Not content with the awful beeps and robot-voices on most LU rolling
stock, TfL are now extending this intrusion to buses (already blessed
with "DOORS OPENING", "DOORS CLOSING" messages ad infinitum on some
routes).

Any chance if a 'quiet' deck; and when all vehicles are supposed to be
so-fitted, will buses be cut if the equipment fails, as per wheelchair
ramps?

wrote:
Not content with the awful beeps and robot-voices on most LU rolling
stock, TfL are now extending this intrusion to buses (already
blessed with "DOORS OPENING", "DOORS CLOSING" messages ad infinitum
on some routes).

Any chance if a 'quiet' deck; and when all vehicles are supposed to
be so-fitted, will buses be cut if the equipment fails, as per
wheelchair ramps?

I assume you're referring to the news that buses will have recorded
announcements telling passengers the name of the next/current stop.
This is excellent news. It's not "aural intrusion" like the silly
"doors opening" messages. It will be of enormous help to thousands of
passengers who are either not familiar with the route or are travelling
at night, especially a cold wet night when it can be difficult to
recognise where you are even if you know the area. Also, I don't find
the mere announcement of a station on the tube, or a bus stop on Paris
buses, at all intrusive. Oh, and it's not a robot-voice; it's a real
person who faces the daunting task of recording 18,000 bus stop names.
--
Richard J.
(to e-mail me, swap uk and yon in address)

"Richard J." wrote in message
...

This is excellent news.

Agreed. I for one will find it very helpful not having to ask a surly
driver to tell me when we reach a certain stop, only to have him
'accidentally' forget!

Ian

On 17 Jan 2006 10:14:24 -0800, wrote:

Not content with the awful beeps and robot-voices on most LU rolling
stock, TfL are now extending this intrusion to buses (already blessed
with "DOORS OPENING", "DOORS CLOSING" messages ad infinitum on some
routes).

You mean the "next stop" announcements? Goodness, you're a grouch!

Laurence Payne wrote:

You mean the "next stop" announcements? Goodness, you're a grouch!

The same announcement every time, not a useful next stop announcement
as should be provided.

Neil

On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 18:38:50 GMT, "Richard J." wrote:

This is excellent news.

Indeed! I heard the system relies on GPS for navigation. I wonder -- Does it
have its own GPS receiver or does it integrate into the AVL system which all TfL
buses will eventually have? If the latter, then passengers will also benefit
from more evenly spaced buses and more accurate Countdown displays, which would
be nice.

Marc Brett wrote:
On Tue, 17 Jan 2006 18:38:50 GMT, "Richard J." wrote:

This is excellent news.

Indeed! I heard the system relies on GPS for navigation. I wonder -- Does it
have its own GPS receiver or does it integrate into the AVL system which all TfL
buses will eventually have? If the latter, then passengers will also benefit
from more evenly spaced buses and more accurate Countdown displays, which would
be nice.


The latter.

--
Dave Arquati
Imperial College, SW7
www.alwaystouchout.com - Transport projects in London

Laurence Payne wrote:
On 17 Jan 2006 10:14:24 -0800, wrote:

Not content with the awful beeps and robot-voices on most LU rolling
stock, TfL are now extending this intrusion to buses (already blessed
with "DOORS OPENING", "DOORS CLOSING" messages ad infinitum on some
routes).

You mean the "next stop" announcements? Goodness, you're a grouch!

Yeah, and all those irritating conductors getting on our nerves saying
things like, "hold very tight, please," or, "mind the stairs."

Robin

In message , R.C. Payne
writes
Yeah, and all those irritating conductors getting on our nerves saying
things like, "hold very tight, please," or, "mind the stairs."

The conductors on the Heritage Routemaster routes are *noticeably* good
at calling out. This was a practice which had been in decline on RMs
for years and its nice to have it back!
--
Ian Jelf, MITG
Birmingham, UK

Registered Blue Badge Tourist Guide for London and the Heart of England
http://www.bluebadge.demon.co.uk

Ian Jelf wrote:
In message , R.C. Payne
writes
Yeah, and all those irritating conductors getting on our nerves saying
things like, "hold very tight, please," or, "mind the stairs."

The conductors on the Heritage Routemaster routes are *noticeably* good
at calling out. This was a practice which had been in decline on RMs
for years and its nice to have it back!

Do you think part of their training involves listening to a certain song
by Flanders and Swann? As an undergraduate I was played another of
their songs in our thermodynamics lectures, and it certainly was helpful.

Robin