TfL service 18 stopping issue

[SECR263]

Just seen on BBC local news that TFL tells drivers not to to stop on the 18 if bus is loaded down stairs but not upstairs. It seems to be a problem on 18 only at a certain stop. TFL spokespeople seemed to endorse this. They were the TFL bus head of policy but did not give much confidence or seemed to know what they were on about.

 

[Busaholic]

Just seen on BBC local news that TFL tells drivers not to to stop on the 18 if bus is loaded down stairs but not upstairs. It seems to be a problem on 18 only at a certain stop. TFL spokespeople seemed to endorse this. They were the TFL bus head of policy but did not give much confidence or seemed to know what they were on about.

Bring back the bendybus!

 

[greenline712]

Just seen on BBC local news that TFL tells drivers not to to stop on the 18 if bus is loaded down stairs but not upstairs. It seems to be a problem on 18 only at a certain stop. TFL spokespeople seemed to endorse this. They were the TFL bus head of policy but did not give much confidence or seemed to know what they were on about.

Route 18 has lots of short riders (called "rabbits" because they hop on for a few stops and hop off again).
Short riders almost never go upstairs, so downstairs gets full up very quickly.
Drivers can "ask" passengers to go upstairs, but if they won't move .... what else can they do?
If downstairs is full, and nobody rings the bell to get off .... then why bother stopping?
Pretty logical really ....

 

[Busaholic]

Route 18 has lots of short riders (called "rabbits" because they hop on for a few stops and hop off again).
Short riders almost never go upstairs, so downstairs gets full up very quickly.
Drivers can "ask" passengers to go upstairs, but if they won't move .... what else can they do?
If downstairs is full, and nobody rings the bell to get off .... then why bother stopping?
Pretty logical really ....

What you've indicated shows just why the bendybus was ideal for the 18, with its straight roads and little 'competition' from other bus routes.

 

[Goldfish62]

What you've indicated shows just why the bendybus was ideal for the 18, with its straight roads and little 'competition' from other bus routes.

Agreed!

Just seen on BBC local news that TFL tells drivers not to to stop on the 18 if bus is loaded down stairs but not upstairs. It seems to be a problem on 18 only at a certain stop. TFL spokespeople seemed to endorse this. They were the TFL bus head of policy but did not give much confidence or seemed to know what they were on about.

It was actually the Head of Bus Service Delivery, responsible for such things as bus stations, managing diversions and other such operational matters.

Agreed that they didn't come across well though, even if the bottom line is if people won't go upstairs what are drivers supposed to do?