"Dreadful" bus service on routes 1 and 78: Val Shawcross investigates

Is there an election soon?

I'm surprised to hear complaints about the no. 1 - it rates as my second-favourite bus route in London (after the 254). I very rarely wait long for it, seems pretty regular and reliable to me, and I always get a seat. Mind you, I don't commute using it... I just use it at weekends and evenings, so maybe that helps.

I have more of a problem with the 188, and their changing drivers at Elephant and Castle. Often this involves a lengthy wait if the driver starting his or her shift hasn't turned up on time. Drives me mad. Sometimes they don't turn up at all and the bus terminates prematurely. Grr!

As for the 42 and 78, I completely agree: too small, too infrequent, always packed. Absolutely useless. Why are such small vehicles used? They're only marginally larger than minibuses!

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As for the 42 and 78, I completely agree: too small, too infrequent, always packed. Absolutely useless. Why are such small vehicles used? They're only marginally larger than minibuses!

I would guess it's because they have to go through the railway tunnel on Tower Bridge Road near Druid Street. A double-decker would be too tall.

But you can get bigger single-deckers than those though...

In a previous thread on here about the 78 bus, someone said the size of vehicle was restricted by a low bridge at the Nunhead end of the route.

Laphroaig wrote:

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As for the 42 and 78, I completely agree: too small, too infrequent, always packed. Absolutely useless. Why are such small vehicles used? They're only marginally larger than minibuses!

I would guess it's because they have to go through the railway tunnel on Tower Bridge Road near Druid Street. A double-decker would be too tall.

The 188 manages fine and the 78 used to be a double decker.
The problem is at the Nunhead with all those little streets with cars parked either side. More buses would be the answer.

If the 78 bus could be the same size as the 42, it would make a difference. Given the number of OKR Tesco shoppers and mums with buggies, and elderly people, it is an uncomfortable journey at the best of times - even off-peak, if there is such a thing, these days.

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The 188 manages fine and the 78 used to be a double decker.

You're right; I forgot about the 188. Bring back the double decker!

I ride from Grange Road to Old Street and have a lovely route which is pretty direct and almost 'car free'.

From Borough/ Long Lane/ Gt Dover St junction turn down Gt Dover St. Take the first road on the left (Tabard St) (going past the amazing Simply Indian and Royal Oak pub!) At the T junction take a left into Pilgrimage St, so the park is on your RHS. Take the first right (Manciple St). Follow it round to the left and at the T junction with Weston St where you take a right. This will lead you to Decima street (on the right) and on to the end of Bermondsey St and the junction with TBR and Grange Rd.

The only slightly dangerous spot is the junction into Weston Street which can be a bit blind if someone's parked too close to the junction... But there are very few cars along this route - so much much safer!!

Hope this helps!

Gwynaeth

you can add routes to CamdenCycling online maps
there are already some for SE1

you have to register (free) and drop them an email

im not quite savvy enough with Google maps - but it looks all setup for someone with the skills


http://maps.camdencyclists.org.uk/documentation/contributing.html



personally im way impressed with the easiness of routes marked with arrows on the road

- without even looking at a map i cycled from Albert Embankment to Clapham Common to watch the fireworks one year and all i had to do was remember it was route no 3 and just look for the numbered arrow at junctions

even got the sharp right shortcut through a council estate halfway round the Oval right first time

it would have taken me at least twice as long for that single journey if id tried to find the way using a cycle map with all those great little back roads with no traffic - id probly just have got fed up and used main roads