tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post807393501270241646..comments2024-03-25T22:17:35.616+00:00Comments on Public Transport Experience: Familiarity Breeds Excellencefatbusblokehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06833340546527596517noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-40752070861761721112022-02-02T22:25:09.859+00:002022-02-02T22:25:09.859+00:00I travelled once on the 899 between Sidmouth and B...I travelled once on the 899 between Sidmouth and Beer. It was an Optare Solo down the very tight lanes of East Devon. We had an American couple on board and they couldn't believe how the bus managed to squeeze down the lanes. And meeting oncoming vehicles was a joy ! The driver managed it with cool professionalism, but the Yanks were on the edge of their seat.<br /><br />Memories are made of journeys such as this.Petras409noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-81164996312753056822022-02-02T19:50:03.301+00:002022-02-02T19:50:03.301+00:00In decades past, each bus garage had inspectors th...In decades past, each bus garage had inspectors that were responsible for ensuring that drivers reported for duty and buses ran on time. As part of their other duties, they would distribute timetables and maps to local agents.<br />I know . . . I did it!!!<br /><br />Even local authorities that do publish timetables don't distribute them properly . . . I visited Hampshire County Hall at Winchester to pick some up . . . they had to post them to me, as nobody knew where they were stored . . . the lady who did know was out for the day!!!<br /><br />It's not actually difficult . . . one member of staff rings each outlet every few weeks, and then has a day out by car delivering the new issues. But it does need a tiny bit of organisation . . . and the will to do it!!!!greenline727https://www.blogger.com/profile/03033268278026535109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-70101678952584742742022-02-02T19:09:57.620+00:002022-02-02T19:09:57.620+00:00I rather suspect that shepherds have something to ...I rather suspect that shepherds have something to do with it!<br /><br />Talking of printed timetables, I do wonder how people are supposed to get them if they actually exist. Yes, they can be placed on buses, but that's only useful for those who use those services. Many Tourist Information Centres and bus station Enquiry Offices have been closed. Not everyone has a library near them although that's an obvious place to have them, as are local authority "hubs" where they exist - but someone still has to take the timetables there, and ensure they are replaced when services change (which seems to be an almost weekly occurrence at the moment). There are no easy answers.Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-23800047209115071122022-02-02T18:27:35.831+00:002022-02-02T18:27:35.831+00:00Here's a question to exercise FBB's brain:...Here's a question to exercise FBB's brain: what is the connection between Cranbrook and Ilkley? And, no, the answer is not a long and complicated bus journey!RC169https://www.blogger.com/profile/03921368833118123055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-11576561822090100422022-02-02T16:59:43.703+00:002022-02-02T16:59:43.703+00:00Barry Doe still produces a listing of timetables a...Barry Doe still produces a listing of timetables across the UK . . . it's rather sad now, with the number of "no publications" listed outnumbering those listed.<br />Of course, one of the functions of an "Enhanced Partnership" is to improve information. However, even the "daddy" of them all, Intalink in Hertfordshire, still doesn't produce printed timetables, although the website is excellent, and the printed maps were updated at least twice a year, pre-Covid. greenline727https://www.blogger.com/profile/03033268278026535109noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-19751014849165479572022-02-02T14:13:05.709+00:002022-02-02T14:13:05.709+00:00Ditto Suffolk, also no printed books any more: htt...Ditto Suffolk, also no printed books any more: https://www.suffolkonboard.com/buses/timetables/Andrew Kleissnernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7432323264902617108.post-29369637784851226162022-02-02T10:03:43.281+00:002022-02-02T10:03:43.281+00:00Buckinghamshire County Council used to do excellen...Buckinghamshire County Council used to do excellent timetable books, two covering the county. But, alas no more since a few years back. They do however have reasonably decent "proper" timetables on their website, and a page warning of any upcoming changes.geriatrixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17339648873786494630noreply@blogger.com