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Post by VPL630 on Nov 20, 2015 11:53:04 GMT
So quick little update, I'm getting type trained on a LT today, passed my 3 months probation all fine with no problems  guess I'll be driving the 55 at some point soon, just need to learn the route now Oh wow. Time goes so quickly. What has been your favourite points of driving bus routes in London? There are far too many to recall but here are a few The other night when I had a rocket powered TA on the 56, I kept getting every green light possible, had clear roads all the way, everyone seemed in a good mood, had a load of thank you's and good comments towards me which is really suprising on the 56, I thought I must be doing something wrong  ? Controller asked me to leave on my leaders time on every trip after the first as I kept catching him up ? When I first did the 275 on my own, it was such a world away from the 48 and 56, really clam and chilled out day, didn't feel like work and then again a load of good comments and thank you's Taking the LT through Woodford yesterday, getting so many funny looks and loads of attention when I parked it on the stand at Ilford |
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Post by VPL630 on Dec 2, 2015 14:55:32 GMT
Finally got the chance to drive the 55 on Monday and Tuesday, wasn't overly joyed as I had a great job on the 275 but such is life of a spare driver. The route itself is nice, pretty much a straight line, some of the turns are a but confusing when they are explained but I went over them the night before while running back a bus back to the garage just so I was clear, The LT's now that I've driven them in service are quite nice, just the back door delay is annoying, the brakes very quite a bit on the ones I've driven, some are much harsher than others, there are also sometimes a restriction of torque when pulling away in battery mode, from the 4 LT's I've had they have all happily run in battery mode for quite a while, there is a way to make the engine cut in by hitting the AC button in the cab. On my first trip I was late leaving the garage as there was a problem with the bus so had to wait for another one to come in before I could leave, I finally left and made it to Oxford Circus uneventfully, arrived on my departure time, took my 5 mins and went, ending up getting back to the garage around 30 mins late so I'm late meal relief, have my 40 mins, get ready to go back out and there isn't a bus on the stand, around 10 mins later I finally managed to leave Showing TCR, another uneventful trip, get back to the garage around 15 late but in plenty of time for my last rounder, Leave on time and was fine all the way until just past TCR when someone decided it would be a good idea to press the emergency door open button on the rear door which slams on the brakes with no waning  same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's other than that it was all good, quite enjoyed it Tuesday was much better, still really bad traffic in Hackney due to stupid temp traffic lights and normal cars users thinking a bus can get through the same gap as a smart car... oh well Here is LT 376 at Oxford Circus scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12314414_10203981789019822_8516826552366108831_o.jpg |
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Post by T.R. on Dec 2, 2015 16:12:19 GMT
Finally got the chance to drive the 55 on Monday and Tuesday, wasn't overly joyed as I had a great job on the 275 but such is life of a spare driver. The route itself is nice, pretty much a straight line, some of the turns are a but confusing when they are explained but I went over them the night before while running back a bus back to the garage just so I was clear, The LT's now that I've driven them in service are quite nice, just the back door delay is annoying, the brakes very quite a bit on the ones I've driven, some are much harsher than others, there are also sometimes a restriction of torque when pulling away in battery mode, from the 4 LT's I've had they have all happily run in battery mode for quite a while, there is a way to make the engine cut in by hitting the AC button in the cab. On my first trip I was late leaving the garage as there was a problem with the bus so had to wait for another one to come in before I could leave, I finally left and made it to Oxford Circus uneventfully, arrived on my departure time, took my 5 mins and went, ending up getting back to the garage around 30 mins late so I'm late meal relief, have my 40 mins, get ready to go back out and there isn't a bus on the stand, around 10 mins later I finally managed to leave Showing TCR, another uneventful trip, get back to the garage around 15 late but in plenty of time for my last rounder, Leave on time and was fine all the way until just past TCR when someone decided it would be a good idea to press the emergency door open button on the rear door which slams on the brakes with no waning same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's other than that it was all good, quite enjoyed it Tuesday was much better, still really bad traffic in Hackney due to stupid temp traffic lights and normal cars users thinking a bus can get through the same gap as a smart car... oh well Here is LT 376 at Oxford Circus scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12314414_10203981789019822_8516826552366108831_o.jpgGood luck reaching Oxford Circus when on the 55's. New Oxford Street e/b is becoming such a problem that I see more Holborn 55s than OXC ones lol |
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Post by VPL630 on Dec 2, 2015 20:42:25 GMT
You see more Holborn/TCR turns due to drivers being late meal relief or close to driving hours, there is a load of time on the route which is good but so far it's just been traffic elsewhere that is causing the turns, Oxford Circus has been fine the few times I've done it
For reference the TCR turn shows as Holborn on iBus
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Post by rmz19 on Dec 2, 2015 21:36:24 GMT
Good luck reaching Oxford Circus when on the 55's. New Oxford Street e/b is becoming such a problem that I see more Holborn 55s than OXC ones New Oxford Street seemed fine in both directions when I was there around 5:30 in the evening today, it has somewhat improved lately than before. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Dec 3, 2015 10:05:05 GMT
Finally got the chance to drive the 55 on Monday and Tuesday, wasn't overly joyed as I had a great job on the 275 but such is life of a spare driver. The route itself is nice, pretty much a straight line, some of the turns are a but confusing when they are explained but I went over them the night before while running back a bus back to the garage just so I was clear, The LT's now that I've driven them in service are quite nice, just the back door delay is annoying, the brakes very quite a bit on the ones I've driven, some are much harsher than others, there are also sometimes a restriction of torque when pulling away in battery mode, from the 4 LT's I've had they have all happily run in battery mode for quite a while, there is a way to make the engine cut in by hitting the AC button in the cab. On my first trip I was late leaving the garage as there was a problem with the bus so had to wait for another one to come in before I could leave, I finally left and made it to Oxford Circus uneventfully, arrived on my departure time, took my 5 mins and went, ending up getting back to the garage around 30 mins late so I'm late meal relief, have my 40 mins, get ready to go back out and there isn't a bus on the stand, around 10 mins later I finally managed to leave Showing TCR, another uneventful trip, get back to the garage around 15 late but in plenty of time for my last rounder, Leave on time and was fine all the way until just past TCR when someone decided it would be a good idea to press the emergency door open button on the rear door which slams on the brakes with no waning same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's other than that it was all good, quite enjoyed it Tuesday was much better, still really bad traffic in Hackney due to stupid temp traffic lights and normal cars users thinking a bus can get through the same gap as a smart car... oh well Here is LT 376 at Oxford Circus scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12314414_10203981789019822_8516826552366108831_o.jpgBrakes on LT are similar to DB300's much more powerful and less effort on your legs when you get used to it. Even if you do use exit door override on other buses the emergency open doors could still operate. If you keep pressing the close button when someone tries to open it, it would slam shut. Best one is the Plaxton Pointer 2 if someone pressed it, and you held down the close button in the cab, no matter how many times they pressed it, it would not open. |
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Post by londonbusboy on Dec 3, 2015 23:22:16 GMT
I've often thought should the internal emergency door buttons be covered with glass so in an emergency you would have to smash it to gain access. For drivers you could have it on a hinge so you stick your key in and lift it up
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Post by Jack on Dec 4, 2015 0:42:35 GMT
Finally got the chance to drive the 55 on Monday and Tuesday, wasn't overly joyed as I had a great job on the 275 but such is life of a spare driver. The route itself is nice, pretty much a straight line, some of the turns are a but confusing when they are explained but I went over them the night before while running back a bus back to the garage just so I was clear, The LT's now that I've driven them in service are quite nice, just the back door delay is annoying, the brakes very quite a bit on the ones I've driven, some are much harsher than others, there are also sometimes a restriction of torque when pulling away in battery mode, from the 4 LT's I've had they have all happily run in battery mode for quite a while, there is a way to make the engine cut in by hitting the AC button in the cab. On my first trip I was late leaving the garage as there was a problem with the bus so had to wait for another one to come in before I could leave, I finally left and made it to Oxford Circus uneventfully, arrived on my departure time, took my 5 mins and went, ending up getting back to the garage around 30 mins late so I'm late meal relief, have my 40 mins, get ready to go back out and there isn't a bus on the stand, around 10 mins later I finally managed to leave Showing TCR, another uneventful trip, get back to the garage around 15 late but in plenty of time for my last rounder, Leave on time and was fine all the way until just past TCR when someone decided it would be a good idea to press the emergency door open button on the rear door which slams on the brakes with no waning same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's other than that it was all good, quite enjoyed it Tuesday was much better, still really bad traffic in Hackney due to stupid temp traffic lights and normal cars users thinking a bus can get through the same gap as a smart car... oh well Here is LT 376 at Oxford Circus scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12314414_10203981789019822_8516826552366108831_o.jpgBrakes on LT are similar to DB300's much more powerful and less effort on your legs when you get used to it. Even if you do use exit door override on other buses the emergency open doors could still operate. If you keep pressing the close button when someone tries to open it, it would slam shut. Best one is the Plaxton Pointer 2 if someone pressed it, and you held down the close button in the cab, no matter how many times they pressed it, it would not open. I remember a road rage incident on the H28 where the bus driver was laughing at a car trying to fit through a small gap. The driver saw this and wasn't happy. He got out and pressed the emergency open button, but the driver was holding his button down so the doors kept flapping in his face. This was making the bus driver laugh even more which peeed the car driver off. He tried to kick the doors open, but they still kept closing everytime lol. |
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Post by VPL630 on Dec 4, 2015 2:08:12 GMT
Finally got the chance to drive the 55 on Monday and Tuesday, wasn't overly joyed as I had a great job on the 275 but such is life of a spare driver. The route itself is nice, pretty much a straight line, some of the turns are a but confusing when they are explained but I went over them the night before while running back a bus back to the garage just so I was clear, The LT's now that I've driven them in service are quite nice, just the back door delay is annoying, the brakes very quite a bit on the ones I've driven, some are much harsher than others, there are also sometimes a restriction of torque when pulling away in battery mode, from the 4 LT's I've had they have all happily run in battery mode for quite a while, there is a way to make the engine cut in by hitting the AC button in the cab. On my first trip I was late leaving the garage as there was a problem with the bus so had to wait for another one to come in before I could leave, I finally left and made it to Oxford Circus uneventfully, arrived on my departure time, took my 5 mins and went, ending up getting back to the garage around 30 mins late so I'm late meal relief, have my 40 mins, get ready to go back out and there isn't a bus on the stand, around 10 mins later I finally managed to leave Showing TCR, another uneventful trip, get back to the garage around 15 late but in plenty of time for my last rounder, Leave on time and was fine all the way until just past TCR when someone decided it would be a good idea to press the emergency door open button on the rear door which slams on the brakes with no waning same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's other than that it was all good, quite enjoyed it Tuesday was much better, still really bad traffic in Hackney due to stupid temp traffic lights and normal cars users thinking a bus can get through the same gap as a smart car... oh well Here is LT 376 at Oxford Circus scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfa1/t31.0-8/12314414_10203981789019822_8516826552366108831_o.jpgBrakes on LT are similar to DB300's much more powerful and less effort on your legs when you get used to it. Even if you do use exit door override on other buses the emergency open doors could still operate. If you keep pressing the close button when someone tries to open it, it would slam shut. Best one is the Plaxton Pointer 2 if someone pressed it, and you held down the close button in the cab, no matter how many times they pressed it, it would not open. Having done a 179 today, I'm actually looking forward to driving an LT tomorrow (Something I never thought I would say) the brakes are lovely and I really like the way they are set up and I miss my big mirrors  . I also had 10123 which is by far one of the fastest E400 on the flat but show it a hill and you will be better walking, 25mph up Woodford Avenue with 3 people onboard I think it has a boost leak or something as there is a loud hiss every time the turbo should be kicking in... The exit door override button on the TA's will override the emergency button for the rear door when it's active, on scania's it will slam the door shut if you touch the throttle to release the stop brake while holding the override button, but the LT's have none of this, Even holding the rear door close button doesn't stop the brakes from coming on when someone presses the emergency button |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Dec 4, 2015 14:13:40 GMT
Brakes on LT are similar to DB300's much more powerful and less effort on your legs when you get used to it. Even if you do use exit door override on other buses the emergency open doors could still operate. If you keep pressing the close button when someone tries to open it, it would slam shut. Best one is the Plaxton Pointer 2 if someone pressed it, and you held down the close button in the cab, no matter how many times they pressed it, it would not open. Having done a 179 today, I'm actually looking forward to driving an LT tomorrow (Something I never thought I would say) the brakes are lovely and I really like the way they are set up and I miss my big mirrors . I also had 10123 which is by far one of the fastest E400 on the flat but show it a hill and you will be better walking, 25mph up Woodford Avenue with 3 people onboard I think it has a boost leak or something as there is a loud hiss every time the turbo should be kicking in... The exit door override button on the TA's will override the emergency button for the rear door when it's active, on scania's it will slam the door shut if you touch the throttle to release the stop brake while holding the override button, but the LT's have none of this, Even holding the rear door close button doesn't stop the brakes from coming on when someone presses the emergency button The LT's do have an exit door override button. It is in the cabinet above the doors. All buses have them, just that Stagecoach wont be able to put them in the cab as they do not own the LT's. Stagecoach did it to the TA's, Scania's etc so in case of emergency of the exit doors failing, the driver could still bring the bus back to the garage or continue in service using the front doors only. I remember when the TA's were new, they never had them fitted in the cab, they were done at the depot by the electrician to re-wire it into the cab. |
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Post by VPL630 on Dec 4, 2015 14:55:06 GMT
Having done a 179 today, I'm actually looking forward to driving an LT tomorrow (Something I never thought I would say) the brakes are lovely and I really like the way they are set up and I miss my big mirrors . I also had 10123 which is by far one of the fastest E400 on the flat but show it a hill and you will be better walking, 25mph up Woodford Avenue with 3 people onboard I think it has a boost leak or something as there is a loud hiss every time the turbo should be kicking in... The exit door override button on the TA's will override the emergency button for the rear door when it's active, on scania's it will slam the door shut if you touch the throttle to release the stop brake while holding the override button, but the LT's have none of this, Even holding the rear door close button doesn't stop the brakes from coming on when someone presses the emergency button The LT's do have an exit door override button. It is in the cabinet above the doors. All buses have them, just that Stagecoach wont be able to put them in the cab as they do not own the LT's. Stagecoach did it to the TA's, Scania's etc so in case of emergency of the exit doors failing, the driver could still bring the bus back to the garage or continue in service using the front doors only. I remember when the TA's were new, they never had them fitted in the cab, they were done at the depot by the electrician to re-wire it into the cab. Fair enough, I suppose that's why we don't need starter keys to start the LT's either |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 15:21:32 GMT
A great thread, brings back memories. I jointed ELBG/Selkent in 2009, worked at Plumstead for the duration, with the exception of a brief holiday for a few weeks when the 122 transferred from PD to TL. I loved my time there, despite the sometimes erratic shift patterns and passengers pushing you to the edge at times! It's probably a bit easier now considering there is no more cash being taken on the platform.
Likewise to you 10001, I was a baby faced young driver, which was often a great source of amusement to my colleagues and passengers alike, take it as a compliment and endeavour to prove any naysayers wrong. It is a great job and company if you are looking to move up, a number of drivers I worked with are now controllers and instructors.
One thing I can guarantee is time flies when on the buses, I blinked and 4 and a half years flew by me!
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Post by greeny253 on Jan 7, 2016 16:27:55 GMT
One thing I can guarantee is time flies when on the buses, I blinked and 4 and a half years flew by me! Know that feeling. Went on the buses to make a life decision, blinked once and there I was several years later wanting out! |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 7, 2016 19:18:26 GMT
I had a change in direction before going back on buses, went coach driving doing mostly tours and continental work, I enjoyed being out of the city but didn't enjoy the isolation when something goes wrong - 6 hours for a mechanic to come to your assistance in Austria! Considered going truck driving but it's difficult to get a start, and then you're often working for the companies that have a high staff turnover (crap pay, conditions & supermarket work!).
Ended up back home in Dublin, applied for and got a job with Dublin Bus who leapt at the opportunity for an experienced driver - according to the training dept. they almost never get applications from D license holders! Now if I'm ever at a CPC or other course I always get picked on to regale them of stories on the buses in London - a vast difference compared to Dublin Bus which is a government funded semi-state operator with a strictly Volvo fleet (although there are attempts to privatise the system like London, to much opposition from the unions & public).
It doesn't feel like its been 7 years since I started out, a 21 year old with little knowledge of London, the first day alone is called your sweat day, well I had a sweat month! I still get nightmares about my first diversion!
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Post by Alex on Jan 8, 2016 23:01:54 GMT
A great thread, brings back memories. I jointed ELBG/Selkent in 2009, worked at Plumstead for the duration, with the exception of a brief holiday for a few weeks when the 122 transferred from PD to TL. I loved my time there, despite the sometimes erratic shift patterns and passengers pushing you to the edge at times! It's probably a bit easier now considering there is no more cash being taken on the platform. Likewise to you 10001, I was a baby faced young driver, which was often a great source of amusement to my colleagues and passengers alike, take it as a compliment and endeavour to prove any naysayers wrong. It is a great job and company if you are looking to move up, a number of drivers I worked with are now controllers and instructors. One thing I can guarantee is time flies when on the buses, I blinked and 4 and a half years flew by me! Yes, it is a great thread Hope you had a good Christmas and New Year 10301 (and the other forumers), and thanks for the recent updates, I read with interest about the door override (and that post about the H28 amused me a bit)  B7tl - PD garage? I live round the down the road from there, moved first part of 2013.....so looking at your 4.5 years from 2009 you'd have been driving when I first moved here  . PD to me was very fun then, I loved learning the area (which is a bus enthusiast haven - lots going on) with the Tridents and E400s that were about at the time. It's lost a bit of it's charm now it's hybrid city (the last Stagecoach fleet list showed only 9 Tridents left) but I have good memories. I know I've mentioned my PD memories before (sorry regular posters) but it was a fun time of my life, I feel very at home in SE18 You mention 122, and heading to TL......did you spend a lot of time on the 122? It's actually my favourite bus route, an interesting blend of areas on it. Were the duties etc paired with route 53 back then (as now)? Mr 10301 (or can I say Dave lol) how's the Romford nomination coming along? Have you managed to get a rest day there yet? Also with this talk of LT's, have you bagged much Scania work, I recall you saying you liked them. Hoping the job still has the excitement angle that it would have had when new. I've been on public transport 10 years this year (LU) and still enjoy it - to be honest I can't see me doing anything else apart from transport. When I was a kid, there were two things I wanted to be, a bus driver or a tube driver, and I'm like it as a grown up |
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guess I'll be driving the 55 at some point soon, just need to learn the route now 
? Controller asked me to leave on my leaders time on every trip after the first as I kept catching him up 
same thing happened as I turned right onto Regent Street, shame there is no Door Override button on the LT's 
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. PD to me was very fun then, I loved learning the area (which is a bus enthusiast haven - lots going on) with the Tridents and E400s that were about at the time. It's lost a bit of it's charm now it's hybrid city (the last Stagecoach fleet list showed only 9 Tridents left) but I have good memories. I know I've mentioned my PD memories before (sorry regular posters) but it was a fun time of my life, I feel very at home in SE18