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iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to
suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... Why? I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
Dusty Shelves wrote: Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... If you don't want to hear it, then concentrate on something else and let your brain filter the sound out, just like with any other unwanted announcements. Why? Because it's good idea that should've been introduced ages ago. The real question is why did they wait so long before introducing it. I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm I hope there isn't. Why would there be? It's interesting that the _only_ person the BBC could find to speak against it was a Liberal Democrat MP. If this really was an unpopular idea, you can bet Cameron's Cronies would be rushing to complain... |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
In message
, at 00:22:01 on Mon, 28 Jan 2008, Dusty Shelves remarked: Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... And I've noticed car park ticket machines pouring out a stream of patronising instructions (possibly in a slight Swedish accent). When there's three of them side by side all in use, it's distracting as well as annoying. -- Roland Perry |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On 28 Jan, 09:13, "solar penguin"
wrote: If you don't want to hear it, then concentrate on something else and let your brain filter the sound out, just like with any other unwanted announcements. The announcements on some trains can be so loud its rather difficult to filter it out. I doubt the ones on buses will be any different. Why? Because it's good idea that should've been introduced ages ago. The real question is why did they wait so long before introducing it. Its a good idea if done in moderation. Unfortunately this rarely happens, and if iits done for every single stop on a bus route it'll quickly drive people up the wall especially if they chuck in some mind- the-doors messages on top. B2003 |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
It is incredibly annoying. I'd love for it to be just visual
announcements. If someone doesn't know the area and can't, then they can just ask for assistance. It used to just be on the 41 I took every now and then, but I'm hearing it on the 141 more and more as well. Also, if they don't get rid of them, can they at least speed them up? 41 ... to .... Archway. |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
Boltar wrote:
Its a good idea if done in moderation. Unfortunately this rarely happens, and if iits done for every single stop on a bus route it'll quickly drive people up the wall especially if they chuck in some mind- the-doors messages on top. Automatically announcing every stop is regularly done in some other countries. For example, I know it is done in Heidelberg, Germany, with no notable increase in lunacy. It's quite useful. Of course, they don't have the inclination to spice it up with constant "mind the doors this is a special announcement please do not leave your bags or small children on the bus when you leave" -- Michael Hoffman |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
sweek wrote:
Also, if they don't get rid of them, can they at least speed them up? 41 ... to .... Archway. Good Lord, do they tell you the route and destination between every stop? |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On 28 Jan, 11:40, "John Rowland"
wrote: sweek wrote: Also, if they don't get rid of them, can they at least speed them up? 41 ... to .... Archway. Good Lord, do they tell you the route and destination between every stop? They used to do it twice, but they've cut back. Personally I think iBus is a good idea, but could do with some tweaking. I think it'd be helpful to know roughly where you are, for one thing. Perhaps the lower line of the dot matrix display could tell you what area you're in or major road you're on - knowing you're on Essex Road seems more helpful than knowing you've just passed Cross Street, which is pretty meaningless if you don't know the area or have a street map to hand. Jonn |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
John Rowland wrote:
sweek wrote: Also, if they don't get rid of them, can they at least speed them up? 41 ... to .... Archway. Good Lord, do they tell you the route and destination between every stop? Only if the bus has stopped and opened the doors. The name of the next stop is announced just before reaching it, and the "route (pause) to (pause) destination" once the doors are closed again. Cheers, Barry |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On 28 Jan, 11:56, wrote:
On 28 Jan, 11:40, "John Rowland" Good Lord, do they tell you the route and destination between every stop? Currently it's only played after the doors close, which means you don't hear if the bus doesn't stop. And it's only "141 to London Bridge" rather than "This is a Northern Line train to High Barnet". Likewise they only say the name of the stop you're approaching, not anything else. Personally I think iBus is a good idea, but could do with some tweaking. I think it'd be helpful to know roughly where you are, for one thing. Perhaps the lower line of the dot matrix display could tell you what area you're in or major road you're on - knowing you're on Essex Road seems more helpful than knowing you've just passed Cross Street, which is pretty meaningless if you don't know the area or have a street map to hand. Having line maps on the wall so you could see where you are in relation to major interchanges would be a good start. Though not all buses are dedicated to one route. U -- http://londonconnections.blogspot.com/ A blog about transport projects in London |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On 28 Jan, 11:31, Michael Hoffman wrote:
Boltar wrote: Its a good idea if done in moderation. Unfortunately this rarely happens, and if iits done for every single stop on a bus route it'll quickly drive people up the wall especially if they chuck in some mind- the-doors messages on top. Automatically announcing every stop is regularly done in some other countries. For example, I know it is done in Heidelberg, Germany, with no notable increase in lunacy. It's quite useful. Of course, they don't have the inclination to spice it up with constant "mind the doors this is a special announcement please do not leave your bags or small children on the bus when you leave" (Yeah, when you hear "this is a special announcement" you can guarantee that you are about to hear something general and not time- sensitive.) My experience on the 123 was that it wasn't actually every stop; it was every stop that was previously deemed to be a compulsory stop before they all became request stops, ie the white stops. When the distinction is officially done away with and stops are presumably all the same colour, I wonder which ones they will choose to announce? |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
When the distinction is officially done away with and stops are
presumably all the same colour, I wonder which ones they will choose to announce? I hope, all of them. As a passenger, I might know the name of the stop / place where I need to get off a certain route, but if I don't know the area, how the hell can I tell?! With London Buses being as busy as they are, I cannot realistically rely on the driver to let me know. Best Wishes, LEWIS |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
MIG wrote Automatically announcing every stop is regularly done in some other countries. For example, I know it is done in Heidelberg, Germany, with My experience on the 123 was that it wasn't actually every stop; it was every stop that was previously deemed to be a compulsory stop before they all became request stops, ie the white stops. When the distinction is officially done away with and stops are presumably all the same colour, I wonder which ones they will choose to announce? My experience out in the sticks (routes K3 and 281 now have a few equipped vehicles) is that it's every stop. Of course out in the sticks even request stops are fairly well separated so adding "next stop 400 metres/yards" would be a useful enhancement. -- Mike D |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 09:13:39 -0000, "solar penguin"
wrote: Dusty Shelves wrote: Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... If you don't want to hear it, then concentrate on something else and let your brain filter the sound out, just like with any other unwanted announcements. Precisely. I use the 123 every day and it was one of the first routes to get the system. While we've had all the teething problems and various different forms of messages and timing of them I find no issue with the system at all. I can ignore if I want to and pay attention if I wish to. I don't find it any more intrusive that the auto messages on tube trains. Why? Because it's good idea that should've been introduced ages ago. The real question is why did they wait so long before introducing it. Precisely. I'm also looking forward to the expansion of countdown style displays at stops plus the ability (hopefully) to get real time stop departure info texted to your mobile phone. With a lot of effort you can just about use Transport Direct to get the timetable information per stop. I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm I hope there isn't. Why would there be? It's interesting that the _only_ person the BBC could find to speak against it was a Liberal Democrat MP. If this really was an unpopular idea, you can bet Cameron's Cronies would be rushing to complain... Apparently there were 12 complaints that sat behind that BBC "exclusive". There's nothing wrong with the standard stop and route announcements. I understand some people are fed up with other pre-recorded messages being played constantly - I've never had that on a Tottenham garage route. The few times the "special" messages have been deployed they were all genuinely helpful or appropriate. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
In message
, Dusty Shelves writes Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... Why? I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm I was on the 298 route on Saturday evening and I thought it was very good (although I note other people's comments on how it could be improved). The best part was, as the bus approached Southgate Station, the control/depot phoned in and asked the driver where he was. I can't remember what the driver answered, but the control/depot pointed out he was running early and the driver apologised and said he would pull up at the next stop until he was on time. The half hourly bus had managed to become over 10 minutes early in fact (the roads just aren't as busy at night as during the daytime). The only way that I can think that control bothered phoning in is that they must have installed some automated flagging system for when buses are running seriously early and connected it to iBus. Fantastic! (better than the timetables were more sensible; but this will do as an alternative). Of course, with such a system, in terms of driver training the control ought to be initially able to set it up for routes running 10 minutes early and decrease it to 5 minutes when the drivers are better behaved! -- Paul G Typing from Barking |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
"Mr Thant" wrote in message ... Currently it's only played after the doors close, which means you don't hear if the bus doesn't stop. And it's only "141 to London Bridge" rather than "This is a Northern Line train to High Barnet". Likewise they only say the name of the stop you're approaching, not anything else. Perhaps they will put external speakers on the bus? |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 22:08:33 +0000, Paul G
wrote: In message , Dusty Shelves writes Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... Why? I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm I was on the 298 route on Saturday evening and I thought it was very good (although I note other people's comments on how it could be improved). The best part was, as the bus approached Southgate Station, the control/depot phoned in and asked the driver where he was. I can't remember what the driver answered, but the control/depot pointed out he was running early and the driver apologised and said he would pull up at the next stop until he was on time. The half hourly bus had managed to become over 10 minutes early in fact (the roads just aren't as busy at night as during the daytime). The only way that I can think that control bothered phoning in is that they must have installed some automated flagging system for when buses are running seriously early and connected it to iBus. Fantastic! (better than the timetables were more sensible; but this will do as an alternative). Of course, with such a system, in terms of driver training the control ought to be initially able to set it up for routes running 10 minutes early and decrease it to 5 minutes when the drivers are better behaved! Depot based control is part of I-Bus. With the GPS tracking controllers can see exactly where buses are. AIUI the system will automatically flag variances against the schedule / timetable. The driver also has a module in the cab with a display that also shows in real time whether the bus is early or late. I noticed this for the first time on a 192 and was genuinely surprised at how neat the unit was. The system can obviously track the service over the whole day and the collation of operational statistics should help to improve future timetables. Once it becomes clear how each route performs on a typical day as well as in unusual conditions then schedules will be able to be tweaked to make services more reliable and resilient. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
"Paul G" wrote in message ... I was on the 298 route on Saturday evening and I thought it was very good (although I note other people's comments on how it could be improved). The best part was, as the bus approached Southgate Station, the control/depot phoned in and asked the driver where he was. I can't remember what the driver answered, but the control/depot pointed out he was running early and the driver apologised and said he would pull up at the next stop until he was on time. The half hourly bus had managed to become over 10 minutes early in fact (the roads just aren't as busy at night as during the daytime). The only way that I can think that control bothered phoning in is that they must have installed some automated flagging system for when buses are running seriously early and connected it to iBus. Fantastic! AFAIK, it is not connected to iBus. It is possible along any bus route to see small grey boxes atop a post, which sometimes have a bright yellow sticker attached to them. Every time a bus passes one of those posts, it sends a signature signal to the control centre, which in turn allows the control centre to know busses' locations at all times. I also undertsand that there is a large screen in the command centre that can see busses' movements. This is what I've heard and I am well aware that I could be wrong, so feel free to correct me. |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
"Michael Hoffman" wrote in message
... Boltar wrote: Automatically announcing every stop is regularly done in some other countries. For example, I know it is done in Heidelberg, Germany, with no notable increase in lunacy. It's quite useful. Of course, they don't have the inclination to spice it up with constant "mind the doors this is a special announcement please do not leave your bags or small children on the bus when you leave" It's this announcement that you hear on some lines: "Stand clear, doors opening!" Then, after another second, they open. Such drama. |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
The driver also has a module in the cab with a display that also shows in real time whether the bus is early or late. *I noticed this for the first time on a 192 and was genuinely surprised at how neat the unit was. The system can obviously track the service over the whole day and the collation of operational statistics should help to improve future timetables. Once it becomes clear how each route performs on a typical day as well as in unusual conditions then schedules will be able to be tweaked to make services more reliable and resilient. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! All of this sounds very neat. I hope some of this data will become available to the public, too. Have any of the iBus' advanced countdown timers popped up around London yet? |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
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iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Jan 28, 10:33 pm, Paul Corfield wrote:
The driver also has a module in the cab with a display that also shows in real time whether the bus is early or late. I noticed this for the first time on a 192 and was genuinely surprised at how neat the unit was. Encouraging the driver to drive irresponsibly, and in some cases, downright dangerously, overtaking other road users before pulling in 30 yards later, hounding vehicles off the road, blasting their horn while stationary and at a red light, etc. etc. |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Mon, 28 Jan 2008 16:15:52 -0800 (PST), sweek
wrote: The driver also has a module in the cab with a display that also shows in real time whether the bus is early or late. *I noticed this for the first time on a 192 and was genuinely surprised at how neat the unit was. The system can obviously track the service over the whole day and the collation of operational statistics should help to improve future timetables. Once it becomes clear how each route performs on a typical day as well as in unusual conditions then schedules will be able to be tweaked to make services more reliable and resilient. All of this sounds very neat. I hope some of this data will become available to the public, too. There is a little "cartoon" that explains the basics of the system. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/proj...ment/2373.aspx The direct information may not be published but the route by route statistics should show if there is a discernable change in performance. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/businessan...oroughreports/ Have any of the iBus' advanced countdown timers popped up around London yet? I haven't seen any if they going to look different to existing ones nor have I seen an obvious expansion in the existing style of display unit. I heard a vague rumour that the bus stop display element was somewhat delayed but that may be incorrect. I think the new units are supposed to "talk" as well as provide a visual display and this may be causing some concern given the apparent complaints about on bus noise. If there was a stop in a residential area with a frequent service there may be an endless stream of announcements - 24 hours a day if the service was 24 hours or covered by day and "N" routes. -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Tue, 29 Jan 2008 00:12:32 -0800 (PST), Paul Weaver
wrote: On Jan 28, 10:33 pm, Paul Corfield wrote: The driver also has a module in the cab with a display that also shows in real time whether the bus is early or late. I noticed this for the first time on a 192 and was genuinely surprised at how neat the unit was. Encouraging the driver to drive irresponsibly, and in some cases, downright dangerously, overtaking other road users before pulling in 30 yards later, hounding vehicles off the road, blasting their horn while stationary and at a red light, etc. etc. Which I-Bus equipped route have you witnessed the above behaviour on then? -- Paul C Admits to working for London Underground! |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
In message , Paul Corfield
writes I haven't seen any if they going to look different to existing ones nor have I seen an obvious expansion in the existing style of display unit. I heard a vague rumour that the bus stop display element was somewhat delayed but that may be incorrect. I think the new units are supposed to "talk" as well as provide a visual display and this may be causing some concern given the apparent complaints about on bus noise. If there was a stop in a residential area with a frequent service there may be an endless stream of announcements - 24 hours a day if the service was 24 hours or covered by day and "N" routes. Not 24 hours but there were certainly complaints in residential areas around some of the Midland Metro stations (Black Lake for one) when that service began in 1999. Talking bus stops aren't new, either. They had them in the late eighties in Weston-super-Mare, opened in a fanfare by Lynda Chalker (whatever happened to her?) But intended mainly for the visually impaired. They didn't last. I can fully see the use of services like iBus, making it almost as easy as the tube to navigate if you're a stranger (or even if you're not). I confess to being a bit irritated by announcements, though. A continuing advertising loop on a Blackpool tram years ago drove me truly *loopy* en route from Fleetwood to the Central Promenade. I'll reserve judgement on how it affects my enjoyment of London bus riding until I've experienced it, though. -- Ian Jelf, MITG Birmingham, UK Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk |
iBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel...
On Jan 28, 8:22 am, Dusty Shelves wrote:
Well, apart from traffic levels & overcrowding of course. I have to suffer this damn incessant voice almost every day... Why? I hope there is some kind of backlash against it! http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4991326.stm It's called an iBus because you MUST wear an iPod while you're on it. |
IBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel
I simply can't understand why the iBus must announce what bus it is and to where it's going each and every time the bus door closes. Surely the people who are blind either have carers to tell them which bus is approaching and whether or not to board it, and if the blind person doesn't have a carer (or even if they're not blind) and can't see the bus number on the front of the bus as it approaches, surely they can simply ask the driver what bus it is, and to where it's going??? It simply doesn't make any sense to tell the passengers who are already on the bus which bus number it is and its destination. Surely TfL shouldn't add to noise pollution that is already at a peak when babies are crying, chavs are shouting, and kids play music through their mobile phone loudspeakers!! When this happens the people must talk louder to be heard, and people listening to headphones need to turn them up louder if they don't want to hear the bothersome and unnecessary announcements. Ok, having the announcements on the lower deck might be a good idea, (the volume should at least be reduced for crying out loud.... it was so loud upstairs that my plastic chair felt like it was resonating) but for what other purpose are the announcements upstairs made, other than for blinde people? Let's assume that I'm a blind person wanting to go upstairs... Now I'm a person with perfect sight and reasonable strength to hold on to things when the bus makes sudden stops. But even I have fallen over on my knees when walking upstairs or downstairs, so I have no idea how a blind person would cope! And even if they do go upstairs, they'd definitely need a carer to assist them not to kill themselves, and so wouldn't a carer be able to read the display that informs the passengers where they are / where they're going??? None of this is thought through, and it seems TfL have no idea about what stress these cause to many people. -- peikko Message Origin: TRAVEL.com |
IBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel
peikko wrote:
None of this is thought through, and it seems TfL have no idea about what stress these cause to many people. On the other hand, it's much less stressful on a crowded bus where you can't necessarily see reference points outside if the bus tells you where the next stop is. This is doubly true in rainy weather where the windows might be covered in drops or partly steamed up. I don't find iBus remotely stressful, personally. It's also useful if, say, you can remember which bus stop you're getting off at but not necessarily the layout of the route approaching it. You just wait until the bus announces it, then get off at the next stop. This also works if someone unfamiliar with your area is coming over, you just tell them the name of the bus stop to look out for. Tom |
IBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel
On 19 Jan, 02:00, Tom Barry wrote:
peikko wrote: None of this is thought through, and it seems TfL have no idea about what stress these cause to many people. On the other hand, it's much less stressful on a crowded bus where you can't necessarily see reference points outside if the bus tells you where the next stop is. *This is doubly true in rainy weather where the windows might be covered in drops or partly steamed up. I don't find iBus remotely stressful, personally. *It's also useful if, say, you can remember which bus stop you're getting off at but not necessarily the layout of the route approaching it. *You just wait until the bus announces it, then get off at the next stop. *This also works if someone unfamiliar with your area is coming over, you just tell them the name of the bus stop to look out for. Tom Another couple of weeks and this thread could have been resurrected after no activity for exactly a year. What is the record? |
IBus. The most annoying thing about bus travel
Tom Barry wrote peikko wrote: None of this is thought through, and it seems TfL have no idea about what stress these cause to many people. On the other hand, it's much less stressful on a crowded bus where you can't necessarily see reference points outside if the bus tells you where the next stop is. This is doubly true in rainy weather where the windows might be covered in drops or partly steamed up. I don't find iBus remotely stressful, personally. It's also useful if, say, you can remember which bus stop you're getting off at but not necessarily the layout of the route approaching it. You just wait until the bus announces it, then get off at the next stop. This also works if someone unfamiliar with your area is coming over, you just tell them the name of the bus stop to look out for. Once on board I do find the repeated announcement slightly annoying so perhaps a slight improvement would be to make it only if someone has boarded ? However I recently noted a logical flaw which affects the above. When a stop is closed it is still announced but there is no announcement at the previous stop. Thus "The next stop is The Dysart" press bell burst of music, then "The next stop is closed" Then the normal announcement "The next stop is closed" (observed on 65 Kingston-Richmond 10 am Sat 10 Jan) If the walk back is much the same as the walk from the previous stop this doesn't matter much but here the next stop for the 65 is 500 m on and for the 371 it's 600 m and at the top of Star & Garter hill. So I suggest "The next stop is Petersham Fox & Duck", "The following stop is closed" and/or "also alight here for The Dysart". This didn't affect me since when the bus halted at the temporary traffic lights the driver stretched a point and let me off anyway - thanks. -- Mike D |
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