Annabel Smyth wrote:

NO WAY! And yes, I did mean to shout. People get on a Routemaster, sit
down, and then look for their Oyster or their fare. On a 2-door bus,
first of all the driver very often doesn't open the entrance door until
people have finished getting off, and then you have to wait while
everybody faffs around finding their pass or their Oyster, or getting
out a ticket, or even buying one, outside the central zone. Takes far,
far longer than on a RM.


But on a routemaster everyone standing who doesn't want to get off (such
as us 6 footers who can't sit) has to move out the way to let those who
are getting off get off. There is always a bottleneck just inside the
door. The driver of a 2 door bus only holds the front doors when the bus
is full - it's entirely sensible to wait to see how many get off before
letting the same amount on

In Central London there is no faffing to find tickets.... you don't need
money or tickets, just walk straight on and you might get ticket
checked. I agree a conductor would be good, but for fare evasion purposes.

On Thu, 12 Aug 2004 at 00:10:43, Stuart
wrote:


In Central London there is no faffing to find tickets.... you don't
need money or tickets, just walk straight on and you might get ticket
checked. I agree a conductor would be good, but for fare evasion
purposes.

Most drivers don't let you get on without a ticket of some description -
okay, you can on articulated buses, but they are the only ones.

Conductors are good for those who are tottery, for those with luggage,
even for those with pushchairs - they used to HELP people, which drivers
can't, as they are locked away in their little box. Plus they would
come and tell you, on an unfamiliar route, when it was your stop -
drivers will sometimes announce it over the PA, but more often than not
they forget.
--
Annabel - "Mrs Redboots"
(trying out a new .sig to reflect the personality I use in online forums)