Green Line 797

[jon0844]

Just one thought. This 797 branded bus operates as another number for part of the route! How does Uno manage that? Just change the display?

 

[causton]

Just one thought. This 797 branded bus operates as another number for part of the route! How does Uno manage that? Just change the display?

Yep, just as with any other route that operates similarly!

I think the timings for the 797 are a bit "optimistic", shall we say... then again I won't use it much anymore so won't get to see what delights Uno put on it!

 

[Deerfold]

Not necessarily. First also use the GreenLine identity for their coach routes from Bracknell and Windsor into London, as successors to London Country in those parts of Berkshire. I suspect GreenLine may now just be a marketing name available to any firm who conform to its ethos and certain basic standards, but I am happy to be corrected if wrong in that surmisal.

The brand name is owned by Arriva who own Green Line Coaches Limited.

First pay to use it.

Interesting that Uno's branding mentions Stevenage but the map on the Greenline website only shows the 797 going as far as Hatfield.

 

[jon0844]

Exactly, that's where it changes number.. I guess Uno wants people beyond Hatfield to still imagine it as the 797. Maybe it should even display 635/797 on the screen? Do any services anywhere do that?

I hope people are using it, and the buses are reliable. I'm on another Mercedes bus (another route) and the driver who I got chatting with on his break admitted the central doors are broken and he can drive off even with them open. He also said there's been two fires recently (I saw one personally in Hatfield town centre, and there was another up near St Albans apparently).

I'm now sitting up front and can also see the display saying 'Fault Gearbox'.

Oh and the switch to operate a hands free handbrake (can't remember what he called it) is also broken.

What a quality maintenance regime Uno has! It's clean though.

Edit: just got off and saw it now says Malfunction Air Drier on his display too.

 

[skyhigh]

I got fairly friendly with an uno driver on my local route. He readily pointed out issues with the buses, everything from windscreen wipers that didn't work, indicators that came on instead of brake lights at the rear and a low floor that let all the air pressure out of the system every time he tried to lower the floor! I certainly hope they can do better than that for the 797 - it really needs to be reliable for people to trust it.

 

[Busaholic]

I got fairly friendly with an uno driver on my local route. He readily pointed out issues with the buses, everything from windscreen wipers that didn't work, indicators that came on instead of brake lights at the rear and a low floor that let all the air pressure out of the system every time he tried to lower the floor! I certainly hope they can do better than that for the 797 - it really needs to be reliable for people to trust it.

Sounds like UNO are overdue a visit from the vehicle examiners

 

[jon0844]

It's amazing just how honest some of the drivers are, which must say something for the morale.

Out of respect, I will not identify any of them (or even the route/bus numbers) in case Uno can work out who they are.

I do wonder how much trouble the drivers who put up with these conditions (and driving buses that perhaps shouldn't be in service) will get into if they're 'caught'. By rights, shouldn't drivers refuse to take such buses out of the depot? And if they do, what does Uno management say then?

 

[skyhigh]

By rights, shouldn't drivers refuse to take such buses out of the depot? And if they do, what does Uno management say then?

From what I gather, the driver I mentioned previously tried that once - the result was that no bus went out that day until the issue with the allocated bus was fixed as they didn't have any other appropriate buses spare. I know that one time he set his bus up and checked over it, went away for five minutes and by the time he came back, someone else had been told to take it as their bus had an issue!

 

[Mutant Lemming]

It's amazing just how honest some of the drivers are, which must say something for the morale.

Out of respect, I will not identify any of them (or even the route/bus numbers) in case Uno can work out who they are.

I do wonder how much trouble the drivers who put up with these conditions (and driving buses that perhaps shouldn't be in service) will get into if they're 'caught'. By rights, shouldn't drivers refuse to take such buses out of the depot? And if they do, what does Uno management say then?

You would expect better of a company that is in effect a public body rather than a fly by night private operator. Surely the university wouldn't be happy to have it's students ferried about in substandard vehicles ?

 

[jon0844]

But the company IS the university, and many drivers detest the students. To be fair, some of them are a nightmare and cause endless grief for other residents.

 

[MotCO]

Exactly, that's where it changes number.. I guess Uno wants people beyond Hatfield to still imagine it as the 797. Maybe it should even display 635/797 on the screen? Do any services anywhere do that?

Centaur Coaches operate commuter services from London to Sevenoaks and beyond. At Sevenoaks, some passengers decant onto feeder minibuses for local destinations whilst the coach continues on its way. The coach displays dual route numbers for the different destinations - either 788/790 or 789/790.

 

[AM9]

But the company IS the university, and many drivers detest the students. To be fair, some of them are a nightmare and cause endless grief for other residents.

It's noticeable that Uno have lost some of the routes centred on St Albans overe the past 3 years or so. Redline and Metroline have stepped into the frame with buses that are better presented and (so far) more reliable.

 

[jon0844]

Broken down bus outside the depot at 5.30pm. So near, yet so far. Parked with engine door up, almost blocking the entrance to the Arla distribution site, just seconds away from getting back home to safety!

 

[philjo]

According to the HCC list of forthcoming bus service changes the Uno 635 and 625 services Baldock/Letchworth to Hatfield) will be withdrawn from 30 August.

http://www.intalink.org.uk/uploads/publications/707.pdf

625
Letchworth Wilbury Hills – Hatfield Uno
Service WITHDRAWN.

635 Baldock – Hatfield Uno
Service WITHDRAWN, see Service 797 (September Issue)

on 1 September the 797 Greenline service will then start from Hitchin station via Stevenage then Hatfield.
it also says the section of route i London between Baker Street and Victoria will be withdrawn.

http://www.intalink.org.uk/uploads/publications/708.pdf

797
Hatfield – London Victoria
Greenline
Now to start from Hitchin Railway Station but withdrawn between Baker Street and Victoria. Frequency Increased
to hourly from approximately 0900. New section of route is via Hitchin town centre, Lister Hospital, Stevenage Old
Town, Stevenage Bus Station, North Herts College, Hatfield Business Park, de Havilland Campus and Galleria to The
Forum.

 

[jon0844]

I am not sure of the mileage, but presume it had to be curtailed at the London end to stick within the limit?

The service does increase in frequency at times, which many people locally are saying is a good thing, but there's some ill feeling about it ending at Baker Street. If you now need to get another bus from Baldock and from Baker Street, not only will it increase the time but also the cost.

The up side is that it will no longer look odd having a 797 branded bus that shows '635' on the front for a lot of the journey. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't know about the way it changes (i.e. you're on the same bus, so no need to worry about a connection) part way through, so perhaps this will increase the appeal.

Uno are making a fair few other cuts in line with the reduction in funding from the council in September, in the evenings and on Sunday.

 

[A0]

I am not sure of the mileage, but presume it had to be curtailed at the London end to stick within the limit?

The service does increase in frequency at times, which many people locally are saying is a good thing, but there's some ill feeling about it ending at Baker Street. If you now need to get another bus from Baldock and from Baker Street, not only will it increase the time but also the cost.

The up side is that it will no longer look odd having a 797 branded bus that shows '635' on the front for a lot of the journey. I'm sure a lot of people wouldn't know about the way it changes (i.e. you're on the same bus, so no need to worry about a connection) part way through, so perhaps this will increase the appeal.

Uno are making a fair few other cuts in line with the reduction in funding from the council in September, in the evenings and on Sunday.

Terminating at Baker Street makes some sense - it's well connected to the tube and other bus services for onward journeys.

Going back some years, some of the United Counties Coachlinks services which used to run to London, terminated at Marylebone.

It probably saves circa 60 mins going to Victoria and turning around.

 

[jon0844]

I'm sure for a lot of people it will be fine, as many will alight even before Baker Street, but I've heard mixed reviews of the service so who knows if Uno will continue with it after the promised one year (I think) it committed to when it 'took over'?

I tried to ask Uno on Twitter for some fare information not that long ago, to discover that I've been blocked. And now it turns out that anyone who has said bad things to Uno (i.e. moaning about buses running early, being cancelled without noticed, incidents with drivers) are being blocked.

Not the best way to manage your social media...

 

[Busaholic]

I'm sure for a lot of people it will be fine, as many will alight even before Baker Street, but I've heard mixed reviews of the service so who knows if Uno will continue with it after the promised one year (I think) it committed to when it 'took over'?

I tried to ask Uno on Twitter for some fare information not that long ago, to discover that I've been blocked. And now it turns out that anyone who has said bad things to Uno (i.e. moaning about buses running early, being cancelled without noticed, incidents with drivers) are being blocked.

Not the best way to manage your social media...

Now that Uno are a TfL-contracted company they'll have to manage their public image better, otherwise that relationship will end in tears, as with others before it.

 

[jon0844]

Whoever manages their social media probably ought to stop posting some rather odd things on Facebook too, including photos probably pulled from Google image searches and used without permission.

Basically, the company needs to employ someone who understands the importance (and necessity) of social media engagement these days.

Not that I think anyone will care that much about Uno, compared to what would happen if Tesco decided to block someone who complained.

 

[Busaholic]

Whoever manages their social media probably ought to stop posting some rather odd things on Facebook too, including photos probably pulled from Google image searches and used without permission.

Basically, the company needs to employ someone who understands the importance (and necessity) of social media engagement these days.

Not that I think anyone will care that much about Uno, compared to what would happen if Tesco decided to block someone who complained.

Someone should explain gently to Uno that if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. They're in the big boy's world now - better not to engage in social media than to try to manipulate it in an amateurish way, which won't work for them long term. A TfL contract, no matter only for a relatively insignificant route, equals promotion to the Premier League, and we all know what usually happens to those teams within a year or two, the only difference being that relegation could be permanent.

 

[jon0844]

The new 797 is now running but it's strange how it's still treated as two separate routes on the timetable with a guaranteed connection half way through. It is of course the same bus, but before it had two numbers. Now it has the same number but is marked as Hitchin to Hatfield and Hatfield to Baker Street.

There's a 5 minute 'connection'.

Why didn't they do that before if they were allowed to?

Also, recently they've begun running one of their TfL contract red buses locally in Hatfield, which suggests they've still got a shortage of serviceable stock. Still, good for people who get a brand new bus to and from the Hatfield business park. Not that the ticket machines will likely take Intalink m-tickets (but might accept Oyster if not disabled!).

 

[matt_world2004]

The new 797 is now running but it's strange how it's still treated as two separate routes on the timetable with a guaranteed connection half way through. It is of course the same bus, but before it had two numbers. Now it has the same number but is marked as Hitchin to Hatfield and Hatfield to Baker Street.

There's a 5 minute 'connection'.

Why didn't they do that before if they were allowed to?

Also, recently they've begun running one of their TfL contract red buses locally in Hatfield, which suggests they've still got a shortage of serviceable stock. Still, good for people who get a brand new bus to and from the Hatfield business park. Not that the ticket machines will likely take Intalink m-tickets (but might accept Oyster if not disabled!).

I am very surprised that this is not a breach of service agreement, Bad service from a bus with a roundel on it could result to complaint to TfL for a service that is not contracted by them. also what happens if someone tries to get on with an Oyster card, Staff pass or travel card. Or any other tfL only ticket. My Oyster card contract states" Valid on London Bus Services Displaying the Red or White Roundel on the front and any other bus service where the TfL Farescale applies"

 

[jon0844]

They have local bus numbers and destinations on the blinds, so it must be more than just a temporary thing.

 

[matt_world2004]

They have local bus numbers and destinations on the blinds, so it must be more than just a temporary thing.

It is going to be an interesting test to see if They would let someone on with an oyster card and just take the revenue hit. My Understanding is that the ETM reports ticketing data back to TfL including loadingsand timings at each stop and timings of each arrival. Does Ibus work on the Hatfield routes?

 

[jon0844]

Herts County Council uses different machines and a proprietary reporting system that means you can only get real time information from its own apps.

So, I assume the answer is no.

That in itself means another problem. How does a ticket machine for Oyster acceptance read my m-ticket (barcode)? Do they even have such optical readers?

So the question is, how do locals travel on a bus that has equipment for London only?

Here's the bus by the way;



(turn a blind eye to it picking up and dropping off away from the bus stop and on double yellows!)

 

[matt_world2004]

Herts County Council uses different machines and a proprietary reporting system that means you can only get real time information from its own apps.

So, I assume the answer is no.

That in itself means another problem. How does a ticket machine for Oyster acceptance read my m-ticket (barcode)? Do they even have such optical readers?

So the question is, how do locals travel on a bus that has equipment for London only?

Here's the bus by the way;

View attachment 24052

(turn a blind eye to it picking up and dropping off away from the bus stop and on double yellows!)

View attachment 24053 View attachment 24054

I am assuming in this circumstance, they cannot scan the barcode and then they have to let the passenger on without any revenue attribution going to them. I would have thought a London only ticket machine would have been completely useless anyway while they have the facility for fare zones and printing tickets and cash. Usually they have to be reprogrammed in a way to allow these features. They are also linked to iBus and the module system The driver signs into a module and enters a tfl wide trip number, or has one entered by the controller. Which brings up the ticketing system this prints the destination of the service on the tickets Using a ETM for both London and non London services seems in-practical. as the software would be different for them both.

 

[hassaanhc]

I am assuming in this circumstance, they cannot scan the barcode and then they have to let the passenger on without any revenue attribution going to them. I would have thought a London only ticket machine would have been completely useless anyway while they have the facility for fare zones and printing tickets and cash. Usually they have to be reprogrammed in a way to allow these features. They are also linked to iBus and the module system The driver signs into a module and enters a tfl wide trip number, or has one entered by the controller. Which brings up the ticketing system this prints the destination of the service on the tickets Using a ETM for both London and non London services seems in-practical. as the software would be different for them both.

The London ticket machines are removable, therefore can be swapped with a non-London machine within minutes, subject to the necessary mounting points being available.

 

[jon0844]

So are the ones Uno use, so perhaps that's what they're doing - if the mounting points are in the same place.

I didn't board the bus to check, but no doubt will board it in the coming weeks.

 

[matt_world2004]

So are the ones Uno use, so perhaps that's what they're doing - if the mounting points are in the same place.

I didn't board the bus to check, but no doubt will board it in the coming weeks.

You can see an oyster reader in the window of the second picture on the etm.

 

[jon0844]

Doh, should have looked!