London Buses Discussion

[DesDobramento]

I am quite sure that the continuing links to ASDA from those many parts of the local area which comprise ‘social’ housing are much more useful than a link to the ’high end’ retailing at Canary Wharf!

 

[moogal]

I am quite sure that the continuing links to ASDA from those many parts of the local area which comprise ‘social’ housing are much more useful than a link to the ’high end’ retailing at Canary Wharf!

Having lived in that area for quite a few years, that's definitely the case.

Not especially surprised about the D7 - even pre-Covid, outside of peak times it was often carrying a lot of fresh air.

 

[Thirteen]

Clapham Junction to Baker Street for the 74 is an interesting route, I do wonder if the fact the C3 was a short route is why TfL is proposing to withdraw it.

I've always thought the 74 needed to be curtailed as Putney High Street is too congested for it to terminate there as a final stop and as a starting point. I wonder if it'll mean it will move garages.

 

[IslandDweller]

D7. I lived on the Isle of Dogs for over 30 years. My experience is that far more people use the buses to get to the Wharf than to Asda. I think the D6 carries more folk from social housing (around Poplar) to Asda than the other buses, and this revision will mean a much more convoluted journey to Asda for those users.
The D7 may carry fresh air at times but in peak hours people are often left behind. A reduction of 43% to 50% of service along the Westferry Road (depends which bit we look at) will cause real problems. Furthermore, the longish distance that both 135 and 277 run mean that there are often long gaps (then the classic three buses at once).
There may be over-provision along Burdett Road but I really don't think that applies on the Isle of Dogs.

 

[Thirteen]

Saw this as a reason for a bus diversion today on the TfL Go app:
GRANT ROAD, Clapham Junction: ROUTE 170 is on diversion both ways due to badly parked vehicles. Buses towards Roehampton are not serving stops from "Clapham Junction Station / Grant Road" (R) to "Plough Road". Buses towards Victoria are not serving stops from "Clapham Junction Station" (C) to "Clapham Junction Station / Grant Road" (A)

I've never heard of a diversion due to badly parked vehicles!

 

[Simon75]

I think the D7 is the final heir to the original D1 Docklands Clipper, which was the first transport route specifically targeted at the Docklands, at the start of redevelopment. From Poplar, round and indeed through 'The Island' (Isle of Dogs) and up to Mile End station, which was the initial Underground focus and at one stage was going to be where the DLR might run to. It had its own single-decked buses with specific branding on them, at a time when everything else was just painted in corporate standard. They never ran frequently enough to be useful though.

The bus routes round The Island have long been a bit of a mess, and in the proposals above it seems another change leaves a route starting at the Island's Asda supermarket, no longer the shopping focus, and going by such a convoluted route it's quicker to walk in the opposite direction and pick up the same bus a while later as it passes through Canary Wharf on its way out to civilisation ...

Looking on bustimes.org, its also a a typical TFL high frequency (about 12 minutes in the day, operating 4.30 am to about 1.30am )
Why the haven't cut frequency and reduce the hours before hand ?

 

[LUYMun]

From the LOTS organisation website regarding contract changes for next year:

142/642 re-awarded to Metroline using existing existing electric double decks (PVR 19) for 7 years starting on 02/01/2027.
226 awarded to Metroline West using new electric single decks (PVR 16) for 7 years starting on 02/01/2027. Currently operated by London Sovereign.
278 re-awarded to Transport UK West London using existing hybrid double-decks (PVR 12) for 7 years starting on 04/12/2027.
618 re-awarded to Transport UK West London using existing hybrid double-decks (PVR 1) for 3 years starting on 28/08/2027.
640 re-awarded to Metroline West using existing hybrid double-decks (PVR 2) for 3 years starting on 28/08/2027.
655 awarded to London General using existing hybrid double-decks (PVR 1) for 7 years starting on 04/12/2027. Currently operated by Transport UK London.
697 re-awarded to Metroline West using existing hybrid double-decks (PVR 3) for 3 years starting on 04/09/2027.