robertclark125
Established Member
Thought I'd get it off my chest, and announce the winners in each category for the inaugural awards, and see what you think.
Most ludicrous transport planning decision by a local authority - Edinburgh City Council
They win it on two counts. Firstly, the tram debacle, which in 2011 say them decide to curtail it at Haymarket, only for them to then change their mind. Also, last weeks stupid decision to refuse planning permission for the Hovercraft terminal, which would've seen their own bus firm, Lothian Buses, run shuttle buses into the city centre.
Most poorly updated website by a bus company owned by a group - Preston Bus
The rotala subsidiary hasn't updated its website for some time, and all the timetables are still in Stagecoach style. Rotala are supposed to be independent of Stagecoach.....
Dafest reason for not issuing timetables - Preston Bus
Double winner here, but only for the ludicrous reason it gave three friends of mine from Edinburgh for not having a timetable in stock, or even one to view. They were in Lancashire at a rally, and wanted to visit deepdale, home of Preston North End FC. When they couldn't find a timetable, they asked the office why, only to be told they couldn't give the timetable out as folk may take them away. Why then do Argos leave piles of catalogues outside their stores?
Most unneccessary bus design - The Borismaster
Mayor Boris Johnson wants an iconic London Bus. Fine, but the last two iconic London Buses, the Leyland Titan and the Routemaster, didn't sell terribly well outside London. And it seems others see sense and are sticking with manufacturers designs rather than their own.
Most unneccessary person in public transport - Boris Johnson
Too many reasons to list here.
Best effort at improving a service - Stagecoach Fife route 99 group.
Launched as a rival to a Moffat and Williamson service in 1992, the service continued after Moffats withdrew, and has gone from a 60 minute frequency, to 30 minutes, 20 minutes, then in 2006, with route development grant, a 15 minute frequency. In Spring 2011, the sunday service was increased from a 30 minute to a 20 minute frequency.
Now why didn't we think of that award - Firstgroup
One reason. Their idea that people can pay for tickets on the bus with a debit card, as opposed to a card that needs topped up at a shop. Much easier!
The we shouldn't be here award - Veolia
They started running down their british operations, then bought Transdev, and then run their welsh operations down, then decided to dispose of their transport interests.
The what's the point award - Competition commission.
Their investigation into the British bus market, and the lack of competition excluded London and Northern Ireland, making it flawed. It then came up with very little, apart from multi operator tickets schemes, whilst allowing operators to sell their own tickets. Nothing new there then.
Lastly, the wanting a level playing field, but level meaning tilted in their direction award - The Big Lemon.
Tom Druitt complained to the office of fiar trading after Brighton and Hove bus and coach, on their route 25, lowered their fares to match his. He then complained to the OFT saying this was unfair. Well, a level playing field means everyone has equal right to compete, which is what's happening here. Tom wants it so if he runs a route, B&H have to charge more than him. Not level is it?
Congratulations (if required) to all the winners
Most ludicrous transport planning decision by a local authority - Edinburgh City Council
They win it on two counts. Firstly, the tram debacle, which in 2011 say them decide to curtail it at Haymarket, only for them to then change their mind. Also, last weeks stupid decision to refuse planning permission for the Hovercraft terminal, which would've seen their own bus firm, Lothian Buses, run shuttle buses into the city centre.
Most poorly updated website by a bus company owned by a group - Preston Bus
The rotala subsidiary hasn't updated its website for some time, and all the timetables are still in Stagecoach style. Rotala are supposed to be independent of Stagecoach.....
Dafest reason for not issuing timetables - Preston Bus
Double winner here, but only for the ludicrous reason it gave three friends of mine from Edinburgh for not having a timetable in stock, or even one to view. They were in Lancashire at a rally, and wanted to visit deepdale, home of Preston North End FC. When they couldn't find a timetable, they asked the office why, only to be told they couldn't give the timetable out as folk may take them away. Why then do Argos leave piles of catalogues outside their stores?
Most unneccessary bus design - The Borismaster
Mayor Boris Johnson wants an iconic London Bus. Fine, but the last two iconic London Buses, the Leyland Titan and the Routemaster, didn't sell terribly well outside London. And it seems others see sense and are sticking with manufacturers designs rather than their own.
Most unneccessary person in public transport - Boris Johnson
Too many reasons to list here.
Best effort at improving a service - Stagecoach Fife route 99 group.
Launched as a rival to a Moffat and Williamson service in 1992, the service continued after Moffats withdrew, and has gone from a 60 minute frequency, to 30 minutes, 20 minutes, then in 2006, with route development grant, a 15 minute frequency. In Spring 2011, the sunday service was increased from a 30 minute to a 20 minute frequency.
Now why didn't we think of that award - Firstgroup
One reason. Their idea that people can pay for tickets on the bus with a debit card, as opposed to a card that needs topped up at a shop. Much easier!
The we shouldn't be here award - Veolia
They started running down their british operations, then bought Transdev, and then run their welsh operations down, then decided to dispose of their transport interests.
The what's the point award - Competition commission.
Their investigation into the British bus market, and the lack of competition excluded London and Northern Ireland, making it flawed. It then came up with very little, apart from multi operator tickets schemes, whilst allowing operators to sell their own tickets. Nothing new there then.
Lastly, the wanting a level playing field, but level meaning tilted in their direction award - The Big Lemon.
Tom Druitt complained to the office of fiar trading after Brighton and Hove bus and coach, on their route 25, lowered their fares to match his. He then complained to the OFT saying this was unfair. Well, a level playing field means everyone has equal right to compete, which is what's happening here. Tom wants it so if he runs a route, B&H have to charge more than him. Not level is it?
Congratulations (if required) to all the winners
