http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/list/1 EN Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:51:31 +0000 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:51:31 +0000 SE1 Discussion Phorum 5.1.6 600 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/123400#msg-123400 forum@london-se1.co.uk (angelikarobinson)
I'm surprised that more bus drivers don't end up hanging from lamp posts.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/123400#msg-123400 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 14:51:31 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/123331#msg-123331 forum@london-se1.co.uk (James Hatts)
[b]Valerie Shawcross[/b]: How long should passengers aboard routes like the 188 and the 1 be expected to wait on a stationary bus while drivers changeover mid route?

[b]Boris Johnson[/b]: TfL would expect for driver changeovers to be conducted smoothly, and for passengers to wait for no more than two minutes.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/123331#msg-123331 Tue, 02 Mar 2010 16:38:13 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122575#msg-122575 forum@london-se1.co.uk (collfio)
[i][b]Route 188 Russell Square - North Greenwich[/b]
Usage is growing on this route and we are proposing to increase the Sunday and evening frequency from buses running every 12 minutes to buses running every 10 minutes.

Comments and suggestions regarding these proposals should be received by Friday 18 March 2010 to STEngagement@tfl.gov.uk[/i]

So this is a good time to send in comments and complaints about the service. They are also doing the 78, see the 78 thread.

Regards

Fiona Colley
Researcher for Valerie Shawcross AM]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122575#msg-122575 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:59:20 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122409#msg-122409 forum@london-se1.co.uk (dee dee) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122409#msg-122409 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 15:08:04 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122405#msg-122405 forum@london-se1.co.uk (ajyap)
I had to reach London Bridge station at 4am on a Saturday for Gatwick Airport. The bus serving the route from York Road was N381. The bus timetable showed it was to come at 3.42am. It didn't arrive until 4.05am. That's a good 20-minute delay! I missed the train. Why are the buses from Waterloo so hopeless???]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122405#msg-122405 Tue, 09 Feb 2010 13:41:49 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122358#msg-122358 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Busylizzy)
Then there was the time a gang of boys threatened to stab me and the driver did nothing (I'm a middle aged female with four bags of shopping, not a boy from the 'hood, know what I mean?). I got the MP involved in that one.

In short, I have to use this route all the time between Southwark, Bermondsey & Greenwich and I now either walk, use the tube or the BR rather than take the dratted bus. It's expensive but at least I feel safer!]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122358#msg-122358 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 16:36:00 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122344#msg-122344 forum@london-se1.co.uk (fortyfive) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122344#msg-122344 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 13:34:37 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122330#msg-122330 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Tis I, Leclere)
When it was "good old London Transport", it was common for more than one garage to operate on routes - quite often one at one end of the route, the other in the middle [53: Plumstead & New Cross; 177: Abbey Wood & New Cross; 1: Bromley, Catford, New Cross & Willesden]

These days the location of the garage seems to have no relation to the actual route - just who offers the cheapest tender price. Hence, the 78 from Dagenham, and when First operated the 1 it originally came from their depot in Dagenham and the 453 from SELKENT's Plumstead garage before being re-allocated to GAL at Mandela Way.... In these cases, numerous empty buses would travel back and forth when drivers started/finished their duties - a wicked waste of fuel.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122330#msg-122330 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 11:37:38 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122295#msg-122295 forum@london-se1.co.uk (vbob)
When waiting so long for a bus and seeing two coming at the same time can be just as frustrating as being held on a bus being 'regulating'.

Actually, I'd take being held at a bus stop whilst onboard than having to wait double time for two coming at once.

Just my preference.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122295#msg-122295 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 23:19:57 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122181#msg-122181 forum@london-se1.co.uk (darrenm) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122181#msg-122181 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:33:13 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122163#msg-122163 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Emmesse)
If a 188 has stopped at Elephant to change drivers, there's only room for 1 more double decker to pull in behind it at the stop, so the third one (not unusual given that the bus stop is served by 6 bus routes) has to wait down the New Kent Rd trying not to block the green man crossing until the bus stuck behind the 188 inches out into traffic in order to overtake the stationary-for-five-minutes 188.

When the 188 was London General instead of Travel London/Abellio/Whatever the company is called this week, they used to change drivers in Waterloo Road, but at least by that point, you had additional options in the 68, 171 and 176 to change onto, compared to the New Kent Rd.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122163#msg-122163 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 17:00:53 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122144#msg-122144 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Zoelou)
The number 1 does change drivers at the Fort near Spa Park as does the number 78.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122144#msg-122144 Wed, 03 Feb 2010 11:07:30 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122082#msg-122082 forum@london-se1.co.uk (La Martinet)
Ah yes. Waterloo bus station - a spectacularly dreadful piece of traffic design all round but the phasing of the exit lights is the icing!]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122082#msg-122082 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 10:09:00 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122072#msg-122072 forum@london-se1.co.uk (MDonovan)
...aaaaaaaand breathe. Calm blue ocean, Calm blue ocean, Calm blue ocean...]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122072#msg-122072 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 23:19:14 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122070#msg-122070 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Bel Ludovic) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122070#msg-122070 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:38:06 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122067#msg-122067 forum@london-se1.co.uk (shoggy) I always try to avoid it. I've really grown to hate the men in neon that jump out at elephant whenever you are running late.
I've been on buses that are already pulling away from the stop at Elephant and out of nowhere a little man with a clipboard will dash across the road and pull over the bus!

And as for "being told to put their foot down".
I have to admit that I have also been on the both the 1 and the 188 late at night when the drivers seem to be on a mission to drive as fast as possible either to 'regulate services' or more likely to get home!
Not the safest journey but it usually mean you can get from the Aldwich to Tower Bridge road in 10 mins flat!Just hold on tight and ring the bell in plenty of time!]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122067#msg-122067 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:13:12 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122034#msg-122034 forum@london-se1.co.uk (MDonovan)
Before East Thames took over the route from First Group, the changeover used to happen at Canada Water. Unfortunately, as East Thames (and now Go Ahead) are based at Mandela Way they find it easier for the drivers to walk up to the Fort than travel the 10-15mins to the end of the route.

It drives me up the wall. As BL said, when did it become OK to incovenience your customers for the convenience of your staff?

And as far as regulating the service goes, it's a one way street. You never see a driver late running being told to put his foot down a bit to regulate the service, do you? ;o)

M x]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122034#msg-122034 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:43:53 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122033#msg-122033 forum@london-se1.co.uk (dee dee)
When you ask why it is all to regulate the service and keep to time tables forget customer service and reliability!]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122033#msg-122033 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:43:00 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122027#msg-122027 forum@london-se1.co.uk (juanita) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122027#msg-122027 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:11:06 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122024#msg-122024 forum@london-se1.co.uk (darrenm) SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122024#msg-122024 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 14:01:44 +0000 http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122020#msg-122020 forum@london-se1.co.uk (Bel Ludovic)
On Saturday, I boarded the 188 at Bricklayer's Arms. At the next stop (mystifying called Tower Bridge Road, despite being on New Kent Road), the driver announced that the bus would need to be held for at least seven minutes - but passengers wishing to move off quicker could disembark and get on another 188 that was right behind us. Half the bus's passengers disembarked and waited at the bus stop. A few seconds later, the second 188 sailed past the bus stop without even stopping, ignoring the outstetched arms flagging it down. The disgruntled passengers got back on the original 188 and waited. Once the bus driver eventually resumed the journey it was only two stops before, quelle surprise, the bus was delayed again at E&C while they changed driver.

And that's my biggest bugbear of all. Is the 188 the only bus where they change driver midway through the route? I take many other buses on many different routes, and haven't noticed it anywhere else. I would say that fifty per cent of the time I take the 188 northbound to E&C, it happens. It usually involves the bus being held for at least five minutes - which may not sound much but is annoying if you're in a hurry.

Sometimes the replacement driver is late or doesn't show up at all, so the bus waits... and waits... or just terminates early. How many times have I been on another bus that services New Kent Road and witnessed it overtaking a 188 that is temporarily grounded while drivers swap shifts, or grounded full-stop after a no-show? Too many times to mention.

On one occasion, the replacement driver was there, ready to take over, but spent literally five minutes adjusting the wing mirror. Sitting down, deciding it wasn't right, getting up again to twist it slightly, and repeating the whole exercise at least ten times until I lost patience and got off the wretched bus.

Even when there is no change of driver at E&C, someone with a flourescent jacket and clipboard will always board the bus and have a chat with the driver, whilst passengers sit and quietly fume "get on with it!".

I'd like the 188 to stop drivers starting and ending their shifts at E&C. It might be convenient for staff, but too often it leads to inconvenience for passengers, whose needs should come first. And I'd like more research done into whether passengers prefer buses to be held in order to even out gaps in the service or whether, once they're on the bus, they just want the thing to get to its destination as quickly as possible.]]> SE1 Discussion http://www.london-se1.co.uk/forum/read/1/122020/122020#msg-122020 Mon, 01 Feb 2010 13:39:47 +0000