|
|
Post by 1601 on Jun 9, 2020 22:34:00 GMT 1
Hello everyone, I hope everyone is keeping safe during these incredibly difficult times. I’m sure there are many of you out there now who are feeling pretty fed up and miss bus riding and what not. Recently lockdown has really been getting to me and I really can’t wait to be able to ride buses again!
What has everyone been doing to keep your selves occupied throughout the pandemic?
I have been trying my best to keep occupied by playing bus simulators and doing a little bit of bus spotting locally. It’s very easy to get bored now though after nearly three months!
The big questions is, when do people think we can return to our hobby? Will it ever be safe to return?
In my opinion, I can’t see us being able to for a long long time because even when we come out of full lockdown, the virus is still going to be around. Even when social distancing ends, will the government say transport is back to normal or will there still be cautions?
There is obviously no certain answer but I want to know what you lot think could happen.
Take care.
|
|
|
|
Post by js12345678910 on Jun 10, 2020 4:15:03 GMT 1
I think eventually a lot of it will come down to personal judgement, I already feel this government isn’t pushing how important it is not to use public transport as much as it was before. Secondly I think you’ve got to remember that they’ve got more to worry about than public transport and therefore, definitely more to worry about than bus enthusiasts, don’t expect them to suddenly say ‘bus enthusiast can return to their hobby’, I’m afraid you are instead going to have to interpret a lot of the information given.
I feel whilst face coverings are mandatory, public transport is clearly Still restricted and I think you’ll have to wait until that rule is relaxed before you start considering returning to what you were doing before. That been said, there are many more acceptable reasons to travel now, it’s not all about been a key worker anymore however the general message is if you don’t have some sort of reason to go out, don’t.
The situation we find ourselves in now (or definitely from Monday) is the same as the 21st and 22nd March, bus enthusiasts were still enjoying their hobby then so I think you may be surprised at when it seems okay to restart.
I am friends with a number of bus drivers and there general impression is the face covering rule will be around for around 4 weeks, until the risk is even lower, then when that is relaxed I think youll be able to consider (not definite) returning to your hobby. Remember, the prime
Minister isn’t going to say ‘bus enthusiasts can return to their hobby’ you are going to have to interpret a lot of it yourself to make this
Decision
|
|
77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
|
Post by 77syk7 on Jun 10, 2020 11:47:52 GMT 1
Thanks for your thoughts '1601' - you have summed up our current feelings very well and I completely understand your thoughts. I have given myself a date (Monday 13th July) when I am hoping it will be considered safe for me to resume my hobby. I am hoping there will be enough seats for me to carry out the journey and I am hoping not to have to wear the face masks!
Too motivate myself and see a plan for the future, I have written down my own staged return to travelling around. Stage 1 is a visit to my local town (with the pubs open being an essential part). Stage 2 is to visit another town in West Yorks, Stage 3 is to visit a neighbouring county, Stage 4 is more than 100 miles from home and finally Stage 5 to visit another nation in the UK plus major cities / London. I doubt I will reach beyond Stage 3 this year but at least I have a plan!
|
|
|
|
Post by michael1971 on Jun 10, 2020 13:17:22 GMT 1
i have been using my car to get about and until this facemask rule is relaxed will carrying on using car i am a fan of Go North West buses and also will go to Cornwall next year for First Kernow open toppers and yes i am very fed up of it now but i run aswell as marathon runner so been doing that
|
|
|
|
Post by BusmanBry on Jun 10, 2020 14:03:17 GMT 1
Hello to all,
Not really sure if this post is in the correct place but here goes..
I`m looking forward to when the Dewsbury Bus Museum is able to continue with its running days which generally operate from the museum itself but sometimes split the occasion between the museum and a venue in Batley ( West Yorkshire ).
I`m currently an associate member of the museum and cannot wait till the current situation allows for the museum to operate at full normal speed.
Actually after carefull thought i`m not sure if i`m an enthusiast or a preservationist, either way all i know is that i`m passionate about buses but i do know that if finances allowed then i`d set up on my own as a proper small independant operator ( I`ve always wanted to run my own company ).
But back on topic yes it must be really frustrating for all the bus enthusiasts out there that are currently limited to what they do best.
I do hope that eventually you will all be able to enjoy getting back to your hobby..
Bryan.
|
|
|
|
Post by 576 Gemini 2 on Jun 10, 2020 15:06:30 GMT 1
Be glad when is allover been a nasty year for me as I got ongoing issues which Covid 19 has made worst. I mainly use the bus to travel to the football, which depending on when fans are allowed will not be for a long time I cannot see that happening before Christmas,& days out during my weeks off work. Anyway I am looking to the Kirkby Stephen rally next Easter, hopefully everything will be sorted or least under control by then
|
|
77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
|
Post by 77syk7 on Jun 27, 2020 11:12:18 GMT 1
I am hoping with the new social distancing rules to take place a week today (July 4th) plus hospitality sectors opening and the encouragement of travelling abroad, that the slogan ' essential travel only' is removed for all UK bus enthusiasts!
Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I do see some hope ahead.
|
|
|
|
Post by stephen01 on Jun 27, 2020 11:20:26 GMT 1
I am hoping with the new social distancing rules to take place a week today (July 4th) plus hospitality sectors opening and the encouragement of travelling abroad, that the slogan ' essential travel only' is removed for all UK bus enthusiasts! Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I do see some hope ahead. I doubt it. Although the new rulling is 1 meter plus you're still encouraged to stay 2 meters apart |
|
|
|
Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Jun 27, 2020 23:24:58 GMT 1
I am hoping with the new social distancing rules to take place a week today (July 4th) plus hospitality sectors opening and the encouragement of travelling abroad, that the slogan ' essential travel only' is removed for all UK bus enthusiasts! Maybe this is wishful thinking, but I do see some hope ahead. I doubt it. Although the new rulling is 1 meter plus you're still encouraged to stay 2 meters apart In particular, the crowds who have descended on Bournemouth beach will frighten the government against encouraging leisure travel for fear of too many people getting the same idea at once, leading to some overcrowding. |
|
|
|
Post by 1601 on Jun 28, 2020 12:24:45 GMT 1
As restrictions yet again ease even more I think I am making a sensible decision to START to bring myself back into bus riding/spotting. By no means will I start jumping from bus to bus and getting in the way of peak time services. I will travel about mainly locally to start off with keeping away from busy times where key workers need a seat. I have monitored which services seem quiet on my local routes and for me Yorkshire Tiger have had literally few to none passengers over First. Therefore, I will travel on Tiger from mine as they seem more quiet And their advise is literally “travel if it’s quiet” where as First are still saying “essential travel only”. Some people may think I am crazy doing this and some may have already started or doing the same as me. I just think as long as we are sensible and put key workers before us we should be fine and if anything changes such as a higher number of passengers or if restrictions get stricter we immediately stop.
|
|
|
|
Post by dlspotter on Jun 30, 2020 13:04:55 GMT 1
As restrictions yet again ease even more I think I am making a sensible decision to START to bring myself back into bus riding/spotting. By no means will I start jumping from bus to bus and getting in the way of peak time services. I will travel about mainly locally to start off with keeping away from busy times where key workers need a seat. I have monitored which services seem quiet on my local routes and for me Yorkshire Tiger have had literally few to none passengers over First. Therefore, I will travel on Tiger from mine as they seem more quiet And their advise is literally “travel if it’s quiet” where as First are still saying “essential travel only”. Some people may think I am crazy doing this and some may have already started or doing the same as me. I just think as long as we are sensible and put key workers before us we should be fine and if anything changes such as a higher number of passengers or if restrictions get stricter we immediately stop. I've been back to buses as I've been in work two days a week. Normally for me a bus journey home that could be completed by one bus could take maybe about 5, but I know that I have to limit myself. I've been working in Leeds and whilst the 189 seems to be the best route home I've on one occasion taken the 110 and on another the 118 and changed onto a bus in Wakefield to get back to where I am. As much as the increase in timetables seems persuasive enough to take a trek out (which I've missed as I used to do a minumum of 7-bus trek every weekend) I'm taken aback by the likelihood of getting stuck somewhere if the bus is full. Not heard of drivers asking why someone is traveling somewhere, so I recommend if you are going to be taking buses anywhere that you try keep yourself local and possibly purchase a mobile ticket unless you use a pass. Stick to frequent routes if possible. |
|
77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
|
Post by 77syk7 on Jul 9, 2020 16:06:57 GMT 1
Does anybody out there have any inside knowledge on when buses will be able to increase their passenger current passenger carrying capacity? I would have expected there to be some more encouragement of trying to persuade passengers to use public transport since the general advice of social distancing is reduced to 1 metre plus - this should in theory be 20 passengers on a single deck and up to 40 on a double.
Most timetables this weekend are back to previous levels, so I do hope there will be an announcement soon so we may go out there and maybe spend some money in retail and / or hospitality areas!
|
|
WYBS
Forum Member
Watch-o
Posts: 1,489
|
Post by WYBS on Jul 9, 2020 17:15:09 GMT 1
Does anybody out there have any inside knowledge on when buses will be able to increase their passenger current passenger carrying capacity? I would have expected there to be some more encouragement of trying to persuade passengers to use public transport since the general advice of social distancing is reduced to 1 metre plus - this should in theory be 20 passengers on a single deck and up to 40 on a double. Most timetables this weekend are back to previous levels, so I do hope there will be an announcement soon so we may go out there and maybe spend some money in retail and / or hospitality areas! Alex Hornby and Transdev are actively encouraging people to use their buses as they are allowing non-essential travel and have increased capacity on their vehicles. I believe the essential only travel guidance was dropped quietly a few weeks ago but didn't seem to be mentioned or promoted publicly. This leaves us all in a strange postion, especially when non essential shops, pubs, cafes etc are wide open but most bus and train companies are still pushing the essential only travel message. I tried to contact First to see if they were allowing non essential travel but got no response. Personally I am going to start travelling around again soon, locally at first with Transdev and then see if the message with other companies changes in the near future. |
|
|
|
Post by edmundwells on Jul 9, 2020 17:44:06 GMT 1
Does anybody out there have any inside knowledge on when buses will be able to increase their passenger current passenger carrying capacity? I understand First are looking to up their numbers next week. |
|
|
|
Post by tyresmoke on Jul 9, 2020 20:29:29 GMT 1
Arriva already have... rough numbers 21 on single, 35 on double deck. Started yesterday.
|
|
|
|
Post by dwarfer1979 on Jul 10, 2020 9:00:26 GMT 1
Does anybody out there have any inside knowledge on when buses will be able to increase their passenger current passenger carrying capacity? I would have expected there to be some more encouragement of trying to persuade passengers to use public transport since the general advice of social distancing is reduced to 1 metre plus - this should in theory be 20 passengers on a single deck and up to 40 on a double. Technically reducing from 2-metres to 1-metre doesn't actually help as seat rows are less than a metre apart, it tends to be around 0.75-m (First Bristol did a physical evaluation and increased capacity by 1 passenger), which meant that an immediate reaction to the loosening didn't happen. You are now seeing operators easing their restrictions as when you see other areas allowed to operate then having passengers on every row with masks is no worse (even if you ignore aircraft with every seat filled). |
|
|
|
Post by squeaky on Jul 10, 2020 21:13:24 GMT 1
if the seat rows are ~0.75m apart, people will be ALMOST a metre apart sat alternately window/aisle in each row. They weren't 2m apart either when by the window in alternate rows
|
|
|
|
Post by stephen01 on Jul 10, 2020 21:55:06 GMT 1
CT Plus have just put there's out saying to sit one person to an area unless a family unit. They also advice using the window seats first. On the concept art diagram on the poet it shows that you'd all be sat in a horse shoe shape because on the back row there's only the middle aisle seat in use
|
|
77syk7
Forum Member
Posts: 639
|
Post by 77syk7 on Jul 18, 2020 11:54:05 GMT 1
Posted rather quietly in amongst all the gradual easing of the lockdown measures yesterday was the fact that the government is NOT restricting public transport to those who have to make 'essential travel only'
I will be out there cautiously on Monday and suggest all members now start planning their trips again!
|
|
|
|
Post by stephen01 on Jul 19, 2020 10:20:53 GMT 1
Posted rather quietly in amongst all the gradual easing of the lockdown measures yesterday was the fact that the government is NOT restricting public transport to those who have to make 'essential travel only' I will be out there cautiously on Monday and suggest all members now start planning their trips again! i'd seriously advise extreme caution as capacities are still limited to sticking to window seats only unless from same household and the seats behind the driver on all single deckers and across from drivers as well are still out of use and even more so considering we are not fully out of the woods yet despite what the government are saying. |
|
joseph
Forum Member
Posts: 1,135
|
Post by joseph on Jul 19, 2020 10:51:09 GMT 1
I'll second stephen01's comment, and just to add that on First buses, the seat next to an aisle is now available every second row, with the window seat next to it unavailable. I guess that's because seats directly in front don't allow enough distance, but it does put people sat in an aisle seat towards the front of the bus at a higher risk, so I guess it's best sat at the back.
Mask use is also questionable as I've seen too many people board wearing one, only to take it off when they've passed the drivers area! You've also got the fools who wear it the whole time pulled down onto their chin! Now, I am fair and I can understand if someone is taking a drink, but to wear it the whole time under the chin, I mean come on, if your not going to wear it you might as well take it off for comfort lol!
Finally I'll add that if your going to make a bus journey for leisure purposes, choose your route carefully. If possible, do your research first for a few days before doing a journey. I've seen significant loads on certain routes in Leeds, and I was on one Leeds bus for work purposes that had picked up 17 passengers by the time it left the city centre, might not sound a lot, but you don't know how air born this virus is from any of those 17 people. Obviously, the less on board, the safer the bus will be. I've seen quite a few 425/7 services near empty in the area between Morley and Drighlington, so this might not be a bad one to use. I also saw a 65 in Morley empty one weekday afternoon heading to Leeds, maybe take into account the direction of travel and time of day for the quiet journeys. |
|
|
|
Post by dlspotter on Jul 20, 2020 10:51:21 GMT 1
I'm hoping weekend timetables move up from Sunday service, I work every weekday and have limited days off. I did take a trek at the weekend and took in Selby, York and Leeds which was a nice break from being at home, however I am planning trips in advance of taking them and have to include possible long connection times in case a bus leaves full, which limits my opportunities.
|
|
A1YBG
Forum Member
METRO Here to get you there. Arriva Buses Here to get you there. Arriva need to get original slogans
Posts: 1,935
|
Post by A1YBG on Jul 20, 2020 17:31:19 GMT 1
I'll second stephen01's comment, and just to add that on First buses, the seat next to an aisle is now available every second row, with the window seat next to it unavailable. I guess that's because seats directly in front don't allow enough distance, but it does put people sat in an aisle seat towards the front of the bus at a higher risk, so I guess it's best sat at the back.
Mask use is also questionable as I've seen too many people board wearing one, only to take it off when they've passed the drivers area! You've also got the fools who wear it the whole time pulled down onto their chin! Now, I am fair and I can understand if someone is taking a drink, but to wear it the whole time under the chin, I mean come on, if your not going to wear it you might as well take it off for comfort lol!
Finally I'll add that if your going to make a bus journey for leisure purposes, choose your route carefully. If possible, do your research first for a few days before doing a journey. I've seen significant loads on certain routes in Leeds, and I was on one Leeds bus for work purposes that had picked up 17 passengers by the time it left the city centre, might not sound a lot, but you don't know how air born this virus is from any of those 17 people. Obviously, the less on board, the safer the bus will be. I've seen quite a few 425/7 services near empty in the area between Morley and Drighlington, so this might not be a bad one to use. I also saw a 65 in Morley empty one weekday afternoon heading to Leeds, maybe take into account the direction of travel and time of day for the quiet journeys. Arriva is a quiet route even tho they run every 15 mins only a half a dozen is on the bus during the day time |
|
|
|
Post by dlspotter on Jul 28, 2020 13:30:26 GMT 1
Transdev are even wanting people to return to the buses for non-essential journeys, and I would be happy to take that up, if only weekend timetables were increased. I can't take bus trips through the week as I'm working, but I'm put off taking trips on Saturdays due to the usage of Sunday timetables across most of the network still. I do plan my trips in advance and allow sufficient connection time between services but with it being Sunday service I have to deal with long connections, less frequency and the risk of Bus Full boards and then having to wait 30-60 minutes for the next bus. Unfortunately I don't see weekend timetables being increased until August 30.
|
|
|
|
Post by dlspotter on Aug 1, 2020 20:59:56 GMT 1
After a long time waiting I finally did a proper trek today, 9 buses and I'm all tired out, including the 7 to Harrogate all the way from Leeds (which was packed), the 1, the 21 to Staveley for a quick change to the 22 back to Knaresborough (it felt really remote by just being the only person on the bus on narrow windy roads), then a 36 down to Leeds which was surprisingly quiet, before taking the X10 to Barnsley!
|
|
