Group: uk.transport.london · Group Profile
Author: Paul CorfieldPaul Corfield Date: Jul 31, 2008 13:46
>On Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:58:14 +0100, MarkVarley - MVP
> softhome.net> wrote:
>>>That winds me up often, I live at one end of the 38 route and often
>>use it to get to victoria at the other end, around 50%% of the time my
>>bus won't make-it!
>
>In a sensible world, where TfL was an operator and had hundreds of
>buses at its disposal, turning short wouldn't be necessary because
>they could take one bus off each of several high-frequency routes and
>use it to beef up the number of buses on the problem route to maintain
>frequency and coverage.
When LT was the operator it was never, ever like that. Reliability was
often utterly dire and there was no flexibility to move anything between
routes. The 38 has always been problematic - even with 55 RMs on it.
The extent of roadworks in the West End in recent months have wrecked a
number of bus routes - the 38 being one - and unfortunately the ELL
works at Dalston in a few weeks time will affect the 38 for several
months. Then we'll have the deep joy of it being type converted away
from bendy buses back to double decks and seeing the reliability
collapse all over again while whatever operator wins the contract gets
used to using pay as you enter buses on this very busy route.
Yes there are rigidities with the contracted regime that is now used but
overall it gives a decent result plus there is proper performance
monitoring and the public can see the results of that process. Did you
have a comparable operation in mind when you made your comment? The
nearest I can think of is Kowloon Motor Bus in HK which has more
flexibility to respond in the way you suggest than most operators.
--
Paul C
Admits to working for London Underground!
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