Randomness continues
Nov. 11th, 2007 11:58 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
suzyscottdotcom13. C is feeling a little better today, she’s up and about at the moment at least.
14. The Anglia Bus Forum is wracking up numbers at a very fast pace! Less than 48 hours since the move was announced on the old site, and we now have 52 members (plus three admins, and one test). The Dundee Area Bus Forum has taken two and a half years to get 73 members (plus three admins, and two tests). I hoped it would be at least as popular as the Dundee one, but knew it would take time. It’s getting busier all the time, and it’s still well within my bandwith and space requirements. I like it.
15. Bringing up an old friend, I brought my pair of Size 16 black formal trousers with me when I was in Dundee last. I don’t normally wear trousers, but these sometimes come in useful. I used to have a pair of Size 18’s, but they are too big for me now! So, tried them briefly the other day. Now a lot smoother around the crotch… Again, I like it. (So, purpose of buying a pair of formal tight trousers… now you know).
16. Congrats to![[info]](https://stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
auntysarah on her first post-op orgasm. Now, did the 'red bull flu strength' mentioned by the_local_echo come into play at any point of proceedings? As Caroline said, we thought it was just kids with fireworks outside… were they really celebratory ones from 12 miles away? (Hoping my electricitly starts working before the next firework season, or I might put it on hold for a bit. Who knows, too early).
17. Actually, speaking of which…. Had some weird bleeding late last night, noticed at the start of dilation (which I didn’t take very far as a result). So, I expected more overnight – there was only a couple of dots that I noticed to begin with. Nothing at all. The bit at the base tends to be a bit raw, but I remember Liz H saying something about PT doesn’t do a skin graft here, largely because the risks and it can often come loose and cause further complications. Still, everything else there is good, so maybe an advantage.
18. Essex County Council’s timetable books have had a makeover. All four now have the same picture of a default elderly couple sitting together, with a different colour swoosh. South Essex (Basildon) is red wine (aptly?), Southend is orange (maybe something), West & NW (Epping) is green (apt again!), and Central (Chelmsford) is red (no idea).North East Essex (Colchester) is still in the pipeline. 50p each plus postage – find out where to get yours here.
19. Must be timetable rejigging time, as the Northampton map folder has been redone in a much more colourful format. Not sure yet when the rest will be done.
20. Traveline South East (the ring around London) has a rather good journey planner. It can also print timetables with every stop listed or not (Dundee Travel Info has 110 or so pages for one direction of the outer circle!), and a system-generated route map! It seems better than the planner power that is behind the East Anglia one, for example. I was entering a number of local services for information into it, and was maybe not surprised to find that Stagecoach 27 (Guilden Morden – Cambridge) wasn’t there – it goes with about a mile of the Hertfordshire boundary, but does not cross it. It’s interworked with the 26 to Royston, and the bus that does it is also outstationed in Royston, but no, it’s not there. However, I did find a timetable for the fairly recently introduced X27 from Kirkcaldy to Glasgow by Stagecoach Fife! Had a look around, and it appears the planner has a Long Distance Coach Services function too. So, this includes Stagecoach Bluebird 10, Fife 747, X24, X26, X27, X40, the new X42, X54, X57, X58, X59, X60, X61, and Western 4, X16, X34, X36, X44, X44B, X74, X75, X76, X76C, X77, X78, X79.
21. Stagecoach Fife service changes – yes, quite a rehash. Service X24 (St Andrews – Glasgow) has only minor changes, but is still interworked with the X26 between the same places. The X26 now operates direct from St Andrews to Largoward via the X60 route, as opposed to via Dunino and Anstruther, which is swapped with the X60. The times of the X24/X26 have been played with, to add in a new X27 between Kirkcaldy and Glasgow via Dunfermline and Cumbernauld. This runs direct via the A92 from Kirkcaldy to Dunfermline, and runs a loop in Kirkcaldy including Victoria Hospital. X24/X26/X27 combine to provide a 20 minute daytime service from Glasgow to Dunfermline during the day (which combines with the Stagecoach Glasgow X25 to give six buses an hour to Cumbernauld), which should hopefully ease the overcrowding of recent months. The Glasgow routes get all the Profiles which were delivered last year, with lift access.
22. It is, however, the Edinburgh routes which gain the increase. There is still a bus every 5 minutes in the peak between Edinburgh and Ferrytoll P&R, and now eight buses an hour in the off-peak too (previously no more than six). These are split with one X54 per hour to Dundee, which continues almost unchanged (the ‘via Cupar’ commuter journey is now called X42, and it runs via Cupar on the way home too). Early morning X55 is gone, and peak X57 now runs directly though Dunfermline (Abbeyview and Duloch Park being served by yet another variation of the D7). Service X59 provides an hourly service, but it is speeded up after Ferrytoll so it will no longer serve Dalgety Bay or Kirkcaldy, instead running direct via the A92 to Glenrothes. This takes about 20 minutes out of the journey time, and means that the service can once again be extended from Cupar to St Andrews. (From Dalgety Bay to Glenrothes or Cupar means you now have to change buses at Ferrytoll, but believe it or not, it’s still quicker than the old X59 arrangement!) This means St Andrews – Edinburgh is now just 2h 45mins by bus, but with the X60 now running via Anstruther, means that now takes 3h 32mins (Sounds like a bash!) Service X60 now only stops at Dalgety Bay Station, and the short workings between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh are retained, but renumbered X58, still giving three off-peak buses an hour between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh via Dalgety Bay (was three). Dalgety Bay now has a half-hourly stopping Service 53 to Edinburgh, which combines with the X58 and X60 to give up to four buses an hour. Service 55 from Kelty via Dunfermline is now half-hourly, but the Kelty bit is now stuck on the 79 instead. The company information about it all is here.
23. The specification for the buses being used on the cross-forth network is somewhat special, even by Stagecoach standards. 53/55 are being operated by new triaxle Scania single deck buses, with leather seating amongst the specification. The new coaches for X54, X58, X59, X60 are the same Volvo/Plaxton Profiles from before, but are also fitted out with leather seats, and complimentary wi-fi internet access on board. A week later, Stagecoach Goldline was launched – similar, but even more enhanced. It’s being used on two services – one in Warwickshire, and Service 7 in Perth. See the website www.stagecoachgoldline.com for more details.
24. Services around Perthshire had a few changes at the end of October, largely as a result of the residual handful of tenders being done in Highland Perthshire (those which did not result in revised contracts starting in January this year). Caber Coaches 91 (Aberfeldy – Coshieville Circular) was revised to go around more local streets in Aberfeldy, bringing buses to areas previously without them. Yule’s 87 (Pitlochry – Calvine/Old Struan) was extended to Pitlochry Festival Theatre, giving that area a bus service, again. Sunday Service 83 (Aberfeldy – Pitlochry – Old Struan) was lost by Caber to Stagecoach, which now runs the morning journey from Perth, and the last evening bus back to Perth. Council funded Service 33 (Three days a week service from Bankfoot to Stanley via Stewart Tower) was withdrawn, but replaced by changes to commercial services (keep reading!)
25. There have also been other changes in the same area. Earlier, a commercial change happened in September, with the introduction of a new hourly Service 22 between Perth and Dunked, by newish operator Bankfoot Buses. This route was introduced in competition with the council-funded Services 23/27 between Perth, Dunkeld and Aberfeldy/Pitlochry, which are operated with low floor MAN’s by Stagecoach Perth. A £2.00 One-Day ‘Salmon Rider’ day ticket seemed impressive, given the single from Perth to Dunkeld on the 23/27 is £1.90. Initially, the response from Stagecoach was muted. From the end of October, the minibus 34A (Perth – Stanley) got an extension via Stewart Tower, Bankfoot, and back to Perth. This needed an additional minibus, as there is a two-way loop as 34A/34B. Service 33 is thus withdrawn, but this gives an all-week frequent service past Stewart Tower Dairy (I am told that they have rather nice ice cream!). From the 3rd of December, further changes are planned. Stagecoach will operate a new direct Service X27 between Perth Mill Street, Dunkeld and Pitlochry. This means no need to change from the 23 to 24 at Ballinluig, and the bus also operates via the same route as Bankfoot Buses 22 between Perth and Dunkeld… and almost the same timetable. An X-service should maybe bypass Bankfoot altogether, but if I say that, I might be accused of missing the point. Bankfoot Buses are making changes to their services on the same day (although VOSA originally published the date of this one as 7th Dec, it has been allowed to start on the 3rd). This involves slight changes at each end of the day, and extra weekday peak buses. Once again, for all the areas for a bus war, it’s a tendered route, and naming things after animals is also not unknown.
26. London bus fares took a 10% dip a few months ago for Oyster prepaid card holders, now charging £0.90 from your pay-as-you-go balance for each trip, instead of handing over £2.00 in loose change. This was announced as being because of the huge increase in passenger numbers. 2008 fares are not being increased at all – nothing to do with the mayoral elections taking place. Speaking of which, discount card holders (those on income support) have been getting a 50% discount on single oyster bus fares, thanks to the Mayor brokering a deal to get fuel from Venezuela. The Mayor has announced his intention that every bus entering service by 2012 should be hybrid (maybe a little far fetched, but not a few years later, perhaps). What happens to the fuel savings made from these… this will affect the amount of discounted fuel being brought in?
27. There isn’t a lot on the TfL website at the moment about London Overground taking over some routes from Silverlink Trains tomorrow, but this piece has appeared in the Watford Observer. It’s been brought about by the fact that the stopping services by Silverlink become part of the TfL London Overground, whereas the fast limited stop services are becoming part of the London Midland franchise.
“A major shake-up of rail services at Watford Junction, which takes effect on Sunday, has been blighted by confusion.
Angry commuters say obtaining information about just how much fares will cost under the new system has been almost impossible.
And now doubt surrounds when - and if - Oyster cards will be able to be used.
On Sunday, Silverlink services between Watford Junction and London Euston will be taken over by London Overground, a new service operated by Transport for London (TFL), and London Midland.
According to London Underground, passengers using the stopping service from Watford Junction to London Euston will be able to use Oyster cards and enjoy reduced fares.
However those using the fast service from Watford to London - the majority of commuters - will have to continue using paper tickets at Silverlink rates.
A spokesperson for London Midland, the firm which will run the fast service from Watford Junction to London Euston, said it was in talks to introduce Oyster cards or another smart card by 2010.”
28. That’s it, for now.
14. The Anglia Bus Forum is wracking up numbers at a very fast pace! Less than 48 hours since the move was announced on the old site, and we now have 52 members (plus three admins, and one test). The Dundee Area Bus Forum has taken two and a half years to get 73 members (plus three admins, and two tests). I hoped it would be at least as popular as the Dundee one, but knew it would take time. It’s getting busier all the time, and it’s still well within my bandwith and space requirements. I like it.
15. Bringing up an old friend, I brought my pair of Size 16 black formal trousers with me when I was in Dundee last. I don’t normally wear trousers, but these sometimes come in useful. I used to have a pair of Size 18’s, but they are too big for me now! So, tried them briefly the other day. Now a lot smoother around the crotch… Again, I like it. (So, purpose of buying a pair of formal tight trousers… now you know).
16. Congrats to
auntysarah on her first post-op orgasm. Now, did the 'red bull flu strength' mentioned by the_local_echo come into play at any point of proceedings? As Caroline said, we thought it was just kids with fireworks outside… were they really celebratory ones from 12 miles away? (Hoping my electricitly starts working before the next firework season, or I might put it on hold for a bit. Who knows, too early).17. Actually, speaking of which…. Had some weird bleeding late last night, noticed at the start of dilation (which I didn’t take very far as a result). So, I expected more overnight – there was only a couple of dots that I noticed to begin with. Nothing at all. The bit at the base tends to be a bit raw, but I remember Liz H saying something about PT doesn’t do a skin graft here, largely because the risks and it can often come loose and cause further complications. Still, everything else there is good, so maybe an advantage.
18. Essex County Council’s timetable books have had a makeover. All four now have the same picture of a default elderly couple sitting together, with a different colour swoosh. South Essex (Basildon) is red wine (aptly?), Southend is orange (maybe something), West & NW (Epping) is green (apt again!), and Central (Chelmsford) is red (no idea).North East Essex (Colchester) is still in the pipeline. 50p each plus postage – find out where to get yours here.
19. Must be timetable rejigging time, as the Northampton map folder has been redone in a much more colourful format. Not sure yet when the rest will be done.
20. Traveline South East (the ring around London) has a rather good journey planner. It can also print timetables with every stop listed or not (Dundee Travel Info has 110 or so pages for one direction of the outer circle!), and a system-generated route map! It seems better than the planner power that is behind the East Anglia one, for example. I was entering a number of local services for information into it, and was maybe not surprised to find that Stagecoach 27 (Guilden Morden – Cambridge) wasn’t there – it goes with about a mile of the Hertfordshire boundary, but does not cross it. It’s interworked with the 26 to Royston, and the bus that does it is also outstationed in Royston, but no, it’s not there. However, I did find a timetable for the fairly recently introduced X27 from Kirkcaldy to Glasgow by Stagecoach Fife! Had a look around, and it appears the planner has a Long Distance Coach Services function too. So, this includes Stagecoach Bluebird 10, Fife 747, X24, X26, X27, X40, the new X42, X54, X57, X58, X59, X60, X61, and Western 4, X16, X34, X36, X44, X44B, X74, X75, X76, X76C, X77, X78, X79.
21. Stagecoach Fife service changes – yes, quite a rehash. Service X24 (St Andrews – Glasgow) has only minor changes, but is still interworked with the X26 between the same places. The X26 now operates direct from St Andrews to Largoward via the X60 route, as opposed to via Dunino and Anstruther, which is swapped with the X60. The times of the X24/X26 have been played with, to add in a new X27 between Kirkcaldy and Glasgow via Dunfermline and Cumbernauld. This runs direct via the A92 from Kirkcaldy to Dunfermline, and runs a loop in Kirkcaldy including Victoria Hospital. X24/X26/X27 combine to provide a 20 minute daytime service from Glasgow to Dunfermline during the day (which combines with the Stagecoach Glasgow X25 to give six buses an hour to Cumbernauld), which should hopefully ease the overcrowding of recent months. The Glasgow routes get all the Profiles which were delivered last year, with lift access.
22. It is, however, the Edinburgh routes which gain the increase. There is still a bus every 5 minutes in the peak between Edinburgh and Ferrytoll P&R, and now eight buses an hour in the off-peak too (previously no more than six). These are split with one X54 per hour to Dundee, which continues almost unchanged (the ‘via Cupar’ commuter journey is now called X42, and it runs via Cupar on the way home too). Early morning X55 is gone, and peak X57 now runs directly though Dunfermline (Abbeyview and Duloch Park being served by yet another variation of the D7). Service X59 provides an hourly service, but it is speeded up after Ferrytoll so it will no longer serve Dalgety Bay or Kirkcaldy, instead running direct via the A92 to Glenrothes. This takes about 20 minutes out of the journey time, and means that the service can once again be extended from Cupar to St Andrews. (From Dalgety Bay to Glenrothes or Cupar means you now have to change buses at Ferrytoll, but believe it or not, it’s still quicker than the old X59 arrangement!) This means St Andrews – Edinburgh is now just 2h 45mins by bus, but with the X60 now running via Anstruther, means that now takes 3h 32mins (Sounds like a bash!) Service X60 now only stops at Dalgety Bay Station, and the short workings between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh are retained, but renumbered X58, still giving three off-peak buses an hour between Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh via Dalgety Bay (was three). Dalgety Bay now has a half-hourly stopping Service 53 to Edinburgh, which combines with the X58 and X60 to give up to four buses an hour. Service 55 from Kelty via Dunfermline is now half-hourly, but the Kelty bit is now stuck on the 79 instead. The company information about it all is here.
23. The specification for the buses being used on the cross-forth network is somewhat special, even by Stagecoach standards. 53/55 are being operated by new triaxle Scania single deck buses, with leather seating amongst the specification. The new coaches for X54, X58, X59, X60 are the same Volvo/Plaxton Profiles from before, but are also fitted out with leather seats, and complimentary wi-fi internet access on board. A week later, Stagecoach Goldline was launched – similar, but even more enhanced. It’s being used on two services – one in Warwickshire, and Service 7 in Perth. See the website www.stagecoachgoldline.com for more details.
24. Services around Perthshire had a few changes at the end of October, largely as a result of the residual handful of tenders being done in Highland Perthshire (those which did not result in revised contracts starting in January this year). Caber Coaches 91 (Aberfeldy – Coshieville Circular) was revised to go around more local streets in Aberfeldy, bringing buses to areas previously without them. Yule’s 87 (Pitlochry – Calvine/Old Struan) was extended to Pitlochry Festival Theatre, giving that area a bus service, again. Sunday Service 83 (Aberfeldy – Pitlochry – Old Struan) was lost by Caber to Stagecoach, which now runs the morning journey from Perth, and the last evening bus back to Perth. Council funded Service 33 (Three days a week service from Bankfoot to Stanley via Stewart Tower) was withdrawn, but replaced by changes to commercial services (keep reading!)
25. There have also been other changes in the same area. Earlier, a commercial change happened in September, with the introduction of a new hourly Service 22 between Perth and Dunked, by newish operator Bankfoot Buses. This route was introduced in competition with the council-funded Services 23/27 between Perth, Dunkeld and Aberfeldy/Pitlochry, which are operated with low floor MAN’s by Stagecoach Perth. A £2.00 One-Day ‘Salmon Rider’ day ticket seemed impressive, given the single from Perth to Dunkeld on the 23/27 is £1.90. Initially, the response from Stagecoach was muted. From the end of October, the minibus 34A (Perth – Stanley) got an extension via Stewart Tower, Bankfoot, and back to Perth. This needed an additional minibus, as there is a two-way loop as 34A/34B. Service 33 is thus withdrawn, but this gives an all-week frequent service past Stewart Tower Dairy (I am told that they have rather nice ice cream!). From the 3rd of December, further changes are planned. Stagecoach will operate a new direct Service X27 between Perth Mill Street, Dunkeld and Pitlochry. This means no need to change from the 23 to 24 at Ballinluig, and the bus also operates via the same route as Bankfoot Buses 22 between Perth and Dunkeld… and almost the same timetable. An X-service should maybe bypass Bankfoot altogether, but if I say that, I might be accused of missing the point. Bankfoot Buses are making changes to their services on the same day (although VOSA originally published the date of this one as 7th Dec, it has been allowed to start on the 3rd). This involves slight changes at each end of the day, and extra weekday peak buses. Once again, for all the areas for a bus war, it’s a tendered route, and naming things after animals is also not unknown.
26. London bus fares took a 10% dip a few months ago for Oyster prepaid card holders, now charging £0.90 from your pay-as-you-go balance for each trip, instead of handing over £2.00 in loose change. This was announced as being because of the huge increase in passenger numbers. 2008 fares are not being increased at all – nothing to do with the mayoral elections taking place. Speaking of which, discount card holders (those on income support) have been getting a 50% discount on single oyster bus fares, thanks to the Mayor brokering a deal to get fuel from Venezuela. The Mayor has announced his intention that every bus entering service by 2012 should be hybrid (maybe a little far fetched, but not a few years later, perhaps). What happens to the fuel savings made from these… this will affect the amount of discounted fuel being brought in?
27. There isn’t a lot on the TfL website at the moment about London Overground taking over some routes from Silverlink Trains tomorrow, but this piece has appeared in the Watford Observer. It’s been brought about by the fact that the stopping services by Silverlink become part of the TfL London Overground, whereas the fast limited stop services are becoming part of the London Midland franchise.
“A major shake-up of rail services at Watford Junction, which takes effect on Sunday, has been blighted by confusion.
Angry commuters say obtaining information about just how much fares will cost under the new system has been almost impossible.
And now doubt surrounds when - and if - Oyster cards will be able to be used.
On Sunday, Silverlink services between Watford Junction and London Euston will be taken over by London Overground, a new service operated by Transport for London (TFL), and London Midland.
According to London Underground, passengers using the stopping service from Watford Junction to London Euston will be able to use Oyster cards and enjoy reduced fares.
However those using the fast service from Watford to London - the majority of commuters - will have to continue using paper tickets at Silverlink rates.
A spokesperson for London Midland, the firm which will run the fast service from Watford Junction to London Euston, said it was in talks to introduce Oyster cards or another smart card by 2010.”
28. That’s it, for now.
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2007-11-11 12:47 pm (UTC)I've noticed many shiny new Stagecoach single decks in Edinburgh city centre of late, all very smart!
BTW, I'll be in the Huntingdon area for a few days at the end of the month. I'm staying 26th and 27th November in Wyton before heading into London on 28th; want to meet up for a coffee on the morning on the 28th?
no subject
Date: 2007-11-11 12:51 pm (UTC)I've got most of a day of work training (visiting the 'far east' all day and most of the afternoon) on that day I am afraid.
I would like to meet up - would 26th or 27th suit?
Are you coming down by public transport, or will you have a car?
(feel free to email me if you'd prefer!).
regards
Suzy
no subject
Date: 2007-11-11 01:25 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-11-11 01:50 pm (UTC)