Geoanna – Huffy drivers – huh!

I haven’t posted for a while because I’ve been ill and my pc has been dead. Both those states still pertain but at least I’ve got another pc now.

Before being struck down with the lurgy though I spent a happy weekend bussing around with a friend from London who was very impressed with the buses, which were on their best behaviour that weekend.

Then bussed to work as usual (whilst still feeling ill, grumble whinge) and nothing of any interest whatsoever happened.

Except last Friday on the way home there was a little exchange between a young woman who missed her stop and the driver. Said young woman stood up just as the bus arrived next to her stop, and pushed the bell just as it drew level. The driver had not been planning to stop as there was no one on the pavement and no one had yet rung the bell. I was getting off at the next stop so was standing behind her when she asked him, reasonably politely, why he hadn’t stopped at the previous stop.

Now, she had definately pressed the bell too late, as anyone who has travelled by bus more than about twice would agree. However his response was not the best. He could have – perhaps should – have smiled sweetly and said he was terribly sorry and perhaps she would try to push the bell at least 100 metres before the stop next time. Instead of which he got a bit Huffy.

Now no one likes a huffy driver, it creates an uncomfortable atmosphere on a bus and makes us all feel like naughtly schoolchildren and wonder who is to be scolded next (or maybe that’s just me and I need more therapy – could be). But he didn’t have to do the deep sighing thing and wearily point out that he was not a mind-reader and so hadn’t known because she hadn’t pushed the bell in time. He needen’t have then got into an argument about whether or not she pushed the bell in time – after all, “in time” is a matter of perception, and she thought she had, he thought she hadn’t. No point arguing it though, not with a bus load of people who just want to get home, eh?

Bethany – College journey home

Got the 27 from BHASVIC this afternoon to North Street. I was pleasantly surprised when the bus arrives on time! Usually the 27′s are not the most punctual of buses. From North Street I managed a quick connection to a 22 home. I was more than happy about this because of the horrendous weather. I chose today not to wear a coat for the first time in 3 weeks! The 22 was a single-decker which got pretty busy; probably due to the weather. I experienced one of those amusing situations where one elderly person got annoyed because other elderly people were taking up the priority seats! Sadly, I sat there imagining what they were thinking. “I was born IN the war. She skimmed past it. That’s MY seat!” I sat on one of those seats facing the side of the bus near the driver. I felt safe and secure as I knew no elderly person would want to clamber up there and screech at me. “Oh, the youth of today.”

Whenever a buggy gets on it is usually put facing the ‘priority seat’ the ‘priority’ passengers seem to take upon themselves, as a duty, to coo relentlessly at babies on the bus and talk to the parents. One comment is nice, two is pushing it, but the whole journey ends up, quite simply, being uncomfortable for the receiver and the parent. One woman today even started stroking this child’s cheek! I may be cynical but I would be uncomfortable if this were my child. This appears to quite a regular bus occurrence. As if it’s turned into some right of passage for a child on the bus.

Peter – No More from me

My tickets have ended so here I am sumerising my month experience.

It’s been a fairly good month in all. Never observed so much on a journey in my life. Used to just jump on and jump off. So what can be improved to make the journey’s better?

1 – More advertising and reduce the cost of tickets seems to be something many people mention
2 – Names or Numbers of a driver clearly visable so that passengers can write to the company with compliments and/or complaints.
3 – Improve customer services – At the start of the month there were too many drivers who hardly acknowledged you getting on / off the bus. Some choosing to totally blank you and not even gove eye contact. They need to know how to be more pleasant to passengers. I know some passengers are unpleasant and may make a drivers life living hell on a journey but we are not all like that. When I say good morning or thankyou I do expect some for or pleasantary in return rather than a grump!!!
3 – Cleaning – The buses certainly need to be cleaned more often. Even the ones first thing on the morning are not exactly great. However, during the day many buses could do with a sweep out. Sometimes I felt I was riding in a rubbish truck.
4 – This blog should be kept up and running for any member of the public to sign onto and share their veiws. (or a similar blog that the company uses). Let everyone in Brighton and Hove know about it and have their say. The bus company could even reply to some and give updates about some comments so people know they are being listened to.

Anyway folks – good luck with the rest of your blogs. i am still going to pop in to have a read and may end up writing a little here and there. But for now I need to start finansing my own tickets again and have to go get them lol xx