... makes it safe for all of us!
When fbb was being taught how to drive a bus - by a splendid professional instructor whose services were provided free - he well remembers the importance of mirrors as being drilled into the slightly less rotund learners brain.
When fbb was being taught how to drive a bus - by a splendid professional instructor whose services were provided free - he well remembers the importance of mirrors as being drilled into the slightly less rotund learners brain.
At every junction and whilst simply bowling along the open road the words "Murrrs" would be heard. (Isle of Wight argot for Mirrors!). Murrs are a lot bigger now, particularly on coaches.
fbb was also instructed to make it clear to the guy who was testing him by moving his head in an obvious (and uncomfortable way) to show clearly that he was "looking" rather than "glancing".
He passed!
Modern (but expensive) technology can replace murrs with TV cameras and screens on the widow pillars, first spotted on one of First Glasgow's new buses. An article in the trade press shows the set-up much better than that first passing remark in a press release.
The trade puffs suggest a three-way dramatic improvement -
- very impressive.
Pity, however, that this driver is going the wrong way down a dual carriageway! oops, sorry - it is not a UK product.
Snap Has snapped
Like demand responsive minibus services "Snap" was proudly vaunted as Uber for coaches. The idea was to collect together loads of individuals to make up coachloads for trips to big "entertainment" events and footy matches. Snap didd not run any vehicles but hired in as appropriate.
The Snap App revealed its demise.
Sounds good?
But it doesn't make money! Nevertheless ...
... there is always the possibility that folk will be willing to invest in something that is loss making, as per the stock market launch of Uber!
Talking of loss making, it is reported that at least two respected bus managers have (anonymously) commented that they can see no way that "Uber-style" demand responsive minibus services could EVER be commercially viable. Here is Leicester's Arriva Click outside Braunstone Leisure Centre awaiting an App call from its eager passenger.
According to Leicester chum David (who goes swimming there) the vehicles lurk in the car park until someone makes a booking. Mostly, says David, there is always one resting there, occasionally three.
Pushchairs Versus Wheelchairs?
The question as to who has a legal right to the appropriate space on a bus led to a court case involving First. The outcome was only a partial clarification but the disabled contender seemed to be claiming that he had a greater "right" to limited accommodation than the rest of us.
As fbb has opined in the past, the provision of wheelchair space on the bottom deck is a noble achievement, but the lack of seats now "disables" a full bus for those of us who find climbing the stairs difficult or impossible. An empty wheelchair space is no consolation if there are no other seats. Thank goodness for tip up!
But a lovely picture (undated) popped up on-line recently. How to deal with pushchairs?
Opawa is in Christchurch, New Zealand, where, if the picture is to be believed procreation is particularly prolific. There is no photographic evidence that the contents of the prams are left in place!
Opawa is an inner suburb of Christchurch, New Zealand, located 2.5 kilometres south-east of the city centre. The name is a contraction of "Ōpāwaho", which, in Māori, means a place of ('ō') an outer pā or outpost ('pāwaho'). "Ōpāwaho" or "Opaawaho" is the Māori name for the Heathcote River in a loop on which the community sits.
Current bus services are route 28 (ORANGE) every 30 minutes ...
... and the Orbiter circular (GREEN) every ten minutes in both directions.
The network map shows how the two intersect.
There is plenty of on-line evidence to show that the pram-hooks were well used and fitted to all types of vehicle.
fbb Bludner
The picture of a route 99 Eastbourne to Hastings as used in yesterday's blog was actually a Southdown vehicle ...
... as was obvious from (a) the registration letters and (b) the word "Southdown" on the side; apart from that he was right. Try using your brain and your eyes, fbb!
What's In A Name?
Thanks to correspondent John fbb was made aware of a fascinating feature just off the route of Stagecoach (formerly Eastbourne Corp) routtes 5 and 5A.
Alight at the Southbourne Road stop on Churchdale Road ...
... walk a short distance along Southbourne Road and you will arrive at ...
... Ecmod Road. It is a short thoroughfare of ex Council property ...
... with the unusual name - and there it is on the map.
According to John (and fbb has no reason to doubt him) Ecmod is an acronym:-
Eastbourne
Corporation
Motor
Omnibus
Department
fbb has never seen this oddity in print, and it must be unique. As joyous a piece of Trivia as fbb's Sheffield favourite.
A main office of South Yorkshire Police is on LETSBY AVENUE a road name added to a blank map by a opportunist officer when reviewing plans for the new premises; and adopted (knowingly or not?) by South Yorkshire Council.
Next Sunday Odds blog : Sunday 7th July
South Yorkshire Council?!
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