The Anonymous Widower

Do We Really Want To Save Preston Bus Station?

Preston Bus Station is an iconic building of the 1960s. As I’ve never used, let alone seen it, I can’t comment on the design, but it does evoke strong feelings.

The government has now given it Listed status, which doesn’t fit well with the local councils’ plans to demolish it. The BBC has a report.

I’m going to Manchester and Derby on October the first. I think it’s somewhere that deserves a visit! So perhaps, I’ll start in Preston and work my way down.

Looking at the map, it seems that the bus station, is not by the railway station. So perhaps the building is in the wrong place? After all the ideal railway station, should be integrated with the local buses, like say Barnsley, Canning Town or Sheffield.

September 25, 2013 Posted by | News, Transport/Travel | , , , | 1 Comment

Number 11 Goes New Bus For London

I took a ride on a number 11 and despite the unfortunate accident, they seemed to be running well.

Number 11 Goes New Bus For London

Number 11 Goes New Bus For London

Are they proving to be a posh bus for the posh parts of London?

September 24, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment

An Accident Involving a New Bus For London

There has been a lot of reports, like this one on the BBC, about a serious accident involving a New Bus for London.

It is still too early to ascertain the cause of the accident, but some interests will probably blame Boris and the new bus.

I think that no-one should speculate until we know what happened.

September 24, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment

The Diana Busometer Seems To Be Right

Judging by the dreadful reviews I’ve seen, the prediction made by the large number of bus adverts for the Diana film, seem to be right.

I shall not be going to see it. Wikipedia says this about the reception the film received.

So far the film has received overwhelmingly negative reviews from the British press with an approval rating of just 4% on Rotten Tomatoes. Writing for The Mirror, David Edwards said it was a “cheap and cheerless effort that looks like a Channel 5 mid-week matinee” and awarded the film one star out of five. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian also awarded it one star out of five and called the film “car crash cinema”.

I read the review in The Times, where it was also given one star.

September 23, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | Leave a comment

Arriva And Stagecoach

This morning, I used buses from both these companies. In fact it was one from the first and three from the second.

What a difference though in the greeting, as I clocked in with my Freedom Pass. All except one of the Stagecoach drivers were stony faced, whereas the other two gave me a big smile and/or a grin in response to my thanks for getting on the bus.

It does seem though that the Arriva drivers are the more welcoming.

Long may London’s buses be on the whole, a friendly place for tourists and residents alike!

September 19, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment

In Six Days Tourists And The Posh Get New Buses for London

On the 21st of September, route 11 gets converted to New Buses for London.

This to me, is a good choice of route, as it runs along the very crowded Kings Road. So perhaps it might tempt people to hop on and off to get up and down the road, rather than use the Chelsea tractor.

But the newbusification of the route will not be popular with the tour bus operators, if this statement from the route’s Wikipedia entry is correct.

The journey from the top deck is a cheap means of sightseeing in London.

I don’t think bendy buses ever had any attractions for visitors to London.

I shall be there on Saturday.

September 15, 2013 Posted by | News, Transport/Travel | , , | Leave a comment

A Wet Night In Islington

I needed supper last night and although I had food in the fridge, I went to Pizza Express at the Angel.

The great advantage is that the bus stop is right outside the restaurant.

So although, the rain was amazing, I didn’t get too wet.

The gluten-free pizza was good too!

September 13, 2013 Posted by | Food, Transport/Travel, World | , , , | Leave a comment

Oslo’s Tourist And Transport Information

There is a lot of transport information in Oslo, but much of it, is not really geared at tourists and especially those that walk everywhere like me. Here’s some examples.

Note that the bus timing information is in the stop itself and the clock in the train information.

But there were no walking maps and you needed to have a paper guide or book in your hand.

September 11, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , , , | Leave a comment

To And Around Vasteras

I then took the train from Stockholm to Vasteras, so that I could meet up with the rest of the party and the guide at Vasteras Airport.

The trip was totally without incident and after getting a bus to the airport, we all met up easily.

The only problem I had, was buying a ticket for the bus, which needed to be paid for with coins. Surely, it’s time we had a Europe-wide ticketing standard, so that buying bus tickets is easy.

September 5, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | 2 Comments

Transport for London Consults On Cashless Buses

I saw this poster at Euston yesterday.

Transport for London Consults On Cashless Buses

Transport for London Consults On Cashless Buses

I have added my four pennyworth and can honestly say, it was a well-written survey. You can comment here.

August 31, 2013 Posted by | Transport/Travel | , , | 1 Comment