London Bendy Bus-style boarding...

[Mike395]

Whilst in London yesterday, I came across a normal, 2 door bus where you could board by the rear door, much like the bendy buses (with Oyster readers by the rear doors) - personally I think it's a good idea, but have only ever seen it one that one bus - is there any requirement for all new buses to be fitted with Oyster readers at the rear doors so people dont have to board at the front?

 

[radamfi]

That's just for routes 507 and 521. Rear boarding is tolerated on these routes as they are very short and most passengers have some kind of season ticket anyway.

 

[jon0844]

Since the bendy buses (73 in this case) went, a lot of people board buses on Oxford Street using the middle doors and some drivers can get rather upset (others don't care and drive on).

One driver stopped dead and refused to move until the people came down to show/touch their ticket. He made a point of telling everyone on the bus that he wasn't moving and that it wasn't a 'charity bus' (no, they finished when the bendy buses did!).

But then you have other buses where people are allowed to board that way, which must surely cause confusion?

 

[Mike395]

That makes sense - the bus was a 507

Just wish it would be rolled out more universally, although I realise that then creates issues with potential fare evasion

Thanks

 

[DarkestDreams]

The odd thing about the new Routemasters is the fact that you can board at the middle door or the back door, even when there's no conductor. So that's one main reason for getting rid of the arctics out of the window.

 

[jon0844]

Perhaps part of the remit was to ensure we still offered Londoners a way to avoid paying their fare, or they'd riot again!