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Post by Alex on Jan 18, 2016 0:17:00 GMT
On balance I think I-Bus has been a good development and has helped improve bus services for Londoners. Anyone disagree? No Mr. Snoggle, I don't disagree at all , it would be a right royal pain to be without it these days. I recall the first time I saw it used, on route 93 when I was living down that way. I didn't know what it was at first, myself and the ex conductor I was renting a room from at the time describing it as 'the voice'. We thought it was purely an info thing for passengers on board, and didn't come to realise the other benefits until later on. Also, I'd like to point out that with our first name for it, I'd rather spend an hour listening to iBus announcements than the namesake show on the tv At the time the announcements seemed a pain, and the old school ex-conductor had to do it down with "what do they think everyone's stupid and don't know where they're going" sort of thing. However, it became routine very quickly and seemed odd to go on another local route where iBus hadn't been introduced yet. Since then I have found this an immense help in unfamiliar areas, and also in conditions where you can't see out of bus windows due to condensation etc. Also from an anorak point of view hearing a route you like (or have some sort of connection with) is quite reassuring. Hearing '53, to Plumstead Station' on my way home via night bus is quite comforting (for want of a better description). Having the driver PA is brilliant too, just wish more used it to announce diversions, holding back etc. Also the iBus playing up can raise a few smiles (or get tempers up) too. I recall one 122 journey back one night where it continually announced '122, to Plumstead Bus Garage' followed by 'for your child's safety, please remain with your buggy' followed by the next stop three times, then the destination about three times, then the buggy thing again. I think, as I was in a jovial mood coming back from a night out, I appreciated this the right way heading down the Westhorne Avenue Guessing this poster may be a member here, but here's a good example of iBus being naughty: www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgPT_Y1g_p8Then moving onto Countdown, and - the phenomenon that is London Vehicle Finder, I can't fault it. I'd hate to be without these now and indeed a lot of people (both in TfL and out) have worked hard. I'm not sure everyone appreciates it though, was chatting to a PD driver who said "the job was loads better before they tracked the buses - we did loads of skiving"
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 0:39:36 GMT
On balance I think I-Bus has been a good development and has helped improve bus services for Londoners. Anyone disagree? No Mr. Snoggle, I don't disagree at all , it would be a right royal pain to be without it these days. I recall the first time I saw it used, on route 93 when I was living down that way. I didn't know what it was at first, myself and the ex conductor I was renting a room from at the time describing it as 'the voice'. We thought it was purely an info thing for passengers on board, and didn't come to realise the other benefits until later on. Also, I'd like to point out that with our first name for it, I'd rather spend an hour listening to iBus announcements than the namesake show on the tv At the time the announcements seemed a pain, and the old school ex-conductor had to do it down with "what do they think everyone's stupid and don't know where they're going" sort of thing. However, it became routine very quickly and seemed odd to go on another local route where iBus hadn't been introduced yet. Since then I have found this an immense help in unfamiliar areas, and also in conditions where you can't see out of bus windows due to condensation etc. Also from an anorak point of view hearing a route you like (or have some sort of connection with) is quite reassuring. Hearing '53, to Plumstead Station' on my way home via night bus is quite comforting (for want of a better description). Having the driver PA is brilliant too, just wish more used it to announce diversions, holding back etc. Also the iBus playing up can raise a few smiles (or get tempers up) too. I recall one 122 journey back one night where it continually announced '122, to Plumstead Bus Garage' followed by 'for your child's safety, please remain with your buggy' followed by the next stop three times, then the destination about three times, then the buggy thing again. This reminds me of when I was once on an 85 and instead of each stop announcement, the Ibus would announce Putney Heath Green Putney station about 7 or 8 times. The driver had enough around Roehampton Asda and switched the bus off, took him another 20 minutes to get the engine working again.
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Post by vjaska on Jan 18, 2016 0:41:49 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2016 11:30:42 GMT
I think East Thames Buses used some TN(L)s as iBus floats too. I remember riding an older example on the no. 1 around 2008, which was cool, since First used to operate the no. 1 with those buses. I also remember that the driver missed the turning into Grange Road from Tower Bridge Road, and a lot of people started to panic and demanded to get off, lol. Anyone have a favourite iBus announcement? Mine are "390, to Notting Hill Gate" and "63, to Honor Oak, Forest Hill Tavern".
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Post by Nathan on Jan 18, 2016 12:31:58 GMT
I think East Thames Buses used some TN(L)s as iBus floats too. I remember riding an older example on the no. 1 around 2008, which was cool, since First used to operate the no. 1 with those buses. I also remember that the driver missed the turning into Grange Road from Tower Bridge Road, and a lot of people started to panic and demanded to get off, lol. Anyone have a favourite iBus announcement? Mine are "390, to Notting Hill Gate" and "63, to Honor Oak, Forest Hill Tavern". The strangest and probably longest one I've heard was "80 to Belmont, Highdown and Downview Prisons"
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Post by M1199 on Jan 18, 2016 20:12:18 GMT
Weren't those Loynes the ones that ended up with Metroline at HD? Forgotten all about those until I saw your pics. I remember First's Ibus float vehicles, X reg TN's and a motley bunch of T/V reg DMS's. They all had specially made blinds with 1 route from each garage on them. The U3 was temporarily converted to DMS operation for about 2 weeks, drew a few complaints from the locals! I didn't mind them, drivers seemed to like chucking them around! Can also remember the 2 or 3 Stagecoach ALX200's that were on loan to AV, seemed to stay a long while after Ibus was rolled out. After initially finding it irritating, I don't tend to notice it nowadays, although I do find it useful if your in a part of town your unfamiliar with. I do miss the sounds the old radio system used to make when getting a call from Centrecomm though. Favourite announcement: anything 222 to .............. - Still sounds odd to me!
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Post by vjaska on Jan 18, 2016 21:31:12 GMT
Weren't those Loynes the ones that ended up with Metroline at HD? Forgotten all about those until I saw your pics. I remember First's Ibus float vehicles, X reg TN's and a motley bunch of T/V reg DMS's. They all had specially made blinds with 1 route from each garage on them. The U3 was temporarily converted to DMS operation for about 2 weeks, drew a few complaints from the locals! I didn't mind them, drivers seemed to like chucking them around! Can also remember the 2 or 3 Stagecoach ALX200's that were on loan to AV, seemed to stay a long while after Ibus was rolled out. After initially finding it irritating, I don't tend to notice it nowadays, although I do find it useful if your in a part of town your unfamiliar with. I do miss the sounds the old radio system used to make when getting a call from Centrecomm though. Favourite announcement: anything 222 to .............. - Still sounds odd to me! From memory, those Lolynes I took photos off were on loan from Carousel but I could be wrong lol.
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Post by Hassaan on Jan 18, 2016 21:58:23 GMT
It was early 2008 when iBus first appeared at Hounslow garage. The first bus with that system I remember getting on was VA306 on the 120 (twice on the same day when making a return journey), and I knew nothing about the system so it was a surprise. It was several weeks since I saw another bus with it, which had me hoping it was the end of the Euro 2 B7TL's (I knew nothing about the tendering system back then!). I also remember the First TN's loaned to Hounslow, Euro 2 X-HLT ones, but unfortunately I never got to go on one as my bus usage at the time was very irregular. It is possible I may have got a bus on the 123 fitted with it back in 2006, assuming some deckers at Tottenham were fitted back then, as that was the last year I visited relatives living near the route (just off A1400 Woodford Avenue).
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Post by vjaska on Jan 19, 2016 0:19:01 GMT
Can't remember the first time I saw it but it must of been on an Arriva London South route as I believe they were one of the first operators to start receiving it in my area. Arriva used spare DLA's for decker routes rather than loan in other vehicles from other operators whilst PDL1-5 were used for single decker routes - I rode most, if not, all 5 on the 312, 410 & 450. SW & Q saw a mix of Metroline TPL's, Blue Triangle TL's & First London TN's being used. I also rode a TN on the 57 when TV was having I-Bus installed.
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Post by rmz19 on Jan 19, 2016 1:35:45 GMT
Favourite announcement: anything 222 to .............. - uStill sounds odd to me! Just imagine if the 222 terminates at Tooting lool
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Post by TA1 on Jan 19, 2016 9:24:02 GMT
Weren't those Loynes the ones that ended up with Metroline at HD? Forgotten all about those until I saw your pics. I remember First's Ibus float vehicles, X reg TN's and a motley bunch of T/V reg DMS's. They all had specially made blinds with 1 route from each garage on them. The U3 was temporarily converted to DMS operation for about 2 weeks, drew a few complaints from the locals! I didn't mind them, drivers seemed to like chucking them around! Can also remember the 2 or 3 Stagecoach ALX200's that were on loan to AV, seemed to stay a long while after Ibus was rolled out. After initially finding it irritating, I don't tend to notice it nowadays, although I do find it useful if your in a part of town your unfamiliar with. I do miss the sounds the old radio system used to make when getting a call from Centrecomm though. Favourite announcement: anything 222 to .............. - Still sounds odd to me! From memory, those Lolynes I took photos off were on loan from Carousel but I could be wrong lol. I recall Metroline had those Lolynes - ET765-770, whilst Metroline where short of buses & the fitment of ibus was carried out. The Lolynes where on loan from Wealden PSV, but prior to returning on lease to Metroline and East London respectively some where used by Carousel of High Wycombe.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2016 14:32:14 GMT
I think I first encountered iBus on an AVL on the 63/363. I always thought it was curious how on buses with the staircase in the middle, they installed the iBus display behind the staircase. Which meant only people sitting at the back could see it.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2016 20:48:27 GMT
I recently asked TfL if i bus or countdown could be installed at Gallows Corner Industrial site, A12, bus stop GG, but was told no=due to cost. I think this would be very helpful to the area--perhaps they will reconsider.
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Post by enviroPB on Mar 9, 2016 1:02:00 GMT
Favourite announcement: anything 222 to .............. - uStill sounds odd to me! Just imagine if the 222 terminates at Tooting lool My mate and I make that joke all the time lool. I honestly thought it's been 10 years since it was London-wide but that was 2008 so times have changed when you ride a route for the 1st time and not have to wait in fear for the last stop; and bus driver giving you 'the stare' cause you were the first passenger he picked up Happy birthday iBus! Definitely know Arriva were the first company in London to have all their systems fitted first. The TfL documents in late 2007 that gave a time scale as to when every bus route was fitted; they wasted resources by not having a stamp at the top: ALL ARRIVA ROUTES HAVE 'The Voice' That being said, it is unsurprising that the 123 was the only route around Ilford, then followed 128 closely after. I got worried for a while that the floats would be commonplace on the 86 when they showed up. People along Romford Road got a tad snooty abstaining from Lancs with boarding capacity to wait for a Trident to the brim with rush hour rafters...oh to be a naïve member of the travelling public!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 11, 2016 17:44:15 GMT
I was wondering what if Apple or Microsoft Designed the IBus.
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