Public Transport Experience: Bakerloop? Where? [4]

We Want To Be Like TfL!

We heard a lot from Andy in he run up to his take over of the buses (and soon, the trains) in Manchester. In essence his claim was that once Manchester had a fully integrated system just like in London. everything would be hunky and dory and everyone would benefit from lower fares and better services.

At least in Manchester you can find out where the buses go. There are good network maps and good timetable leaflets and good, consistent on-line information. None of these simple aids to travel is available in London.

But, surely, fbb hears you cry, Transport for London has an excellent web site with all the information you could possibly need.

So, the challenge for TfL, is to find out where the Bakerloop BL1 goes in Lewisham and where the stops might be.

We will start with ARRIVING.

That seems straightforward; there is a useful stoop at or near the station but would that be the DLR station or the National Rail station or both? Tfl also offers a "map" version ...

... which shows a selection of stops near an icon for both stations and the end of the route (labelled BL1) at stop Q. Because of the intrusion of the red line over the rad names, we cannot easily see where the stops are or, more importantly, which stops are served by the BL1.

The straight line diagram shows Stop E for the station and Stop Q as Molesworth Street. As we have already guessed, the station is a bit "round the back" but Streetview shows us that Stop E is, at least, in full view of a DLR entrance. Might the two (DLR and National Rail) be linked by a subway, or shown on signs at street corners.

Here is Stop E courtesy of Streetview ...

... whence a short toddle undr the railway bridge will reveal the DLR station ...

... but no sign at the DLR of the big proper trains. But fbb knows, and his blog readers know, that to get to the traditional Lewishm station you have to walk up Station Road ...

... where there is a "double arrow" symbol up a pole ...

... then on past the other DLR entrance ...

... and up the slope into the traditional station yard.

Taxis and private cars could take you to the door, but not buses! fbb thinks even cars are banned these days trapped by the dreaded "rising bollards".

Welcome to National Rail at Lewisham! But there is helpful advice for pedestrians on the wall of the other DLR entrance.

It doesn't actually tell you that these are the National Rail platforms (with the number 1 hidden behind that lamp post).

You really would have to know!

How are the benefits of a fully coordinated system working out in Lewisham, then, Andy?

So the next stop on the BL1 (stop U, Molesworth Street) is the terminus. It is a long street with lots of buses. Fortunately a passenger on the BL1 is reaching the end of his/her journey, so the actual location is only of academic value. You will get turfed off somewhere!

Will it be here? There are lots of buses!

But alas, it won't be there; it will be way further along Moldesworth Street at Stop Q.

This is an alighting stop for many routes and there may well be a long line of buses having a little rest before finding their return passengers somewhere else in Lewisham.

Correspondent Gerald, who has bravely ridden the BL1, suggests that you could be deposited anywhere on this long "bus stand" not necessarily AT stop Q. Never mind; on your way to Stop Q you might pass an entrance to the Shopping Centre ...

... which might come in useful if you want to catch a BL1 back in the direction of Waterloo.

For the record here is what Travelne tells you about stops in Lewisham.

Note Traveline's optimism expressed by naming Stop E as "Lewisham Station!"

And Robert Munster, purveyor of TfL's otherwise secret timetables?

Ah? "Loampit Vale" with no mention of any station.

And the TfL map, revealed only for a limited time when the new route was announced?

Yet another version of the Loampit Vale stop name, showing TfL's ever purposeful drive for consistency ... AND a stop outside the station for departing passengers.

Geoff Marshall includes a self-drawn map on his video of his trip on the BL1; which rather overdoes the Lewisham.

Alas, it is different again!

But it is, astoundingly, reasonably consistent for passengers arriving for their retail therapy in the shopping centre (what fun!) or for a search for National Rail trains.

Tomorrow we attempt to catch a bus back to Waterloo.

What You Have Been Waiting For?

Sunday Quiz - Answers 1 to 6