(11/12/2016 09:02)joe_alker Wrote:  I've never understood why they started going via the baths, it's a tighter turn than if they turned left at oldham rd and often the journey can take a couple of minutes longer.

(11/12/2016 19:51)Dentonian Wrote:  Maybe there's method in TFGM's "madness" after all, if it prevents drivers having a quick fag. Smoking inside, or within 2 metres of any enclosed area (ie. shelters) is a criminal offence, but Smoking anywhere on the bus station contravenes long standing bye-laws. Albeit, there is no enforcement.

(11/12/2016 19:51)Dentonian Wrote:  Maybe there's method in TFGM's "madness" after all, if it prevents drivers having a quick fag. Smoking inside, or within 2 metres of any enclosed area (ie. shelters) is a criminal offence, but Smoking anywhere on the bus station contravenes long standing bye-laws. Albeit, there is no enforcement.

(12/12/2016 21:30)Dentonian Wrote:  Off-peak journeys on 168/9 are all scheduled to have the basic 5 minutes stand in Ashton, so if they are getting 10-15 minutes there is something clearly wrong. That sort of early running is not only a serious issue for VOSA, but I would suggest totally unprecedented at Stagecoach Manchester - especially as they are constantly re-registering the service with increased running time (yes, it is included in January changes). In fact, my admittedly occasional observations suggest that 168/9s regularly arrive late (in common with many off-peak services away from the city centre), with drivers loading up and getting out ASAP.
Additionally, Operators pay for excess parking on the bus park (adj. to Wellington Street), so if 168/9s are taking up the gaps, they will either inconvenience their Ashton depot colleagues or incur penalty charges from TFGM.
TBH, are there that many smokers left driving buses (or doing any other job)? Last stats I saw suggest that since the 2006 Health Act was implemented, the number of Adult male smokers has dropped considerably to about 15% of the population. OK, Women stubbornly refuse to quit at anything like the same rate for some reason, but rightly or wrongly (wrongly, probably!), Women still only constitute a tiny minority of bus drivers.

(13/12/2016 00:36)Mayneway Wrote:  I think a large proportion of bus drivers smoke. Perhaps it's the stress of all the congestion

(13/12/2016 13:34)GRIMSTER02 Wrote:  Im from Hyde road. There becoming a Lot of our routes where you get decent Layover/Recovery time A lot of drivers do smoke yes it seems

Far as Loos go I have done that been late then gone loo. It can become hard to drive while needing the loo and the Lack of Loos on routes make it a Problem Most of Hyde road routes Done have any loos on them that we can use.

(13/12/2016 19:18)acocker96 Wrote:  I've always wondered that how do you manage without toilets for many hours? I've also noticed some Stagecoach drivers pullout little black books and start writing in them, do you have any idea what they are?

(13/12/2016 20:39)Dentonian Wrote:  Have I misread this. Are you saying a lot of your routes DO get decent layover? Presumably, these are on the Trafford side or 38s, oh and based on my last trip on it, the 76. Certainly not 201/3-7! 203 is ridiculously tight 24/7 between Gorton and Stockport. Recent obs of 205/6s don't seem to have improved on there. Yes, the 1700 left Picc on time tonight - but about 7 late by Windsor Road. However, the last time I went out for the 1700, I ended up on the 1630! I also think the driver of my 203 this morning was slightly exaggerating (but only slightly) when he came off at the depot, saying he was "nearly an hour late".