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Post by mondraker275 on Oct 21, 2015 20:24:24 GMT
Long time no post ? well there isn't much to post about really, it's the same stuff daily, but some notable things that have happened since last: There was a lovely diversion on the 215 and well any route that went down Chingford Rd yesterday via Billet Rd Blackhorse Ln/Blackhorse Rd, St James St, South Grove and Selborne Rd, ended up getting so late I lost my last rounder  I had a scania with the old blind set which includes 8 26 N26 48 55 N55 56 69 97 158 215 230 257, it also still has the purple "Private" blind 17750 has an old East London Coaches Purple blind which I will try and get a pic of next time. I was really starting to like doing late 48's which I had for 3 weeks straight other than 2 56 jobs, it just nice at that time other than Friday/Saturday night, Shoreditch just doesn't move, takes in excess of 20 mins just to clear the high street. It's the same story in the morning peak  but I still like the route and the buses on it. I had 17811 die on me after it overheated in Hackney, refused to start after I turned it off, the slowest scania in emissions derate was brought out to my joy but it did mean I got to venture in to Ash Grove garage where to my surprise there was an MA parked right at the back. See not much happens, same stuff, different day I'm finally on the 275 this Friday which will be good, I can't believe I'm saying this but I really like driving the diesel E400's, they may be slow on take off but they are in much better shape than the hybrids, you can also make them accelerate very quickly in second gear if you time it right  but overall they are smooth and relaxing to drive. Will let you know how Friday goes Shortly after Shoreditch (towards Liverpool Street) there is a zebra crossing. In the morning peak, the traffic begins from there. The traffic suddenly is fast flowing after the crossing until Monument. How many times before people realise you cannot have a zebra crossing in a high pedestrian area. St Pauls' crossing had the same issue until it was changed. Anyway, I assume you have been route trained on the 275. Wish you all the best. Usually new drivers tend to be very slow on the to the Hale End Road/Southend Road bridge approach, especially if someone parks to close to the mini roundabout. I remember a 212 driver, on diversion, messing that bit up. Good Luck |
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Post by VPL630 on Oct 21, 2015 21:27:00 GMT
Long time no post ? well there isn't much to post about really, it's the same stuff daily, but some notable things that have happened since last: There was a lovely diversion on the 215 and well any route that went down Chingford Rd yesterday via Billet Rd Blackhorse Ln/Blackhorse Rd, St James St, South Grove and Selborne Rd, ended up getting so late I lost my last rounder I had a scania with the old blind set which includes 8 26 N26 48 55 N55 56 69 97 158 215 230 257, it also still has the purple "Private" blind 17750 has an old East London Coaches Purple blind which I will try and get a pic of next time. I was really starting to like doing late 48's which I had for 3 weeks straight other than 2 56 jobs, it just nice at that time other than Friday/Saturday night, Shoreditch just doesn't move, takes in excess of 20 mins just to clear the high street. It's the same story in the morning peak but I still like the route and the buses on it. I had 17811 die on me after it overheated in Hackney, refused to start after I turned it off, the slowest scania in emissions derate was brought out to my joy but it did mean I got to venture in to Ash Grove garage where to my surprise there was an MA parked right at the back. See not much happens, same stuff, different day I'm finally on the 275 this Friday which will be good, I can't believe I'm saying this but I really like driving the diesel E400's, they may be slow on take off but they are in much better shape than the hybrids, you can also make them accelerate very quickly in second gear if you time it right but overall they are smooth and relaxing to drive. Will let you know how Friday goes Shortly after Shoreditch (towards Liverpool Street) there is a zebra crossing. In the morning peak, the traffic begins from there. The traffic suddenly is fast flowing after the crossing until Monument. How many times before people realise you cannot have a zebra crossing in a high pedestrian area. St Pauls' crossing had the same issue until it was changed. Anyway, I assume you have been route trained on the 275. Wish you all the best. Usually new drivers tend to be very slow on the to the Hale End Road/Southend Road bridge approach, especially if someone parks to close to the mini roundabout. I remember a 212 driver, on diversion, messing that bit up. Good Luck Yes it really doesn't help the traffic but people are so impatient they cut across lanes which doesn't help and a number of other buses also do this, the crossing really does need sorting out because we lose so much time because of it, I'm sure they have also done something to the traffic light timing at the junction of Wormwood St/Bishopsgate because it always takes an age to get through it now Yes, finally, are you talking about the roundabout near the exit onto the A406 ? If so the one where the bollard is ? I don't see why people go slow through it, it's easily passable at a moderate speed, but then the whole road is a 20 so you can't really come flying down there, originally they put all the new drivers on the 275 and 179 but they were getting so many accidents it's all changed now, speaking of accidents the other day a car reversed at some speed into the side of a 275 and 10118 got rear ended in style on the 179 with extensive damage. There was a few weeks ago a form going round asking what rota you wanted to go on, I was surprised when they asked me seeing as I've only been there a couple of months, I didn't put anything down at the time as I hadn't done a 275 or 179 and to be honest I just wanna be a spare and avoid the 56. I've spoken to the GM who is really nice and helpful and could be at NS sometime soon, for rest days anyway |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 21, 2015 23:29:56 GMT
Long time no post ? well there isn't much to post about really, it's the same stuff daily, but some notable things that have happened since last: There was a lovely diversion on the 215 and well any route that went down Chingford Rd yesterday via Billet Rd Blackhorse Ln/Blackhorse Rd, St James St, South Grove and Selborne Rd, ended up getting so late I lost my last rounder I had a scania with the old blind set which includes 8 26 N26 48 55 N55 56 69 97 158 215 230 257, it also still has the purple "Private" blind 17750 has an old East London Coaches Purple blind which I will try and get a pic of next time. I was really starting to like doing late 48's which I had for 3 weeks straight other than 2 56 jobs, it just nice at that time other than Friday/Saturday night, Shoreditch just doesn't move, takes in excess of 20 mins just to clear the high street. It's the same story in the morning peak but I still like the route and the buses on it. I had 17811 die on me after it overheated in Hackney, refused to start after I turned it off, the slowest scania in emissions derate was brought out to my joy but it did mean I got to venture in to Ash Grove garage where to my surprise there was an MA parked right at the back. See not much happens, same stuff, different day I'm finally on the 275 this Friday which will be good, I can't believe I'm saying this but I really like driving the diesel E400's, they may be slow on take off but they are in much better shape than the hybrids, you can also make them accelerate very quickly in second gear if you time it right but overall they are smooth and relaxing to drive. Will let you know how Friday goes If you want to make the E400D accelerate faster, just before it changes gear (upshifting), back of the gas pedal a bit, it would then still rev up to prevent a harsh up shift, as if you were about to take your foot of the gas for any reason, braking etc. Once you take your foot off a little bit, it would rev to about 2000-2500rpm depending on how you catch it. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Oct 21, 2015 23:38:06 GMT
Long time no post ? well there isn't much to post about really, it's the same stuff daily, but some notable things that have happened since last: There was a lovely diversion on the 215 and well any route that went down Chingford Rd yesterday via Billet Rd Blackhorse Ln/Blackhorse Rd, St James St, South Grove and Selborne Rd, ended up getting so late I lost my last rounder I had a scania with the old blind set which includes 8 26 N26 48 55 N55 56 69 97 158 215 230 257, it also still has the purple "Private" blind 17750 has an old East London Coaches Purple blind which I will try and get a pic of next time. I was really starting to like doing late 48's which I had for 3 weeks straight other than 2 56 jobs, it just nice at that time other than Friday/Saturday night, Shoreditch just doesn't move, takes in excess of 20 mins just to clear the high street. It's the same story in the morning peak but I still like the route and the buses on it. I had 17811 die on me after it overheated in Hackney, refused to start after I turned it off, the slowest scania in emissions derate was brought out to my joy but it did mean I got to venture in to Ash Grove garage where to my surprise there was an MA parked right at the back. See not much happens, same stuff, different day I'm finally on the 275 this Friday which will be good, I can't believe I'm saying this but I really like driving the diesel E400's, they may be slow on take off but they are in much better shape than the hybrids, you can also make them accelerate very quickly in second gear if you time it right but overall they are smooth and relaxing to drive. Will let you know how Friday goes Shortly after Shoreditch (towards Liverpool Street) there is a zebra crossing. In the morning peak, the traffic begins from there. The traffic suddenly is fast flowing after the crossing until Monument. How many times before people realise you cannot have a zebra crossing in a high pedestrian area. St Pauls' crossing had the same issue until it was changed. Anyway, I assume you have been route trained on the 275. Wish you all the best. Usually new drivers tend to be very slow on the to the Hale End Road/Southend Road bridge approach, especially if someone parks to close to the mini roundabout. I remember a 212 driver, on diversion, messing that bit up. Good Luck That reminds me of the zebra crossing that was at Clerkenwell Green. It was a nightmare for creating traffic. There were even two fatalities on the crossing one being a bus running over a woman. Years after they finally replaced it with a traffic light crossing. |
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Post by vjaska on Oct 22, 2015 1:52:58 GMT
Shortly after Shoreditch (towards Liverpool Street) there is a zebra crossing. In the morning peak, the traffic begins from there. The traffic suddenly is fast flowing after the crossing until Monument. How many times before people realise you cannot have a zebra crossing in a high pedestrian area. St Pauls' crossing had the same issue until it was changed. Anyway, I assume you have been route trained on the 275. Wish you all the best. Usually new drivers tend to be very slow on the to the Hale End Road/Southend Road bridge approach, especially if someone parks to close to the mini roundabout. I remember a 212 driver, on diversion, messing that bit up. Good Luck That reminds me of the zebra crossing that was at Clerkenwell Green. It was a nightmare for creating traffic. There were even two fatalities on the crossing one being a bus running over a woman. Years after they finally replaced it with a traffic light crossing. However, the majority of zebra crossings work really well and in most cases, work better than traffic lights too. |
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Post by VPL630 on Oct 22, 2015 11:49:47 GMT
That reminds me of the zebra crossing that was at Clerkenwell Green. It was a nightmare for creating traffic. There were even two fatalities on the crossing one being a bus running over a woman. Years after they finally replaced it with a traffic light crossing. However, the majority of zebra crossings work really well and in most cases, work better than traffic lights too. That's debatable, there are many cases where the cause of zebra crossing are the cause of congestion and it's not just linked to london, they work fine in quiet areas but not well in a busy over congested city, Poor traffic light timing really does help, along with these traffic management schemes that only cause more traffic and more frustration, not forgetting the deeply loved cycle super-waste-of-money-highways |
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Post by vjaska on Oct 22, 2015 12:27:09 GMT
However, the majority of zebra crossings work really well and in most cases, work better than traffic lights too. That's debatable, there are many cases where the cause of zebra crossing are the cause of congestion and it's not just linked to london, they work fine in quiet areas but not well in a busy over congested city, Poor traffic light timing really does help, along with these traffic management schemes that only cause more traffic and more frustration, not forgetting the deeply loved cycle super-waste-of-money-highways There are two in my area and both don't cause any congestion yet I live in an area that is far from quiet. They might not work in Central London which I fully accept but in the rest of London, they do. |
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Post by VPL630 on Oct 23, 2015 19:57:15 GMT
Well, today on the 275, turned up 30 mins early expecting to have a mentor for my first rounder to find out that he was on another duty, oh well, I know the route, It will fine  So off I set to pick up my bus from Walthamstow Market, I got there 10 mins early 2 mins later my bus turns up!!! something I learned very quickly is this route has loads of time but other than departures everyone works of headway and it works, well it was today until my second half... The route passes so many schools/college's that it's very busy throughout the day and horrible at school time but it's still nicer than driving a packed 48 or 56 so I won't moan, the passengers also are friendly, never had so many comments about my age before  which did bring a smile to my face which was commented on by other drivers when I came back to the garage as I finished I also enjoy that there are a vast amount of hills on the route and open sections of road where you can safely get above 20 without even trying, it's a route you drive but it doesn't feel like work, my first bus was 10175 and after one rounder it was roaring away, The E400's sound quite beasty from the cab when the cooling fan is on Anyway here is 10175 at Barkingside Tesco My second half I had 10119, something has happened to this bus since I last drove it as it was quite sluggish and the N/S mirror was forever moving away from how I adjusted it  Still first rounder was uneventful, second rounder while being 7 mins early in Woodford and assuming at any second to get told to drop back 3 mins and maintain headway, iBus told me to if possible could I overtake the bus in front, well I followed my instruction and arrived at Barkingside 11 mins early, the bus I'd overtaken had just been mobbed with school kids, overall I like this route. There are a lot of places where you can lose a lot of time and/or make up a lot of time due to traffic lights, junctions where no one wants to let you out and parked cars meaning you have to give way to an almost endless stream of cars until one very nice sensible person lets you through. Only bad point today way my GreenRoad took a hammering, due to the road camber in many places where the bus isn't level, the system thinks you are doing a harsh manoeuvre when you aren't, well I didn't think I was anyway, I suppose if I was driving like Miss Daisy then it wouldn't have given me a few ambers but then do I really need a computer to tell me how to drive? speaking of GreenRoad, I got an letter telling me I'm a "Premier Ecodriver" with a low safety score of 5 or below (Currently 4) so I suppose I can't be that bad I'm on a very early 56 tomorrow for my Birthday and then 48 sunday 179 finally on Monday (Not like I've been asking to do this route since I arrived at Leyton ) |
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Post by ThinLizzy on Oct 24, 2015 18:05:40 GMT
Well, today on the 275, turned up 30 mins early expecting to have a mentor for my first rounder to find out that he was on another duty, oh well, I know the route, It will fine So off I set to pick up my bus from Walthamstow Market, I got there 10 mins early 2 mins later my bus turns up!!! something I learned very quickly is this route has loads of time but other than departures everyone works of headway and it works, well it was today until my second half... The route passes so many schools/college's that it's very busy throughout the day and horrible at school time but it's still nicer than driving a packed 48 or 56 so I won't moan, the passengers also are friendly, never had so many comments about my age before which did bring a smile to my face which was commented on by other drivers when I came back to the garage as I finished I also enjoy that there are a vast amount of hills on the route and open sections of road where you can safely get above 20 without even trying, it's a route you drive but it doesn't feel like work, my first bus was 10175 and after one rounder it was roaring away, The E400's sound quite beasty from the cab when the cooling fan is on Anyway here is 10175 at Barkingside Tesco My second half I had 10119, something has happened to this bus since I last drove it as it was quite sluggish and the N/S mirror was forever moving away from how I adjusted it Still first rounder was uneventful, second rounder while being 7 mins early in Woodford and assuming at any second to get told to drop back 3 mins and maintain headway, iBus told me to if possible could I overtake the bus in front, well I followed my instruction and arrived at Barkingside 11 mins early, the bus I'd overtaken had just been mobbed with school kids, overall I like this route. There are a lot of places where you can lose a lot of time and/or make up a lot of time due to traffic lights, junctions where no one wants to let you out and parked cars meaning you have to give way to an almost endless stream of cars until one very nice sensible person lets you through. Only bad point today way my GreenRoad took a hammering, due to the road camber in many places where the bus isn't level, the system thinks you are doing a harsh manoeuvre when you aren't, well I didn't think I was anyway, I suppose if I was driving like Miss Daisy then it wouldn't have given me a few ambers but then do I really need a computer to tell me how to drive? speaking of GreenRoad, I got an letter telling me I'm a "Premier Ecodriver" with a low safety score of 5 or below (Currently 4) so I suppose I can't be that bad I'm on a very early 56 tomorrow for my Birthday and then 48 sunday 179 finally on Monday (Not like I've been asking to do this route since I arrived at Leyton ) I've always loved the 275, ever since my first ride on it in a Grey-Green Scania N112 (can still remember what they all smelled like!) Glad you liked the route, it's the sort of route I'd love to do if I drove buses instead of trains. Enjoy the 179 on Monday |
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Post by VPL630 on Oct 26, 2015 18:59:25 GMT
The 179, A great route that I know inside and out after using for quite a few months under the days of First, know all the turns, all the lights runs but still got shown the route by a mentor this morning, I drove a rounder and a half, on my first trip we arrived at Ilford 15 mins early but I was showing at late on headway!!! I know it's because the schools are off, despite this route having a different schedule for school days there is apparently only one change to a duty and only 1 trip is changed, oh well it's still a nice route and I like when I don't have to sit about for ages trying to kill time and miss traffic lights. I had 10176 for the first half and 10172 for the second, a vast difference in performance between buses as 10176 was lovely and quick while 10172 took it's time, heading up Woodford Avenue 10176 happily kicked down after some persuasion and held 3rd until just under 40mph but 10172 was having none of it, It struggled to hit 35 by the top of the hill after serving the stop and we only had a few people on, the only beinift was the heating/cooling on 10172 was much better and it's one of the few Enviro's that has mirror arms that aren't bent in anyway (Yet!) so that's a bonus, I do kinda wish the mirrors on the Enviro's were either bigger or more convex like the TA's as I like to have a good view of what's along side me, the same could be said about scania mirrors. The route I can't really comment on, it wasn't a school day so it was dead out, no traffic anywhere, there aren't many difficult places unlike the 275, South Woodford is easy as pie, don't know why some drivers struggle round the area. The only place I can think of where you could lose time is coming out of Chingford and Ilford, other than that it's a just straight forward, just maintain headway I'm not really a fan of the travelling to Ilford or Gants Hill to take over the bus, Gants Hill isn't too bad via W16 and Central line and they give you plenty of time but it's still a bit of hassle Anyway here is 10176 before doing my walk round check this morning  Stagecoach London 10176 SN63 JWC by David McKay, on Flickr |
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Post by Alex on Oct 27, 2015 23:53:32 GMT
Hello 10301! Glad of the recent updates, and also glad to see you're doing well. Some work at NS sounds good! Was in the area myself the other day, I got engaged while on holiday recently, and my other half and I are looking to move into our own home next year. The significance of this being that I was interested to see what various areas of East London were like for perspective viewings. So off I went on the tube to Elm Park, then 365, then the 294 and TfL Rail back to Stratford.....(only two buses - not worth me putting in the bus ride thread ) It certainly is an interesting part of the world, NS seems to have the friendliest passengers I have seen! Many on the 294 (both young and old) shouting "Thank you driver" as they got off, something you don't really see on the PD or WH routes (which I frequent). Was an interesting outing, lots of TA's and I can see why the 294 has the short TA's.....that corner on Dagnam/Whitchurch is a bit tight. I think it has been posted elsewhere that the NS routes seem a bit more down to earth than other areas, with friendly passengers and drivers allowing people on while at a stand. Is the wait still about three years or so to get there? Can you go on the waiting list for multiple garages? Was thinking, would going to RM in the short term (while still having a place on the NS list) be something you could do? I read you like Scanias and there's lots of them on the 365/248. The one I rode on whilst riding the 365 (15004) was a different experience to the PD ones I'm used to. The seats were much more padded and the suspension seemed a lot nicer. It even looked different from the outside, seemed more 'silvery' - if you see what I mean.  A quick question about the duty cards, are the timing points/abbreviations you would see on the TfL schedules (working timetables via Timetable Graveyard) the ones you would also see on the duty card too? It seems to match up, the PD cards seem to have enough columns to match the ones on the net. I'm still waiting with baited breath for the schedules to come live on the TfL site, but they are taking ages..... Cheers now, and happy driving! |
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Post by snoggle on Oct 27, 2015 23:59:11 GMT
Hello 10301! Glad of the recent updates, and also glad to see you're doing well. Some work at NS sounds good! Was in the area myself the other day, I got engaged while on holiday recently, and my other half and I are looking to move into our own home next year. The significance of this being that I was interested to see what various areas of East London were like for perspective viewings. So off I went on the tube to Elm Park, then 365, then the 294 and TfL Rail back to Stratford.....(only two buses - not worth me putting in the bus ride thread ) It certainly is an interesting part of the world, NS seems to have the friendliest passengers I have seen! Many on the 294 (both young and old) shouting "Thank you driver" as they got off, something you don't really see on the PD or WH routes (which I frequent). Was an interesting outing, lots of TA's and I can see why the 294 has the short TA's.....that corner on Dagnam/Whitchurch is a bit tight. I think it has been posted elsewhere that the NS routes seem a bit more down to earth than other areas, with friendly passengers and drivers allowing people on while at a stand. Is the wait still about three years or so to get there? Can you go on the waiting list for multiple garages? Was thinking, would going to RM in the short term (while still having a place on the NS list) be something you could do? I read you like Scanias and there's lots of them on the 365/248. The one I rode on whilst riding the 365 (15004) was a different experience to the PD ones I'm used to. The seats were much more padded and the suspension seemed a lot nicer. It even looked different from the outside, seemed more 'silvery' - if you see what I mean. A quick question about the duty cards, are the timing points/abbreviations you would see on the TfL schedules (working timetables via Timetable Graveyard) the ones you would also see on the duty card too? It seems to match up, the PD cards seem to have enough columns to match the ones on the net. I'm still waiting with baited breath for the schedules to come live on the TfL site, but they are taking ages..... Cheers now, and happy driving! The "friendly" bit is certainly true. Having ridden nearly all the Havering routes now it feels slightly "other worldly" compared to the rest of London. I guess they see themselves as part of Essex rather than London and the passengers and drivers reflect this too. |
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Post by Alex on Oct 28, 2015 0:09:50 GMT
Yes indeed......I was wondering what to do at Havering Park. I got off the 365 and walked round the corner to the 294 stop, saw a woman chatting to the driver on the other side of the road and wondered if I could indeed get on before the bus did the roundabout turn (which was quite impressive riding up top on the incoming 365 Scania). Being used to the PD stuff I decided to err on the side of caution and stay put, but the bus app gave me two stops for Havering Park so was toying with the idea I could get on at the stand....... As for not seeing anyone say thanks at PD/WH - that's until I get off! I either do one of three things, shout thanks, or raise hand for a few seconds, or, if I'm walking in the direction of the driver, give the raised hand (or a thumbs up) with the nod as I pass the entrance door. Many drivers on the routes I usually use seem shocked someone's done it  |
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Oct 28, 2015 0:19:08 GMT
Passengers in Romford are friendly indeed, a 499 passenger offered the driver some of what she had brought in the shop!
Sadly can't say the same about all of NS's drivers. Most of them are fine and can be quite friendly. There used to be one on the 86 who would greet passengers everyime they tapped in and it would make someone's day. But I have probably sent the most complaints to TfL about NS drivers, I have had many cause arguments and get into unseeded dramas. Once I got chucked off the bus due to there apparently being no room despite I was about a meter behind the yellow line on the floor. Then we had another one which decided he would complain from his cab about how much school children waste his time and prevent more important people from getting on. Then I also had another one which got out of his cab and pushed us out of the bus with his hands as it was starting to get full up.
Most of the drivers are really nice, but NS don't seem to have the best customer service overall. Especially compared to T, WH, RM and BK.
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Post by vjaska on Oct 28, 2015 0:27:52 GMT
Have to agree with others - both bus drivers and bus passengers in Havering are a friendly bunch and this was even more evident at the Romford Running Day. I had a few chats with locals on the classic buses who were riding them - some actually rode RT's & RM's as kids and went out of their way to have another ride as one bloke I was talking too did on the 294. Bus Passengers in Brixton are the opposite - the majority are as rude as hell whilst drivers are mixed - there are some good ones but it's hit and miss.
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but I still like the route and the buses on it.
but overall they are smooth and relaxing to drive.
which did bring a smile to my face which was commented on by other drivers when I came back to the garage as I finished 
Still first rounder was uneventful, second rounder while being 7 mins early in Woodford and assuming at any second to get told to drop back 3 mins and maintain headway, iBus told me to if possible could I overtake the bus in front, well I followed my instruction and arrived at Barkingside 11 mins early, the bus I'd overtaken had just been mobbed with school kids, overall I like this route. 
