View Single Post
  #61   Report Post  
Old February 3rd 11, 09:32 AM posted to uk.transport.london
George George is offline
external usenet poster
 
First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Nov 2010
Posts: 79
Default Bus route - going back to depot

On 2 Feb, 21:41, Paul Corfield wrote:
On Wed, 2 Feb 2011 04:15:47 -0800 (PST), George

wrote:
On 1 Feb, 20:54, Paul Corfield wrote:


[snip]





While some bus services in those conurbations will be busy I doubt any
get close to the highest frequencies in London nor see the same scale of
demand. And that is not decrying the efforts of the bus companies in
those areas although I dare say the locals probably would complain about
what they get. *It is worth noting that the Mayor and TfL seem to have
convinced the DfT and Treasury that broadly maintaining London's bus
network is a "good thing" for the country. *While the budget may well be
trimmed somewhat and fares will rise the essential nature of the network
will be preserved. If the London approach was fatally flawed and
unaffordable surely the government would have demanded an alternative
approach? * It seems to be demanding that in every other sector like
health, education, the BBC, social services etc etc.


Still we could always do what Northamptonshire County Council are
suggesting - abolishing all bus service subsidies (already very low) and
expecting the private sector to cover some of the lost journeys. There
is some residual funding for combined social service / demand responsive
travel for some parts of the county. *I feel genuinely sorry for those
people in Northants who will lose their bus services permanently as a
result of government cuts to council funding.

Yes it does seem appalling that people in Northants face losing their
bus services whilst TfL continue to throw good money after bad on
Hybrid buses not too mention the Oystercard system which seems to be
attracting more and more complaints from rail users about being
overcharged, although I'll admit it does generally work well on buses
where a flat fare is deducted on entry.


I note you have casually changed the subject and ignored 98% of what I
typed in order to maintain your anti-TfL commentary.

Out of curiosity are Stagecoach, Thames Travel, First Manchester and
Reading Buses also throwing good money after bad in purchasing hybrid
buses with assistance from the DfT funding pot? *No different to TfL's
approach.

I assume you will also throw in the Borismaster to the "waste of money"
category as it is planned to be a hybrid vehicle?

Strange that you decry Oyster and yet every large city and many counties
want something similar. Are Go North East, Metrobus, Brighton and Hove
and Trent Barton also wasting their time in investing in smart card
systems for their services? * You can't have it both ways George. *The
things you criticise TfL for are also being implemented by profit making
private bus groups elsewhere in the country. Smartcards are also planned
for many rail franchises and the Tyne and Wear Metro. Many of those
initiatives are also supported by government policy and funding - green
buses and ITSO ticketing.

--
Paul C- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -


I'm not sure how I've ignored 98% of what you've said but anyway, the
one or two hybrids on trial is one thing but the amount we have in
London is ridiculous, I notice those 'electric buses' that used to
operate on the 129 very rarely leave Walworth Garage nowadays.

If Oyster worked properly it would be great but quite clearly it
doesn't.