tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post469841446271449059..comments2024-03-29T08:14:43.839+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: For Better or Worse at Chathamfatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-64308601432227369562011-11-09T20:10:33.184+00:002011-11-09T20:10:33.184+00:00Here's the Guildford plans. http://www.guildfo...Here's the Guildford plans. http://www.guildford.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=7019&cur=3<br /><br />Transport integration destruction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-57596520963148730062011-11-07T22:32:30.827+00:002011-11-07T22:32:30.827+00:00I think in this case, anything certainly is better...I think in this case, anything certainly is better! I don't think it's inadequate covering either, I'm sure there's enough glass to keep the rain off, even if it is a bit windy.<br /><br />If you want a real bus station change travesty, have a look at what they want to do in Guildford. At least the buses all still stop in the same place at Chatham's new station.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-76819696812628210532011-11-07T20:01:27.575+00:002011-11-07T20:01:27.575+00:00Appreciate the comments, Anonymous. Change always ...Appreciate the comments, Anonymous. Change always provokes strong feelings. A dispassionate view is probably unobtainable. Perhaps a further review after a year?<br />I agree that the Pentagon was awful! So anything might well be better; but ineffective cover when waiting is inexcusable.fatbusblokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-83459392188737466392011-11-07T19:50:13.418+00:002011-11-07T19:50:13.418+00:00"But the "Waterfront" bus station h..."But the "Waterfront" bus station has not been a riotous success that the authorities had expected." I don't think they ever thought it was going to be a riotous success, as people are never going to like change.<br /><br />But - the old bus station had to go. I have actually been there. It is the worst bus station I've ever been to and one of the worst places I've ever been to. The picture doesn't so it justice. For a start, when I was there, is was really dirty. But, by far the worst aspect was "around the back". Waiting for your bus in a concrete hell, with absolutely no natural daylight whatsoever, and breathing in all the bus fumes, has got to be one of the worst bus travel experiences possible (especially for a first time user), even if it was closer to the shops.<br /><br />There's not actually that much to complain about about the new bus station. As is obvious, there were teething troubles everyone made a fuss of, but that's got absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with the long term running of the bus station. Most (if not all) issues were sorted in a matter of days of the bus station opening.<br /><br />Therefore, the only two issues are regarding the wind and the further distance from the shops. But it's hardly that far away, it's about a two minute walk, if that. And, the huge benefit is that you can go anywhere you want, previously you were forced into the Pentagon shopping centre, unless you fancied going around the maze of concrete and bus concourses to get out of the narrow, poor side entrance. People are complaining about the weather and walking to the shops when it's raining - what about the summer when it's nice? Would you rather be outside in the fresh air or sat in a concrete bunker inhaling bus fumes? And with the open side of the old bus station, is was just as cold in winter anyway.<br /><br />As for it being "not particularly near the station" - well obviously not. The entire town centre shopping area is not particularly near the station. It would be utterly stupid to build the bus station near the station, as then it would not be near the shops (where most people want to go), besides, it would be impossible too as there is no space at the station.<br /><br />That's before we even mention the fact tonnes of services do actually call in at the station on their way into/out of town, anyway.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-36818100351999709972011-11-07T11:07:09.655+00:002011-11-07T11:07:09.655+00:00And not particularly near the station
So, Little c...And not particularly near the station<br />So, Little chance for integration<br />Grey and swirly, trendy now<br />But like some others; Hanley, Slough,<br />Will it stand the test of time?<br />Can't think of a concluding rhyme!fatbusblokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-65263847868621656522011-11-07T10:57:30.573+00:002011-11-07T10:57:30.573+00:00Dynamic Stand Allocation or not, the new facility ...Dynamic Stand Allocation or not, the new facility is further away from the shops than the old one. I don't suppose that car parking facilities have been moved further away as well, have they?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-36197929046221556192011-11-07T10:00:42.428+00:002011-11-07T10:00:42.428+00:00Thank you Invicta. I was always suspicious of the ...Thank you Invicta. I was always suspicious of the press release re "Dynamic Stand Allocation". It looks as if the hapless Mrs Miggins of Snodland's stress will be mitigated.fatbusblokehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-81880076060251391302011-11-07T09:09:09.269+00:002011-11-07T09:09:09.269+00:00What seemed to be an inadequate size was forced on...What seemed to be an inadequate size was forced on the planners by councillors' instruction not to reduce the green space between the Pentagon and the new bus station.<br /><br />However, the station has now settled down, and is using fixed stands, including two in Waterfront Way (14 and 15). The remaining four are used for layover, and so would indicate that there is considerable room for expansion, without needing dynamic allocation. In fact, on a rule of thumb that each stand should be able to cope with 8 departures an hour, another 32 could be squeezed in - and I don't think that will happen any time soon.<br /><br />By the way, route 151 actually does run from stand A5...Invictanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-46398072947202151952011-11-07T08:06:50.743+00:002011-11-07T08:06:50.743+00:00"Dynamic Stand Allocation"
Hmmm. Techno..."Dynamic Stand Allocation"<br /><br />Hmmm. Technology for the sake of it? "We can do it, so we will, regardless of whether it is actually of any use to anybody"<br /><br />Or perhaps an excuse for not planning the allocation of stands properly, in advance?<br /><br />Or perhaps just another instance where the dsigners of public transport facilities have no experience of actually using such facilities, and therefore no idea what real people actually need?<br /><br />I wonder which it is this time? All three perhaps?RC169https://www.blogger.com/profile/03921368833118123055noreply@blogger.com