Buses Bill

[Mayneway]

RE: Buses Bill

(11/12/2016 11:25)Dentonian Wrote:  I'm a little surprised and disappointed about the example you quote, but I do note you say "certain depots". My criticism of Stagecoach is 100% the fault of (new?) management, and although a little less gregarious, I am relieved to find NO deterioration in the driving standards at Hyde Road. They still wait for "runners" - as to be fair I've seen happen increasingly with First drivers - and have never witnessed anything like as bad the example you quote above. Dare one suggest that driver was inherited from a certain company taken over 2-3 years ago? I have noticed a slight increase in early running, but only by a minute or so, on frequent services and the driver will know he/she is going to lose time further down the route due to tight and badly distributed running time

To be fair when Hyde road had the 168/9 the driving standards were OK although I remember on one occasion boarding a late 169 and requesting a megarider. The driver snatched the money off me closed the doors and started driving, then keeping the steering wheel steady with his knee he used both hands to do my ticket - while doing 30mph.

To be honest the attitude at Firsts Tameside depot always used to be that drivers did what they wanted. Tgey picked what buses they were using and early running and simply driving past passengers at stops was a regular thing. A major issue I had at the time was the sloppy drivers forcing passengers off either on the pavement outside the bus station on Wellington road or in the layover bay. First were quick to say it was wrong and shouldn't be happening but seemed unable to police it or stop it happening. I believe a change in managent has actually improved things massively there and standards are bette than they were, the stagecoach depot I'm talking about isn't a million miles away and don't get me wrong some of the drivers are stars but the attitude of others is shocking and In all honesty they shouldn't be driving or dealing with the public.

A very good friend recently passed his psv licence and is now a driver at Hyde road. He found sitting the practical test very trying and admitted there's no way they would pass someone who was drinking, eating or had a hand dangling out of the window.