|
Post by busman on Jan 11, 2024 12:52:25 GMT
One of Susan Hall‘s policies is to get rid of 20mph speed limits on red routes and other major roads. Will be interesting to read her manifesto when it comes out. Khan and Hall are both awful, but I might just have to hold my nose and vote to reverse some of the stupidity that Khan has imposed on us.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 10, 2024 12:00:15 GMT
Update 10 January 2024 Today we have published the results of this consultation. We received 869 responses to the consultation and would like to thank everyone that took part. Following careful consideration of the consultation responses and a further review of what was proposed, we have decided to modify the original proposals and to proceed with a revised scheme as follows: Route 346 – will be restructured to operate between Upminster Park Estate, Waycross Road, and Dagnam Park Square via Upminster and Harold Hill. We will not now install bus driver facilities at Waycross Road. In response to feedback, the restructured route will operate at a higher frequency than that consulted upon and a new Sunday service will be introduced. The route will therefore operate every 20 minutes Monday-Sunday daytimes and evenings Route 347 – will continue to operate Route 497 – will be replaced in its entirety by the extended route 346, as described above Details of the feedback we received, our response to the issues raised, and more information about next steps can be found in the consultation report. Politically unviable right now to cut bus services in outer London boroughs whilst simultaneously imposing ULEZ. In the initial consultation, TfL suggested data did not support the existing frequency of the 346, but they are now retaining it. Now Khan can say that he has improved bus services in the area due to the frequency upgrade on the 497 section. It’s a great outcome for the local passengers.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 10, 2024 8:25:38 GMT
The explosion is a worrying development but not actually surprising. In general, depressingly ,there are people now allowing themselves to get so angry about policies and people in power that they are becoming extremists. Edit - i say allowing themselves , but it’s not helped by some politicians talking abhorrent nonsense about other human beings. Appealing to deep held views amongst some around ethnicity. There is a cross over between those who despise Sadiq Khan for example and EDL types. You can oppose Khan without being racist or becoming an extremist happy to blow up street furniture risking passers by A lot of this kind of thing is fuelled by the media, the stories and constant coverage they give them as it generates hits for them. Just look how organisations such as Just Stop Oil have thrived out of the media in the past few years. If none of their stories were published or given front page news they would have given up. To a certain extent, but with the rise of social media the power of mainstream media to control the narrative is not as absolute as it once was. Movements spread en masse through publicly generated digital content. The media has no choice but to report on these events, otherwise the public being affected would start to question why the issue was being overlooked and our free open press would be accused of not doing their job. Ultimately this whole episode shows a weakness in our democracy. We get to vote every 5 years and hand carte blanche power to our politicians even when the landscape has changed. Also this system gives political leaders room to pivot even against significant public opposition- which is likely to lead to social unrest if people feel there is no other way. Like it or not, the ULEZ expansion to all of London was not part of Khan’s 2021 manifesto. By not putting the expansion to a vote (either referendum or saving it for the 2024 election) the mayor has incurred the wrath of the public who see a mayor implementing a policy with absolutely zero mandate that increases costs of living and doing business at a time when many people are struggling financially. I don’t think we should put up and shut up when any politician abuses their power or authority. The sad thing about the future, is that the Conservatives have once again served up a really poor candidate. I can’t bring myself to vote for Sue Hall. Like the previous mayoral election, I will probably sit this one out unless another viable option becomes available.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 9, 2024 21:50:24 GMT
PVR reduction to boot (obviously) Can’t see this route surviving to be honest. Not much of a loss though tbh, it’s a bloody awful route 😂 definitely one of two or three contenders for my least favourite London bus route Agree, never been a fan of the 228 since it was introduced. It’s a meandering mess that can be replaced by other existing connections. For a single decker in zone 1 to only run every 30 minutes indicates a failure in demand.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 9, 2024 13:59:48 GMT
Not quite bus related but it looks like Khan has found another £30m down the sofa to stave on the tube strikes. More money it seems coming from where? There’s always money. It all depends on where we choose to spend it. Often it goes to whoever shouts the loudest.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 9, 2024 10:59:53 GMT
Copied from the link:
Police Scotland said they were called at about 08:30 to a report of a crash involving a bus and confirmed that no-one was hurt. A spokesperson for Stagecoach East Scotland confirmed there were no passengers on the bus at the time.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 9, 2024 10:05:08 GMT
Must have been terrifying for the driver. Even more the passengers Thankfully, the report stated there were no passengers on board.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 8, 2024 19:28:42 GMT
Must have been terrifying for the driver.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 7, 2024 10:16:31 GMT
Bus Stops in Bromley now have notices for Routes SL3 & SL5. I’m impressed at this organised effort from TfL. Early communication, simple and clear information with a route diagram. Hopefully this appears in the next few weeks across all SL3 and SL5 stops.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 6, 2024 10:40:42 GMT
Bus Stops in Bromley now have notices for Routes SL3 & SL5. Wow, that’s early!
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 4, 2024 22:15:12 GMT
As are numerous others. Are these new journeys a part of the Heathrow initiative to get more shift workers to use buses by supporting them at such hours? We now have a 459 from the otherwise almost unserved Richings Park area in the middle of the night and several longer-distance services comprising just one or two one-way trips to arrive at Heathrow by 04.00. Don't understand these one way journeys..... am I missing something or how are people supposed to get ack from their shift? I think the 459 is free for Heathrow staff. I agree, it’s odd that there are no return journeys, but during the later morning and day there is the option to take a train between West Drayton and Iver, 3 to connect with Heathrow buses at Uxbridge or Slough, or grab a lift with a colleague who is driving that way. The big problem will be getting to Heathrow for early shifts.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Jan 4, 2024 0:14:21 GMT
As are numerous others. Are these new journeys a part of the Heathrow initiative to get more shift workers to use buses by supporting them at such hours? We now have a 459 from the otherwise almost unserved Richings Park area in the middle of the night and several longer-distance services comprising just one or two one-way trips to arrive at Heathrow by 04.00. Yes, these are primarily for workers getting to and from the airport and associated suppliers located in the airport area.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Dec 17, 2023 19:19:16 GMT
There never would in your books, neither party could do no wrong. You confuse 'never' with being reasonable. I think busman essentially summed it up well in a post a few pages back. Being reasonable is out of fashion in the UK. You either have to love reds & hate blues OR you love blues & hate reds. The UK is becoming far too polarised, like the US Khan in my opinion has been a poor mayor. Livingstone and Johnson could both at least point to a positive aspect of their legacy. Khan? Absolutely nothing. Apart from Superloop. This may actually be the one thing he has implemented that I agree with. Everything else from his virtue signalling that marked the start of his reign through to his stupid 20mph everywhere rules and LTNs…disaster. His soft approach to policing leaves a lot to be desired too. But some of the blame for poor policing has to go to the higher-ups too… At a national level, the Tories have absolutely screwed this country. Thirteen years of power and what have we got to show for it? The country has regressed in every aspect. I’m actually leaving with my family next year. I’ve had enough of this place. I didn’t vote for any of these jokers. Politicians, their foreign country paymasters, and their spin doctors are laughing at us. We’re out of here…but not before riding the SL3 😉
|
|
|
Post by busman on Dec 12, 2023 20:46:05 GMT
They do have a valid point of the relief point being mid-route, it's an express route, the contract price should've included the additional cost of the drivers travelling to/from North Finchley from the garage. That's a good point, I thought the 607 ran far more efficiently from UX than it does now from G with time consuming midroute changeovers. An extra stop was added to the 607 at Iron Bridge solely to facilitate driver changeovers. Absolute joke.
|
|
|
Post by busman on Dec 12, 2023 20:24:06 GMT
I’ve only glanced at the timetable to see the frequency at Plumstead and Albany Park looks better than it did in 2022. But until the DfT reinstates Charing Cross services on the Greenwich line, SouthEastern trains are dead to me. They won’t reinstate Charing Cross services via Greenwich due to conflicting movements around North East Kent Junction area and the same with services via Lewisham, also the next SE timetable change in June 24 will evenly space services between SE & TL via Woolwich (more likely SE will run at different times as it’s more complicated for TL) and all day 4tph at Albany Park which will hopefully evenly spread services out via Sidcup The even spacing of services on the Woolwich line and restoration of 4th at Albany Park would be a good future improvement. I should have more accurately referred to restoration of Charing Cross services on the Woolwich line, as you alluded to in your reply. The occasional fast peak service used to run via Greenwich, but the regular half hourly service ran via Lewisham. I understand that the problem of running services into Charing Cross was a result of the solution for another problem (so typical of the UK!), but all it did was push Woolwich line passengers onto the DLR and Lizzie line.
|
|