Rural Bus stop technology

[richw]

In rural Kent we don't have very much in the way of street lighting. The convention is that if you want the bus to stop you wave the light on your mobile or a small torch. Im sure that it's not an official policy but its been almost universally adopted by locals.

my employer had promoted the idea to shine a phone light/screen via social media. Hasn’t really caught on, I suggest it to anyone I nearly don’t see,

 

[Siemens Trains]

my employer had promoted the idea to shine a phone light/screen via social media. Hasn’t really caught on, I suggest it to anyone I nearly don’t see,

Yes, definitely good advice, along with wearing reflective bands and sticking your hand out. As with the advice given to London drivers that Bletchleyite quoted, the trouble is that once drivers get used to it they might become somewhat complacent. They could end up failing to stop for someone who is quite hard to see and doesn't know the convention, or perhaps their torch has packed in. The unfortunate passenger might feel somewhat aggrieved.

Make a formal complaint.

Should the passenger make a complaint, the driver might reply that they were used to passengers following the recognised practice this one should have known better - the advice being across social media after all. I know the interface really isn't easy and I have every sympathy with drivers, but sometimes you just have to keep instructions simple.

 

[KendalKing]

Wow fantastic that, I bet if I suggested that idea to my local Stagecoach depot, I'd get laughed at.

Same with my local Stagecoach depot.

 

[KendalKing]

I don't see why bus stops couldn't have press a button to request a bus type thing. It just makes sense but no one will trial it.

Lancashire County Council & CP Systems, trailed a similar system about 17-years ago. On the Silverdale Shuttle and Carnforth Connect Bus services.

 

[KendalKing]

In the UK drivers seem to sometimes like sailing past other buses at the stop when they have no idea who's waiting as they can't see them, leaving able bodied people running up and down and trying to signal, and PRM missing the bus.

The main reason, for so many drivers sailing past Bus Stops, is that the running times are far too tight. If they stop to pick-up or set-down passengers they end-up running late!

 

[Bletchleyite]

The main reason, for so many drivers sailing past Bus Stops, is that the running times are far too tight. If they stop to pick-up or set-down passengers they end-up running late!

Of course, if they don't stop, then they are only demonstrating to their employer that the timings are acceptable.

 

[6Gman]

My comment was a bit tongue in cheek but in all honesty I agree with this. Can you just imagine what will happen if technology is used, it won't get maintained properly then it'll fail (or fail even if it does get maintained!)

Public transport budgets are tight enough as they are without needing to spend money on this sort of stuff. Stick your arm out and if the bus stop is in the wrong place then move it!

And any powered system would be done how exactly?

Mains supply? Batteries? Solar?

 

[paul1609]

I thought we were taking rural here - if a bus approaches the stop in my village and finds another one in the pull-in the usual answer is the first one has broken down!

You've got more than one bus? You lucky bastards. If our bus breaks down thats usually it for the day. If its after the school run theres no chance of another one making it out of Silverhill Garage until the morning.

 

[MotCO]

And any powered system would be done how exactly?

Mains supply? Batteries? Solar?

A lot of TfL bus flags have a button to illuminate the flag. This is solar powered, but I don't know if it is intended to alert on-coming bus drivers.

 

[neilmc]

Some of you have a bus every single day?? You lucky so-and-sos. Ours is one per week on a Tuesday. The morning journey to town always runs in the light and gets back before it gets dark. Over 99% of passengers will be waiting in the villages bus shelters, with just occasionally someone boarding at an isolated location, in which case they may well phone the company and forewarn them of intending passengers in unusual places.