For the first time in five years, my (Aubrey) local route has changed operator AND a lot of staff! It's back at Stamford Brook, where it was run until privatisation. This has led to a very interesting scenario where before I detested all but the buses, now as a common user, I detest ONLY the buses! London United having the hardest possible start to the E3 contract, and my word it was a hard start! Hammersmith Flyover was shut due to structural faults, and Sutton Court Road being shut south of Ellesmere Road (Great West Road) southbound leading to traffic being diverted via the A4 led to, ummm, EVERY single official curtailment in one day. And Stamford Brook! Duty numbers are 451-476 as far as I know.
For all I'd know, this might be the first 'in service' photo of the E3 under London United with SPs that was published onto Flickr!
Anyhow, at 10am, here is London United SP137 on Route E3, Chiswick Edensor Road
The rear of the bus - the fans are now visible due to the clean up of these buses.
London United SP157 on Route E3, Chiswick/Great West Road.
Sutton Court Road being shut meant the E3 was on diversion via the A4 leading to the massive chaos on the E3 throughout the day!
London United SP160 and SP155 both on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road, ready to go on diversion. This was the back of a row of 4 in 2 minutes.
London United SP134 on Route E3, Turnham Green
This bus had terminated on the other side of the green, and is still stuck in traffic it curtailed to reduce the effect of the service!
London United SP161 on Route E3, Turnham Green Station
Not the best shot, but the LED back lighting of the blinds have led to a tad of blue seen on the white blinds!
London United SP149 on Route E3, Chiswick - Chardin Road Stop
The bus curtailing to Stamford Brook/Chiswick Lane, a curtailment slightly off route, but on the blinds.
Acton brings up surprises, no matter what - which is exactly why I went there!
London United SP148 on Route E3, Acton High Street, curtailed to said place. Why not avoid the traffic of Chiswick totally! The loadings of this bus on the opposite direction was high, meaning there had been a considerable wait for the E3. On the E3, a 12 minute wait is 'considerable'!
London United SP146 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Being a tad (very!) picky, but the blinds are already sliding downwards and are off-centre!
London United SP137 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Running an hour late, the driver is supposed to be on the other side of the route!
The driver - I once encountered her before on the 395 whilst with Lewis nearly a year ago, so it was very good seeing her again, on my local route as well!
All the drivers who I spoke to dreaded the following Monday, when I asked!
An out of service Arriva - Tellings Golden-Miller 3426 (awaiting service on Route E10) and London United SP159 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
A side by side that West Londoners will have to get used to!
London United SP161 on Route E3, Greenford Broadway
Behind, visible is another E3, a usual sight!
London United SP144 and SP157 on Route E3, stuck in traffic on Sutton Court Road/Chiswick
SP144 was curtailed to Acton High Street. Can anyone answer what the white stuff on SP144 is? Bird stuff?
London United SP144 on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road
Another offside Turnham Green Church shot of a southbound E3.
London United SP146 on Route E3, Turnham Green
London United SP145 on Route E3, Chiswick High Road
I didn't get all the curtailments...
London United SP159 on Route E3, Chiswick/Sutton Court Road
But it's so good, I got the curtailment twice!
After a week of this E3 under London United SPs, my expectations were exactly right, apart from more bunching by London United than Metroline West on the southbound pm peak. Other than loud passengers from a certain school that you least expect on Monday, there has been good drivers, alright service. No paper eating so far! That's good at least! But someone leaving jeans on the bus - that's another story!
Asking fellow
Good Luck to London United for taking such a mammoth task of trying to run such a horrendous route (operationally)! More Hammersmith Flyover closures for weekends to come until late Summer!
Ended up on the E3 on its third day of operation under London United since the Piccadilly/District lines were totally mucked up. I ended up running 500m down the Uxbridge Road since I was desperate to catch the 266 as the E3 driver had refused to open the doors until the 266 had pulled out of the stop...
ReplyDeleteIt's bad every Saturday from what I've noticed a year on. It's certainly more bunchy and more gappy but not as bad as ML.
ReplyDeleteNothing can be as bad as how Metroline West ran the E3. Except no service.
DeleteThey run the E2 just as bad. The driving is atrocious and literally there was a 40 minute gap on a Saturday Morning at 9 am and three buses bunched with no traffic or anything on the entire route. Then the driver shut the doors in my face and nearly crashed into a car in front twice.
ReplyDelete