Paul Corfield wrote:

There are the unacceptable occasions where drivers just simply drive too
fast in order to get to the other terminal or to reach a relief point so
another driver takes over. This is not on and should be dealt with.
Unfortunately this behaviour can happen at times when the performance
monitoring people are not working (as Barry said). However I would still
complain as the level of complaints is a factor in assessing operator
performance. I would also insist that the issues raised in a complaint
are carried forward for discussion / consideration when the route in
question is next reviewed (typically every 5 years as part of the
retendering process). I complained about route 73 and the issue I raised
will be part of the next review - and I shall make sure to check that it
is considered.

One "classic" example, again involving route W6, happened a few months back.

I boarded a 299 at Muswell Hill Broadway (which, incidentally, is also
operated by First London East, and was awarded as part of a joint bid
incorporating routes 299, 616, 699, W6 and W10) at 22:40 on this
particular day.

Based on past experience, I knew that said 299 *should* get me to
Southgate Station at around 22:54, giving me a six minute connection
into the 23:00 W6 (penultimate one of the night).

Due to disruption on route 102 (nothing unusual there, with the
theoretical 12 minute frequency often becoming more like 20 then 10,
then 20, etc), however, the 299 ended up stopping pretty much
everywhere, so by 22:54 we were just coming up to Ye Olde Cherry Tree at
Southgate Green, where I duly jumped off as I realised we wouldn't reach
the Station in time for the "connection".

Shortly after I crossed the road and was walking down to the bus stop
(on the other side of a mini roundabout), what should go past me but the
W6, running around 7 or 8 minutes early, having departed Southgate
Station well before his booked departure time.

Net Result: Having to wait nigh on 40 minutes for the last bus of the
night, which was running slightly late.

Cheers,

Barry