My friend Simon was inspired to write this song by bendy busses

'Bendi-fear' is spreading through the capital
as people Wake Up To The Dangers of these flame-prone vehicles and start
thinking of other ways to get to work.

Shamelessly playing on these misgivings, here's my latest topical tribute
song. The video will feature Mr Keith Flint dancing in a threatening way in
Stockwell Bus Garage, hanging mockingly from the back platform of a
Routemaster ("RM") as London whizzes by all speeded up behind him, or
silhouetted repeatedly against the flames of another burning bendi.

I'm the siren starter, fckin' blaze creator.
I'm the safety scandal, danger-illustrator.

(hey!)
engine trying to start
engine trying to start

I'm a firestarter, bendi firestarter.
You're the scared commuter, you'll get home much later.
I'm a firestarter, bendi firestarter.

I'm the bus you hated, RM-infatuated.
Yeah. I'm the smoke you tasted, plastic-seat-related.

(hey!)
engine trying to start
engine trying to start

I'm a firestarter, bendi firestarter.
You're the cycle-buyer, back-street route collator.

I'm the self-inflicted diesel detonator.
Yeah. I'm the heat reflected, twisted metal-maker.

(hey!)
engine trying to start
engine trying to start

I'm a firestarter, bendi firestarter.
You're the train preferrer, work-at-home converter.
I'm a firestarter, bendi firestarter... starter... starter...
Starter...

(Aidan Stanger) wrote in message ...
Paul Corfield wrote:
On 10 Sep 2004 08:14:46 -0700, (Boltar) wrote:
(Mait001) wrote...
Interesting alternative viewpoint re. the bendies.

Don't think the majority would agree with you though, somehow I think
most people will continue to lament the passing of the Routemasters by
the products of the devil's engineering works.......A double decker
bus journey across London will *always* be preferable to any single
decker cattle truck (bendy or otherwise).

Bring back the double deckers!


I wholeheartedly agree.

Marc.

I can't see any reason why there couldn't be double decked bendy buses
albeit the front section of the bus only (as I suspect though you could
articulate 2 decks it would be a bit hairy engineering wise).

There have been double deck bendy coaches produced by Neoplan for long
distance touring type holidays.

The Jumbocruisers?

I think the main issue about double deck bendies would be that dwell
time at stops and termini would be much longer than with normal double
decks or single deck bendies. You then need far more vehicles to
maintain a given frequency or else the route has to become less
frequent.

As far as TfL routes go, you're probably right, but they should be OK
for the longer distance commuter bus routes into London. The cost of the
vehicles is probably the biggest drawback.

This is already the case to a limited extent with the bendy
bus conversions relative to double deck operation but that is more to do
with the fact that the same capacity can be provided with fewer buses
while not incurring longer dwell times. Part of TfL policy is to crush
more people into buses during the peaks as expansion of peak capacity
cannot really be afforded.

Of course it can be afforded - just keep the Routemasters running in
addition to the new buses.

In another place a MD of one company that uses bendy buses in London
said very clearly that they had big advantages compared to say Hong Kong
style 12m double decks. One of big issues was over dwell time at stops -
particularly in busy places like Oxford Street where bus stop capacity /
occupancy is a key issue. While I understand the point he made I am not
100% convinced as big buses work in Hong Kong although given the very
high frequencies it is not uncommon to have for buses to queue to get
onto a stop.

Do the current double deckers let you board at all doors?