Forum Topic

Bus passengers numbers tumbling calls for LESS buses

http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/ldrstrans009.htmAll reactions are about how to put the passengers back on the buses. But when London is promoting cycling, that's a switch from buses to extra traffic, which affects bus speed as well. Those people are not jumping back in their cars.So the answer is pretty obvious: TFL should adapt their number of buses, which would reduce their costs. That's what a non sponsored business would do. TFL is like a spoiled child, charging the most expensive service in the world.I cannot count the number of buses I've taken where there were less than 5 passengers. Some night buses run totally empty. Putney High Street is at certain times a queue of buses, 2 or 3 of the same line. Extra congestion, extra pollution, ridiculous.  

Marc Blanchard ● 2490d29 Comments

The counter argument is that if bus services are reduced then even fewer people would use them.  No good trying encourage more use of buses if they’re not there. Some services e.g. the 265 are unreliable enough already.  “Every 12-13 minutes”?  If only!

Jonathan Callaway ● 2490d

I do not agree with you.  Comments were made about putting more passengers on public transport, which includes buses of course but also the tube and national rail.Also, you cannot encourage people to use a non-existent service.As for extra congestion, extra pollution, I thought the buses were now hybrids.  As for congestion, I think the closure of Hammersmith Bridge has a lot to do with it but above all, unsynchronized traffic lights.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2490d

Less or fewer?

Caroline Whitehead ● 2490d

The suggestion from Travelwatch as per the front page item is that more routes should be made bus and bike only.  There is no mention of the difference that the advent of Uber has made to people's journeys.If you can count the buses then it is fewer.  What would encourage more people back onto the buses?  Fewer buses definitely wouldn't. http://www.putneysw15.com/default.asp?section=info&link=http://neighbournet.com/server/common/ldrstrans009.htm

Philippa Bond ● 2490d

I doubt it is cyclists slowing down buses; if the buses are doing 9mph. I spend all my daily journey overtaking buses which block the bus lane every time they stop

Sean Hodges ● 2490d

"I spend all my daily journey overtaking buses which block the bus lane every time they stop"The Chinese were working on a very large "catamaran" style bus which would overtake cars and cyclists, with the accent on "over". It didn't get into production for some reason.I know, beats me too.

David Ainsworth ● 2490d

There are far too many buses outside of rush hour with far too few passengers.Not sure who I hate more: Buses or cyclists. :)

Simon Knight ● 2490d

Hello Sean,Are you cycling when you overtake buses doing 9mph?  You say "you overtake buses which block the bus lane every time they stop".  This is rather confusing I think.  Is the bus lane not for buses (and sometimes cyclist and motorbikes too?).  The name bus lane is a bit of a give-away.  And if there is a bus stop along the bus lane, normally buses stop there too.  Are you suggesting buses should not use bus lanes?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2490d

I think Sean is saying there are far too many buses and bus stops.From Barnes station to Fairacres there are 3 stops. This within 500yds. And every time a bus stops so does traffic. Good for the air we breathe yes?

Simon Knight ● 2490d

Conversely, the 265 from Barnes to the Spencer is a mighty long walk if you think there is a stop between Spencer and Barnes!

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2490d

I agree. On the subject of the Spencer. The 22 stops outside blocking traffic. Then turns left where it terminates. Why can't that be the boarding and alighting point?

Simon Knight ● 2489d

It could be moved round the corner for the 22, but that stop is still needed for the 265 and the 378, so it wouldn't help much.

Richard Carter ● 2489d

True, but at least it would be one less.

Simon Knight ● 2489d

That looks like something that you wouldn't notice on the desk but do in the street.  Why not float it as an idea for more comment?

Philippa Bond ● 2489d

Simon, have you ever even tried leaving your car at home and using a bus or a bike, or even those two feet most of us are endowed with?  An epiphany awaits!

Jonathan Callaway ● 2489d

Agree Jonathan. We haven’t had a car for about 15 years  - use Zipcar - so this means I walk a lot more than I would have done we’re we still car owners. Getting around locally at walking speed means I see a lot more people and get a chance to admire front gardens and other local activity. Very meditative and for short journeys no slower than driving.  Lately I have taken to walking to Southside rather than taking the bus. During the day when very congested traffic it isn’t much slower - and so much to see and relaxing to walk through the parks. As the weather improves I would really recommend to others who are physically able to have a day where you leave the car at home.

Ruth Pates ● 2489d

How do carry a ladder, or work.

Barbara Stevens ● 2489d

Jonathan: Now that I've got my old geezers bus pass I actually use the bus practically every day. I can't for work as the drivers seem to object to me taking my ladders and bucket on. I take the bus for small daily shops (big weekly ones where there are numerous carrier bags warrants the car).Bikes: I cycled into the City daily for nearly 2 years until some Wayne Kerr pulled out of a side turning and took me off my bike resulting in both arms broken above and below the elbow. Too scared to use one now!Walking: Have osteoarthritis in both feet so me and walking aren't good bedfellows.

Simon Knight ● 2489d

I take 800mg ibuprofen every morning which generally gets me through the day. Sometimes another 400mg if they're killing me when I get home (but I try not to).

Simon Knight ● 2489d

Yes Simon very painful, but so many on this forum keep going on about bikes and walking, perhaps they should sit in a hospital for a day and see how many people have a problem walking, or unable to see. Well so  glad their fit and healthy but with that attitude and no compassion Karma could come back on them.

Barbara Stevens ● 2489d

Barbara - I did stress if physically able. Also, if you are an essential car user (for whatever reason) you will benefit from getting the rest of us out of our cars. Less congestion and fewer delays for you. Also less exposure to pollution (which is worse inside a car in standstill traffic). I also suggested only trying for a single day.  If it is not something that you can do - fine - but I really can’t believe that everyone who currently drives short distances around Putney can’t change a thing.

Ruth Pates ● 2489d

Simon, I agree the old folks bus pass is a great thing. A perk well worth having and in fact so useful I’m surprised they haven’t taken it away. Saves me a lot of money. Sorry to hear about your ailments. The ageing process is not a lot of fun in my experience. Given your cycling history maybe you could try and develop a bit more sympathy for those of us who still give it a go. I find it very therapeutic so do remember to give us oldies on bikes a wide berth!

Jonathan Callaway ● 2489d

Re the bus pass...Shh, don't give 'em ideas!If my arthritis is the worst then I'm happy.I seriously have zero problem with cyclists, for the most part they're fine. The ones who stick out are the ones with no lights, are aggressive, jump red lights etc.But we digress...back to thread.Rush hour fine. Swamp the roads with them. Outside of that we don't want buses with one or two people on them causing tailbacks. Better to have a bus on the hour/half past. They do this successfully on the continent.

Simon Knight ● 2489d

I'm sure I've seen a window cleaner with buckets and ladder on a bike!  No you don't have to! The bus pass has always surprised me as it so often is available to people when it is too late for them to use it as they can no longer deal with the walking or standing at the bus stop - whereas there are a lot of younger people who need to rethink their lifestyles and take more exercise to get fitter and avoid getting Type 2 diabetes. Diabetes costs the NHS £10 billion each which includes the complications of amputations, blindness, kidney failure and stroke. It is better to try and keep moving and not get it!  Having to walk to the tube station or bus stop would make a difference! They now say that Type 2 diabetes can be reversed. That walk can also help to reduce stress. If you can no longer use the bus pass it would be be good to be able to have an alternative.

Philippa Bond ● 2488d

In my distant youth I remember the window cleaner coming round on his bike with the ladder over his shoulder and the bucket hanging on the end. I also remember seeing the rag and bone man once a week with his horse and cart. That was in Bolton where we went every Sunday to see my grandmother.  No rag and bone men in suburban (some would say posh) Wilmslow where I was brought up.

Jonathan Callaway ● 2488d

We did have a rag and bone man, and somebody picking up horse poo, also the man coming round turning the lighting on in the evening. The co-op man came round with bread, the milk float, the coal man. Taking your sheets to the Sunlight Laundry all wrapped in brown paper and string. Going to the Off-Licence  to fill up your bottle with soda water. You couldn't possibly carry a ladder these days on your shoulder, health and safety. That was in Barnes so not much different.

Barbara Stevens ● 2488d

As always people who make the decisions will not apply logic apart from looking at some crude statistics and not the reasons behind the stats.They will not even consider if they are providing the service people want.Hammersmith bridge closure has shown this.Ideally budget should be devolved to the wards for them to decide what services, routes, frequency and size they want.For example you could have a small more frequent service which stops Roehampton to Barnes station then nonstop to Hammersmith bridge.Bus stops would have yellow boxes on the car lane to allow these smaller buses and cyclists to overtake stopping buses.You could get many journies on such a route before the driver needs to change.The problem as I see it is centralisation of decisions coupled with low imagination and knowledge of the purpose of the service.

Ed Robinson ● 2488d

No, I am saying that cyclists don't slow down the buses — more likely the other way round. I commute to work by bike (I should have made that clearer) and I am overtaking buses the whole way, when they repeatedly stop. I am not saying anything negative about buses, just trying to stop people blaming cyclists

Sean Hodges ● 2487d

Why not contact Talk London with your ideas?  They may well suggest that you contact TfL as a result but if you use Talk London you get a chance to air your ideas publicly there as well.https://www.london.gov.uk/talk-london/

Philippa Bond ● 2487d