14:00 Sunday afternoon

Boarded a route 25 bus at the first stop, behind Oxford Street. At least 15
minutes had elapsed since the last bus, which I had just missed. Timetable
says 8-10 minutes on Sunday, IIRC.

Full and standing by TCR. Absolutely rammed by Holborn. Driver has to
repeatedly instruct passengers to stand away from the front platform and to
move down - though there doesn't appear to be anywhere to move to.

American tourists board at St Pauls, asking for the Tower, having been given
an old leaflet by TfL at Euston showing the weekend diversion - now a thing
of the past. Driver does a good job of helping them out with the nearest
alternative stop.

Tempers flare after Aldgate, with more trying to board from the markets etc,
but no space. Driver gets irate at the 'front platform hoggers' and refuses
to move the bus until they shift. Painfully slow progress down Whitechapel
and Mile End Roads with 'short hop' passengers trying to squeeze on and off.
Many people, including the elderly, have now been standing for the best part
of an hour.

At Stratford bus station, we pull out directly behind an 86 - relief! But
no - at the first stop there is a huge crowd, of whom 70% ignore the empty
86 and make for the crowded 25. I wonder why?

Recent 'customers' include three girls of approximately 12-15, dressed as
prostitutes, who cuss at full voice and deliberately engineer an altercation
with two lads of a similar age, whom the girls have identified as
'refugees'. The girls (not of British heritage, as it happens), hurl racist
abuse at the lads. One of the girls deliberately stands on the front
platform to antagonise the driver, who refuses to move until she does.

At Forest Gate, the girls vs boys argument turns into a full blown fight,
with other passengers ducking for cover amidst the fists. In a surreal
moment, some passengers and the driver notice a police car twenty yards
ahead of us. The driver hoots to get the attention of the cops. They reverse
ten yards and everyone breathes a sigh of relief. Then, having thought
better of it, they re-engage first and drive away! Not a 'blue light' call.
Disgraceful. Fight still ongoing on the bus.

A couple of stops later, the fighting sub-humans get off. Two elderly ladies
get on and want to pay cash. Driver points them towards machine, but makes
off whilst they fiddle with their change.

There are easier ways to get from the West End to Ilford, and in future I
shall take them. However, perhaps in the interim somebody could remind me
why route 25 was considered suitably for reduced frequency, reduced capacity
and 'honesty box' revenue policies.

Chris
ps - good luck to route 73 regulars for next week.