Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2007 9:45:42 GMT
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Colin
Advisor
My preserved fire engine!
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Post by Colin on Dec 23, 2007 20:36:43 GMT
It's a nice idea, but it was commissioned by the Autocar magazine not TfL - I can't see it ever becoming a reality TBH.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2007 21:01:40 GMT
tfl don't seem to like any good ideas
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Post by Alight on Dec 23, 2007 21:02:05 GMT
Surely the whole novelty of the Route Master is having the door at the back? By the image, it looks as if the door will just be in a standard place making there be little contrast between this and a regular double deccer except there being a seperate conductor which saves the bus driver having to concentrate on ticketings as well as abuse.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2007 21:07:00 GMT
I like the look of that bus, especially the one-piece wrap round window... Still looks rather 50's there...
Why not just buy back all the RM's from enthusiasts, and flog the Bendies?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 23, 2007 21:31:16 GMT
TfL have bought RMs back before - earlier this decade - that they converted to Dartmasters.
They were mostly from other Transport operators, such as Clydeside in Scotland, that were withdrawing them. LT also bought some RMA (Airport versions from BA) and RMF (forward entrance) from Northern General. That was in the 70s and 80s though.
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Post by Tomcakes on Dec 23, 2007 22:16:46 GMT
A single fare of £1.50? Perish the thought that you might have to pay £4.00...
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
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Post by Phil on Dec 24, 2007 20:28:23 GMT
The Routemaster worked because
1. it had a conductor for quick progress since driver didin't collect money and
2. the open rear platform encouraged 'hoppers on and off' who nonetheless were caught and charged by the efficient conductor (one of the best parts of the job in my experience).
But now 1. is off the menu due to cost and 2. is out presumably due to H&S (inevitably).
The suggested replacement fails on both counts so I can't see it in a million years.......
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Post by Tomcakes on Dec 24, 2007 20:59:54 GMT
Couldn't a conductor be employed on a regular bus? If it were two-doored and interchanges modified appropriately, it could go just as fast. You can also hop on and off a conventional bus, if the driver opens the doors.
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
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Post by Phil on Dec 24, 2007 23:59:12 GMT
You can also hop on and off a conventional bus, if the driver opens the doors. Unfortunately no!! To do this "safely" you HAVE to have the entrance open on more than one side (i.e. on a corner not a side) , AND poles etc. to assist in the right places. When we were riding back to depot after shift the driver would rarely slow below 10mph (usually nearer 15) and we would slmply 'drop off' even carrying ticket machine box, cash bag, the lot. Picking up was slower but even then at about 5-7mph. Unhappily can't be done with side entrance (even if it were allowed by law and/or H&S). |
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Post by Tomcakes on Dec 25, 2007 21:05:31 GMT
What I meant was, in stationary traffic. Most bus drivers appear to welcome passengers offering to get off when there's a huge queue of traffic and pulling into the stop would create more trouble - a few jobsworths say "the rules say no!" (before going on to break the speed limit in the interchange, 'run out of paper' in the ticket machine and miss out half the route).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2007 21:10:27 GMT
Oooh, your relating RM's to MASS now!
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Phil
In memoriam
RIP 23-Oct-2018
Posts: 9,473
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Post by Phil on Dec 25, 2007 23:14:24 GMT
If you wanted a revival of a bus suitable for DDA, the choice would have to be (sacrilege!) the Bristol FLF. Half-cab, doors at front and GENUINE flat floor. Rip out a couple of seats, add a fold-out wheelchair ramp as on the Optare solos, put in conductor and the job's done (apart from changing the slow engine, getting rid of the crash gearbox (though the last batch were built with semi-auto), modifying the super-sensitive brakes......etc.).
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 25, 2007 23:17:48 GMT
New Routemaster? I'd rather keep the Plaxton bodied Volvo B7L's (PVL's) that London General and London Central have. They are great, especially while caning round Blackfen on the N21. Cool  |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Dec 26, 2007 16:39:47 GMT
New Routemaster? I'd rather keep the Plaxton bodied Volvo B7L's (PVL's) that London General and London Central have. They are great, especially while caning round Blackfen on the N21. Cool Tridents are good fun as well! ;D Where money should go is to change peoples overly-liberal attitudes and introduce more draconian punishments suited for the crime. Safe public transport makes conductors obsolete. |
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