On the Buses

[Old Cruser]

I always wondered why they put that obstructive pole near the wheelchair space on buses - seems it was for the wheelchair passenger to hang on to whilst travelling.

This is a new idea for safety on the buses when using a wheelchair.
I'm impressed.
Have any of our bus drivers heard of Quantum?

The link below provides a short film at the bottom demonstrating how this works.
With the possible cut backs of buses ( on another thread ) in our area I doubt Stage Coach or any others will be able to provide this feature.



http://disabilitynow.org.uk/2016/02/10/quantum-brings-solace-to-bus-travellers/

[Scimitar]

If you look back to the 70's buses had no provision for wheelchairs or prams. It was a double decker or single decker full of seated people. How did people manage then?
No chance of a wheel chair on a step entrance bus or a baby pushchair much.
Ok - bus company design has come a long way since then - DDA compliant.
Many buses "fit for work" are getting scrapped  as we speak because of current DDA legislation.
Support for some bus journeys from DCC is likely to be stopped soon because of cut backs from central government to local councils.
Bus companies trade like anyone else to make a profit for their business & shareholders.
I can see dark times ahead for the bus user in terms of currently subsidised routes - never mind bus modernisation.
Sorry to say it - but there will be cuts.

[Scimitar]

I always wondered why they put that obstructive pole near the wheelchair space on buses - seems it was for the wheelchair passenger to hang on to whilst travelling.

This is a new idea for safety on the buses when using a wheelchair.
I'm impressed.
Have any of our bus drivers heard of Quantum?

The link below provides a short film at the bottom demonstrating how this works.
With the possible cut backs of buses ( on another thread ) in our area I doubt Stage Coach or any others will be able to provide this feature.



http://disabilitynow.org.uk/2016/02/10/quantum-brings-solace-to-bus-travellers/

Just passed the aforementioned vid to some hierarchy at Stagecoach - don't hold your breath

[Old Cruser]

I think you are right about the dark times with buses scimitar and I do hope the result isn't in loss of jobs!

As for the link, it's a brilliant idea but would need new buses ( or the pole taken out ).
It won't be a cheap adaptation though and I doubt Stage Coach would want to pay out at this time of uncertainty.
I certainly would condemn them for that!

Maybe Stage Coach would move to a new venture of smaller adapted buses for wheelchair user to book and pay for  a space.
Personally I would welcome this and would much prefer it as things are at the moment on buses with wheelchair users, pushchairs and passengers who would rather get their feet run over than just pull them in ! 

[who can tell]

The one plus point about Sheffield had was the Supertram it was easy for wheelchair users to get on and off. The tram themselves were wide near the doors plus unlike a bus the tram had a conductor to help if needed. The First buses were starting to bring in more wider buses and the area where wheelchair users went was pole free. I think First were trying to complete with the tram as the old buses failed on access issues so many disabled people tended to avoid them the only downside been the tram doesn't serve all areas though their are plans to replace the old stock with so called tram trains that will run to Rotherham Parkgate I think the new trams are been built in Germany and two have arrived in Sheffield already. Iv been told the new trams are wider than the old ones so access should be much better .

[Scimitar]

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/the-buses-bill
Latest from Government

[Old Cruser]

Interesting Tony. They promise better things to come - one day.
Have to admit I didn't understand all the jargon but I'm sure you will

Any implications in it for Chesterfield do you think?

[Scimitar]

Interesting Tony. They promise better things to come - one day.
Have to admit I didn't understand all the jargon but I'm sure you will

Any implications in it for Chesterfield do you think?

The Buses bill just seems a waste of taxpayers money to me - I see nothing new or radical. Bus companies already work with local authorities and have done for many decades. Nothing new jumps out from the present situation. However - I give you a quote from DCC's own Public Transport site regarding news & notices :-

We must make cuts which means we need to review the way we run many of our services. From October 2017 we are proposing to withdraw all our funding for subsidised bus services. These are services that we pay for because they cannot be run commercially. This means they could stop. Typically they are early morning, evening, Sunday and rural services. But before any decisions are made we are consulting on our plans. You can tell us what you about these proposals in our online consultation. Closing date 24 April 2016.
So that's it - no more subsidies.
I guess that means:
1) Possible re-introduction of concessionary fares for Senior Citizens/Disabled (currently free 9.30am-11pm).
2)A much reduced early morning - late evening service.
3)Many smaller bus companies who rely on funding from local authorities will be forced out of business.
4)Bus companies had a fuel subsidy - they could buy it cheaper - this has been withdrawn.
5)Fewer buses & drivers because of cutbacks & wage restraints due to smaller profits.
6)Older buses being kept in service way past their normal lifetime expectations.
7)Higher bus fares.
8)Rural services cut or gone completely.
9)No further investment in technology - e.g. wifi services and all that could potentially bring with it.

The future doesn't seem bright - more people will be forced to use their cars which will mean more gridlock on our roads & fewer punctual buses.
I hope I'm wrong & something can be arranged but DCC appear to be throwing the towel in and abandoning funding completely - so what do bus companies do to address the shortfall?

[Old Cruser]

I think my new thread and this last post of yours were posted together scimitar - delete mine if you want 

[Old Cruser]

I don't mind paying for my ticket if I use the bus - but - it may work out cheaper for two of us to use the car and pay for parking - DCC will be rubbing their hands in anticipation!

I have never really seen the need for Wifi on buses so that wouldn't bother me.

Bang goes the clamping down gear for wheelchair users.

People who use the bus for an early start to work will struggle ( I used to catch the first bus through our village years ago 5.30am to get to work for 6.00am).

Hope this doesn't mean you may be out of work scimitar 

[who can tell]

Sheffield has had deep cuts to its public transport funds just before leaving Arbrouthorne we could see the effects . Their was a public relations debate of sorts undertaken but in all honesty I think the public was ignored made worse by First who undertook its own review of services and cut many services to the bone or withdrew them completely leaving parts of the city isolated. The odd twist been the SYET have pushed ahead with the Supertram project to run a line to Rotherham Parkgate but the tram- train is only experimental project the funding to complete the project as a fully functional service is not their. If buses and trams are to be solely based on usage and what they make in profits it higher likely most routes will disappear and like what's been said will see no investment and reduction in employment and fares will rise too in short taking the whole public transport system back to a Victorian pre council based ownership why not go back the whole hog let's bring back the horse drawn tram!