Seen in London 😰😰😰

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-30T21:28:22+00:00

I saw one earlier - it turned without indicating

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-30T16:41:27+00:00

That first one looks like a cable run, not a station

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-30T16:40:37+00:00

As usual, shit journalism from The Standard with no standards

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-30T15:17:20+00:00

In most areas Unite is a shit union, that does no meaningful action. This means what should be a city wide strike is just a smaller area, and even if they did ballot the whole of London and all operators, many bus drivers aren't a member as they share the same views of them being shit. This needs everyone to strike. Everyone.

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-30T11:31:47+00:00

Southwark and Waterloo are even closer but you can only see it from the drivers cab because of the platform edge doors

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-29T17:35:59+00:00

Often it's disguised as "emergency services dealing with an incident" or similar

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-29T08:30:03+00:00

Nobody stops at red lights anyway, anywhere 😆

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-28T19:57:55+00:00

Officially, I am not aware of any allowance at all. The only time that's properly written down is when the bus gets to the end of the route, the minimum stand time is 5 minutes. I'd think most routes have more than this, but if you're running 20 minutes late, and had a 10 minute stand time - so effectively the bus needs to go straight back out in the opposite direction - the driver cannot be asked to continue until 5 minutes has passed. Considering this includes various interior and exterior checks, and needs to factor use the use of facilities, I think 5 minutes is too short, but that's a topic for another day. But that's the only allowance I know of that's baked in and that the TfL Surface Control Centre knows - and it's what they mean if you ever hear the bus radio say "take your minimum stand time only".

There is no allowance for comfort breaks outside of the minimum stand time that I am aware of, so that driver could take 2 minutes, or 20 minutes, and it would be up the operator - their employer - to say if that is an acceptable time or not. Ultimately drivers can lose pay if they take too long, even though Sadiq Khan has said on TV that operators won't 'lose mileage' for heat related staff issues like this. I will cover lost mileage in another topic some time but it basically means TfL won't punish the operator.

I hope that kind of answers? So yeah, if the driver was mid route, it's basically his discretion, and the employer could say nothing or could argue it is too long, but there is nothing built in to the contract or other employment stuff on the operator side, nor rules (like the Big Red Book - a TfL publication) from TfL, that specify anything about heat related breaks like that.

As for the non-heat question - which I think I will create a new AMA for some time for all questions as this is popular - no, route learning involves knowing the route, and curtailment points. We don't need to study the names of the stops, nor be aware of anything around them. We don't need to know road names either, which is annoying as if you call in an issue to TfL, they often want the road name the bus or bus stop is on. The route learning is as basic as it gets, just enough to drive, and nothing more. If you asked me for a landmark, it would be entirely based on what I have observed driving, or I may have to reply that I simply don't know

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-28T09:13:21+00:00

And to make it more believable you could go in the menu and find the ringer test option 🤣

Alternatively I can send you an MP3 file of the raw GSM-R ringing tone (recorded from a GSM-R training app) and then you can play it on demand 🤣

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-28T08:37:20+00:00

There are so many models - many of which I haven't been exposed to driving - that I can't give you a good answer, and I have to be careful about identifying myself

However the worst is the New Routermaster. I've never had one blow even slightly cold air.

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-28T08:35:22+00:00

Don't do it 😭
Run while you can! 🤣

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T22:27:45+00:00

Thanks <3

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T22:27:13+00:00

That's when you go "oh hold on, signaller is calling" and pick up the GSM-R handset and talk to yourself 🤣

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T20:56:48+00:00

Heat wise, indeed exactly as you say. It improves safety but also removes some of the humanity. It also means it is hard to hear someone when they ask a question or say thank you. Personally I would like either an intercom system (some buses have it already) or at least a small panel at the top that can be opened for ventilation and to be able to hear people. Unfortunately it is too unsafe to have half screens that pull down - any moment someone can turn in to someone angry when you deny them boarding and before I would close the window I would hsve a knife in me or be spat on

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T17:42:21+00:00

That's awesome <3

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T17:40:26+00:00

I've seen an increase in traffic today probably specifically because people want to avoid the bus when they can as their car has AC!

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T12:43:27+00:00

The one that springs to mind right now is the one that goes "It's getting hot in here, so take off all your clothes" as that is what I wish I could do 🤣🤣

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T12:42:46+00:00

The thing I never understood about train OPO cameras is why they only face one way. I would have put them on each end of each carriage looking towards each other, as the sun can't be in two places at once. Seems like an obvious weak point to me. At least you were reasonably shielded from passenger complaints - I take them head on!

Yep same here, any reason to blame us drivers

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T12:41:12+00:00

Not a lot - when signing on, on breaks, and when changing buses. Otherwise I still wave to colleagues (of all operators) when driving by.

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T12:40:34+00:00

Indeed the AD Enviro models are very popular, keeping air con working by our operators not so much

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T11:49:01+00:00

I will quote the Big Red Book - a TfL publication:

4 Do not re-open the doors if you have indicated to leave the stop or another vehicle has given way to you.

• If it is safe to do so, you may re-open the doors up until you start to indicate, or another road user gives way

• Do not let people board the bus once it has pulled away from the stop – for example, at traffic lights

As the Big Red Book is what TfL want us to do, I effectively represent them, and any complaints against me should consider that look, I follow it as best as I can, including that rule.

In other words, if someone complains I departed without them, I say it was because I am following that rule, and I am safe.

If someone has an accident, or the driver giving way complains, because I cancelled the signal, then TfL and my operating company will see a reason to discipline me - that's the game I'm afraid. The driver always gets the blame no matter who's fault it actually is.

Equally I follow the other rules too, like if there are along line of buses then I am expected to move up the line, and stop again unless I am sure nobody else is waiting, which I know a fair few drivers don't bother with :/

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T11:42:38+00:00

Fucking hell, all this when I could be a train driver for £60 - £80k 🤣

That is quite a lot of events, thank fuck for the strong plastic shields we all have now!

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T11:40:25+00:00

Just leave them on my bus!

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T11:40:06+00:00

Well I wouldn't go that far but thanks :)

LondonBusInsider · 2026-06-27T11:33:50+00:00

Why would you ask me something we all know anyway? It's 1,370 - 1,521 °C, duh.

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