Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike. This
has been brought about by the demand from the trade union
UNITE that bus drivers should be paid a bonus in recognition of
the stress and extra work during the Olympics and the bus
companies' refusal even to discuss the matter with UNITE.

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 13:42:30 on Sat, 16
Jun 2012, Robin9 remarked:
One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

I thought the train drivers were getting a bonus for agreeing not to go
on strike, and working more flexible hours. Or are these defined as
"stress" today?
--
Roland Perry

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

"Robin9" wrote in message
...
I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike. This
has been brought about by the demand from the trade union
UNITE that bus drivers should be paid a bonus in recognition of
the stress and extra work during the Olympics and the bus
companies' refusal even to discuss the matter with UNITE.

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

Train drivers shouldn't receive a bonus either.

Next question?

--
Brian
"Fight like the Devil, die like a gentleman."

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On 16/06/2012 13:42, Robin9 wrote:
I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike. This
has been brought about by the demand from the trade union
UNITE that bus drivers should be paid a bonus in recognition of
the stress and extra work during the Olympics and the bus
companies' refusal even to discuss the matter with UNITE.

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

Well - it's yet to be proven how much additional ridership and effort it
will be. The other thing to note that with the increase in capacity on
certain routes I'd have assumed that there may well be greater
opportunities for drivers to earn overtime and so on (giving them
greater income anyway).

Also, given that I assume bus drivers are paid based on time rather than
miles driven then what exactly is there additional workload over and
above their potential extra time getting to their depots or other driver
changeover points (the majority of which are not in the key central
areas which are going to be heavily affected by the Olympics in general).

In fact, the people who are primarily going to be affected are the usual
passengers with journeys taking longer, less opportunity to get a seat
and so on - are we to be compensated with lower fares as our bonus?
Thought no.

Of course, absolutely the same applies to train drivers and workers on
the DLR and so on - the only rationale for the bonus is essentially a
bung to try and make sure they do their contracted job correctly and
don't attempt to cripple London by striking during a time when it is key
to showcase the City (for everyone).

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On 2012\06\16 13:42, Robin9 wrote:
I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike. This
has been brought about by the demand from the trade union
UNITE that bus drivers should be paid a bonus in recognition of
the stress and extra work during the Olympics and the bus
companies' refusal even to discuss the matter with UNITE.

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

I don't see how bus drivers will undergo any stress. They'll be stuck in
more jams, but I have never seen a bus driver blamed by passengers for a
jam, and I presume they won't be blamed by their managers either. Taxi
drivers and minicab drivers are the only transport workers who will
suffer stress during the Olympics.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 17:31:08 on Sat, 16
Jun 2012, Steve Fitzgerald ] remarked:
I thought the train drivers were getting a bonus for agreeing not to
go on strike, and working more flexible hours. Or are these defined as
"stress" today?

The agreement that I'm aware of was to 'buy' the drivers out of
longstanding agreements in the interests of flexibility. Temporary
longer shifts and later finishes.

There was no 'no strike' deal.

I must stop reading the telegraph, and go back to the Daily Mail ;)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oly...be-drivers-to-
get-1800-bonus-not-to-strike-during-the-Olympics.html
--
Roland Perry

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Sat, 16 Jun 2012 16:46:10 +0100, Someone Somewhere
wrote:

On 16/06/2012 13:42, Robin9 wrote:
I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike. This
has been brought about by the demand from the trade union
UNITE that bus drivers should be paid a bonus in recognition of
the stress and extra work during the Olympics and the bus
companies' refusal even to discuss the matter with UNITE.

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

Well - it's yet to be proven how much additional ridership and effort it
will be. The other thing to note that with the increase in capacity on
certain routes I'd have assumed that there may well be greater
opportunities for drivers to earn overtime and so on (giving them
greater income anyway).

Also, given that I assume bus drivers are paid based on time rather than
miles driven then what exactly is there additional workload over and
above their potential extra time getting to their depots or other driver
changeover points (the majority of which are not in the key central
areas which are going to be heavily affected by the Olympics in general).

In fact, the people who are primarily going to be affected are the usual
passengers with journeys taking longer, less opportunity to get a seat
and so on - are we to be compensated with lower fares as our bonus?
Thought no.

Of course, absolutely the same applies to train drivers and workers on
the DLR and so on - the only rationale for the bonus is essentially a
bung to try and make sure they do their contracted job correctly and
don't attempt to cripple London by striking during a time when it is key
to showcase the City (for everyone).

I thought LU drivers were paid salaries, not hours+overtime, so the
bonus is to compensate for the extra hours and shift flexibility
during the Olympics. But bus drivers do get overtime, so that's how
they should earn extra money for any extra time worked.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Saturday, 16 June 2012 13:42:30 UTC+1, Robin9 wrote:

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

I have strong and interesting views on this but I am not a bus passenger.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On 16/06/2012 22:34, Steve Fitzgerald wrote:
In message , Recliner
writes


I thought LU drivers were paid salaries, not hours+overtime, so the
bonus is to compensate for the extra hours and shift flexibility
during the Olympics. But bus drivers do get overtime, so that's how
they should earn extra money for any extra time worked.

Indeed, and there is no voluntary overtime. For example, my last pay
period I received about £5 for overtime due to late running.

There is no opportunity to supplement this.

The 'bonus' is solely to buy out of the current agreements for the
period of sports day. Any hours worked outside of the current agreement
during this time will be paid extra too; the aggregate of this is what
the papers like to present as fact.

Isn't the lack of overtime due to agreements with the unions anyway to
ensure everyone gets the most money, no individual may be favoured and
the maximum amount of staffing exists to cover the work needed as
unexpected absences can't be dealt with by others doing overtime?

And, if you're getting paid for any hours worked outside of the current
agreement, what is the perceived need for the "bonus" - solely the
flexibility that most workers are expected to have anyway?

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 20:41:40 on Sat, 16
Jun 2012, Steve Fitzgerald ] remarked:
The agreement that I'm aware of was to 'buy' the drivers out of
longstanding agreements in the interests of flexibility. Temporary
longer shifts and later finishes.

There was no 'no strike' deal.

I must stop reading the telegraph, and go back to the Daily Mail ;)

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/oly...be-drivers-to-
get-1800-bonus-not-to-strike-during-the-Olympics.html

Yes you must; maybe ask someone who actually knows and not trust the
bull**** in the media!

After all, I'm only a lowly union rep.

Then you've got a problem (maybe deliberately fostered by the employers)
that the public *think* there's a no-strike deal and won't be very
sympathetic if there is one. Not that they are very sympathetic anyway,
even when there isn't an Olympics happening.
--
Roland Perry

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 22:34:38 on Sat, 16
Jun 2012, Steve Fitzgerald ] remarked:
The 'bonus' is solely to buy out of the current agreements for the
period of sports day. Any hours worked outside of the current
agreement during this time will be paid extra too; the aggregate of
this is what the papers like to present as fact

I'm puzzled. You seem to resent the fact you don't normally get
overtime, and yet demand a lump sum in order to agree to be paid
overtime during the games?

That's the kind of "having cake and eating it" which gives unions a bad
name.
--
Roland Perry

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at
23:11:23 on Sat, 16 Jun 2012, Offramp remarked:
Any bus passengers have a view on this?

I have strong and interesting views on this but I am not a bus passenger.

It's difficult to type on the bus, I expect most people wait until they
get home.
--
Roland Perry

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 09:11:26 on Sun, 17
Jun 2012, Steve Fitzgerald ] remarked:
I'm puzzled. You seem to resent the fact you don't normally get
overtime, and yet demand a lump sum in order to agree to be paid
overtime during the games?

I didn't say the hours were extra; just outside the agreement, ie
working later (but starting later) or 9 hour shifts, which are balanced
by shorter shifts elsewhere. This flexibility is what is being paid
for.

Something else the telegraph got wrong...

"But in an agreement with Aslef, the train drivers’ union,
they will also receive increased overtime payments if they work
more than an eight-hour shift or later than 1.30am – meaning
they could earn an extra £1,800 on average.

I don't resent at all the no-overtime deals. I rather like being able
to do my day's work and not have to stay behind a few hours.

Yes, I know that people have different views on this, but a train driver
isn't a 9-5 desk job, and some inherent flexibility would seem to "go
with the territory".

It's not as if (working in London) you are in danger of missing the last
train home (unless you are driving it, of course, when I expect they'll
pay for a taxi).
--
Roland Perry

You don't give the impression of being timid. Feel free to rant away.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In message , at 14:23:46 on Sun, 17
Jun 2012, Steve Fitzgerald ] remarked:
about 3 hours if I use the staff taxi network which has to be
pre-booked. They don't pay for taxis otherwise.

I choose (and pay) to use my own transport in these circumstances for
my convenience of being home in 30 minutes.

Do the staff taxis transport you the "long way round", or are you
waiting for them most of that time?
--
Roland Perry

There's a real possibility that many taxi drivers and private hire drivers will earn less
during the Olympics, not more. There's a time bomb waiting to go off and I suspect
most Londoners are not yet aware of it. This time bomb is called Olympic Lanes.
In at least some locations, these Olympic Lanes will at peak times cause chaos,
including chaos for bus passengers and the emergency services.

The Olympic Lanes are designated lanes set aside exclusively for the use of Olympic
athletes and officials. Buses and taxis will not be allowed to travel in Olympic lanes.
So far, so bad. It gets worse. Unlike the position with bus lanes, it will be illegal to
cross an Olympic Lane. Whereas with a bus lane a vehicle may cross the lane to turn
either right or left, that is not permissable with an Olympic lane. Instead the hapless
motorist must proceed, possibly for a mile or two, until the Olympic lane ends and then
make a wide detour without crossing any other Olympic Lane to arrive back where he
wanted to be.

Compounding this formula for chaos is another feature. At certain major road junctions,
Olympic Lanes will be imposed, forbidding other vehicles from entering and exiting.
Two examples.

1) The Green Man Roundabout in Leytonstone. This is a major junction and straddles the
A12 dual carriageway between outer East London and the Blackwall Tunnel. It is a very
busy roundabout. During the Olympics, motorists heading towards the Blackwall Tunnel will
not be allowed to join the A12 from The Green Man. In the morning rush hour this will cause
massive traffic congestion. I suspect the whole area will seize up. Motorists needing to access
the A12 will have to improvise. Most will aim for the Redbridge Roundabout which is already
hugely over-subscribed during the morning peak. Some, aiming for Hackney, will try Lee
Bridge Road via Whipps Cross Road. However Lee Bridge Road is already hopelesly inadequate
during the morning peak. (Thank you TfL for sabotaging Lee Bridge Road and reducing its
capacity enormously) So it is almost certain that Lee Bridge Road and Whipps Cross Road will
come to a standstill. I'd feel sorry for any taxi or private hire driver who has to take someone to
Whipps Cross Hospital beween 7 and 10 0-clock.

2) Hackney Marshes. This A12 junction is adjacent to the Olympic Park and only Olympic athletes
and officials will be allowed to exit from the A12 during the Olympics. Motorists coming to Hackney
via the Blackwall Tunnel will presumably come off the A12 either at Old Ford - already overloaded
during the morning rush hour and soon to be worse: yes TfL are installing traffic lights to reduce
capacity still further - or at The Green Man (see above). Motorists from the other direction will
presumably come off at Old Ford and try their luck. There is no chance at all of Old Ford being able
during the morning peak to handle "refugee" traffic from the Hackney Marshes junction in addition
to the usual traffic volume. I'd feel sorry for any taxi or private hire driver taking someone
to the London Chest Hospital beween 7 and 10 0-clock.

Unless there is a huge reduction in normal traffic, for example everyone taking their holiday during
the Olympics, complete gridlock in Leytonstone and Old Ford is inevitable during the morning peak.

Many taxi drivers are taking an extended holiday during the Olympics because they believe it will
be impossible to move about and earn money. Many minicab drivers intend to boycott the Olympics
because they cannot afford to be stuck in traffic jams.

If there is not the required enormous reduction in road traffic and chaos does result, the likely
"legacy" of the Olympics will be that many Londoners will hate the Olympic Games more intensely
than they ever hated anything else. It is most unlikely that many taxi or private hire drivers will
look back with any affection.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In article ,
Offramp wrote:
On Saturday, 16 June 2012 13:42:30 UTC+1, Robin9 wrote:

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

I have strong and interesting views on this but I am not a bus passenger.

The man not on the Clapham omnibus ?

Nick
--
"The Internet, a sort of ersatz counterfeit of real life"
-- Janet Street-Porter, BBC2, 19th March 1996

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Jun 17, 2:23*pm, Steve Fitzgerald ] wrote:
In message , Roland Perry
writes
Something else the telegraph got wrong...

* * * *"But in an agreement with Aslef, the train drivers’ union,
* * * *they will also receive increased overtime payments if they work
* * * *more than an eight-hour shift or later than 1.30am – meaning
* * * *they could earn an extra £1,800 on average.

I think the key word here is *if* they work. *That is basically correct,
although the expectation is that we are unlikely to get more than one or
two of these duties allocated during the whole of the games. *The figure
of £1800 assumes that a driver works outside the agreement every duty
possible and every day.

So that means the "on average" part is basically a lie?

--
Abi

It seems Boris has lost his nerve. He is now dangling several million
pounds under the noses of the various bus companies with the
demand (i.e desperate plea) that they settle this dispute with
the drivers to avoid the strike.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Sat, Jun 16, 2012 at 01:42:30PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:

The conversation was very interesting and drew a varied response
from the listeners. One point which came up repeatedly was that
of all the transport workers, bus drivers will experience the most
stress during the Olympics and that if train drivers receive a bonus,
so should bus drivers.

Any bus passengers have a view on this?

Yes. I hope they don't get their bonus, and that they strike during the
Olympics. I hope that as a consequence thousands of people - both
spectators and participants - miss their events. Why? Well, I've paid
for the damned games, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.

--
David Cantrell | Godless Liberal Elitist

Compromise: n: lowering my standards so you can meet them

Black humour is always better when it contain a grain of truth.

Three bus companies are so reluctant to pay a bonus to their staff
- even when the bonus is financed by the tax payer - that they have
obtained an injunction from the High Court banning the strike. This of
course increases the chances of a strike taking place during the Olympics.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On 16/06/2012 13:42, Robin9 wrote:
I've just been listening to Ken Livingstone and Steve Norris
on LBC chatting about the possible bus drivers' strike

Reduce working hours per driver (say 3 days a week), reducing the stress
and employ more drivers all on part time or job share basis.

Or sack the more vociferious idiots and give the others the pay increase
together with longer working hours.

Or.... line them up in front of their families and ....

--
Adrian C

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 07:51:31PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:
David Cantrell;131512 Wrote:
Any bus passengers have a view on this?
Yes. I hope they don't get their bonus, and that they strike during
the Olympics. I hope that as a consequence thousands of people - both
spectators and participants - miss their events. Why? Well, I've paid
for the damned games, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Black humour is always better when it contain a grain of truth.

I'm not joking.

--
David Cantrell | Godless Liberal Elitist

"There's a hole in my bucket, dear Liza, dear Liza."
"WHAT MAKES YOU SAY THERE IS A HOLE IN YOUR BUCKET?"

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On 25/06/2012 17:42, David Cantrell wrote:

On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 07:51:31PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:

David Cantrell wrote:

Any bus passengers have a view on this?
Yes. I hope they don't get their bonus, and that they strike during
the Olympics. I hope that as a consequence thousands of people - both
spectators and participants - miss their events. Why? Well, I've paid
for the damned games, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Black humour is always better when it contain a grain of truth.

I'm not joking.


I've paid for Trident, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Tehran seems a bit surplus to requirements, no?

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 10:10:37PM +0100, Mizter T wrote:
On 25/06/2012 17:42, David Cantrell wrote:
On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 07:51:31PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:
David Cantrell wrote:
Any bus passengers have a view on this?
Yes. I hope they don't get their bonus, and that they strike during
the Olympics. I hope that as a consequence thousands of people - both
spectators and participants - miss their events. Why? Well, I've paid
for the damned games, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Black humour is always better when it contain a grain of truth.
I'm not joking.
I've paid for Trident, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Tehran seems a bit surplus to requirements, no?

There are quite a few crucial differences. Amongst the biggest is that
the Olympics are actually supposed to be fun.

--
David Cantrell | London Perl Mongers Deputy Chief Heretic

Featu an incorrectly implemented bug

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

In article ,
David Cantrell wrote:
On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 10:10:37PM +0100, Mizter T wrote:
On 25/06/2012 17:42, David Cantrell wrote:
On Thu, Jun 21, 2012 at 07:51:31PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:
David Cantrell wrote:
Any bus passengers have a view on this?
Yes. I hope they don't get their bonus, and that they strike during
the Olympics. I hope that as a consequence thousands of people - both
spectators and participants - miss their events. Why? Well, I've paid
for the damned games, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Black humour is always better when it contain a grain of truth.
I'm not joking.
I've paid for Trident, and I want to get some entertainment out of it.
Tehran seems a bit surplus to requirements, no?

There are quite a few crucial differences. Amongst the biggest is that
the Olympics are actually supposed to be fun.

But big bangs are fun !

Nick
--
"The Internet, a sort of ersatz counterfeit of real life"
-- Janet Street-Porter, BBC2, 19th March 1996

Boris the bungler has stirred things up by on the one hand
demanding that bus drivers give up their dispute and on the
other giving Boris-bike workers a £500.00 Olympic bonus!
I do hope someone asks him why bike workers deserve a better
deal that bus drivers. Boris the buffoon is given too easy a ride
by radio and TV interviewers. I'd like to see someone give him
a good grilling.

On "You And Yours" today, they had a report about foreign visitors
coming for the Olympics. Apparently hotel bookings so far are much
lower than anticipated and it now looks as if the numbers coming
will be way, way lower than predicted. This of course will be good
news for people travelling by public transport but it will not reduce
the consequences of Olympic lanes.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

Robin9 wrote on 28 June 2012
17:42:23 ...
On "You And Yours" today, they had a report about foreign visitors
coming for the Olympics. Apparently hotel bookings so far are much
lower than anticipated and it now looks as if the numbers coming
will be way, way lower than predicted. This of course will be good
news for people travelling by public transport but it will not reduce
the consequences of Olympic lanes.

Yes, it will. If (and I doubt this) there are fewer visitors, there
will be less traffic in the general traffic lanes, hence less congestion.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

It has been assumed by TfL and others that this will be a "public transport
Olympic Games." I understand that no car parks have been created for this
reason. It is therefore unlikely that many foreign visitors will travel by car and
consequently a reduction in foreign visitors will have little impact on traffic
congestion.

It is now evident that most motorists in London including taxi and
emergency services drivers have no idea when Olympic Lanes
come into force and during which hours and on what days they
will be in operation. This afternoon Petrie Hoskins - I hope I have
spelled her name correctly - has conducted a phone-in programme
on this subject and no-one, absolutely no-one, knew what was
going on. Anger at TfL was general and unlimited.

As Ken Livingstone and David Mellor were also pretty critical
yesterday, it is quite likely that this is going to be a very
hot potato in the next few weeks.

I hope Boris gets dragged in. He won't have a clue. He'll
flounder and flop and be shown up for what he is.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

Robin9 wrote on 15 July 2012
15:27:26 ...
It is now evident that most motorists in London including taxi and
emergency services drivers have no idea when Olympic Lanes
come into force and during which hours and on what days they
will be in operation. This afternoon Petrie Hoskins - I hope I have
spelled her name correctly - has conducted a phone-in programme
on this subject and no-one, absolutely no-one, knew what was
going on. Anger at TfL was general and unlimited.

People have no idea because it's not a simple question. Each Games Lane
will be in operation for the days on which it is required. For example
the M4 Games Lane from Heathrow (which operates from tomorrow, 16 July)
doesn't have the same operating days/times as the Games Lane to
Wimbledon for the Olympic tennis. This is no different from the way bus
lanes are organised. If you asked me what the operating hours are for a
random bus lane in London, I probably wouldn't know. So what? If I
happened to need to drive in that part of London, I would look at the signs.

Emergency service drivers on emergency calls don't need to know, as they
can use the Games Lanes anyway.

--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

People have no idea, not because the issue is not simple but because they have
been given conflicting pieces of information. If you believe that there are "signs"
in all the appropriate places providing accurate and up-to-the-minute information,
you are sorely mistaken.

An example: We have been told that the Olympic Lanes come into force today.
This afternoon I was driving up Shooters Hill Road towards the Sun-In-The-Sands
roundabout. Near the roundabout the off-side lane has been marked as an Olympic
Lane. Was it in force this afternoon? I have no idea. Certainly there was no sign
providing information nor has any sign been installed to provide information in the
days ahead. So how are drivers to work it out by looking at the signs?

The "Get-Ahead-Of-The-Games" website is elaborate, circular and
uninformative. It does not provide information about when specific
Olympic Lanes will be in force. It merely advises that the Lanes in
general will be in force some of the time. We all know that!
Motorists want far more precise information.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

Robin9 wrote on 15 July 2012
23:00:41 ...
'Richard J.[_3_ Wrote:
;131953']Robin9 wrote on 15 July 2012

15:27:26 ...-
It is now evident that most motorists in London including taxi and
emergency services drivers have no idea when Olympic Lanes
come into force and during which hours and on what days they
will be in operation. This afternoon Petrie Hoskins - I hope I have
spelled her name correctly - has conducted a phone-in programme
on this subject and no-one, absolutely no-one, knew what was
going on. Anger at TfL was general and unlimited.-

People have no idea because it's not a simple question. Each Games Lane

will be in operation for the days on which it is required. For example

the M4 Games Lane from Heathrow (which operates from tomorrow, 16 July)

doesn't have the same operating days/times as the Games Lane to
Wimbledon for the Olympic tennis. This is no different from the way bus

lanes are organised. If you asked me what the operating hours are for a

random bus lane in London, I probably wouldn't know. So what? If I
happened to need to drive in that part of London, I would look at the
signs.

Emergency service drivers on emergency calls don't need to know, as they

can use the Games Lanes anyway.

--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

People have no idea, not because the issue is not simple but because
they have
been given conflicting pieces of information. If you believe that there
are "signs"
in all the appropriate places providing accurate and up-to-the-minute
information,
you are sorely mistaken.

I didn't claim that all the signs are in place yet.

An example: We have been told that the Olympic Lanes come into force
today.

By whom? Only the M4 lane starts today.

This afternoon I was driving up Shooters Hill Road towards the
Sun-In-The-Sands
roundabout. Near the roundabout the off-side lane has been marked as an
Olympic
Lane. Was it in force this afternoon? I have no idea. Certainly there
was no sign
providing information nor has any sign been installed to provide
information in the
days ahead. So how are drivers to work it out by looking at the signs?

If there's no sign, it's not in force. Simple.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Sun, Jul 15, 2012 at 03:27:26PM +0100, Robin9 wrote:

It is now evident that most motorists in London including taxi and
emergency services drivers have no idea when Olympic Lanes
come into force ...

It's great, I had a lane to myself for most of my two journeys across
London on Saturday!

Zoom!

They should keep them after the Olympics and rename them Dave Lanes.
After all, the proportion of Daves in the population is about the same
as those going to the Olympics, and we're far more important than those
overpaid sweaty oafs.

--
David Cantrell | Nth greatest programmer in the world

When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life
-- Samuel Johnson

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

Robin9 wrote:.
This afternoon I was driving up Shooters Hill Road towards the
Sun-In-The-Sands
roundabout. Near the roundabout the off-side lane has been marked as an
Olympic
Lane. Was it in force this afternoon? I have no idea. Certainly there
was no sign
providing information nor has any sign been installed to provide
information in the
days ahead. So how are drivers to work it out by looking at the signs?

That's odd. I drove up that road yesterday morning and there was an
electronic sign saying that drivers should use the Games Lane.

Tim (tm)

Bus Drivers And The Olympics
 

On Mon, 16 Jul 2012 14:14:18 +0000 (UTC)
Tim Miller wrote:
That's odd. I drove up that road yesterday morning and there was an
electronic sign saying that drivers should use the Games Lane.

Its supposed to be the 25th that they all come into force isn't it? Though
I've seen some signs on the north circular saying 25th and others saying
the 15th. As usual the Einsteins at TfL wouldn't even recognise their own
arses, never mind being able to tell them from their elbows.

B2003

If only it were as simple as that. At present there is no sign installed
adjacent to most Olympic Lanes. So unless hundreds are installed in
the next few days, when the lanes do come into force there will be
no sign providing relevant information.

Bus Drivers And The Olympics