Health and Safety on the buses

klingon2me · 18-12-2007, 18:23

For the last 4 weeks I have begun travelling into Sheffield on the bus and am now considering reverting to the car despite the convenience of the bus stops and Sheffield city centre not being car-friendly.

I am disgusted with a number of things about bus travel in general and have had my eyes opened at how different the public's attitude is to when I was a regular bus user many years ago.

Only half the people wanting a particualr bus will queue for it on the correct side of the bus stop. The other congregate at the front so that they can rush on before the rest of us orderly members of the public (and probably older members of the public at that).

The drivers are a menace for a number of reasons. My experience is that you either get a Lewis Hamilton wannabe or someone practising for a job delivering snail mail.

They regularly open the doors well before the actual stop which means those at the stop rush forward thus endangering their own lives and ensuring that anybody who waits for the bus to arrive at the stop usually either misses it altogether or has to stand.

There used to be a limit on how many people could stand on the bus and this was displayed for all to see. Now the driver just crams us in like sardines.

I pay my money just like everybody else (soon to be more in January) so why can't they put more buses on the crowded routes at peak times and ensure that we all get a seat.

Enough of my ranting. What do you think?

bus man · 18-12-2007, 18:43

There is a limit on the number of standees look at the notice, I ahve replied to your other points as these have been covered on (yet) another bus bash thread

bagger · 18-12-2007, 19:26

There may be a limit to the number of standees on a bus but this seems to be ignored by most drivers.

I caught the 51 to Weston Park Hospital last week and the driver just kept cramming them on. There were 5 people stood in front of the doors next to the driver.

klingon2me · 18-12-2007, 20:15

I have looked for the maximum standing notice on several occasions without finding it so if you can tell me where it is kept I will check then we can see if it is adhered to.

As to the other points, if the people who work for the bus company ,i.e. First, were good at their job or even strived to be good at their job, then the problems that I have mentioned and obviously many others from your reply, would not occur.

Bring back "the good old days" when these problems didn't seem to exist.

If I don't do my job correctly I am criticised as well so why should bus drivers and their employers be immune

cgksheff · 18-12-2007, 20:24

The "standing/sitting numbers" notices are no longer displayed on First Buses.

EmilyM · 18-12-2007, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by klingon2me

Only half the people wanting a particualr bus will queue for it on the correct side of the bus stop. The other congregate at the front so that they can rush on before the rest of us orderly members of the public (and probably older members of the public at that).

I understand this totally at busy bus stops and when the buses are full. However I always seem to get glared at by old people for standing in the wrong place, I think they are sometimes obsessed by queuing. The buses I get are always quiet and there are very few people at the stop so its not like they aren't going to get a seat.

mahonia · 18-12-2007, 20:31

Oh Goody

another bus driving complaint thread

, Here we go again

mr_busdriver · 18-12-2007, 20:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by klingon2me

As to the other points, if the people who work for the bus company ,i.e. First, were good at their job or even strived to be good at their job, then the problems that I have mentioned and obviously many others from your reply, would not occur.

Yeah right, dream on.

Lets think (publicly funded service), heres the problem.

Hard working person earns (for example) £200 per week, lazy worker earns £200 per week. Promotion opportunitys --> does your face fit, then yes, if not, no chance.

The days of striving to be good at your job are gone I'm afraid

jillpill · 18-12-2007, 20:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by exmrbd

Oh Goody

another bus driving complaint thread

, Here we go again

Well if the cap fits! too many drivers are over loading their buses! is there not a health and safety issue?

mr_busdriver · 18-12-2007, 20:50

The people who are moaning about the standing situation.

WOuld you rather cram onto the bus and stand up? or would you rather wait for the next bus?

jillpill · 18-12-2007, 20:51

Is there not a safety issue? no answer I see...................

mahonia · 18-12-2007, 20:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillpill

Well if the cap fits! too many drivers are over loading their buses! is there not a health and safety issue?

Its catch 22

Does the driver leave passengers at the bus stop for them to wait another 10-20 mins for a bus in the cold or does he squeze them on

klingon2me · 18-12-2007, 20:54

EmilyM - you miss the point - be polite and kind at all times not just when there is plenty of space on the bus - basic manners dictate you take your turn not push in when you feel like it

mr_busdriver - pay shouldn't come into it. If you don't like the pay re-train and get a better paid job. If you are working at any job you should try to get it right every time and I would sooner be alive at the end of a bus ride than dead as a result of standing near the driver and going through the windscreen

Ivor&Mel · 18-12-2007, 21:06

It might make a difference if the people standing (a) actually bothered to walk a few yards towards the back of the bus and (b) occupied any seats that were vacant. So often it seems that passengers prefer to cluster at the front rather than spread out and occupy all seats. The driver can't see past them to see what the situation is, and few drivers now seem to ask them to move down the bus. Result: safety issue; and bus sails past next stop with driver thinking the bus is full. This happens many times on my bus route.

jillpill · 18-12-2007, 21:07

Too right kilingon! Safety should be an issue ~ its too late when you are thru the windscreen!
Surely it is better to wait and be safe?

Greybeard · 18-12-2007, 21:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillpill

Well if the cap fits! too many drivers are over loading their buses! is there not a health and safety issue?

It used to be a health and safety issue. No doubt the govt. have decided it can now be ignored in the interests of operator profitability.

Inevitably there will be a serious accident involving an overcrowded bus resulting in the death and serious injury of passengers and it will once again be a health and safety issue.

You could always write to your MP to find out what the regulations now actually are.

Greybeard · 18-12-2007, 21:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by exmrbd

Its catch 22

Does the driver leave passengers at the bus stop for them to wait another 10-20 mins for a bus in the cold or does he squeze them on

There is surely no catch 22 about the driver's responsibility for the safety of passengers ?

mega_monty · 18-12-2007, 22:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_busdriver

The people who are moaning about the standing situation.

WOuld you rather cram onto the bus and stand up? or would you rather wait for the next bus?

To be honest as a regular bus passenger If the bus is crammed full and no seats available I dont get on and wait for another bus thats less crowded.

wizzardofODD · 18-12-2007, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by klingon2me

They regularly open the doors well before the actual stop which means those at the stop rush forward thus endangering their own lives and ensuring that anybody who waits for the bus to arrive at the stop usually either misses it altogether or has to stand.

?

& how do they open the doors before stopping ....... they have some kind of auto lock on them ...... cannot open them whilst the bus is in motion .... with exception of 1 or 2 of the older uns .... but most of the moderner low floor busses nooooo way ..... no way whatsoever ..... falsehood untruth ... it is no possible !!!!

*_ash_* · 19-12-2007, 00:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by exmrbd

Oh Goody

another bus driving complaint thread

, Here we go again

Taxis taking a hammering last month, buses taking a severe hammering this month... who's next?

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillpill

Is there not a safety issue? no answer I see...................

Quote:

Originally Posted by jillpill

Too right kilingon! Safety should be an issue ~ its too late when you are thru the windscreen!
Surely it is better to wait and be safe?

Thousands of buses drive everyday. I can't think of many if any accidents.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_busdriver

The people who are moaning about the standing situation. Would you rather cram onto the bus and stand up? or would you rather wait for the next bus?

Personally, I'd rather get on and take my chances.