Canbridgeshire Guided Busway and bus service changes, November 2009

The Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is due to open on Sunday 29th November, with Stagecoach introducing a package of service changes from the same weekend. It seems logical enough, but the way that the Busway is being talked about is threatening it’s usefulness.

Firstly, some breaking news. The long-running dispute between the council and the busway contractors over payment of the higher bill has boiled over. The contractors have now placed large concrete blocks across all entrances to the busway, which was supposed to have been handed over for trial running and training to commence this week.

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Tuesday progress

This morning is going well. After a visit to the docs for flu jab and de-catheter-ising, all is working well. Have now got most of the gifts for the rest of this year sorted… and later, about to work on some boxes that are leaving here soon. In the meantime, C is due home for lunch soon!

Houdini gets his bus pass...

Story from Cambridge Evening News...

Houdini gets his bus pass

WHO'S a lucky boy then?

Michael Burdette-Deakin is celebrating after bus firm Stagecoach lifted a ban on him taking his parrot Houdini on trips to Cambridge, perched on his shoulder.

They have regularly travelled on the buses during the eight years they have spent together, bringing smiles to passengers.

But the bird - a rare yellowbacked chattering lory - was then banned by Stagecoach from boarding their buses.

The move came after fears the bird - which can say: "I love my darling" - may distract bus drivers.

But Michael, 49, refused to put the 14-year-old bird behind bars and the News carried a story about his plight.

Now understanding bus company bosses have overturned the ban - as long as Houdini is harnessed.

Michael, who lives in Newmarket, said: "He wasn't causing any problems. The passengers and drivers didn't mind, it was just the bus company bosses.

"They even wanted to send two inspectors to my home to check out the harness.

"I told them to go fly and I met the inspectors at the bus station."

And there's even more good news for Houdini. Michael said: "I had to clip his wings so that we could go on the bus, but now he'll be able to fly again because I can let them grow." The bird-lover, who also has a macaw, is registered disabled due to a degenerative spinal condition.

Andy Campbell, managing director of Stagecoach Cambridgeshire, said in a letter to Michael: "I agree with the inspectors' assessment that the bird can travel wearing the harness as long as it is kept under control, this is still at the drivers' discretion.

"Providing there are no problems in the future this should conclude the matter. I reserve the right to review the situation if we receive complaints from other customers."

... and Lucy gets on the back...

Another rear end advert from Transdev Yorkshire, courtesy once more of Paul H. This one features his own dog on the back...

... Parrott, Dog, now, ... Cuddily Toy?

Following my last post, I asked Paul if Lucy managed to get on any of the other vehicles - apparently not, but I'll like this one he says...  altogether now, aaawwwwwhhhh....