What are the worst routes to drive?
What are the worst routes to drive?
Deptford:
The 237/79A I hated. Too quiet, lucky to get 1 passenger per trip plus the route was different in each direction and not forgetting the first and last trips via East Rainton. Park Estate far too small for a bus (many a 3 point turn in a Solo).
The old 38 in anything bigger than a Solo with the right turn at the top of Black Road then then the left onto Nelson Street. After you've contended with that, you then need to hope no one has parked on the bends round Tunstall Bank.
Each route has its challenges but some more than others. Crossing the A690 in a Streetlite for example can be a nightmare at times. Dawdon (Mount Stewart Street?) can also be 'exciting' if you meet another bus at the corner.
Arriva Blyth, 308 and X8. Also service 2 as many junctions are a very tight squeeze for Pulsars.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:01 pm)morritt89 Deptford:I have been on the 202 and the 60 where they have met there. Also going up that street can be a pain if a bus is coming down.
The 237/79A I hated. Too quiet, lucky to get 1 passenger per trip plus the route was different in each direction and not forgetting the first and last trips via East Rainton. Park Estate far too small for a bus (many a 3 point turn in a Solo).
The old 38 in anything bigger than a Solo with the right turn at the top of Black Road then then the left onto Nelson Street. After you've contended with that, you then need to hope no one has parked on the bends round Tunstall Bank.
Each route has its challenges but some more than others. Crossing the A690 in a Streetlite for example can be a nightmare at times. Dawdon (Mount Stewart Street?) can also be 'exciting' if you meet another bus at the corner.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:01 pm)morritt89 Deptford:I have been on the 202 and the 60 where they have met there. Also going up that street can be a pain if a bus is coming down.
The 237/79A I hated. Too quiet, lucky to get 1 passenger per trip plus the route was different in each direction and not forgetting the first and last trips via East Rainton. Park Estate far too small for a bus (many a 3 point turn in a Solo).
The old 38 in anything bigger than a Solo with the right turn at the top of Black Road then then the left onto Nelson Street. After you've contended with that, you then need to hope no one has parked on the bends round Tunstall Bank.
Each route has its challenges but some more than others. Crossing the A690 in a Streetlite for example can be a nightmare at times. Dawdon (Mount Stewart Street?) can also be 'exciting' if you meet another bus at the corner.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:44 pm)Driver9*** Arriva Blyth, 308 and X8. Also service 2 as many junctions are a very tight squeeze for Pulsars.X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:44 pm)Driver9*** Arriva Blyth, 308 and X8. Also service 2 as many junctions are a very tight squeeze for Pulsars.X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:56 pm)L469 YVK X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.I have been on the X72, from what I can recall it wasn't that bad.
I did always say (before COVID) that there should be a parallel express service at least during peak times, given that before COVID it was only second to GNE's full 21 journeys in terms of revenue in the North East (excluding any SNE 'Busways' routes).
I wonder what the X72 is like to drive? Must be a nightmare having to make two right turns in and out of Lobley Hill towards Newcastle?
(23 Jan 2022, 6:56 pm)L469 YVK X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.I have been on the X72, from what I can recall it wasn't that bad.
I did always say (before COVID) that there should be a parallel express service at least during peak times, given that before COVID it was only second to GNE's full 21 journeys in terms of revenue in the North East (excluding any SNE 'Busways' routes).
I wonder what the X72 is like to drive? Must be a nightmare having to make two right turns in and out of Lobley Hill towards Newcastle?
(23 Jan 2022, 6:56 pm)L469 YVK X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.
I did always say (before COVID) that there should be a parallel express service at least during peak times, given that before COVID it was only second to GNE's full 21 journeys in terms of revenue in the North East (excluding any SNE 'Busways' routes).
I wonder what the X72 is like to drive? Must be a nightmare having to make two right turns in and out of Lobley Hill towards Newcastle?
(23 Jan 2022, 6:56 pm)L469 YVK X8 I agree, but 308 has got more running time now and hopefully some investment will make things easier. Although when I used to use both the 308/309 regularly at peak times, you'd get the numpties legging it at the last minute wanting to go go Benfield Road and end up paying with a £10/£20 note making the bus later and later.
I did always say (before COVID) that there should be a parallel express service at least during peak times, given that before COVID it was only second to GNE's full 21 journeys in terms of revenue in the North East (excluding any SNE 'Busways' routes).
I wonder what the X72 is like to drive? Must be a nightmare having to make two right turns in and out of Lobley Hill towards Newcastle?
The 17 used to be a right pig,especially back in that snow we had in 2010,it had to skip estates when the weather was that bad,and it was long af,but even so,theres was still something aboit that route,probably its amount of connections it had,i say merge the 42/42A and 11 again
(23 Jan 2022, 6:01 pm)morritt89 Deptford:
The 237/79A I hated. Too quiet, lucky to get 1 passenger per trip plus the route was different in each direction and not forgetting the first and last trips via East Rainton. Park Estate far too small for a bus (many a 3 point turn in a Solo).
The old 38 in anything bigger than a Solo with the right turn at the top of Black Road then then the left onto Nelson Street. After you've contended with that, you then need to hope no one has parked on the bends round Tunstall Bank.
Each route has its challenges but some more than others. Crossing the A690 in a Streetlite for example can be a nightmare at times. Dawdon (Mount Stewart Street?) can also be 'exciting' if you meet another bus at the corner.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:01 pm)morritt89 Deptford:
The 237/79A I hated. Too quiet, lucky to get 1 passenger per trip plus the route was different in each direction and not forgetting the first and last trips via East Rainton. Park Estate far too small for a bus (many a 3 point turn in a Solo).
The old 38 in anything bigger than a Solo with the right turn at the top of Black Road then then the left onto Nelson Street. After you've contended with that, you then need to hope no one has parked on the bends round Tunstall Bank.
Each route has its challenges but some more than others. Crossing the A690 in a Streetlite for example can be a nightmare at times. Dawdon (Mount Stewart Street?) can also be 'exciting' if you meet another bus at the corner.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:46 pm)Omega54 Any deptford or consett drivers, what is the 35 or 78 like to drive, with them being around 2hours long?
(23 Jan 2022, 6:46 pm)Omega54 Any deptford or consett drivers, what is the 35 or 78 like to drive, with them being around 2hours long?
The 8 or X8 South Hylton to Docks via the crematorium gates...
You got excited if there was a passenger for the whole route
(23 Jan 2022, 8:19 pm)deanmachine Can't comment on the 78, but the 35 is quite a boring route as you're weaving in and out of estates, the advantage is you know it's going to take a big chunk out of your shift if you do a full round trip. My least favourite are minibus routes that don't really go far though, I absolutely hate a full shift of 33s and 700s at Deptford for example, but I like busy interurban routes such as the 20 and 56.Ngl I hate the 20 & 56, Ill do anything not to get on them. Wether at is get the 55 or the X20. Or go to Easington lane of DP for the X1.
(23 Jan 2022, 8:19 pm)deanmachine Can't comment on the 78, but the 35 is quite a boring route as you're weaving in and out of estates, the advantage is you know it's going to take a big chunk out of your shift if you do a full round trip. My least favourite are minibus routes that don't really go far though, I absolutely hate a full shift of 33s and 700s at Deptford for example, but I like busy interurban routes such as the 20 and 56.Ngl I hate the 20 & 56, Ill do anything not to get on them. Wether at is get the 55 or the X20. Or go to Easington lane of DP for the X1.
(23 Jan 2022, 8:35 pm)Omega54 Ngl I hate the 20 & 56, Ill do anything not to get on them. Wether at is get the 55 or the X20. Or go to Easington lane of DP for the X1.
Seems as though you're a deptford driver I saw someone mention the 60 earlier what is ur thoughts on that turns on Mount Stewart Street.
(23 Jan 2022, 8:35 pm)Omega54 Ngl I hate the 20 & 56, Ill do anything not to get on them. Wether at is get the 55 or the X20. Or go to Easington lane of DP for the X1.
Seems as though you're a deptford driver I saw someone mention the 60 earlier what is ur thoughts on that turns on Mount Stewart Street.
(23 Jan 2022, 7:42 pm)V514DFT The 17 used to be a right pig,especially back in that snow we had in 2010,it had to skip estates when the weather was that bad,and it was long af,but even so,theres was still something aboit that route,probably its amount of connections it had,i say merge the 42/42A and 11 again
(23 Jan 2022, 7:42 pm)V514DFT The 17 used to be a right pig,especially back in that snow we had in 2010,it had to skip estates when the weather was that bad,and it was long af,but even so,theres was still something aboit that route,probably its amount of connections it had,i say merge the 42/42A and 11 again
(23 Jan 2022, 8:43 pm)deanmachine I really hate that corner, especially when you know that the next bus is due but hasn't turned onto Queen Alexandra Road when you're heading towards it. I'll often wait in the last bus stop before the corner for the next bus to avoid meeting them at the same time. It's not ideal let's say. The 60 itself isn't a bad route though, it's only when you get a shift with 3 or more of them on it starts to get a bit annoying.Do you ever drive the X20/38. On the "small bus" rota?
(23 Jan 2022, 8:45 pm)DeltaMan Wasn't the 17 a big bus route with minibus timing as well?It used the dual door cadet.
(23 Jan 2022, 8:43 pm)deanmachine I really hate that corner, especially when you know that the next bus is due but hasn't turned onto Queen Alexandra Road when you're heading towards it. I'll often wait in the last bus stop before the corner for the next bus to avoid meeting them at the same time. It's not ideal let's say. The 60 itself isn't a bad route though, it's only when you get a shift with 3 or more of them on it starts to get a bit annoying.Do you ever drive the X20/38. On the "small bus" rota?
(23 Jan 2022, 8:45 pm)DeltaMan Wasn't the 17 a big bus route with minibus timing as well?It used the dual door cadet.
(23 Jan 2022, 8:45 pm)Omega54 Do you ever drive the X20/38. On the "small bus" rota?
(23 Jan 2022, 8:45 pm)Omega54 Do you ever drive the X20/38. On the "small bus" rota?
I'd be interested to know what 42A (Percy Main) and 74 (Hexham) drivers think of their routes. Any of those drivers on here? Personally I'd like them.
27 isn't a very interesting route. X30/X31, X45/X46/47/47A and X70/X71 look quite good to drive.
Short routes and quiet routes are probably the worst.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:44 pm)Driver9*** Arriva Blyth, 308 and X8. Also service 2 as many junctions are a very tight squeeze for Pulsars.
(23 Jan 2022, 6:44 pm)Driver9*** Arriva Blyth, 308 and X8. Also service 2 as many junctions are a very tight squeeze for Pulsars.
