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Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside
Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
kytelly wrote:
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Each diversion seems to have its own rules. I've also got stuck on a bus using that diversion, which is frustrating when you're sitting in traffic and realise that you could have walked past the diversion more quickly. Other times, drivers *are* allowed to serve stops on diversion; this happened with the Battersea Bridge closure when some 49s were diverted via Wandsworth Bridge, and when Broad Sanctuary in Westminster was closed for roadworks and buses were diverted along Artillery Road. My guess at the reasoning behind this is that on central London streets with a lot of bus services and multiple stops per location, the confusion in dropping off and picking up passengers can compound traffic congestion and cause further delays to undiverted buses. The driver was right to say he couldn't let you off because those were the direction he had been given by TfL via his bus company. However, I'm not sure about disabling the emergency door releases - that sounds a bit drastic (because what if there were an emergency...?). -- Dave Arquati Imperial College, SW7 www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
The driver was right to say he couldn't let you off because those were
the direction he had been given by TfL via his bus company. However, I'm not sure about disabling the emergency door releases - that sounds a bit drastic (because what if there were an emergency...?). Is it actually possible - not only does such a button actually exist, but even if it does, can he/she *legally* do it? -- The presence of this signature shows that this message has been scanned for misplaced apostrophes by the common sense scanner. However, some apostrophes may not be included where required due to boredom, gross negligence, budget cuts, incompetence, stupidity or just plain laziness. http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Dave Arquati wrote: kytelly wrote: Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Each diversion seems to have its own rules. I've also got stuck on a bus using that diversion, which is frustrating when you're sitting in traffic and realise that you could have walked past the diversion more quickly. Other times, drivers *are* allowed to serve stops on diversion; this happened with the Battersea Bridge closure when some 49s were diverted via Wandsworth Bridge, and when Broad Sanctuary in Westminster was closed for roadworks and buses were diverted along Artillery Road. My guess at the reasoning behind this is that on central London streets with a lot of bus services and multiple stops per location, the confusion in dropping off and picking up passengers can compound traffic congestion and cause further delays to undiverted buses. The driver was right to say he couldn't let you off because those were the direction he had been given by TfL via his bus company. However, I'm not sure about disabling the emergency door releases - that sounds a bit drastic (because what if there were an emergency...?). I was in a suburb where a diversion took the buses down the parallel main road to the usual one. My home was between the two main roads (both of which had bus routes) so being let off in either main road would do. But I was forced all the way to the end of the diversion. This was not a busy central London situation with lots of confused tourists, it was just people with heavy shopping being abducted to somewhere difficult to get home from. Not very helpful or considerate. But it's all a bit academic now, since the policy seems to be not to let people on or off at all, in the interests of reliability. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Dave Arquati ) gurgled happily, sounding much like they
were saying : However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. Each diversion seems to have its own rules. I've also got stuck on a bus using that diversion, which is frustrating when you're sitting in traffic and realise that you could have walked past the diversion more quickly. Ah, if only there was such a thing as a bus with an open platform you could just hop on and off as required... |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Joe Patrick wrote:
Is it actually possible - not only does such a button actually exist, No, but (assuming it wasn't a bendy, where I believe the releases aren't just another door button but actually unlock something) the driver could sit there and keep pressing the close button. I've seen this done to stop kids getting on after messing with the release button on the outside. Neil |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On 15 Aug 2006 02:54:55 -0700, "kytelly" wrote:
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? I have been held hostage on one of my local routes (run by Arriva) when a diversion was in place. I was absolutely furious because I had done what the official London Buses posters had told me to - get off the tube one stop early and catch a diverted bus. I immediately rang London Buses, once I was released from my mobile prison, to complain. The LB representative called Arriva Buses and had a radio instruction issued to remind drivers of the ruling. On planned diversions - as yours was because it was advertised on the TfL website in advance - then drivers MUST stop at all stops. The driver in your case was wrong. When an unplanned diversion arises - e.g. police close the road - then drivers do not have to stop at all stops on the diversion but most will be sensible if people wish to alight to continue their journeys on foot. I also wrote to Arriva to ask about how they disseminated information about diversions to their drivers as it was evident that Arriva had not done what they were supposed to do while First and Stagecoach buses that were diverted did stop when requested to do so. I suggest you complain immediately to London Buses Customer Services. Given the large volume of planned diversions on bus and tube services at weekends it is essential that the rules are followed properly at all times otherwise the transport service will descend into more chaos. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On 15 Aug 2006 02:54:55 -0700, "kytelly" wrote:
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? I'd be dropping a strongly worded email to TfL with the bus route number and journey plate number. The *very least* the driver should have done is made an announcement at the last stop that was on the normal route, that the bus was about to divert and passengers would not be able to get off on the diversion. All the bendy buses have the facility for the driver to make an amplified announcement. If I had been abducted in the way you describe with no warning announcement, the emergency exit button would definitely have been tested at the next traffic lights. I don't believe it can be disabled but if it was just pull the door anyway or get some bloke to do it, they're not that strongly closed that you cannot force them open. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Paul Corfield wrote:
(OP snipped) I have been held hostage on one of my local routes (run by Arriva) when a diversion was in place. I was absolutely furious because I had done what the official London Buses posters had told me to - get off the tube one stop early and catch a diverted bus. I immediately rang London Buses, once I was released from my mobile prison, to complain. The LB representative called Arriva Buses and had a radio instruction issued to remind drivers of the ruling. On planned diversions - as yours was because it was advertised on the TfL website in advance - then drivers MUST stop at all stops. The driver in your case was wrong. When an unplanned diversion arises - e.g. police close the road - then drivers do not have to stop at all stops on the diversion but most will be sensible if people wish to alight to continue their journeys on foot. I also wrote to Arriva to ask about how they disseminated information about diversions to their drivers as it was evident that Arriva had not done what they were supposed to do while First and Stagecoach buses that were diverted did stop when requested to do so. I suggest you complain immediately to London Buses Customer Services. Given the large volume of planned diversions on bus and tube services at weekends it is essential that the rules are followed properly at all times otherwise the transport service will descend into more chaos. -- Paul C Thanks for the info - I've always been a bit confused about what happens during bus diversions, it always seemed a bit random (to me) whether the bus stops or not. Now I know that buses on planned diversions should stop at intermediate bus stops on request. It'd be great if drivers could give an announcement over the PA system - if available - before a diversion occurs. I've found myself on number 12's going south the two past weekends which have had a short diversion over Lambeth Bridge instead of Waterloo Bridge (closed for roadworks southbound only). A wave of confusion sweeps across the bus when this happens (it's interesting to watch people's faces!) and I find myself explaining to nearby fellow passengers that it's just a diversion. I guess the fact they might be mildly intoxicated doesn't necessarily help! I also find that in a traffic jam or during a diversion a driver will often open the front door for you if you ask politely and - crucially - only ask when it is safe and sensible for someone to jump out the front i.e. the traffic jam isn't about to start moving, the lights aren't about to go green, the bus is fairly near the kerb, there isn't a plethora of bicyclists/motorcyclists coming up on the inside etc. I guess it also helps that I look like I will jump out quickly rather than take loads of time getting out the door. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
kytelly wrote:
the driver said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. That has to be illegal! If he'd had a heart attack, how would anyone have got off? |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Peter Frimberley wrote:
(OP snipped) I'd be dropping a strongly worded email to TfL with the bus route number and journey plate number. The *very least* the driver should have done is made an announcement at the last stop that was on the normal route, that the bus was about to divert and passengers would not be able to get off on the diversion. All the bendy buses have the facility for the driver to make an amplified announcement. If I had been abducted in the way you describe with no warning announcement, the emergency exit button would definitely have been tested at the next traffic lights. I don't believe it can be disabled but if it was just pull the door anyway or get some bloke to do it, they're not that strongly closed that you cannot force them open. Bear in mind that the bus driver is responsible in part for your safety whilst you're on their bus - they are not purposefully acting in a malicious manner. But yes I quite agree that an announcement before the diversion should be the standard modus operandi. Emerency exit buttons cannot be disabled, but as a poster has pointed out elsewhere they can be counter-acted by the driver pressing and holding the close button. I've seen shady characters use them on multiple occasions to get off the bus. One should bear in mind that using the emergency exit button will be against the rules so you could conceivably end up in trouble for using it in a non-emergency. In addidition there is a potential safety issue of whether you, or more importantly anyone else (who're either following you out or are just in the vicinity of the door and fall out) suffers an injury, either because the bus is moving, or nearby traffic is moving. In a situation where someone is feeling angry and self-righteous they might not necessarily take proper account of the whole situation. I have visions of fellow passengers following a seemingly respectable gentleman or lady (the respectability seemingly adding legitimacy to the use of the emergency exit button) and ending up getting run over by a motorbike. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Adrian wrote:
Ah, if only there was such a thing as a bus with an open platform you could just hop on and off as required... Perhaps a bus with a smaller turning circle than the current buses, enabling them to move quickly arround the narrow London streets without causing major blockages to multiple lanes, and in the case of bendy buses, and even the normal ones. Perhaps you could somehow segregate the driver from passangers, as in trains, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the road instead of checking tickets? Maybe a guard could be employed, as on trains, to check and sell tickets, and assist passangers (which the driver can't do)? If you can't afford a guard on every bus, have a "buy before boarding" policy, and enforce with RPIs like on the trains and bendy buses that we have. does anyone know of a bus that would fill those requirements? |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
John Rowland wrote: kytelly wrote: the driver said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. That has to be illegal! If he'd had a heart attack, how would anyone have got off? Well this is what he said; maybe he had overridden it by imediately pressing the close button. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Neil Williams wrote: Joe Patrick wrote: Is it actually possible - not only does such a button actually exist, No, but (assuming it wasn't a bendy, where I believe the releases aren't just another door button but actually unlock something) the driver could sit there and keep pressing the close button. It was a bendy. Does anyone know if they can be turned off then or if the driver was talking through his hat? |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
I immediately rang London Buses, once I was released from my mobile prison, to complain. The LB representative called Arriva Buses and had a radio instruction issued to remind drivers of the ruling. On planned diversions - as yours was because it was advertised on the TfL website in advance - then drivers MUST stop at all stops. The driver in your case was wrong. When an unplanned diversion arises - e.g. police close the road - then drivers do not have to stop at all stops on the diversion but most will be sensible if people wish to alight to continue their journeys on foot. Thanks for this Paul; I had assumed this was the case. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Paul Corfield wrote:
I immediately rang London Buses, once I was released from my mobile prison, to complain. The LB representative called Arriva Buses and had a radio instruction issued to remind drivers of the ruling. On planned diversions - as yours was because it was advertised on the TfL website in advance - then drivers MUST stop at all stops. The driver in your case was wrong. Interesting. Is that a Central London thing? Slightly OT but still relevant in that it affects Arriva Buses: the X15 service between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury went over to double-deck buses a few months ago. However, on leaving Leighton Buzzard there is a low bridge under the West Coast Main Line railway which is physically high enough for double-deck buses but requires some paperwork alterations to alter the current height limit to legally allow them (according to Arriva, anyway, and I've seen empty buses go through - so, logically, a loaded bus which sits lower ought to be able to get through). Buses are currently diverted as they leave Leighton Buzzard, skipping three stops on the Wing Road, including the one serving Leighton Buzzard railway station, which is actually in Linslade - but that's another story. They pass the end of the station approach road (even closer than the official stop), then negotiate the housing estates of Linslade village on existing bus routes (passing even closer to the opposite side of the station, where there is a public footbridge) and all the stops, before picking up their original route. This is a planned diversion that has been advertised and is effective for the foreseeable future. Nevertheless, the buses are (officially!) *not* permitted to stop at any of the stops on the diversion - with the result that if you arrive at Leighton Buzzard railway station with luggage (or not) you now have a half-mile walk in either direction to reach a point at which you can actually board a bus. This seems to be the standing instruction to Arriva Buses drivers on this service - but it contradicts the advice which you quote for London. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
In message .com,
Mizter T writes It'd be great if drivers could give an announcement over the PA system - if available - before a diversion occurs. I've found myself on number 12's going south the two past weekends which have had a short diversion over Lambeth Bridge instead of Waterloo Bridge (closed for roadworks southbound only). A wave of confusion sweeps across the bus when this happens (it's interesting to watch people's faces!) and I find myself explaining to nearby fellow passengers that it's just a diversion. I guess the fact they might be mildly intoxicated doesn't necessarily help! I was on an N50 a few weeks ago when Prince Regent Lane was closed. The driver did this very thing, even coming upstairs to ensure that everybody knew he wasn't going down PRL. And then he dropped us at the stop at the end of the road - very nice man! -- Steve Fitzgerald has now left the building. You will find him in London's Docklands, E16, UK (please use the reply to address for email) |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Paul Weaver ) gurgled happily, sounding much like
they were saying : Ah, if only there was such a thing as a bus with an open platform you could just hop on and off as required... Perhaps a bus with a smaller turning circle than the current buses, enabling them to move quickly arround the narrow London streets without causing major blockages to multiple lanes, and in the case of bendy buses, and even the normal ones. Perhaps you could somehow segregate the driver from passangers, as in trains, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the road instead of checking tickets? Maybe a guard could be employed, as on trains, to check and sell tickets, and assist passangers (which the driver can't do)? If you can't afford a guard on every bus, have a "buy before boarding" policy, and enforce with RPIs like on the trains and bendy buses that we have. Heck, you could even make it twice the height and half the length. If you're *really* clever, you could even build it using aircraft technology to make it very lightweight and fuel efficient. does anyone know of a bus that would fill those requirements? If such a thing existed, it'd quickly become an icon of the city, I reckon. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:20:26 GMT, "Jack Taylor"
wrote: Paul Corfield wrote: I immediately rang London Buses, once I was released from my mobile prison, to complain. The LB representative called Arriva Buses and had a radio instruction issued to remind drivers of the ruling. On planned diversions - as yours was because it was advertised on the TfL website in advance - then drivers MUST stop at all stops. The driver in your case was wrong. Interesting. Is that a Central London thing? It's a rule applicable to TfL services - this is the only context that my comments should be applied to. The explanation came from another bus based discussion group. I have no idea what policy exists for other companies. I would have naively assumed that being profit seeking companies they would adopt the most customer friendly option but your example suggests otherwise. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On Tue, 15 Aug 2006 14:20:25 +0100, "John Rowland"
wrote: kytelly wrote: the driver said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. That has to be illegal! If he'd had a heart attack, how would anyone have got off? I don't actually believe that what he said he had done, he had actually done. I have never heard of a bus having such functionality - safety being the main reason why. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
kytelly wrote:
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. I recall a story from the Atlanta Olympics in 1996. There were huge traffic problems, and some British journalists found themselves stuck on an official press transfer bus, with no prospect of moving. The driver was adamant that he would not open the doors, since the bus was not at a stop. The journalists' simple solution was to light cigarettes. They were immediately ejected from the bus... -- Larry Lard The address is real, but unread - please reply to the group |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
It was a bendy. Does anyone know if they can be turned off then or if
the driver was talking through his hat? I'm more surprised you've found a bus driver that's willing to speak! ;-) -- The presence of this signature shows that this message has been scanned for misplaced apostrophes by the common sense scanner. However, some apostrophes may not be included where required due to boredom, gross negligence, budget cuts, incompetence, stupidity or just plain laziness. http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Perhaps a bus with a smaller turning circle than the current buses,
enabling them to move quickly arround the narrow London streets without causing major blockages to multiple lanes, and in the case of bendy buses, and even the normal ones. Perhaps you could somehow segregate the driver from passangers, as in trains, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on the road instead of checking tickets? Maybe a guard could be employed, as on trains, to check and sell tickets, and assist passangers (which the driver can't do)? If you can't afford a guard on every bus, have a "buy before boarding" policy, and enforce with RPIs like on the trains and bendy buses that we have. does anyone know of a bus that would fill those requirements? Sounds like the monstrosity of the Ftr that's running in York - http://www.goftr.com/. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ftr. -- The presence of this signature shows that this message has been scanned for misplaced apostrophes by the common sense scanner. However, some apostrophes may not be included where required due to boredom, gross negligence, budget cuts, incompetence, stupidity or just plain laziness. http://www.railwaysonline.co.uk |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On 15 Aug 2006 06:22:32 -0700, Mizter T wrote:
Emerency exit buttons cannot be disabled, but as a poster has pointed out elsewhere they can be counter-acted by the driver pressing and holding the close button. I've seen shady characters use them on multiple occasions to get off the bus. One should bear in mind that using the emergency exit button will be against the rules so you could conceivably end up in trouble for using it in a non-emergency. Really? Is it actually illegal? |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
asdf wrote:
On 15 Aug 2006 06:22:32 -0700, Mizter T wrote: Emerency exit buttons cannot be disabled, but as a poster has pointed out elsewhere they can be counter-acted by the driver pressing and holding the close button. I've seen shady characters use them on multiple occasions to get off the bus. One should bear in mind that using the emergency exit button will be against the rules so you could conceivably end up in trouble for using it in a non-emergency. Really? Is it actually illegal? It would appear so. Section 4.5 of TfL's Conditions of Carriage [1] states: ----- "For safety reasons, on our buses, in our bus stations and on London Underground stations and trains you must not: [...] * use emergency exits except in an emergency or when instructed to do so by our staff. You may be prosecuted for disobeying these requirements. Additionally: * on our bus services, you must board or alight from the vehicle only at official bus stops except in places where we advertise the bus service as being operated as 'hail and ride' ----- Also if you look at page 3 of the Conditions of Carriage you'll find a list of other documents (statutes, regulations and byelaws) that "set out your rights and duties in other particular circumstances". Of particular relevance to bus travel is the "Public Service Vehicle (Conduct of Drivers, Inspectors, Conductors and Passengers) Regulations 1990 (as amended in 2002) ('the Conduct Regulations')". And no, I haven't read the aforementioned regulations, but I guess they might have something to say about how passengers shouldn't use emergency exits when there isn't an emergency. [1] http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/fares-tick...y06.pdf#page=8 |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
kytelly wrote:
Ok last saturday my friend and I hopped on a bendy bus outside Selfridges to go a few stops down Oxford Street to Poland street (She had a bad leg we're not just lazy!) However when we got to Oxford circus the rest of the street was blocked off and the bus was sent on a diversion down Regent street. Fine we thought we'll get off at the next stop. However three stops later and no sign of the bus stopping my friend started getting very anxious (This is when I found out she was a bit claustrophobic) Anyway she asked the driver if we could get off at the next stop but he refused saying he wasnt allowed to stop at any stop on the diversion. She was then joined by heavily pregnant woman who also needed to get off but still the driver said he couldnt let anyone off and he said he had disabled the emergancy door releases. After a lot more harranging he eventually opened the doors on Shaftsbury Avenue about twenty minutes after the diversion had started. Now I know drivers cant let people off anywhere other than the official stops but surely thats not applicable where a bus is on diversion? Basically we were forced to stay on the bus againest our will for twenty minutes as it had got caught up in the regent st traffic. I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Tell the driver you're going to throw up. They soon let you off. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
|
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Martin Underwood wrote in message
: Every Strangers Eyes wrote in message : I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Tell the driver you're going to throw up. They soon let you off. It's worth a try, especially if you go up to his cab and lean in towards him as you say it!!! When buses are on a planned diversion, so the drivers make any effort to warn the passengers beforehand, so as to say "this is the last stop [before the diversion] where you can get off for the next n miles"? Silly question - I'm sure they don't - that would involve thinking of their passengers' needs before the needs of Health and Safety. Sorry, that should read "When buses are on a planned diversion, DO the drivers make any effort..." |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Martin Underwood wrote:
Martin Underwood wrote in message : Every Strangers Eyes wrote in message : I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Tell the driver you're going to throw up. They soon let you off. It's worth a try, especially if you go up to his cab and lean in towards him as you say it!!! When buses are on a planned diversion, so the drivers make any effort to warn the passengers beforehand, so as to say "this is the last stop [before the diversion] where you can get off for the next n miles"? Silly question - I'm sure they don't - that would involve thinking of their passengers' needs before the needs of Health and Safety. Sorry, that should read "When buses are on a planned diversion, DO the drivers make any effort..." Occasionally they do, more often than not they don't. Would be great if it became standard practice. Nobody, apart from you, has made any connection to health and safety rules precluding drivers making announcements. Basic common sense would suggest that as buses are now often fitted with PA systems there is no such exclusion. Basic common sense would also suggest that announcements are not best made when a driver is negotiating a difficult section of road. The lack of announcements woud appear to be a case of poor practice, perhaps in part because the lack of PA systems until recently means there hasn't been time for such a good practice to emerge, rather a result of the ever present H&S gremlin that many appear to believe is perpetually lurking in the shadows pulling the strings on order to frustrate them. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On 15 Aug 2006 06:22:32 -0700, "Mizter T" wrote:
One should bear in mind that using the emergency exit button will be against the rules so you could conceivably end up in trouble for using it in a non-emergency. Any subsequent investigation or charges would get the driver in trouble for not allowing passengers off or warning of the diversion as he should, so I'd be completely fine with that. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Neil Williams wrote:
Joe Patrick wrote: Is it actually possible - not only does such a button actually exist, No, but (assuming it wasn't a bendy, where I believe the releases aren't just another door button but actually unlock something) the driver could sit there and keep pressing the close button. I've seen this done to stop kids getting on after messing with the release button on the outside. I once saw a passenger use the emergency door release to open the front door when the bus had stopped at the traffic lights at Bexleyheath, a few metres short of the bus interchange! The driver didn't need to use the close button, as the passenger pushed the close button a second or two later as he stepped off. -- Aidan Stanger http://www.bettercrossrail.co.uk |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
In article . com,
(Mizter T) wrote: And no, I haven't read the aforementioned regulations, but I guess they might have something to say about how passengers shouldn't use emergency exits when there isn't an emergency. Do they define emergency? -- Paul Cummins **FREE** mobile phones, with FREE line rental http://www.gstgroup.co.uk/ |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
In article ,
(Aidan Stanger) wrote: I once saw a passenger use the emergency door release to open the front door when the bus had stopped at the traffic lights at Bexleyheath, a few metres short of the bus interchange! The driver didn't need to use the close button, as the passenger pushed the close button a second or two later as he stepped off. On a 436 bendy on the Vauxhall Bridge Road I saw several people jump out after one had used the emergency door release. They had all spotted the masses of ticket inspectors who were doing their regular monthly fare-dodging check. -- http://www.election.demon.co.uk "We can also agree that Saddam Hussein most certainly has chemical and biolog- ical weapons and is working towards a nuclear capability. The dossier contains confirmation of information that we either knew or most certainly should have been willing to assume." - Menzies Campbell, 24th September 2002. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Mizter T wrote:
Martin Underwood wrote: Martin Underwood wrote in message : Every Strangers Eyes wrote in message : I got off the bus feeling very self rightous but what are peoples thoughts on this? Tell the driver you're going to throw up. They soon let you off. It's worth a try, especially if you go up to his cab and lean in towards him as you say it!!! When buses are on a planned diversion, so the drivers make any effort to warn the passengers beforehand, so as to say "this is the last stop [before the diversion] where you can get off for the next n miles"? Silly question - I'm sure they don't - that would involve thinking of their passengers' needs before the needs of Health and Safety. Sorry, that should read "When buses are on a planned diversion, DO the drivers make any effort..." Occasionally they do, more often than not they don't. Would be great if it became standard practice. Nobody, apart from you, has made any connection to health and safety rules precluding drivers making announcements. Basic common sense would suggest that as buses are now often fitted with PA systems there is no such exclusion. Basic common sense would also suggest that announcements are not best made when a driver is negotiating a difficult section of road. The lack of announcements woud appear to be a case of poor practice, perhaps in part because the lack of PA systems until recently means there hasn't been time for such a good practice to emerge, rather a result of the ever present H&S gremlin that many appear to believe is perpetually lurking in the shadows pulling the strings on order to frustrate them. I think announcements when driving conditions permit would be a big bonus. I've noticed some bendy bus drivers making them. I'd really appreciate announcements that a bus is going to terminate short - sometimes they change destination mid-route without telling anyone, which is extremely frustrating. The new iBus system should take care of routine announcements for upcoming stops. -- Dave Arquati Imperial College, SW7 www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Dave Arquati wrote:
(snip) I think announcements when driving conditions permit would be a big bonus. I've noticed some bendy bus drivers making them. I'd really appreciate announcements that a bus is going to terminate short - sometimes they change destination mid-route without telling anyone, which is extremely frustrating. The new iBus system should take care of routine announcements for upcoming stops. That said sometimes the announcements can be confusing in themselves. I was on a number 12 going north when the driver received instructions to stop short of his destination - his announcement was along the lines of "this bus will no longer be going to Oxford, it will now be terminating at Trafalgar, to go to Oxford please get on the bus behind me". I was left wondering whether if I got on the next I really could get to Oxford for 80p, albeit taking ages and stopping every quarter of a mile. Meanwhile I wondered what would happen if I stayed put - would I be transported to south west Spain, even back to 1805! To be fair everyone seemed to understand his announcement and dissapointingly no-one else seemed to be even remotely amused. Another thing I think is a good practice that's only adopted on some routes is having a black-on-yellow strip on the destination blind reading "parrtial route" or something similar. This clearly provides a visual aid to passengers that the bus isn't going all the way (IYSWIM!). I'm not sure about the new iBus system - specifically, about the automatic announcements that'll be part of the system. It could be really annoying! Perhaps only key stops could have announcements, such as full (i.e. non-request) bus stops. |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
In message . com,
Mizter T writes Another thing I think is a good practice that's only adopted on some routes is having a black-on-yellow strip on the destination blind reading "parrtial route" or something similar. This clearly provides a visual aid to passengers that the bus isn't going all the way (IYSWIM!). *Does* this system exist "on some routes" in London?! I've seen it done in Paris but never in London! (Actually, some form of "flag" to suggest a short working, such as Travel West midlands' "E" suffix, is I reckon a good, simple idea.) -- Ian Jelf, MITG Birmingham, UK Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
Ian Jelf wrote:
In message . com, Mizter T writes Another thing I think is a good practice that's only adopted on some routes is having a black-on-yellow strip on the destination blind reading "parrtial route" or something similar. This clearly provides a visual aid to passengers that the bus isn't going all the way (IYSWIM!). *Does* this system exist "on some routes" in London?! I've seen it done in Paris but never in London! I've seen it done on the 207, when there's a short working from Shepherd's Bush to Ealing Hospital or Acton Tram Depot; the blind says the destination with "Part route only" below it in smaller type, all black-on-yellow. I think it's very useful, and should be extended to other routes if possible. (Actually, some form of "flag" to suggest a short working, such as Travel West midlands' "E" suffix, is I reckon a good, simple idea.) -- Dave Arquati Imperial College, SW7 www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
On Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:04:18 +0100, Ian Jelf
wrote: In message . com, Mizter T writes Another thing I think is a good practice that's only adopted on some routes is having a black-on-yellow strip on the destination blind reading "parrtial route" or something similar. This clearly provides a visual aid to passengers that the bus isn't going all the way (IYSWIM!). *Does* this system exist "on some routes" in London?! I've seen it done in Paris but never in London! A quirk of blinds on buses operated by First. There are a number of special features on them and many of them work rather well. Needless to say the BBC (Bus Blinds Committee of TfL - I kid you not) is now stamping on all of this individuality so we can be reduced to the hopeless dull, uninformative crap that is being seen on new buses on recently retendered routes. In other words single line destination displays with no via points and utterly meaningless names for certain locations - Clapham Park for Streatham Hill, Atkins Rd on the 45s and the now classic Manor Circus which is really Richmond on the route 493. This latter one has now been "repealed" by the BBC and Richmond can be used on route 493 blinds! (Actually, some form of "flag" to suggest a short working, such as Travel West midlands' "E" suffix, is I reckon a good, simple idea.) Yes - it is an elegant solution if you have electronic displays or four track number blinds. I suspect it would not work on conventional blinds in London as you'd probably need an E variant for every number which for some garages would result in blinds that were too big for the blind boxes. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
Not being let off the bus - this cant be correct?
In message , Paul Corfield
writes A quirk of blinds on buses operated by First. There are a number of special features on them and many of them work rather well. Needless to say the BBC (Bus Blinds Committee of TfL - I kid you not) Boggle is now stamping on all of this individuality so we can be reduced to the hopeless dull, uninformative crap that is being seen on new buses on recently retendered routes. In other words single line destination displays with no via points and utterly meaningless names for certain locations - Clapham Park for Streatham Hill, Atkins Rd on the 45s This single line display with no "via" points is truly *ludicrous*. I hope it's a fad. and the now classic Manor Circus which is really Richmond on the route 493. This latter one has now been "repealed" by the BBC and Richmond can be used on route 493 blinds! Sanity prevails! Now to work on those "via" points....... -- Ian Jelf, MITG Birmingham, UK Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk |
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