is it time we got rid of bendy buses from London?

Question

Since they were introduced under 5 years ago there has been over 5 major fires involving these types of buses and now a death after a person was dragged for over a mile under a route 25. They are also the single most reason why streets gets blocked due to drivor error resalting in the bendy bus getting stuck and taking an hour to get moving again.

Answer 1

There is nothing wrong with them, they are just adly driven.



They work perfectly well in other countries.

Answer 2

Most of the people you see 'not paying' would actually have some sort of pass, but yes fare evasion is high. Total cashless boarding on ALL buses is an aspiration of TfL, so the bendis are just the first stage. There is nothing inherently wrong with articulated buses. They have been commonplace in many parts of Europe for a long time. In theory there is nothing wrong with them here, but in practice the frequency has been thinned out too much when artics have been introduced. This has caused overcrowding - not the bus itself. Perhaps more of a problem is the sheer size of the bus which has caused congestion and has meant that many stops have had to be re-sited, often causing inconvenience. Abroad there tends to be less traffic congestion and for there to be many more straight, broad avenues for such buses to go down! There are currently no plans to introduce any more artics - I think that says a lot! The general slagging-off of Routemasters in the reply above is a bit harsh - and isn't really a reply to the question asked. Most people given a choice between one of these 'museum pieces' and any sort of new bus, now matter how 'disabled friendly' would choose the museum piece every time. And don't get me going on straight staircases! The staircase on a Routemaster is MUCH safer than a straight one.

Answer 3

I regularly travel on the 29 bus and have grown to really dislike them.



There is a problem with crime on these buses due to the ease with which people (including petty thieves) can get on and off.



It annoys me that my fares are subsidising those who think they can travel for free.



If you are sitting near the back the ride is awful - it's like being bounced up and down on a see-saw.



People naturally congregate around the doors making it very difficult to get off and on when the bus is busy. As a result the stopping time at each bus stop is greatly increased



On more than one occasion I have seen them stranded when the wheelchair ramp has got stuck in the extended position.



In order to accommodate these longer buses some bus stops have been removed from the route.



I much prefer riding on the top deck of a bus, where you get a good view, better ventilation, and you can face forwards without people leaning over you.

Answer 4

You should be a politician (or a Daily Mail journalist) Matthew, you are so cute with the facts.



The fires, in the main, occurred shortly after their introduction to service. As a result they were withdrawn from use and remedial actions were taken; since their reintroduction in January 2006 there has been only one fire, which happened in the depot and was totally unrelated to the original fault - it actually involved the heating system, which is identical to that of other bus models and has been responsible for fires in these other models.



And yes, there has been a fatality, but are you saying that no other bus type ever contributed to accidents or deaths? The late lamented Routemaster was noted for it's contribution to RTA figures, as people hopped on and off between stops.



Teddy is right, they are open to fraud and that needs to be addressed. I'm not sure that I would agree that they are uncomfortable though. And Fiona is spot on, part of the reason they have problems getting around certain areas is due to the idiotic parking habits of certain motorists.



I have also heard it mentioned that they present a danger to London's cyclists. I suspect this mainly applies to that sizeable minority of London cyclists who think that red lights do not apply to them. In the 46 years I have lived in London I have been involved in a lot more incidents with cyclists than I have with bus drivers!



But I still reckon we should bring back the Routemaster!!!

Answer 5

Absolutely.



The reason they are so popular with bus companies is, not only does Ken Livingstone like them, but TFL subsidise them. There is of course also the fact that bus companies in London are only allowed to operate a certain number of vehicles. A bendybus has a passenger capacity of 149, whereas a "standard" double-decker has a capacity of around 64ish: it is therefore obvious that they are cheaper to run and overcome the numbers limitation.



London Transport (buses) was privatised to reduce subsidies but since then subsidies have risen and the "private" bus companies would not survive without them.



Stagecoach have just got rid of their London operations.



TFLs latest toy is a thing called iBus, basically £millions to be spent on a satellite system to tell them where a bus is at any given moment. Me, I'd ask the driver, much cheaper.

Answer 6

The reason that the streets are congested is due to cars, often parked with complete disregard for anyone else, not articulated buses.



If you get rid of the articulated buses,then, to cater for the peak loadings, you will need additional buses. Apart from the environmental effects that this will have, there will be a need for additional drivers and mechanics to drive and maintain the extra vehicles.



Since bus services in London are already highly subsidised from your Council Tax, all the additional costs will fall either on Council Tax payers or on bus passengers.



I suspect that you would complain about this as well!

Answer 7

If you start a petition I'll sign it!

One could put up with all the hassle an indignity if they actually ran frequently. I use the 18 bus route and have had to wait 30 mins for a bus after work, only to let it go because you can't squash on it.

They are like cattle trucks.

Answer 8

They are treacherous, uncomfortable and right from the start open to fraud, most people using them do not swipe their cards over the reader. Though i have seen a few more ticket inspectors get on and have caught people who have evaded paying. This was another Ken Livingston instigated idea and he should damn well get rid of them.

Answer 9

yes its time to get rid of them, they were brought in to ease congestion but they take up twice as much room as a double decker and seat less people the only "advantage" is they can get more standing passengers which make it about as comfortable as peak time on the tube

Answer 10

London's roads were not designed for these bus types (there again London's road's were'nt designed for modern transport either...period)





Bring back the 'polluting' (according to KL) RM

Answer 11

Yep - damned things are a nuisance. Too big for London streets and alot of bus drivers just cannot handle them !!!!

Answer 12

Yes definitely.

Answer 13

Hi,yes I hate them I call them dregmobeales because they are always full of dregs who have not paid.

Answer 14

Yes. They don't work on the continent, why ever should they work here?