Annabel Smyth typed


Helen Deborah Vecht wrote to uk.transport.london on Mon, 16 Aug 2004:


I've noticed, though, that most people will happily get up if they are
in a priority seat and someone else needs it. And I've seen someone get
up and the person they got up for firmly refuse their offer...



Yebbut I *don't* look old! I do look wobbly (but not everyone looks or
notices) and quite a few of the priority seat signs seem to be
missing...

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

"Annabel Smyth" wrote in message
...

I have now reached the age when people will occasionally stand up for me
in the Underground - I don't know whether to be flattered or wonder if I
really look *that* old!

It's when old ladies stand up for you that you need to start worrying,
Annabel.
--
Terry Harper, Web Co-ordinator, The Omnibus Society
75th Anniversary 2004, see http://www.omnibussoc.org/75th.htm
E-mail:
URL: http://www.terry.harper.btinternet.co.uk/

In message , Adrian
writes
I can see the point of view of those who've been living there since before
the station was built, but the rest of 'em can bloody lump it. If they
don't want station sound effects, they shouldn't have moved next to a
station.

Do you suppose there's anyone living there that's been there since
before the station was built?!
--
Ian Jelf, MITG, Birmingham, UK
Registered "Blue Badge" Tourist Guide for
London & the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

"Annabel Smyth" wrote in message
...
Helen Deborah Vecht wrote to uk.transport.london on Mon, 16 Aug 2004:

Just one or two seats low down marked for their use and far too many
people
in need of them.

Too true! The few useful seats there available are frequently occupied
by people who could *easily* go elsewhere, but I have to ask them for a
seat, most embarrassing!

I've noticed, though, that most people will happily get up if they are
in a priority seat and someone else needs it. And I've seen someone get
up and the person they got up for firmly refuse their offer...

I have now reached the age when people will occasionally stand up for me
in the Underground - I don't know whether to be flattered or wonder if I
really look *that* old!

You think that's worrying????????

When I was doing my Army basic training at Pirbright I had been home for the
weekend and was on the Bakerloo to Waterloo. I was stood by the door when a
delightful young lady of about 9 stood up and offered me her seat. I was 19
and the fittest I've ever been (before or since), as her Dad observed, it
did shake me somehwat.

Ian Jelf ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying :

I can see the point of view of those who've been living there since
before the station was built, but the rest of 'em can bloody lump it.
If they don't want station sound effects, they shouldn't have moved
next to a station.

Do you suppose there's anyone living there that's been there since
before the station was built?!

Precisely.

"Piccadilly Pilot" typed


When I was doing my Army basic training at Pirbright I had been home for the
weekend and was on the Bakerloo to Waterloo. I was stood by the door when a
delightful young lady of about 9 stood up and offered me her seat. I was 19
and the fittest I've ever been (before or since), as her Dad observed, it
did shake me somehwat.

Yebbut she was well brung-up and you were an adult. She'd no doubt been
told to stand for grown-ups.

They don't train them like that anymore sigh

--
Helen D. Vecht:
Edgware.

On Mon, 16 Aug 2004 20:18:55 +0100, "Robin Mayes"
wrote:


"Paul Corfield" wrote in message
.. .
On Sun, 15 Aug 2004 11:03:24 GMT, "Richard J."
wrote:

But the main reason why people don't take any notice IMHO is because
there are just too many announcements. It's a continual stream: good
service on all lines don't leave any items unattended no smoking
anywhere on the underground let customers off the train first mind the
gap drink lots of water good service on all lines use all available
doors move right down inside the car this train is ready to depart
please stand well clear of the closing doors mind the doors good service
on all lines ...

I'll probably get sacked for saying it but I agree.

I absolutely hate the incessant broadcasting of messages. I change at
Kings Cross and if I need to wait for a Piccadilly Line for more than 30
seconds I can guarantee to have heard the same messages at least 3 times
during my connection.

Can you pass on those comments to the Quality Service Information team
please as it appears they only seem to hear them 30% of the time on a 15
minute survey please?

I thought they had been disbanded? I suspect the issue is that the
concept is heartily endorsed at very senior level but that few people
dare raise a murmur of criticism about the execution of the concept.
The art of commenting will be to appear fulsome in praise of the idea
but to provide constructive criticism where needed. I appreciate that
communication is not perfect and the knowledge of what is wrong can be
hard to disseminate quickly but even so!

I doubt if those who work on stations and are being told to put out these
messages need to learn much. Marketing and Publicity comissioned a survey of
'customers' and the results of what they wanted are being heard every 30
seconds! The "Good [whatever time of day] ladies and gentlemen" was added by
senior management as it's seen as polite, especially in the US. I hope
nobody is saying there is a 'normal service', it's a 'good service'! I do
like the National Rail 'perturbed service' for disruptions though!

The Vic Line messages can be different to those on any other line. Not
yet heard the perturbed service but it does conjure up certain images.

I do like the line based notice boards as you enter through the ticket
gates that allows you to very quickly assess what is going well and what
isn't. Most stations do well in keeping those up to date IME.

Known as "Howard's boards" after a certain director...

Oh - you live and learn. They have a mock up of the new electronic
version in the reception at 55 Broadway.
--
Paul C


Admits to working for London Underground!

Annabel Smyth wrote:
Helen Deborah Vecht wrote to uk.transport.london on Mon, 16 Aug 2004:

Just one or two seats low down marked for their use and far too many
people
in need of them.


Too true! The few useful seats there available are frequently occupied
by people who could *easily* go elsewhere, but I have to ask them for a
seat, most embarrassing!

I've noticed, though, that most people will happily get up if they are
in a priority seat and someone else needs it. And I've seen someone get
up and the person they got up for firmly refuse their offer...

I offered my seat to an elderly lady on the 49* a few months ago -
"would you like to sit down?" (said as I was getting up). Reply, in a
distinctly unpleasant tone: "Of course I would! These seats aren't for
you youngsters you know!!".

It caught me quite off-guard and I've been much more hesitant about
offering seats to people since that. Actually I tend to just stand now
anyway, especially on the tube.

* Incidentally, the 49 is desperately in need of double deckers! It's
jam-packed for large portions of the day, as has the 328 been when I've
used it. If Ken sets up the congestion charge extension I hope he
increase frequency and/or capacity of some of these routes. The 74 gets
pretty busy now too, especially at Marble Arch towards Hyde Park Corner
(already run with double deckers).

And as for the C1... despite its tortuous route, it's incredibly popular
between South Kensington and Victoria (via Knightsbridge and Sloane
Square!!) and the tiny Optares just can't cope. Double deckers would be
reasonably well-used on this part of the service, let alone single deckers.

I'd advocate a couple of new routes between South Kensington and
Victoria and appropriate onward destinations at each end, via
Knightsbridge and Hyde Park Corner or via Sydney Street and then the 11
route.

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

Dave Arquati wrote:

* Incidentally, the 49 is desperately in need of double deckers!

As it happens I was on a 49 last night, and saw a notice on the bus
announcing that double deckers would be introduced soon. London
United's website says the change will happen on 4 September 2004.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

Richard J. wrote:
Dave Arquati wrote:

* Incidentally, the 49 is desperately in need of double deckers!


As it happens I was on a 49 last night, and saw a notice on the bus
announcing that double deckers would be introduced soon. London
United's website says the change will happen on 4 September 2004.

Hooray! Thanks for the info - I haven't been in London for two months
now and I'm getting withdrawal symptoms... :-)

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