Paul Corfield wrote:
On Thu, 4 Nov 2004 17:36:27 +0000, Mrs Redboots
wrote:


CIG_BIG_CIG wrote to uk.transport.london on Thu, 4 Nov 2004:


Anyone know why I have seen this route worked by single deck vehicles
recently? This route has been double deck for as long as I remember
and certainly was 'cosy' on the occasions I have seen it recently.

I think you do get the odd strange working - I saw a route 37 being
worked by a single-decker bus the other day.


the reason is pretty simple. In July TfL issued an edict that said that
non low floor buses could not run on any route that is contractually
specified for low floor buses. In addition if low floor buses are placed
into service with defective ramps then this will count as lost mileage
against their contract payments (i.e. a deduction).

Therefore the old practice of sticking an older double deck to cover for
a defective low floor one has stopped. Therefore companies stick on a
low floor single deck instead of incurring the penalty for a cancelled
journey.

There has been much debate about the rights and wrongs of this policy
with regard to majority vs minority benefits and isn't a single deck
just going to be packed like a sardine tin while an older double deck
wouldn't be.

One might think that a performance penalty should be incurred for
waiting passengers left behind at bus stops, regardless of disability or
otherwise. Difficult to measure though.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London