Wellington bus bugbears

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#2072191 12-Aug-2018 16:46

D1023319:
freitasm:
With all the talk about blue light from mobile devices and TV sets being bad, it was a strange decision for Metlink to use blue LED for bus interior lights... Now scientist discovered why and how blue light leads to macular degeneration.

Sure, keep those crappy blue LED Metlink.

Looks like blue lights are going

https://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/106167009/one-less-headache-for-wellington-public-transport-users-as-buses-lose-blue-lights?cid=app-android

Yeah, ot sure why they are changing to white?, guessing there is a good reason BMWs use red interior lights and gauges.

Jon

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D1023319

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#2072233 12-Aug-2018 18:41

Easier to read a book in white light than red.

Fyi, the Newtown bus meeting was colourful both good and bad feedback on issues. I was surprised the bus driver who asked Sarah free what measures the WCC was taking to protect them from arrogant cyclists didn't get a better show of support from audience.

While GWRC councillors were in attendance they didn't speak. I understand they will at the ASB meeting on 26th

allan

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#2073150 14-Aug-2018 10:44

Had a Seven Sharp reporter and camera operator on board my No 2 service from Karori this morning, accompanied by Daren Ponter (Deputy Chair, GWRC, Sustainable Transport Committee). Of course this particular service was for some reason, not actually packed to the doors this morning, so who knows the context they will put around the story - assuming it makes it to air.

elpenguino

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#2073175 14-Aug-2018 11:06

D1023319: Easier to read a book in white light than red.

Fyi, the Newtown bus meeting was colourful both good and bad feedback on issues. I was surprised the bus driver who asked Sarah free what measures the WCC was taking to protect them from arrogant cyclists didn't get a better show of support from audience.

I would think the 10 tons of steel around the bus driver would protect them from arrogant or any other type of cyclist.

Interesting that the driver used that precious microphone time to ask that question - and not others like, why I am paid minimum wage or close to it, why must I work split shifts or a million other things that come to mind which must be more sh*tty about being a bus driver.

Most of the posters in this thread are just like chimpanzees on MDMA, full of feelings of bonhomie, joy, and optimism. Fred99 8/4/21

D1023319

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#2073460 14-Aug-2018 18:38

elpenguino:

I would think the 10 tons of steel around the bus driver would protect them from arrogant or any other type of cyclist.

Interesting that the driver used that precious microphone time to ask that question - and not others like, why I am paid minimum wage or close to it, why must I work split shifts or a million other things that come to mind which must be more sh*tty about being a bus driver.

Elpenguino: I don't think your flippant attitude is appropriate when passenger safety is no joking matter.

The problem is, I have seen the bus drivers having to take avoidance action e.g. hard braking to avoid these arrogant cyclists which is very dangerous to standing passengers who could fall over and injure themselves.

So I am sure this is what the driver was referring to.

As for raising other issues such as low pay and split shifts - the union was also at the meeting and had plenty of floor time to put forward their concerns.

MikeAqua

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#2073682 15-Aug-2018 08:44

D1023319:

elpenguino:

I would think the 10 tons of steel around the bus driver would protect them from arrogant or any other type of cyclist.

Interesting that the driver used that precious microphone time to ask that question - and not others like, why I am paid minimum wage or close to it, why must I work split shifts or a million other things that come to mind which must be more sh*tty about being a bus driver.

Elpenguino: I don't think your flippant attitude is appropriate when passenger safety is no joking matter.

The problem is, I have seen the bus drivers having to take avoidance action e.g. hard braking to avoid these arrogant cyclists which is very dangerous to standing passengers who could fall over and injure themselves.

So I am sure this is what the driver was referring to.

As for raising other issues such as low pay and split shifts - the union was also at the meeting and had plenty of floor time to put forward their concerns.

I've seen multiple buses stacked up behind a cyclist pedalling down a bus-only lane, during bus only hours. I've seen this multiple times. Each instance is one person holding up dozens, while breaking the law. If I was a bus driver trying to keep to a timetable, I would find that behaviour annoying as well.

And yes I realise this is a minority of cyclists. Probably the same minority of individuals who ride through red-lights, toward pedestrians crossing on green signals.

Mike

itxtme

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#2073723 15-Aug-2018 10:05

MikeAqua:

D1023319:

elpenguino:

I would think the 10 tons of steel around the bus driver would protect them from arrogant or any other type of cyclist.

Interesting that the driver used that precious microphone time to ask that question - and not others like, why I am paid minimum wage or close to it, why must I work split shifts or a million other things that come to mind which must be more sh*tty about being a bus driver.

Elpenguino: I don't think your flippant attitude is appropriate when passenger safety is no joking matter.

The problem is, I have seen the bus drivers having to take avoidance action e.g. hard braking to avoid these arrogant cyclists which is very dangerous to standing passengers who could fall over and injure themselves.

So I am sure this is what the driver was referring to.

As for raising other issues such as low pay and split shifts - the union was also at the meeting and had plenty of floor time to put forward their concerns.

I've seen multiple buses stacked up behind a cyclist pedalling down a bus-only lane, during bus only hours. I've seen this multiple times. Each instance is one person holding up dozens, while breaking the law. If I was a bus driver trying to keep to a timetable, I would find that behaviour annoying as well.

And yes I realise this is a minority of cyclists. Probably the same minority of individuals who ride through red-lights, toward pedestrians crossing on green signals.

Might want to check your road rules. Bus lanes can be used by cyclists and motorcycles also

sbiddle

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#2073793 15-Aug-2018 10:35

MikeAqua:

I've seen multiple buses stacked up behind a cyclist pedalling down a bus-only lane, during bus only hours. I've seen this multiple times. Each instance is one person holding up dozens, while breaking the law. If I was a bus driver trying to keep to a timetable, I would find that behaviour annoying as well.

And yes I realise this is a minority of cyclists. Probably the same minority of individuals who ride through red-lights, toward pedestrians crossing on green signals.

What part of this is breaking the law?

Cyclists are entitled to use bus lanes.

As for riding in the middle of the lane this is also fully legal, and in many cases is the safest thing to do. As a cyclist lane splitting is also often the safest thing to do - with Jervois Quay being a classic example of both, where keeping to the left of the lane is an incredibly dangerous thing to do.

D1023319

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#2073794 15-Aug-2018 10:37

itxtme:

MikeAqua:

I've seen multiple buses stacked up behind a cyclist pedalling down a bus-only lane, during bus only hours. I've seen this multiple times. Each instance is one person holding up dozens, while breaking the law. If I was a bus driver trying to keep to a timetable, I would find that behaviour annoying as well.

And yes I realise this is a minority of cyclists. Probably the same minority of individuals who ride through red-lights, toward pedestrians crossing on green signals.

Might want to check your road rules. Bus lanes can be used by cyclists and motorcycles also

Yes - that is true but just because riding in a bus lane is legal doesn't justify it as being desirable for Wellington commuters in general so I am with MikeA on this.
Time to change the law or have a local bylaw.

sbiddle

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#2073796 15-Aug-2018 10:44

D1023319:

itxtme:

MikeAqua:

I've seen multiple buses stacked up behind a cyclist pedalling down a bus-only lane, during bus only hours. I've seen this multiple times. Each instance is one person holding up dozens, while breaking the law. If I was a bus driver trying to keep to a timetable, I would find that behaviour annoying as well.

And yes I realise this is a minority of cyclists. Probably the same minority of individuals who ride through red-lights, toward pedestrians crossing on green signals.

Might want to check your road rules. Bus lanes can be used by cyclists and motorcycles also

Yes - that is true but just because riding in a bus lane is legal doesn't justify it as being desirable for Wellington commuters in general so I am with MikeA on this.
Time to change the law or have a local bylaw.

Seriously dude? That's one of the dumbest comments I've seen for ages. Have you even ridden a bike?

Where else do you think cyclists should ride? Bus lanes are always in the left. Are you suggesting cyclists all ride in the right hand lane?! I'd give it a day before you start complaining about that.

KiwiSurfer

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#2074154 15-Aug-2018 19:05

In Auckland I've seen cyclists in the bus lane where there is already a bike lane present. Would support legislation change to the effect that cyclists must use the provided cycle lane, where present.

D1023319

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#2074460 16-Aug-2018 12:41

sbiddle:

D1023319:

Yes - that is true but just because riding in a bus lane is legal doesn't justify it as being desirable for Wellington commuters in general so I am with MikeA on this.
Time to change the law or have a local bylaw.

Seriously dude? That's one of the dumbest comments I've seen for ages. Have you even ridden a bike?

Where else do you think cyclists should ride? Bus lanes are always in the left. Are you suggesting cyclists all ride in the right hand lane?! I'd give it a day before you start complaining about that.

With all due respect, I strongly disagree that its a dumb comment to want buses filled with multiple passengers not to be held up by individual cyclists.
Public transport has to be efficient to encourage people out of private vehicles.

As to where cyclists should ride - on the bus of course.......

freitasm

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#2099839 2-Oct-2018 09:45

There may be a good explanation why the Wellington bus system is now in shambles and why the response from the councils has been... nothing really: The US consultant behind Wellington bus nightmare.

A quote:

"When I prepare government clients for a network redesign, part of my job is shock-therapy: they need to know who will be yelling at them, and what they’ll be saying, and how unpleasant that will be."

Walker’s confidence that all councils have to do is ride out the storm and everything will be all right has clearly had an impact on Regional Council chair Chris Laidlaw and CEO Greg Campbell, who have both staunchly backed the new system. They told the committee that the chaos was caused by unforeseen problems such as driver shortages, and the incumbent operator NZ Bus performing poorly.

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alasta

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#2099993 2-Oct-2018 13:21

I love this quote in the article linked above:

They told the committee that the chaos was caused by unforeseen problems such as driver shortages, and the incumbent operator NZ Bus performing poorly.

Surely NZ Bus performing poorly couldn't have been unexpected!

MikeAqua

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#2100065 2-Oct-2018 14:01

itxtme:

Might want to check your road rules. Bus lanes can be used by cyclists and motorcycles also

Sigh ... here are the rules

https://wellington.govt.nz/services/parking-and-roads/bus-priority/bus-lane-operation#busonly

There are bus lanes, which cyclists can use and bus-only lanes which only buses can use.

The instances of illegal cycling I referred to occurred in bus-only-lanes, including the one where a cyclist hit me.

Mike

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