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Old March 11th 11, 10:22 AM posted to uk.transport.london
George George is offline
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First recorded activity at LondonBanter: Nov 2010
Posts: 79
Default Is it too much to expect buses to actually stop at bus stops?

On 9 Mar, 08:42, peter wrote:
This is the most recent response I have received (albeit almost two
years ago now) on this topic ....

"Thank you for contacting London Buses, regarding a route 345 bus
driver, who failed to stop for you at 0822 hours at the end of
Coldharbour Lane, heading towards Camberwell on 17 March 2009.

"All drivers trained by London General undergo a thorough and
intensive training programme, which includes a strong emphasis on
customer care. Carrying passengers to their destinations is, after
all, the very nature of the service that we provide and we expect our
staff to do so in a safe, courteous and caring manner.

"During training, drivers are instructed to stop at all white
compulsory stops and to be fully alert and aware of passengers wishing
to board at red request stops. I am sorry you have had reason to
report the contrary on this occasion."

The implication appears to be that the distinction between compulsory
and request stops remains, despite its absence from any TfL
publicity. * But there is clearly no enthusiasm from TfL to enforce
it. *Writing letters of complaint elicit a polite reply, like the one
above, followed by an assurance that action has been taken, but
nothing ever changes.

peter




That is the same reply I've had in the past and no doubt the one I'll
get when this complaint eventually gets dealt with, but as you say
nothing ever changes.

In my experience the problem is far worse in Central London than in
the suburbs although I don't know why that should be.

Surely the rule should be that drivers should stop at all stops where
passengers are waiting, and if in doubt stop anyway, and passengers
should be required to press the bell for ALL stops. So nobody at or
near the stop and no bell and the driver needn't stop.