galwhv69
Member
Seem to be very lucky in getting on rail replacement buses with drivers that don't know the route. I don't mind helping as it's easier for the driver and passengers) (Obviously if I help the driver I check for things like low bridges etc.) 3 times recently :
1) SWR minibus from Woking to Wimbledon. Driver made it fine to Weybridge, departed Weybridge and arrived back at Weybridge 10 minutes later. They admitted they didn't know the way, so I offered to help. Made it to Wimbledon right at departure time. Minibus full up and left people behind with next bus 30 minutes away
2) SE bus from Dartford to Lewisham. Driver made it to Crayford then turned into a residential area, going further before doing a 3 point turn. (He later told me he last did the route 2 years ago and that was the official routing, now unfortunately not possible due to parking on both sides). Got to Eltham but turned right at the lights. At this point passengers were complaining that they would be late, so I asked the driver if it was alright to go via Falconwood since it was just down the road, so that passengers could connect to a train service and make it on time. Driver agreed so all but 1 passenger disembarked (They weren't paying attention to announcement). At this point the service was nearly 30 minutes late, so it was deemed appropriate to continue down the A205 & A20 direct to Lewisham. Got to the turning point around 3 minutes before departure, however Lewisham traffic meant that we arrived at the first stop 5 minutes late and were 15 minutes late by Hither Green.
3) SWR Clapham Junction to Surbiton (All Stops) Originally started as me just calling out station names as driver was struggling due to bad English and passengers were confused by his answers. All fine until Raynes Park until he asked if I knew the way to New Malden. I did, so piloted him and then had made some small talk until Surbiton
1) SWR minibus from Woking to Wimbledon. Driver made it fine to Weybridge, departed Weybridge and arrived back at Weybridge 10 minutes later. They admitted they didn't know the way, so I offered to help. Made it to Wimbledon right at departure time. Minibus full up and left people behind with next bus 30 minutes away
2) SE bus from Dartford to Lewisham. Driver made it to Crayford then turned into a residential area, going further before doing a 3 point turn. (He later told me he last did the route 2 years ago and that was the official routing, now unfortunately not possible due to parking on both sides). Got to Eltham but turned right at the lights. At this point passengers were complaining that they would be late, so I asked the driver if it was alright to go via Falconwood since it was just down the road, so that passengers could connect to a train service and make it on time. Driver agreed so all but 1 passenger disembarked (They weren't paying attention to announcement). At this point the service was nearly 30 minutes late, so it was deemed appropriate to continue down the A205 & A20 direct to Lewisham. Got to the turning point around 3 minutes before departure, however Lewisham traffic meant that we arrived at the first stop 5 minutes late and were 15 minutes late by Hither Green.
3) SWR Clapham Junction to Surbiton (All Stops) Originally started as me just calling out station names as driver was struggling due to bad English and passengers were confused by his answers. All fine until Raynes Park until he asked if I knew the way to New Malden. I did, so piloted him and then had made some small talk until Surbiton