The Anonymous Widower

My Local Bus Stop

My local stop is just around the corner and has buses that go everywhere, as this picture shows.

Mildmay Park (Balls Pond Road) Spider Map

Note that the actual spider maps, like this one have more information than their equivalent on the web.

The stop also has a Next Bus Information Number.

Next Bus Information Number

Note in the picture, the local street map.

The stop also has a Next Bus Display.

Next Bus Display

I wonder how long we’ll keep it though, as for many people the text message system will be better.

It is too much to expect all stops to be to this standard, but all important ones should have all the information, travellers might need.

I’m using the system in several ways now.

1. I often check before I leave home when the next bus is due, to avoid waiting in the cold, say when I have an early train out of Kings Cross.
2. If I’m expecting a visitor, I often ask them to text from say The Angel and then I can be at the appropriate stop to meet them.
3. If a suitable bus doesn’t appear imminent, then I might change plan and say walk to Daldston Junction.

The only prediction is that these systems will get better and better. You might for instance text the number with say Euston attached to find the quickest way to get to that station. And I still haven’t brought up the subject of a smart phone. But then who needs one, for this purpose, if you have a smart text messaging system.

Suppose to find your way home in London, all you needed to do was text the stop code like 59415, followed by your post code to 87287. You would then be sent instructions on which bus to catch and where to change to get home.

As children, my friends and myself would wander all over London on Red Rovers.  Children probably don’t do that now!  But it was great fun.  Being able to text to get you to your home, could make it safer.

October 23, 2011 - Posted by AnonW | Computing, Transport/Travel | Bus Stop, Buses, Hackney, London