Sunday Selelction

And Two Come Along At Once

Well, they don't really; but fbb has concatenated two blogs, largely because the topic is getting very samey. Two "demand responsive" services have appeared; a few months ago in Milton Keynes and a few days ago in Sutton, London.

They are both operated by ViaVan, a joint venture by Via, the US based "ride sharing" technology wizards and Mercedes, bringing the name of their "Van"-based minibus to the party.

A blogger has taken a ride on the Milton Keynes service, taking a typical pre-booked journey from The Coachway (still with its repeated name) ...

... and expressing disappointment that he only got a local taxi!

Apparently this is because the ViaVans are "so busy". Somebody (the taxi AND the "Van"?) will be making a significant loss here.

Our blogger was unhappy about the long wait. But that is the problem with this "ride sharing" system.

While it is in its infancy and not busy, it is successful, delivering fast journeys and short waits. Once it becomes well used it ceases to be successful as the waits become longer and the shared rides become more circuitous.

The finances don't look too attractive either. The MK researcher (unnamed on his blog) was the only passenger, as is fairly normal. Cheap taxi!

But then we move to Sutton with the help of Roger French.

Where has the "n" gone? Or is it fbb's phone?

Looking up "ViaVan" is not very successful - you need to know that the Transport for London "brand" is GoSutton.

The "vans" are non-standard in their colour and adornment ...

... with the whole caboodle being managed by GoAhead's London company. Prices are simple ...

... but note that OAP free passes are acceptable. Cue loads of Sutton pensioners booking their free taxi to anywhere in the zone. Even fbb could ride for nowt - which makes it potentially VERY costly for Transport for London.

And, if you cannot cope with Via's technology, you can just book over the phone ...

... just like the Dial-a-Ride of days gone by.

The map on the GoSutton web site (click on to enlarge a bit) ...

... is not as good as it could be. The map on TfL's pre-launch publicity and on the TfL web site is much better.

And, whilst in cartographic mode, Roger appends a chunk of Mike Harris' London bus map.

There are plenty of buses in Sutton, slower but cheaper than the Vans. Of course TfL won't provide you with such a map but the wonderful Mike Harris does.

Roger tried three journeys and, as usual, he was the the only passenger on all three. He found the service efficient, timely and very friendly - but that is easy to do when the are few customers. He summarises his conclusions.

(£1.50 bus flat fare is that available with your Oyster card)

As these demand responsive schemes come (and go!) you do wonder whether they can ever be viable commercially. Clever Via technology is no guarantee of profitability.

No - like moving pictures, television, fast food and the internet; it will never catch on!?!

Is This Really Silly?

It is good to know that if you are wearing a "gilet orange", you can be struck by a train, piece of station architecture or a meteorite with complete impunity.

Is This The End?

Remember City Fox in Bristol? Remember City Fox in Newport? Remember Fox Taxis? It looks as if Mr Hand has been "found out" at last. Sorry for his drivers and those that supported him and his expansive ideas, but the end was always inevitable.

And Remember Your History, fbb

Yesterday the chubby one wrote about a Stagecoach bus having an altercation with a small but significant piece of Northern General Hospital in Sheffield. Its correct route was via a turning circle at the Clock Tower. fbb referred to this as "the original hospital" which was once called Fir Vale Infirmary.

But it was more original than that.

1878 - Foundation stone laid for a new workhouse laid

1881 - opened as Fir Vale Workhouse

1906 - re-organised as Sheffield Union Hospital & Fir Vale Institution

1929 - came under the control of Sheffield Corporation

1930 - renamed Fir Vale Infirmary

1967 - renamed Norther General Hospital

It has a dedicated bus service linking it with the Hallamshire Hospital. It runs as H1 Monday to Friday (only) roughly every 30 minutes.

As we noted yesterday, a recently-revised service 2 serves the hospital grounds evenings and Sundays with 2X calling at the entrance on Barnsley Road Monday to Saturday daytimes.

Like the H1, it also provides a link from the Hallamshire Hospital to the Northern General - but the H1 is free for Hospital staff. Bet the 2/X2 isn't!

 More "selection" blogging : Monday 3rd June