• Our booking engine at tickets.railforums.co.uk (powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!

First Bus Introduce Social Distancing

Status
Not open for further replies.

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Mod Note: Posts #1 - #9 originally in this thread.

Social distancing to be rolled out on all First buses this week. Buses will run at around a 1/4 of their seated capacity. No standing allowed.
 
Sponsor Post - registered members do not see these adverts; click here to register, or click here to log in
R

RailUK Forums

PaulMc7

Established Member
Joined
9 Jul 2019
Messages
4,029
Social distancing to be rolled out on all First buses this week. Buses will run at around a 1/4 of their seated capacity. No standing allowed.

Any plans to increase frequency as a result of that? Will lead to a lot of problems with current frequency
 

CM

Member
Joined
28 Dec 2010
Messages
667
Any plans to increase frequency as a result of that? Will lead to a lot of problems with current frequency

If this morning was anything to go by they won't have to. My bus to work this morning had yellow signs on some of the seats telling people not to sit on them but there were a good few people sitting on them anyway. In all honesty, social distancing on buses doesn't work as all it can really take is one or two people with the virus to touch a stop button or grab pole and then some other poor sod touches the button or pole and they become infected.
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
Any plans to increase frequency as a result of that? Will lead to a lot of problems with current frequency
Frequency increase won’t happen overnight awaiting government funding plus a lot of vehicles need to be checked over before being put back on the road. Also a lot of staff on furlough still. Maybe next week will update when I know.
 

lastbus

Member
Joined
9 Sep 2018
Messages
1,001
If this morning was anything to go by they won't have to. My bus to work this morning had yellow signs on some of the seats telling people not to sit on them but there were a good few people sitting on them anyway. In all honesty, social distancing on buses doesn't work as all it can really take is one or two people with the virus to touch a stop button or grab pole and then some other poor sod touches the button or pole and they become infected.
Can sit next to someone in these seats atm if from same household.
 

Observer

Member
Joined
3 Nov 2014
Messages
709
Clearly yellow signs aren't enough. Need to tape the rows off completely. Then again that would be hard to do with a zig zag formation.
 

PaulMc7

Established Member
Joined
9 Jul 2019
Messages
4,029
I've only been on 8 buses since this lockdown started(all going or coming back from interviews) and 7 of them were definitely more than a quarter full and the general mention online seems to be that most services are getting busier. Was never going to be the easiest thing to maintain social distancing on and getting on and off buses while maintaining social distancing has been non existent from what I've experienced
 

carlberry

Established Member
Joined
19 Dec 2014
Messages
3,169
If this morning was anything to go by they won't have to. My bus to work this morning had yellow signs on some of the seats telling people not to sit on them but there were a good few people sitting on them anyway. In all honesty, social distancing on buses doesn't work as all it can really take is one or two people with the virus to touch a stop button or grab pole and then some other poor sod touches the button or pole and they become infected.
Social distancing dosent cure everything, washing hands and not touching your face are still vital.
 
Joined
12 Sep 2014
Messages
229
Quite ridiculous really. Key areas aren't going to be cleaned often enough, and if it's only a select few seats you're allowed on then everyone will be sitting on them, who knows if someone asymptomatic went and sat on one.
 

route101

Established Member
Joined
16 May 2010
Messages
10,594
Was on the buses today . Two of the buses had the seats with yellow wrapper . Buses are getting busier ive notcied
 

ValleyLines142

Established Member
Joined
25 Jul 2011
Messages
6,844
Location
Gloucester
Also people are lazy gits and won't spread out across a bus. The number of double deckers I've seen on my local route that are almost full on the bottom deck but have about 2 people upstairs is insane.
 

westv

Established Member
Joined
29 Mar 2013
Messages
4,201
Also people are lazy gits and won't spread out across a bus. The number of double deckers I've seen on my local route that are almost full on the bottom deck but have about 2 people upstairs is insane.
It could be that some of them find it difficult climbing stairs when the bus is hurtling along.
 

CaptainHaddock

Established Member
Joined
10 Feb 2011
Messages
2,206
I've looked into this in more detail and it sounds a lot more draconian than it might at first appear.

According to the article in the link, "Passenger counting functionality is being delivered by Ticketer. Within days, the facility will be added to ticket machines used by First. Drivers will count passengers on and off, and the machine will advise them what, if any, capacity remains available.

When no more useable seats are free, the destination display will be changed by the driver to show ‘Sorry, bus full’. Ticketer will have delivered the passenger counting function in less than two weeks since conversations began."



Yet another example of an overreaction to a relatively minor issue! Surely if a quarter of the seats are occupied , the bus isn't "full", it's 75% empty? A far simpler solution would be to put up signs saying "Please sit 2m apart where possible" and leave passengers to decide for themselves rather than simply refusing to carry passengers beyond a random limit.
 

MB162435

Established Member
Joined
27 Aug 2017
Messages
1,259
Location
Penryn
I've looked into this in more detail and it sounds a lot more draconian than it might at first appear.

According to the article in the link, "Passenger counting functionality is being delivered by Ticketer. Within days, the facility will be added to ticket machines used by First. Drivers will count passengers on and off, and the machine will advise them what, if any, capacity remains available.

When no more useable seats are free, the destination display will be changed by the driver to show ‘Sorry, bus full’. Ticketer will have delivered the passenger counting function in less than two weeks since conversations began."



Yet another example of an overreaction to a relatively minor issue! Surely if a quarter of the seats are occupied , the bus isn't "full", it's 75% empty? A far simpler solution would be to put up signs saying "Please sit 2m apart where possible" and leave passengers to decide for themselves rather than simply refusing to carry passengers beyond a random limit.
Especially if you have to go to work it's quite worrying, in Cornwall not being allowed on one bus due to it being 'full' means having to wait another hour to see if you can get on the next one, only for so long is an employer going to put up with you being potentially an hour or more late with distancing in place till next year
 

BC

Guest
Joined
4 Feb 2019
Messages
104
Especially if you have to go to work it's quite worrying, in Cornwall not being allowed on one bus due to it being 'full' means having to wait another hour to see if you can get on the next one, only for so long is an employer going to put up with you being potentially an hour or more late with distancing in place till next year
That sounds like Leeds on a normal day except the buses are a bit closer than an hour apart. Even so it will be utter chaos if they reduce capacity by that much and expect everyone back in the office
 

Bletchleyite

Veteran Member
Joined
20 Oct 2014
Messages
97,531
Location
"Marston Vale mafia"
Especially if you have to go to work it's quite worrying, in Cornwall not being allowed on one bus due to it being 'full' means having to wait another hour to see if you can get on the next one, only for so long is an employer going to put up with you being potentially an hour or more late with distancing in place till next year

The antis will shout, no doubt, but it strikes me that for very infrequent services a system of reservations is the way to go.
 

MB162435

Established Member
Joined
27 Aug 2017
Messages
1,259
Location
Penryn
That sounds like Leeds on a normal day except the buses are a bit closer than an hour apart. Even so it will be utter chaos if they reduce capacity by that much and expect everyone back in the office
The antis will shout, no doubt, but it strikes me that for very infrequent services a system of reservations is the way to go.
Yeah can't see it working long term, if it was for a couple of months people could use their holiday, or temporarily reduce their hours but given it's going to be well into next year, everyone will have to return this year at some point, certainly something need to be done by First and all operators to try and guarantee all workers get to work on time

I know First like all companies need to try and keep things profitable, but it's just adding more unnecessary stress on people who are already currently leading stressful lives, by reducing capacity on already reduced services
 

Bantamzen

Established Member
Joined
4 Dec 2013
Messages
9,668
Location
Baildon, West Yorkshire
The antis will shout, no doubt, but it strikes me that for very infrequent services a system of reservations is the way to go.

<Clears throat, rubs hands together, steps up>

On local buses? Seriously? Sorry to ask, but where are you from and what colour is the sky there...?? ;)

I know you've been running with the idea of reservation only commuter trains, which is a bit bonkers. But local buses? Do you actually understand how local buses, and for that matter commuter trains work? You see the idea is that you go "ooh, I need to go to work / the shops / Grans now". So you look at the timetable, and, erm, go for the next service and get on your way. You don't go "OK, firstly I need to check the times, then see if there is a spare reservation available". Honestly, you really, really need to let this idea go. It might actually be a great idea on long distance services, in fact as a regular user of them I'd welcome the idea (with the caveat that local requirements be served), but for local services designed to turn-up-and-go.... Well the clue to the problem is right there....

What next, compulsory reservations for supermarkets, shops*, public conveniences….???

*Edit - To be fair I have been past one shop where you have to make an appointment to go. But it is on Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills, CA, and has an average spend of $100,000 per visit. So yeah...
 

MB162435

Established Member
Joined
27 Aug 2017
Messages
1,259
Location
Penryn
<Clears throat, rubs hands together, steps up>

On local buses? Seriously? Sorry to ask, but where are you from and what colour is the sky there...?? ;)

I know you've been running with the idea of reservation only commuter trains, which is a bit bonkers. But local buses? Do you actually understand how local buses, and for that matter commuter trains work? You see the idea is that you go "ooh, I need to go to work / the shops / Grans now". So you look at the timetable, and, erm, go for the next service and get on your way. You don't go "OK, firstly I need to check the times, then see if there is a spare reservation available". Honestly, you really, really need to let this idea go. It might actually be a great idea on long distance services, in fact as a regular user of them I'd welcome the idea (with the caveat that local requirements be served), but for local services designed to turn-up-and-go.... Well the clue to the problem is right there....

What next, compulsory reservations for supermarkets, shops, public conveniences….???
Some local shops are for locals only now, so these days expect the unexpected!

No matter how ridiculous the plan or idea it could actually happen in these unprecedented times
 

CaptainHaddock

Established Member
Joined
10 Feb 2011
Messages
2,206
<Clears throat, rubs hands together, steps up>

On local buses? Seriously? Sorry to ask, but where are you from and what colour is the sky there...?? ;)

I know you've been running with the idea of reservation only commuter trains, which is a bit bonkers. But local buses? Do you actually understand how local buses, and for that matter commuter trains work? You see the idea is that you go "ooh, I need to go to work / the shops / Grans now". So you look at the timetable, and, erm, go for the next service and get on your way. You don't go "OK, firstly I need to check the times, then see if there is a spare reservation available". Honestly, you really, really need to let this idea go. It might actually be a great idea on long distance services, in fact as a regular user of them I'd welcome the idea (with the caveat that local requirements be served), but for local services designed to turn-up-and-go.... Well the clue to the problem is right there....

What next, compulsory reservations for supermarkets, shops, public conveniences….???

Many a true word spoken in jest. Supermarkets already have time slots for deliveries, how long before some clown decides you have to book a time slot to go shopping in person?
 

Bantamzen

Established Member
Joined
4 Dec 2013
Messages
9,668
Location
Baildon, West Yorkshire
Many a true word spoken in jest. Supermarkets already have time slots for deliveries, how long before some clown decides you have to book a time slot to go shopping in person?

Yeah, I maybe should have whispered that.... :E

Seriously though, there was part of me expecting that to happen at some stores. Imagine the logistics of a key worker trying to arrange a slot on their journey home when they don't know when their shift will end, and they have to try and book a slot on their commute home via @Bletchleyite Buses / Trains....
 

carlberry

Established Member
Joined
19 Dec 2014
Messages
3,169
<Clears throat, rubs hands together, steps up>

On local buses? Seriously? Sorry to ask, but where are you from and what colour is the sky there...?? ;)

I know you've been running with the idea of reservation only commuter trains, which is a bit bonkers. But local buses? Do you actually understand how local buses, and for that matter commuter trains work? You see the idea is that you go "ooh, I need to go to work / the shops / Grans now". So you look at the timetable, and, erm, go for the next service and get on your way. You don't go "OK, firstly I need to check the times, then see if there is a spare reservation available". Honestly, you really, really need to let this idea go. It might actually be a great idea on long distance services, in fact as a regular user of them I'd welcome the idea (with the caveat that local requirements be served), but for local services designed to turn-up-and-go.... Well the clue to the problem is right there....

What next, compulsory reservations for supermarkets, shops*, public conveniences….???

*Edit - To be fair I have been past one shop where you have to make an appointment to go. But it is on Rodeo Drive in Beverley Hills, CA, and has an average spend of $100,000 per visit. So yeah...
Pre booking is already being suggests for local authority tips, some shops and several bus companies have changed routes to pre-book only (Newport being one from this week). For large areas of the countryside pre-book has been the only option for many years.
 

Bletchleyite

Veteran Member
Joined
20 Oct 2014
Messages
97,531
Location
"Marston Vale mafia"
I know you've been running with the idea of reservation only commuter trains, which is a bit bonkers. But local buses? Do you actually understand how local buses, and for that matter commuter trains work? You see the idea is that you go "ooh, I need to go to work / the shops / Grans now". So you look at the timetable, and, erm, go for the next service and get on your way. You don't go "OK, firstly I need to check the times, then see if there is a spare reservation available". Honestly, you really, really need to let this idea go. It might actually be a great idea on long distance services, in fact as a regular user of them I'd welcome the idea (with the caveat that local requirements be served), but for local services designed to turn-up-and-go.... Well the clue to the problem is right there....

An infrequent local service (hourly, say) is not designed for turn up and go. I'm not talking about city buses every 10 minutes. I'm talking about infrequent, often rural regional bus services that have hourly or lower frequencies where being told "sorry mate, it's full" is a potentially major problem.

The other upside of it is that the bus company may be able to see a bus that's full and put on a duplicate.

What next, compulsory reservations for supermarkets, shops*, public conveniences….???

When the weather gets bad so queueing outside becomes unpleasant, booking slots for supermarkets seems a very good idea. It's being done by most Councils for the tip at present.
 

PaulMc7

Established Member
Joined
9 Jul 2019
Messages
4,029
Definitely pros and cons to this. Will make it safer to travel but having zero guarantee that you'll even get on the bus in the first place. Seen a lot of very concerned people over what it'll mean for their journey especially those with frequencies lower than every 30 mins. It's something everyone really needs to get right
 

Bantamzen

Established Member
Joined
4 Dec 2013
Messages
9,668
Location
Baildon, West Yorkshire
Pre booking is already being suggests for local authority tips, some shops and several bus companies have changed routes to pre-book only (Newport being one from this week). For large areas of the countryside pre-book has been the only option for many years.

Erm, which areas of the countryside do you have to book?

An infrequent local service (hourly, say) is not designed for turn up and go. I'm not talking about city buses every 10 minutes. I'm talking about infrequent, often rural regional bus services that have hourly or lower frequencies where being told "sorry mate, it's full" is a potentially major problem.

The other upside of it is that the bus company may be able to see a bus that's full and put on a duplicate.

Ok so you've given some evidence that you don't know how local buses work. For example, before the crisis there was a local bus that ran past my house up into Baildon village 4 times a day. And sometimes I would ask my wife if she fancied a pint up there, so if one of these was due we would get ready, and turn up for the bus & go. If one wasn't due, we would get a taxi.

See how it works yet?

When the weather gets bad so queueing outside becomes unpleasant, booking slots for supermarkets seems a very good idea. It's being done by most Councils for the tip at present.

No it wouldn't. For example, worker needs to go shopping after work, but because of the nature of their jobs they cannot either plan exactly when can leave and book transport home, or a slot at the supermarket. Its one example of many possibilities, but blows that daft idea out of the water.

Now as the Disney song goes.... Let it go....
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Top