And The Balloon Came Too!
It would appear that balloons are allowed on the Emirates Air Line.
In some ways, I always follow instances of balloons on public transport, as at Liverpool University in the 1960s, they were banned on the buses in the city.
I wonder if they still are!
Do I Look Decrepit?
When I’m carrying my shopping back from the Angel on the bus, I sometimes get offered a seat, but usually I choose my bus with plenty of empty space.
Yesterday though, I was getting a 141 towards London Bridge, when I was offered a seat by a lady who was probably ten years older than me!
She was also wearing a burkha, which made be a bit embarrassed. Especially, as there were plenty of empty seats towards the back of the bus.
As I’ve said before, everybody is getting very polite on London’s buses!
The incident also got me thinking about why London buses seem to a more polite place, than others like Cambridge, where I’ve ridden the buses quite a few times.
I put it down to one of three things.
London’s buses always have at least two doors, which has two major affects. It separates those getting into the bus from those getting out and it also tends to keep low-life away from the driver. This calms down everybody!
The drivers seem to like a comment and often quip something back, adding to the positive side of the travel experience. I do wonder too, that because of London’s excellent mapping, that drivers do a lot less to sort out lost souls, so they have time to be pleasant.
And then of course London buses are painted bright red! Is it a warning to behave?
Every New Bus for London Has A Make-Up Mirror
A couple of times, I have seen the female of the species using the destination display of a New Bus for London as a make-up mirror, whilst they are standing in the wheel-chair space. So I took this picture of the display.
Every New Bus for London Has A Make-Up Mirror
That clever Mr. Heatherwick thinks of everything.
Now You Can Take A New Bus For London To Romantic Clapton Pond
Since the weekend, some of the New Buses for London on route 38 are now going all the way to romantic Clapton Pond. I rook this picture today.
A New Bus For London To Romantic Clapton Pond
There can’t be many ponds, which are the destination of bus or train routes. Clapton Pond incidentally, isn’t that bad as this post shows.
The Hackney Eight Lose Their Tail-Gunners
The New Buses for London on route 38, or the Hackney 8, are now running without conductors or as I call them tail-gunners.
I came back on one from the Angel tonight, and the driver was opening and closing all three doors. The bus was about half-full and evetybody seemed to be using the bus as they should.
But then those that use the 38 buses, seem on the whole to be a sensible bunch.
Crowds Greet The New Buses For London On Route 24
Yesterday morning, I went to see how the New Buses for London were performing on Route 24 from Hampstead Heath to Pimlico.
I didn’t see any real problems except those caused by the crowds in Trafalgar Square and near Victoria Station.
I also got the impression that some tourists were a bit confused at the new buses.
This post shows though how the New Buses for London are superb ways to see the sights of London. Will the tourist buses suffer, when there are more routes with the new buses?
Especially, if someone does a commentary app for a smart phone, so you get the details on everything you pass.
Free Travel For Children Cuts Road Injuries
This story in the Standard tells how in London, giving children and teenagers free Oyster travel cards, has cut the number involved in road accidents. The research was performed by the reputable London School or Hygiene and Tropic Medicine and as it is published in a learned journal, it surely is to be trusted.
Just as those over a certain age get free bus transport, this research surely says that all those under a certain one should too! In London the eligibility is stated here for what is called a Zip Oyster. it also gives child fares on the Underground, Overground and the DLR
The Spirit Of London
This bus has been around in various guises, but whilst waiting for a 38 to come home, it passed the stop.
This report on the Stagecoach web site, gives details of its refurbishment after an arson attack.
A Mistake On A London Bus
London buses are nearly always built with an entrance at the front and an exit in the middle. This post gives a good view of the two doors on the bus in the foreground.
I was on a 205 going from Kings Cross to Marylebone and sitting next to me at the back, were a couple from Sheffield, who wanted to go to the gardens at Regent’s Park.
The bus was a bit crowded and when it came time to get off,they walked right to the front door, before the driver, told them that you exit London buses from the middle.
The muddle in the middle of the bus as they returned, illustrated one reason, why buses should have an entrance and an exit.
This separation also makes it easy to load one baby buggy, as another is getting off and it tends to push the low life away from the driver.
I can’t for the life of me understand, why it isn’t compulsory for buses to have separate entrances and exits.
Strangely though, with New Buses for London, the drill now seems to be that you wait for everybody to get out at the entrance nearest you and then step in. People also tend to avoid getting on through the middle door and of course the conductor marshalls the passengers in busy times.
The Hackney Downs Information Board
I’ve used Hackney Downs station twice in the last few days, and on Friday, I noticed this information board for the first time.
The Hackney Downs Information Board
There doesn’t seem to be any information on the buses on it, but the stops are obvious and as is typical with Transport for London, they have all the bus information you need. There was also at least one bus spider map inside the station.
This board is also placed in such an obvious place, that you can’t miss it.
I wonder how many stations would score less than Hackney Downs on their information?
The Anonymous Widower 