses the internet. And many who use the internet don't really think to look on there for bus information. I think many passengers still rely on roadside information, and there is no information at all in Essex, even along TfL routes. Actually, there is a poster at Loughton Station showing a map of the 20/397 diversions, but INSIDE the ticket barriers! Essex CC have a list of affected bus services, but it is certainly not complete! It is missing important routes such as the 255 (Waltham Cross - Loughton/Debden) which crosses the Epping New Road at the Wake Arms roundabout which the race is passing. Also the Townlink 19/20/21 which double runs down Epping High Street which will be closed for the event, so the 19/20/21 will be severely affected, but there is no mention of this whatsoever! The 20 diversion should be interesting as it is diverted via the 549 route, which has a low-bridge at Roding Valley Station. So, single-deckers will have to be allocated to the 20, which hasn't happened since those P-reg Darts new to Grey-Green operated the route. At least the 20 drivers won't have the troublesome local schools to deal with, as I think they will be closed. The 397 is being separated into two routes, one operating Debden to Buckhurst Hill, then following the 549 route down to terminate at Buckhurst Hill Station. The other route will be Chingford Station - Crooked Billet. I guess there will be low numbers on the route, as most passengers use it to get from Loughton/Debden to Chingford. I agree the Essex info is close to non existent but the County Council can't compel private operators to share information about their commercial services. Such is life with deregulated operations and it shows the contempt that the more shoddy operators hold for their "customers". Although TfL are tweeting furiously about the Tour de France I suspect that will bypass many people who just toddle out to get the bus. I have not yet seen anything put on bus stops and we are 5 days away from the road closures. I predict absolute and utter chaos in East London because people have no idea what is going on and TfL refuse to publish easy to understand information. I find their attitude unbelieveable when you consider hundreds of thousands of people use buses in East London on a typical working day.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2014 22:39:25 GMT
I agree the Essex info is close to non existent but the County Council can't compel private operators to share information about their commercial services. Such is life with deregulated operations and it shows the contempt that the more shoddy operators hold for their "customers". Fair point. And this is Townlink/Olympian we're talking about! Essex CC must get so fed up with them.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 9:13:11 GMT
Just been thinking Docklands SI garage will be completely cut off for the day.
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Post by Tangy on Jul 5, 2014 9:21:22 GMT
The 20 diversion should be interesting as it is diverted via the 549 route, which has a low-bridge at Roding Valley Station. So, single-deckers will have to be allocated to the 20, which hasn't happened since those P-reg Darts new to Grey-Green operated the route. At least the 20 drivers won't have the troublesome local schools to deal with, as I think they will be closed. The bridge at Roding Valley is suitable for double deckers as I have been under it on a variety of vehicles on the Central line rail replacement between Woodford and Loughton. Therefore I think the 20 will be allocated its normal vehicles.
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Post by wivenswold on Jul 5, 2014 10:57:15 GMT
What I'd expect from Essex CC to be honest. A local man has to make his own timetables to post at the main bus stop here. First Essex put info up but of course they've wiped their hands of the late night and rural services which are run by Horizon, Burtons and the excellent Hedingham Bus Co. (Owned by Go-Ahead). So the bewilderingly complex one-off services (we still have A,B,E, suffixes on our route numbers) would be a mystery if it weren't for the village's bus enthusiast. Total deregulation sucks.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2014 11:33:03 GMT
The 20 diversion should be interesting as it is diverted via the 549 route, which has a low-bridge at Roding Valley Station. So, single-deckers will have to be allocated to the 20, which hasn't happened since those P-reg Darts new to Grey-Green operated the route. At least the 20 drivers won't have the troublesome local schools to deal with, as I think they will be closed. The bridge at Roding Valley is suitable for double deckers as I have been under it on a variety of vehicles on the Central line rail replacement between Woodford and Loughton. Therefore I think the 20 will be allocated its normal vehicles. Yes, sorry about that. Not quite sure why I thought it was a low bridge. TfL should have given better information about the Tour de France, as people still need to work. There are people I know still having to work even though its along the Tour de France route, so TfL's information should be better. Although its still better than what bus passengers are dealing with in Essex. Noticed passengers asking a Roadrunner 255 driver what was happening to the route on Monday, and he didn't have a clue. Sums it up really.
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Post by snoggle on Jul 5, 2014 11:47:55 GMT
The bridge at Roding Valley is suitable for double deckers as I have been under it on a variety of vehicles on the Central line rail replacement between Woodford and Loughton. Therefore I think the 20 will be allocated its normal vehicles. Yes, sorry about that. Not quite sure why I thought it was a low bridge. TfL should have given better information about the Tour de France, as people still need to work. There are people I know still having to work even though its along the Tour de France route, so TfL's information should be better. Although its still better than what bus passengers are dealing with in Essex. Noticed passengers asking a Roadrunner 255 driver what was happening to the route on Monday, and he didn't have a clue. Sums it up really. I was kindly sent (under the counter) an official TfL document that explains the diversions and curtailments. Apparently the w/b 123 runs to Stratford and the author cannot spell Walthamstow!!
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Post by bigbaddom1981 on Jul 5, 2014 12:34:29 GMT
Yes, sorry about that. Not quite sure why I thought it was a low bridge. TfL should have given better information about the Tour de France, as people still need to work. There are people I know still having to work even though its along the Tour de France route, so TfL's information should be better. Although its still better than what bus passengers are dealing with in Essex. Noticed passengers asking a Roadrunner 255 driver what was happening to the route on Monday, and he didn't have a clue. Sums it up really. I was kindly sent (under the counter) an official TfL document that explains the diversions and curtailments. Apparently the w/b 123 runs to Stratford and the author cannot spell Walthamstow!! Could do with a Tottenham/Stratford bus service! 349 is the obvious candidate instead of Stamford Hill
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 9:10:33 GMT
Why has route 541 stopped at 10am when it is not affected by any road closures???
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Post by sid on Jul 7, 2014 9:19:50 GMT
Some very extensive bus route changes are due on 7 July 2014 when the Tour de France hits town. TfL have now updated their website with a series of maps showing the extension of diversions / curtailments. linkHighlights include the 25 running express via the A12, no 241 / 262 / 473 at all, no buses on Lea Bridge Road, 123 running via the Billet and A406, several routes split in half (e.g. 339) or severely curtailed. I fear a lot of people will be caught out as local journeys won't be possible. Being a natural born cynic whenever money and sport are mentioned in the same breath(Seth Blatter? ) It can only be for money that the UK is now part of France, the organisers probably used a 1066 map or is this a LibDem plot to make us think we are all in Europe anyway, so don't let those nasty UKIP people tell you otherwise. To cut down on the chaos it will cause why not route them thru' the Crossrail tunnels? It is actually Sepp Blatter (not Seth!) and it should be a great event today
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Post by mondraker275 on Jul 7, 2014 9:50:44 GMT
I am more exited by the diversions than the event. I get the feeling the cyclists will whizz by in a second and thats it, I am recording and watching later when I can. Right now, the 25/123 is on my sights.
BTW, all the extra staff at Walthamstow Central, I ask one question and no answer. 'Are bus passes being accepted on the Overgroubnd so I can get to Leyton Midland?' I remember when Stagecoach was on strike a few years back, I roamed the tube at no extra cost.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2014 16:14:22 GMT
That's the end of that! Now how long before the roads open.
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