Bendy buses!!?

Question

Who here likes the introduction of the bendy buses (London)! I hate them!! They are always packed and it infuriates me when I see people get on and not pay!! I think Ken Livingston should either introduce bus conductors on these buses or get rid of them altogether!! I would like to hear other people's views on these buses!!

Answer 1

We got em in Birmingham (uk) and they are great, all covered by cctv, no problems.. they call them the longest bus... but I think thats coz they always turn up in threes... Went on them in Honolulu as well, never any problems, the middle door is covered by cctv as well and nobody ever gets on there - must just be in London...

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

Articulated buses have their place.



In Scotland, they are used extensively on a number of services that cross river estuaries on high level bridges (eg Forth Bridge, Tay Bridge, etc.), because in high winds, all high sided vehicles are banned from these bridges. So articulated buses are a good substitute for double deckers in this context.



They also have a place on services where conflicting passenger movements on and off the vehicle are infrequent.



Some European cities use articulated vehicles both because their road layout is more "spacious" and also because the ticketing system is simpler. Neither applies to London.



How would you fancy travelling around in a car designed in the late 1940s, the early prototypes of which first took to the roads FIFTY THREE YEARS ago?



NO?



Then why hark on about Routemasters for? A good sturdy vehicle for the 1950s and 1960s - YES. For the 21st Century - NO, NO, NO



Remember that the only warm part of a Routemaster is in the lower saloon close to the driver. Do not forget the high boarding step and the steep stairs to the upper deck. Disabled-friendly - you must be joking. And then there is the engine, just one of which adds more to global warming than half a dozen modern buses.



Routemasters have their place - it is called a museum.

Answer 4

These buses are the biggest joke ever and are called by the public the free bus!!!



Bus drivers drive like w*nkers anyway and they just have no clue how to drive something this size.



It was a stupid idea that i think has not been thought out at all, it's easier for people to cause trouble on these buses as the driver has less vision.



Get rid!!!

Answer 5

The only time I've ridden on a bendy bus was in Las Vegas! It was great fun, but I agree about the easy with which people get off without paying. That should be stopped. I'm not sure I'd like to travel on one regularly.

Answer 6

first of all what do you care if someone pays or not, if you can get a free ride then why not after all that tax that that idiot livingston charges us it costs 2 pounds now for a bus ride, how about the unemployed people and people on low wages..... and what about security how many rapes and fights and stabbings happens on the top deck, i know i used to drive a double decker,and lastly what a waste of ten points for posting this question

Answer 7

we have just been introduced to bendy buses in west Yorkshire,haven't been on one yet but my nephew drives one and said there are two conductors and CCTV on each bus so surely it should help with crime rate etc

Answer 8

i admire the respond that in comparison the versatile bus to a knee joint bending - solid analogy! I lived in Canada approximately 20 years in the past and there have been articulated/jointed/versatile buses there, and were so for years. There weren't any problems linked with them so some distance as i comprehend. they seem to have created an unusual reaction right here interior the united kingdom. i think of that is extra to do with human beings's attitudes in the direction of the transport structures as a rule that are being geared in the direction of the versatile buses as a scapegoat.

Answer 9

The free buses ! I love them.

Answer 10

Some people might have paper travelcards and therefore don't have to pay again.



But I do agree they are rubish. Bring back double deckers. And Routemasters.

Answer 11

We have them in Luxembourg too, all covered by cctv ...



I think they're great for routes where double-deckers can't go because of low bridges!