On Thu, 3 Feb 2005 13:52:04 -0000, "Alek" wrote:

My lasting memory however of Routemaster operation is of how much faster and
smoother it all was in passenger movement terms and this was underlined on
our last journey on an LFDD which as we trundled through deepest Kensington
arrived at a stop to find a very well turned Neuclear Family with no less
than Four closely spaced children,THREE of whom occupied a Buggy each.
What happened next was proof to me that much of this Low Floor Easy Access
stuff is largely PR Puff and dangerous Puff at that.
As Mummy and Daddy performed a loading operation which would embarrass a
steveadore the THREE occupied buggies were slotted (stuffed) into whatever
space was available just aft of the stairwell and directly in front of the
exit doors.
Whilst Mummy and Daddy took seats nearby the older child was given the task
of being a parking attendant to her siblings and of keeping their vehicles
under control.
Now,whilst the Bus had plenty of seats available upstairs,the Lower Saloon
resembled something like rush hour in Mombai with a gap in the service.
There were several instances of people attempting to come downstairs to
alight who could not do so and even more of people at the rear being
restrained by a ring of "BeBe Comfort" steel..
Eventually we managed to reach our destination and I had to twist one of the
Buggies around by 90 deg to get past it..


God help anybody who uses buses with children.

Mums with kids and mobility impaired people are only a core section of
the market.

Sod 'em and let's focus service provision around the bus hairies....


Rob.
--
rob at robertwoolley dot co dot uk