Bus queue manners

[Greenback]

Generally its bar rules then?

Whoever was their first gets on/served first, but sometimes someone whos loud (or has a bus pass) will be out of order.


I have only seen one bar operate a queuing system quite a silly idea, as its never really busy, and when its really quiet they have normal bar service, and then a queue kind of appears, and the staff go crazy at you for not being in the queue, despite being there longer than the queue has

Bars and bus stops have one important thing in common - the busiest/biggest ones are where problems are more likely to arise, as in the smaller or quiete rones everyone knows who got their first!

I normally do the same. The only occasion I don't is when coming back from work, and it would mean waiting for an hour and a half in a village with no facilities for my connecting bus. I actually walk to a stop before the school and sit at the front near the driver - this generally avoids any problems. The children from this particular school all rush on at once and just dump return tickets in the drivers cash tray, this occasionally causes problems when a child hands over a screwed up single ticket, instead of a return. Causes a delay while the driver tries to get someone to own up, but on the whole the kids behave quite well (occasional fare evasion aside). I suppose it helps that the bus is only a 33 seater.

I've used another bus originating from the same school, when my normal bus had been cancelled due to an emergency road closure. This was much worse, a double decker full to standing with kids shouting and swearing. The driver attempted to gain some control, but was given a mouthful of abuse from a couple of kids. The poor guy then apologised to me for their behaviour!

Two incidents in particular made me avoid school time bus travel. The first was in North London when I took an afternoon bus from Southgate to Barnet. Midway through my journey we stopped at some sort of educational establishment and the bus was suddenly swamped by schoolchildren yelling, shrieking, swearing and throwing things at one another. Mercifully, the agony only lasted for 15 minutes as by then we must have moved out of the main catchment area and most of them had got off.

The second time was in South Wales, when I was the only person on the bus until the school. The pupils were a bit older, and were talking very graphically about their sexual adventures, rather unpleasant to an innocent bystander!

I witnessed the same in Greece, or more precisely Corfu. I think I was 10 or 11 at the time, and was swept up in a stampede of locals waiting to board the bus. It was quite an experience - my parents regretted choosing to use the local bus, and a hire car miraculously appeared the next day.

On the subject of London, it's everyone for themselves. I used a bus from Heathrow Central bus station the other week, and it was ridiculous - especially considering the heavily pregnant lady who was trying to get onboard. It took around 10 minutes for someone to offer her a seat too!

That's my problem in London, often I have to push in front of people in the queue to wave down a bus that they are not getting on.

I must admit I have never seen a traditional queue line in central London, and I don't remember seeing many anywhere else either. I remember a photographer in Reading organising several of us into a line when we were waiting for a bus one day. The picture appeared in the paper to illustrate a story about a new mobility bus service that was being introduced, but before the photographer's intervention everyone was just standing around randomly as usual

 

[MCR247]

I have lived in both a really Chavvy town and a better off town and the irony I find is there are poilte queues in the the Chavvy town and just hoards of people going for the bus in the nicer town.

That is interesting as I have observed a similar thing.

The is quite a "posh" school down (well its up actually) the road from a more "chavy" school, and at the posh school, there is a scrum to get on the bus, but at the other there is an orderly queue...

 

[Seacook]

That is interesting as I have observed a similar thing.

The is quite a "posh" school down (well its up actually) the road from a more "chavy" school, and at the posh school, there is a scrum to get on the bus, but at the other there is an orderly queue...

Cue Ronnie Corbett in the Frost Report class sketch:
"I know my place".

(apologies to those too young to remember TV in the 60s)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Cue Ronnie Corbett in the Frost Report class sketch:
"I know my place".

(apologies to those too young to remember TV in the 60s)

We of the "ancient mariner" age group would remember the other two parts being filled by John Cleese and Ronnie Barker and the size differential of all three actors further accentated the sketch.

Was it from "That was the week that was" that Millicent Martin used to sing on?

 

[Greenback]

We of the "ancient mariner" age group would remember the other two parts being filled by John Cleese and Ronnie Barker and the size differential of all three actors further accentated the sketch.

Was it from "That was the week that was" that Millicent Martin used to sing on?

IIRC it was 'The Frost Report', which came after TW3.

 

[anthony263]

It doesn't sound very pleasant!

The new bus station in Swansea, which opened last December, has abandoned the rigid queuing systems that were in place in its predecessor. Now people sit or stand around until the bus comes in, then shuffle forward ina vague sort of line to ge ton. It all seems to work, I haven't heard of or witnessed many altercations or arguments concerring people pushing in! Mind you my mother took a while to get used to it. I think she likes order in her life!

I know of at least 1 argument at the new bus station and i have even seen someone get off the bus then walk down the side of the bus on the bus layover area trying to avoid getting past the quew of people waiting to get on. There was a pretty nasty inccident in neath a few months ago, involving a passenger & driver.

I have had some oap's & people with shopping, prams etc refuse to wait and try to force their way onto the bus ro who will take ages to take a seat because they want to have a chat etc( Something that really annoys me especially if i pulled up for being late)

Of course they still wont fold their prams which holds the bus up and in the case of the new quadrant bus staion causes lots of problems if a bus is stuck behind u waitting to us ether stand of forced to us another 1
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

The second time was in South Wales, when I was the only person on the bus until the school. The pupils were a bit older, and were talking very graphically about their sexual adventures, rather unpleasant to an innocent bystander!

What area was it, not Pontardulais by any chance? had a problem driving a coach through there with all kids running about (Not good when you have not long passed your test)


I hate it when schoogirls dressed really badly or have their tops undone flirting with the male students and wont behave.

This has caused problems where some school kids have tried to hang onto the back of the bus as it is driving along.

 

[LE Greys]

My usual view is, if there is a woman, an elderly person or whoever, then they have more right to a seat than I, so they can get on first. I generally get on last anyway, but most people round my area leave the sideways perch seats alone, which means I get the best view and am able to get off first. It's usually fine, as long as there isn't some dozy so-and-so at the front of the queue who forgets to signal for the bus to stop. Then, you're in trouble, but it's almost worth not signalling just to see the look on their face as the bus zooms past. Almost, but there would be the inevitable row about who should have signalled, and besides you would have to wait 20 minutes for the next one.

 

[GM078]

A few weeks ago I was queuing for my bus in Busáras (Dublin). There were two lads in front of me (about 18 maybe, not that age matters). Fair enough. Their friends came along up to them , left their bags with them while they went to get a ticket (no problem with that), only to come back and take up a position with them despite there already being five or so people waiting behind them. To make matters worse when the gates opened they stood around, awaiting their other friend who was late, making no effort to either stand by and let other people pass or continue on to the bus. And when their friend did turn up, they simply shoved by everyone, as if it were their right. It happens on occasion that if the bus is full and there's no relief available, the last in the queue will simply be left behind. Of course this never occurs to them. To be honest, if someone politely asked me "would you mind me skipping ahead so I can sit with my friends" I ordinarily wouldn't mind as long as it didn't mean me having to wait till the next bus. But people who simply shove their way by without any care or regard for people waiting longer just irritate me. :-x

 

[jon0844]

I hate it when schoogirls dressed really badly or have their tops undone flirting with the male students and wont behave.

This has caused problems where some school kids have tried to hang onto the back of the bus as it is driving along.

A group of lads can be bad at the best of times but introduce a female and they will all act terribly to try and impress them. That is when they are the worst by far.

 

[SS4]

I have had some oap's & people with shopping, prams etc refuse to wait and try to force their way onto the bus ro who will take ages to take a seat because they want to have a chat etc( Something that really annoys me especially if i pulled up for being late)

Of course they still wont fold their prams which holds the bus up and in the case of the new quadrant bus staion causes lots of problems if a bus is stuck behind u waitting to us ether stand of forced to us another 1

That's the issue really, it speeds up boarding if the fit and the quick got on first so there would not be a queue. As you alluded to the more dwell time the more likely it is someone will join the back of the queue exacerbating the problem and delaying everyone.
However, it's naturally at odds with common decency which is to let the elderly and the infirm on the bus first.
Perhaps it's most fair to have an absolute queue system whereby the first to arrive gets on first, second on second and so on regardless of age, health, or fitness.

I think the third option should be used as a base whereby the second is used should someone be nearby for example let an elderly person on two places behind but not one who is at the back of queue on the understanding that if using the first or third option to leave the seats at the front unoccupied for those who need it more. What all bus users need to do is to move as quickly as they can, sit in a seat without stopping to talk. Then one can talk.
Buggies however, can get on last since a three point turn is almost always required to get them in position properly holding up everyone else with the associated stress on both parties.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

A group of lads can be bad at the best of times but introduce a female and they will all act terribly to try and impress them. That is when they are the worst by far.

Agreed, especially when the female is just as bad.

 

[gogogoadam]

Hi

There are still some contrasts in London. Watch the morning and evening bus commuters queuing at London Bridge, it's fascinating!

Now try getting on any bus at any time in either Woolwich or Elephant and Castle, it's an absolute scrum !

Also interesting on the tube watching commuters (I do it too!) waiting in a straight line behind the platform edge doors at Canary Wharf ...

Adam

 

[ReverendFozz]

I do anything to avoid travelling at school times - fortunately I am usually at work at those times, but if not, I will wait an extra hour if needs be!

I normally do the same. The only occasion I don't is when coming back from work, and it would mean waiting for an hour and a half in a village with no facilities for my connecting bus. I actually walk to a stop before the school and sit at the front near the driver - this generally avoids any problems. The children from this particular school all rush on at once and just dump return tickets in the drivers cash tray, this occasionally causes problems when a child hands over a screwed up single ticket, instead of a return. Causes a delay while the driver tries to get someone to own up, but on the whole the kids behave quite well (occasional fare evasion aside). I suppose it helps that the bus is only a 33 seater.

I've used another bus originating from the same school, when my normal bus had been cancelled due to an emergency road closure. This was much worse, a double decker full to standing with kids shouting and swearing. The driver attempted to gain some control, but was given a mouthful of abuse from a couple of kids. The poor guy then apologised to me for their behaviour!

Sounds like Hetton School near Sunderland, I have known Drivers who would not let them stampede onto the bus and would check their passes one by one, that used to get fare evaders on quite a bit, as the driver would have them single file, kids could pass there bus pass through an open window for there mates to use.

As for people doing anything to get on and a get a seat, in Peterlee about 18 months ago, I was waiting inside the bus station, a middle aged lady stood on the other side of the automatic door hoping to get on first, bus pulls in and the drivers were changing, said lady is desperate to get on, I had been talking to the driver going onto the bus, despite the womans argument that she was there before, the driver let me on first, as we had been talking for 40 minutes he knew she was lying, she got off her stop, protested to the driver again and threatened to put a complaint in, although I dont think she did in the end

 

[umontu]

In Blackpool the etiquette is stand up when you spot ANY Stagecoach bus and then see if it's the 61 and not the 68 which, ahem "Goes on a magical mystery tour" or "Around the houses" :roll: (Often repeated phrases...) then push your way to the front of the Que. As soon as someone spots the bus or moves to the curb everyone tries to go to the front of the Que. I've been pushed out of the way by certain pass holders there before.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

...... kids could pass there bus pass through an open window for their mates to use.

I have seen an example of this particular trick being thwarted, by a driver being notified by a lady passenger of this occurrence. He then asked for all the five teenagers who had already boarded the bus to show their passes again and the offender who had done this was asked to pay a fare, as he did not then have his pass on him.

 

[MidnightFlyer]

I have seen an example of this particular trick being thwarted, by a driver being notified by a lady passenger of this occurrence. He then asked for all the five teenagers who had already boarded the bus to show their passes again and the offender who had done this was asked to pay a fare, as he did not then have his pass on him.

We have to show our college IDs with our bus passes.

 

[WestCoast]

In Blackpool the etiquette is stand up when you spot ANY Stagecoach bus and then see if it's the 61 and not the 68 which, ahem "Goes on a magical mystery tour" or "Around the houses" :roll: (Often repeated phrases...) then push your way to the front of the Que. As soon as someone spots the bus or moves to the curb everyone tries to go to the front of the Que. I've been pushed out of the way by certain pass holders there before.

Yeah, but then again who actually uses the 61/68 to go the full journey except pass holders? The time difference if massive on both compared to the train!

"Around the houses" is the most overused phrase in bus transport! People never stop saying it!

 

[MCR247]

I have seen an example of this particular trick being thwarted, by a driver being notified by a lady passenger of this occurrence. He then asked for all the five teenagers who had already boarded the bus to show their passes again and the offender who had done this was asked to pay a fare, as he did not then have his pass on him.

We have to show our college IDs with our bus passes.

You can't scan ours again for about 5/10?(?) minutes or an 'error' comes up saying 'passback'

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

You can't scan ours again for about 5/10?(?) minutes or an 'error' comes up saying 'passback'

That sounds an excellant method to deter fraudsters.

 

[SS4]

I've seen too many fraudsters argue with the driver if only to delay the bus. I guess their reasoning is that drivers have to keep to schedule so will relent but sadly it works all too often

Back to the topic of queues I've found that most people are pretty good although when multiple buses stop at the same place there can be a merging of lines, tonight for example the queues for the 914 and the 108 coalesced so when the 108 came I moved about 18 places forward in the queue!

 

[umontu]

Yeah, but then again who actually uses the 61/68 to go the full journey except pass holders? The time difference if massive on both compared to the train!

"Around the houses" is the most overused phrase in bus transport! People never stop saying it!

Good point, but the cost is also a factor.

Only heard it there weirdly.

 

[DarkestDreams]

The problem here is that a bus stop might be served by five or six high-frequency routes. This means that everyone ends up in a scrum, and the problem is worsened when the busses end up queueing behind each other in the stop. I know a lot of people didn't like the bendy busses here in London, but everyone admits that they were much faster and easier to board than the new double deckers. We even have posters at stops to help people with the peculiar notion of having only one entry door..

Seat etiquette here is also ridiculous. I've had an earful from a man in a suit for not letting him have a seat despite me having a mountain of food shopping, yet later in the same journey when I offered my seat to an elderly woman, she was very offended by it. I just look down now and don't listen to anyone. It saddens me that everyone says "Oh, these young'uns, so rude, so inconsiderate" when it's often the older people who are the worst. I've had all kinds of abuse on public transport, yet I would say that I'm one of the polite ones.

 

[Aictos]

Waiting for a bus in Italy I found the etiquette was - force your way on any way you can!

Well that's Peterborough for you,