BusTalk

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Last evening and this evening, Eyewitness News' Josh Eineger did an excellent report on the congestive pricing that has been in place for London for many years.

Quite a few scenes focusing on the buses (the "New Routemasters" are today the oldest in the London fleet), and, tonight, more on the buses, but even more coverage on the Underground" (deep-level tubes)

Trains and stations are immaculate, and trains on many lines are operating on 45-second headways.

Unlike "Noo Yawk", London's "tube stock" are still ewquipped with straps for standees.

Report also stated that in the time it took to get our Second Avenue "stubway" up and running, an entire new line in London was built (the "Elizabeth Line")

There were quick scenes of the 2nd Avenue "stubway" shown.

Mention was also made on how, in London, direct tube service to the airports has long been a reality (recall our long-defunct "Train To The Plane"; which, in reality, was "The Train To The Bus To The Plane"!)

An excellent report by Mr. Eineger............

"NYO"

["UndergrounD"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_line

["WEST EALING"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Blimey, Mate!

On Josh's report from London last evening, I had to chuckle at the sign displayed by one of the double-deckers, which was OOS.

The sign read:

"I'M SORRY-I'M NOT IN SERVICE"

To me, at least, this message seemed to echo the "stiff upper lip" so associated with Londoners since the Second World War.......at least there is a hint of "politeness" here, unlike here at home..........

"NYO"

["15 ALDGATE"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

Blimey, Mate!

I was thinking LIKEWISE!

Agreed; it seems that far too many new rapid transit/commuter rolling stock these days have ends that recall Dust Busters, Dust Devils, and/or assorted tropical snakes/caterpillars.

At least our old "Slant 40s", for all of their then-futuristic looks, STILL managed to look both handsome AND functional.

In Europe, Asia, and Japan, the newest rapid transit/suburban rolling stock all seem to share this less-than-appealing look..............

"NYO"

["Elizabeth Line"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Speaking of "the tubes" ("UndergrounD")............

It should be remembered that all UndergrounD/tube trains are now OPTO; no longer are guards (conductors) aboard the trains.

"Open-gangway" stock has been commonplace in London (and elsewhere) for a number of years now.

Remember, also, that the iconic "Routemasters" were the last double-deckers to run in London too use conductors (the last of these famed buses were retired in 2005)

In fact, they were also the last built for London to use two-man crews............

"NYO"

["512 CHIGWELL STN"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

W.B.:

For all practicle purposes, I think ALL rapid transit/suburban trains today, wherever they operate, are all "rolling iPads".

Wait and see; given the amount of crime in the subways today, plus the frequent assaults on subway conductors, OPTO will one day come to the "Noo Yawk" subways................

"NYO"

["A.C.F."]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Just heard on 1010 WINS that the Governor has put congestive pricing on hold; this is going to be quite interesting, to say the least.

The "Em-Tee-Yay", I know, is eagerly awaiting the revenue generated to fund both the subways and the buses.

Stay tuned, fellows, this is going to get interesting.........

"NYO"

["MTA"]

[W.B. Fishbowl]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Moses (and this fellow could not even drive!)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cross_Bronx_Expressway

King Mongkut of Siam (to "Mrs. Anna"), in 1956's "THE KING & I":

"Ah! I think your Moses should have been a FOOL!"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

Recall, also, that Moses had the overpasses spanning the new Southern State Parkway built too low for the buses he feared would be heading out from the city towards Jones Beach (seems this gent wasn't too keen on buses, either).......

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_State_Parkway

["NO THOROUGHFARE FOR BUSES"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

On Eyewitness News at 4, reporter N.J. Burkett just did a report on the "indefinite postponement" of the Congestive Pricing Plan (there was a good bit of "Eye-Are-Tee-" stock footage shown)

Several pro-transit advocates were QUITE vocal: "80% of people entering into the area to be affected enter via SUBWAY and BUS! WHERE is the money going to come from, for the upgrades to mass transit infrastructure?"

Footage also showed SAS construction.

Yeah, this is going to get QUITE ugly, in the coming days and weeks, for certain.......

"NYO"

["7"]

[NEW YORK OMNIBUS 2629]

See also:

https://new.mta.info/project/second-avenue-subway-phase-2

["SAS"]