On Wed, 14 May 2008 13:20:18 -0700 (PDT), MIG
wrote:

On May 14, 8:53*pm, "Chris Read" wrote:
"Neil Williams" wrote:
Read in the Lite today that Moir Lockhead is warning Boris about the
plan to reintroduce Routemasters - and is trying to peddle him the
"ftr", which is, umm, a glorified bendy bus.

Will First never learn? *In my experience, their buses in London are
some of the oldest, dirtiest and most poorly-maintained. *Not a good
start.

He also said that bus passengers and operators like the bendies - it's other
road users (ie cabbies and cyclists, I guess) who detest them.

No, he is just wrong. Most passengers don't like them either, and I
can't believe it's much fun for the drivers except if they are paid
more for coping with them.

I don't think anyone honestly knows what passengers think about bendy
buses. People from both sides of the debate cling to bits of comment,
political campaigns and anything else that gets said to justify their
respective positions. I think I've read ever possible "for and against"
argument there is.

I like bendy buses and I think they do have a role in a busy bus network
like London's. I don't expect many here to agree with me but hey!

Operators may like the idea of not having to collect fares, but that
is independent of the shape of the bus.

I don't think London operators care very much one way or the other as
they are simply contractors. TfL pick up the tab overall - the operators
only really carry the day to day safety and operational risks. Farebox
revenue risk is with TfL.

Now the election is over, I fully expect this 'new Routemaster' stuff to be
quietly shelved. This would represent the biggest U-turn
since.....well......Ken promised never to scrap the Routemaster!

But why should we accept that the choice is between bendys and
Routemasters? I'm sure I remember a few generations of other designs
in between and since ...

Well yes there have been intermediate designs over the years but how
many have lasted a full term in use and not been subject to political
shenanigans at some point? I'm struggling to think of one - London
seems to be cursed in having "controversial" bus designs every 10 years
or so that are promoted one minute and scrapped the next. What's the
bet that hybrids are the next victim of that trend. Replacement
Routemaster vs Bendy Buses have completed Scene One of their great stage
act; I dare say we'll move on to Scene Two fairly soon.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!