Paul Corfield wrote:

snip

The 25 has ongoing problems with crowding.

Oh I know - I don't use it very often but it is horrifically
overcrowded at times.

The artics have fewer seats than a double decker and obviously a
much greater standing capacity - all my anecdotal evidence suggests
you just get a long single deck crush on artics on busy routes. I
don't call that a solution to crowding problems for the mobility
impaired.

unless capacity goes up. I can't remember the headways on the 25 in
the am peaks but I'd be interest to see how the artics pan out.

But it is the way that capacity is delivered that is the issue here. I
have a very real concern that artics are not an adequate option in
terms of raising bus service quality on really busy trunk services
like the 25 (or 18 or 12 or 73). I know it can be argued there are
equal issues with double deckers but at least there are more seats
overall than on an artic. I just think TfL have opted to provide
rubber tired, diesel powered shrunken tube trains on busy bus routes
without trying other options which would bring a real qualitative
improvement to the bus network.

I wonder what the logistics would be in building a tram link from Romford to
Aldgate. It's a dead straight run but would probably have to go underground
or elevated at Ilford and Stratford.

I've no doubt that TFL would consider the cost to be too prohibitive in the
short term (which seems to be *all* they ever consider) but would surely
reap rewards in the long term in passenger revenue, quicker journeys and
people finally recognising a valid alternative to the car.
--
Phil ,,,^.".^,,,


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