Arm Out at Bus Stops?

[Nym]

I've always put my arm out as bus stops - as I've always lived in cities, most bus stops have multiple services and the driver quite reasonably will only stop if you indicate you want his bus.

A particular example is along Oxford Road in Manchester - if I want the 43 bus home, and it's in a convoy of Magic Buses as often happens, I virtually jump into the road with my arms waving like a windmill in a tornado. Or, when there's a bus you don't want on the stand, I walk back down towards the oncoming bus you do want and flag it down so it doesn't overtake.

A couple of months ago I caught a 43 to the airport at a silly hour and it's the first bus I've ever been on which went through Wythenshawe bus station without stopping.

Beat me to it for Oxford Road, can sometimes be intresting at the top end by Whitworth Street, all coming round the corner and no segreigation between stopping points, with little space (unlike the BBC (Disused) stop) or further down round the uni where they're split by service group, Withington / Chorlton etc.

 

[SS4]

I often stick my arm out, the exception sometimes is at termini where the bus will stop anyway. I was astounded when buses stopped in London despite it being clear nobody was getting on or off

 

[Shrimper]

As a Manchester driver it is appreciated when people do stick their arms out, especially as the vast majority of stops are served by multiple routes or have similar routes with different validity (magic buses).

If people do not signal their intention for the bus I'm driving I will drive past - though I don't specifically require a wave, just make it obvious you want the bus! Similarly, don't hide inside or behind a shelter and then jump out at the last second - I won't stop, however much you wave, and my company would back me up on that.

To be honest the only significant issue is at the large student areas, where more often than not a large group will be at the stop yet none will indicate that they want my bus.

 

[SS4]

As bus drivers does it annoy you when someone gives you abuse because they did not arrive at the bus stop on time? It's hardly your fault if you leave on time after all

 

[Nym]

Not at all, I rarely blame the drivers when the First Bus here doesn't show, because 99% of the time it's thanks to the poor scheduling of First Group, since I live some 3mins from a timing point...

Also, I only have a go when I stand there and four scheduled buses never turn up... That's more of a problem than being 2 or 3mins late...

 

[anthony263]

As bus drivers does it annoy you when someone gives you abuse because they did not arrive at the bus stop on time? It's hardly your fault if you leave on time after all

Yes having experienced this myself with OAP's being the worst especially of they are too busy chatting.

 

[MarkyMarkD]

I've thought that too.

I've given up on trying to use the X39 etc from the botton of the University driveway wherever possible because some drivers will still be doing 50 even though the stop is 50m before the roundabout. Instead, I go to the one before, where they have to turn at a set of traffic lights (the stop is immediately after the lights). It is also much quieter there!

This really is something that ought to be taken more seriously by operators.

I travel on a route which takes an INCREDIBLY tortuous route, with lots of left/right/right/left turns short distances apart. It's really slow going because of the multiple junctions, parked cars, etc., and at some times of day there's absolutely no point - vast chunks of the unnecessary mileage could be dropped without any detriment to anyone.

Some kind of system of remotely notifying the driver that a certain section of the route is necessary or unnecessary would be great. Then if nobody wants to go that way, the bus could take a more direct route.

Saves fuel, saves nausea for the passengers and speeds up the journey somewhat (particularly useful if it's running late anyway).

The problem is how to get the passengers to indicate intent to use the bus, without scroats having an incentive of just "pressing the button" "for fun". Not sure I can come up with a convincing method for that - although having a machine which required a payment to "summon" the bus would work, I suppose. (The payment being in exchange for a ticket which would be deducted from the bus fare, if it wasn't simply the bus fare as it could be in a flat fare environment).

Actually, thinking about it, I must contact The Kings Ferry about this. They run coaches from the Medway towns to London, and they ALL stop at a completely pointless stop in Bean (yes, seriously) where about 3 people a day seem to board. It drives me mad that ~20 coaches a day go to this stop, which is a 5 minute diversion off the main route, for just the 3 passengers who actually want to board there.

The whole structure of these routes is poor though. All the coaches also go via Canary Wharf on their way to central London. Whilst maybe 1/3 of passengers do disembark at Canary Wharf, that doesn't require 20 coaches to go there! They could easily run just alternate services via Canary Wharf, with the other services as express to central London.

Indeed let's go the whole hog. Just the Canary Wharf stoppers should stop at Bean, for starters, so we'd have stoppers and express coaches.

 

[jon0844]

The problem with a bus skipping parts of the route is that it will end up at another bus stop very early, and probably have to wait. Sure, standing still to kill time is cheaper than the fuel to drive around neither stopping to pick up people or set them down, but overall I don't think it could work - much as I'd love it to.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Similarly, don't hide inside or behind a shelter and then jump out at the last second - I won't stop, however much you wave, and my company would back me up on that.

I am glad that you have raised this particular point, as I have seen this done by intending passengers on numerous occasions. You should make sure that you are actively watching out for the bus to arrive, then to give a signal to the driver that you wish to board his bus, in plenty of time.

Another particular issue, usually (but not always) affects young female passengers in the 14-25 age range, whose sole life appears to revolve around the use of a mobile phone. I have seen many examples where such people have been so intent in their telephone conversation whilst waiting at a bus stop, that they do not bother to signal to the driver and then become very annoyed when the bus just drives past. Another bad habit this group have, is to board the bus still carrying on the telephone conversation, instead of having the courtesy to speak to the driver to give their journey details first, before resuming their conversation.

My affliction with "Grumpy Old Man Syndrome" is not helped when I view such matters....:roll:

 

[Ivo]

A simple case of not paying attention. I would suggest that at least 99.9% of these girls' conversations are not important enough for them to not be able to move away from the speaker for ten seconds - and if they are, they probably shouldn't be travelling anywhere (unless it's to the hospital). Half the time they only seem to be talking about the latest film their boyfriend took them to see anyway... sigh... don't they have anything better to do? :roll:

My affliction with "Grumpy Old Man Syndrome" is not helped when I view such matters....:roll:

If that's Grumpy Old Man Syndrome then does everyone else on here have "Grumpy Old Man -to-be Syndrome"?

 

[SS4]

This really is something that ought to be taken more seriously by operators.

I travel on a route which takes an INCREDIBLY tortuous route, with lots of left/right/right/left turns short distances apart. It's really slow going because of the multiple junctions, parked cars, etc., and at some times of day there's absolutely no point - vast chunks of the unnecessary mileage could be dropped without any detriment to anyone.

Some kind of system of remotely notifying the driver that a certain section of the route is necessary or unnecessary would be great. Then if nobody wants to go that way, the bus could take a more direct route.

Saves fuel, saves nausea for the passengers and speeds up the journey somewhat (particularly useful if it's running late anyway).

The problem is how to get the passengers to indicate intent to use the bus, without scroats having an incentive of just "pressing the button" "for fun". Not sure I can come up with a convincing method for that - although having a machine which required a payment to "summon" the bus would work, I suppose. (The payment being in exchange for a ticket which would be deducted from the bus fare, if it wasn't simply the bus fare as it could be in a flat fare environment).

You'd also need a card reader for pass holders. NXWM advertising is basically get a bus pass and never look for loose change again and I couldn't see it being popular to make them pay and then refund on board. I'm not sure how it would work regarding timing either, what would happen if the bus was already past the request stop when someone decided to hail it (but before the timetabled arrival at that stop)

I understand that's not very clear so I'll try and explain. Suppose a bus route goes from A-E with stops at B, C and D which are "request" stops as it were.

A-E direct is on a main road and takes 15 minutes to go direct.
A-B, B-C, C-D and D-E each take 8 minutes each due to side roads which is a total of 24 minutes.

Let's say that a service leaves A at 1400 giving the following timing points
B: 1408
C: 1416
D: 1424
E: 1432 (via B,C,D)
E: 1415 (Direct)

When the bus sets off from A nobody has indicated they want to get on or off at B C or D so it goes direct to E arriving at 1415. Yet at 1420 someone at D indicates they want to get on this bus to E. They're entitled to because they've arrived in good time for the bus. Sure you could make it so they'd have to get there before 1400 (when it leaves A) yet you're looking at a 25 minute wait.

I don't think circuitous routes are that much of issue overall, you know what you're getting most of the time and perhaps, like trains, people prefer a direct but slower service than having to change. If you really wanted to do something about it you could have a split service with one bus going direct and another going indirectly but you'd really need at least 1bph each way to justify it (so 2bph total)

If that's Grumpy Old Man Syndrome then does everyone else on here have "Grumpy Old Man -to-be Syndrome"?

You can add me to that list

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If that's Grumpy Old Man Syndrome then does everyone else on here have "Grumpy Old Man -to-be Syndrome"?

Follow my lead....I am a Zen Master in this now...

 

[Nym]

HEY! I'm only 24 and showing aspects of grumpy old man...

Have been since I was 19, had already grown intolerant of idiots...

 

[route101]

I always put my arm out as i get on the bus on a dual carriageway and most of the time the only punter standing there .

Anyone been to a bus stop in Edinburgh? They queue up at the Bus Shelters

 

[dvboy]

Never used to do it when I was younger but I do now, even though all buses from my stop go the same direction to the same destination so not really necessary.

Similarly when I was younger I'd never ring the bell to signal I wanted to get off but now if I don't, but I get up and stand at the front of the bus, the bus still doesn't stop.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
One thing I have done, being tall, is step back to avoid being whacked in the head by the side mirror, and have a driver interpret that at last minute that I didn't want to get on.

 

[Ivo]

One thing I have done, being tall, is step back to avoid being whacked in the head by the side mirror, and have a driver interpret that at last minute that I didn't want to get on.

I've been hit by one of those before now. It did more damage to the mirror than it did to me

 

[dvboy]

I've been hit by one of those before now. It did more damage to the mirror than it did to me

I've not experienced it yet. The rate some NXWM drivers brake at, I wouldn't like to; it's like coming into the pits at Silverstone sometimes. Come close though.

 

[PaxVobiscum]

Am I alone in remembering the "Signal thus (arm outstretched) to stop a bus" poster campaign? Perhaps it was a local thing.

I also remember the "and signal thus (rude sign) if it doesn't" handwritten additions.

 

[gnolife]

I've always put my arm out as bus stops - as I've always lived in cities, most bus stops have multiple services and the driver quite reasonably will only stop if you indicate you want his bus.

A particular example is along Oxford Road in Manchester - if I want the 43 bus home, and it's in a convoy of Magic Buses as often happens, I virtually jump into the road with my arms waving like a windmill in a tornado. Or, when there's a bus you don't want on the stand, I walk back down towards the oncoming bus you do want and flag it down so it doesn't overtake.

A couple of months ago I caught a 43 to the airport at a silly hour and it's the first bus I've ever been on which went through Wythenshawe bus station without stopping.

I've never known that one to happen - although that might have something to do with the fact that the bus station is my local stop for most services (exception of the 18 and 105).

I always stick my hand out, plus at night, I'll shine a torch on my hand to emphasise the fact that I'm there, and I want to get on the bus.

 

[WestCoast]

Anyone been to a bus stop in Edinburgh? They queue up at the Bus Shelters

Lothian Buses have a comprehensive multi-lingual guide to bus etiquette on their website....:-P

 

[TrainBoy98]

In worthing we stick our arms out but even if we dont the driver normally pulls over and asks if anyone wants his bus

 

[90019]

The problem with a bus skipping parts of the route is that it will end up at another bus stop very early, and probably have to wait. Sure, standing still to kill time is cheaper than the fuel to drive around neither stopping to pick up people or set them down, but overall I don't think it could work - much as I'd love it to.

It would always cause a problem, because you'd have to time the bus to go the longer route anyway. The suggestion of having two different times at the stops further down would just cause confusion, and if you had more than one section the bus could miss out, you'd have to have even more possible times for that bus at the stops further on.

I always put my arm out as i get on the bus on a dual carriageway and most of the time the only punter standing there .

Anyone been to a bus stop in Edinburgh? They queue up at the Bus Shelters

Most of the time, it's all rather polite, with people queuing up, and occasionally you get two or more people trying to let each other on first.

I've been hit by one of those before now. It did more damage to the mirror than it did to me

It's rather annoying, albeit quite funny, when you get someone who manages to walk straight into the mirror as they get off the bus, and pushes the mirror out, so you have to go and adjust it again.

Lothian Buses have a comprehensive multi-lingual guide to bus etiquette on their website....:-P

They have them up at a lot of city centre bus stops as well.
Still get people getting on who don't understand though - I had one person try to pay with their card last week.

 

[455driver]

When I was a bus driver I worked on the old Chinese proverb-

No sticky handy out, no catchy bus.*


Obviously does not apply where there is only 1 bus route that goes that way.
Our times were a bit tighter then compared to the leisurely running times today as well.

 

[VTPreston_Tez]

I always stick my hand out and if there's few cars coming, I will get into the road if there's a gap to ensure the bus stops.

 

[Shrimper]

Following on from my comments the other day, I happened to be with the family in Morecambe and needed to check the 2/2a timetable. In there it very clearly states that you must stick your hand out, and then states that if you do not, the bus will not stop, which couldn't be any clearer!

 

[90019]

if there's few cars coming, I will get into the road if there's a gap to ensure the bus stops.

Please don't do that.
Sticking your hand out is fine.

 

[WestCoast]

The only problem I find is when you're at a busy stop on a road with lots of traffic (and parked cars, signs, shelters e.t.c obscuring the driver's view) and there are a number of routes stopping (from different companies). The bus you don't want has stopped and there's another behind, it's not always easy to see what it is and flag that one down if the driver can't see you. I know they have rules about that at some companies like Lothian and in some places, but it's a free-for-all elsewhere.

 

[newbie babs]

In Sheffield you have to put your arm out otherwise they go straight past, in fact sometimes at Pond Street you have to stand in the middle of the road because so many different routes stop at the same stop, so if a bus is already waiting you have to go into the middle of the road.

 

[Ivo]

Where more than one bus is involved I will normally go to the rear of the one that has already stopped (or the front if not possible, but only if not possible) and time my sticking my arm out to match anything else around. If several buses are approaching I position myself in such a way that the driver cannot miss me without endangering myself, and as soon as the driver of the bus in front can no longer see me without his mirrors, out comes the arm.

 

[Shrimper]

If I'm approaching a busy stop (eg BBC in Manchester) behind another bus I'll keep behind it so that I can see anyone making an effort to catch my attention - again, as long as they clearly want me I will stop, and usually I'll stay close to the kerb if people are straining to see my number. However if people make no effort to be seen or to attract my attention then I will drive past.