Basically, any sightings of services running considerably ahead of timetable can be posted here.
For instance, I missed an evening WMSNT 297 a while back which was running 6 minutes earlier than the time stated at the bus stop (Old Hill railway station).
I saw a 222 a couple of months back expected to leave at :02 and arrived at :59
There is nothing worse than an early running bus. I had an incident a few months ago where after waiting almost 30mins for my last 8c from the Jewellery Quarter, I gave up and angrily got a taxi home. After emailing customer care to enquire if the bus was running very late, cancelled or 10mins or more early, they confirmed to me it had ran early. For the last bus of the night to be running at least 10mins early is unforgivable. Luckily my taxi was refunded by them, along with two free daysavers :)
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/national-express-buses-in-birmingham-leaving-258477
Might be of interest to some. I must admit though, early running is dealt with really well in the West Midlands. I often notice drivers waiting not only at timing points, but driving considerably slower and waiting the stops in between timing points. You don't get that up here in Leeds!
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:37:49 PM
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/national-express-buses-in-birmingham-leaving-258477
Might be of interest to some. I must admit though, early running is dealt with really well in the West Midlands. I often notice drivers waiting not only at timing points, but driving considerably slower and waiting the stops in between timing points. You don't get that up here in Leeds!
That article is dated Oct 2012, AVL has been brought online since then as well.
Quote from: Winston on May 05, 2014, 02:40:39 PM
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:37:49 PM
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/national-express-buses-in-birmingham-leaving-258477
Might be of interest to some. I must admit though, early running is dealt with really well in the West Midlands. I often notice drivers waiting not only at timing points, but driving considerably slower and waiting the stops in between timing points. You don't get that up here in Leeds!
That article is dated Oct 2012, AVL has been brought online since then as well.
Sorry, didn't check the date, just remembered having it in my favourites. Do you know what hours AVL operate?
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:45:00 PM
Quote from: Winston on May 05, 2014, 02:40:39 PM
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:37:49 PM
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/national-express-buses-in-birmingham-leaving-258477
Might be of interest to some. I must admit though, early running is dealt with really well in the West Midlands. I often notice drivers waiting not only at timing points, but driving considerably slower and waiting the stops in between timing points. You don't get that up here in Leeds!
That article is dated Oct 2012, AVL has been brought online since then as well.
Sorry, didn't check the date, just remembered having it in my favourites. Do you know what hours AVL operate?
Tony will be able to answer that one.
Quote from: Winston on May 05, 2014, 03:07:54 PM
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:45:00 PM
Quote from: Winston on May 05, 2014, 02:40:39 PM
Quote from: Russ Smith on May 05, 2014, 02:37:49 PM
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/local-news/national-express-buses-in-birmingham-leaving-258477
Might be of interest to some. I must admit though, early running is dealt with really well in the West Midlands. I often notice drivers waiting not only at timing points, but driving considerably slower and waiting the stops in between timing points. You don't get that up here in Leeds!
That article is dated Oct 2012, AVL has been brought online since then as well.
Sorry, didn't check the date, just remembered having it in my favourites. Do you know what hours AVL operate?
Tony will be able to answer that one.
7-7 mon to sat on the depot radios
The 2245 9 to Birmingham at my stop on Manor Way passed considerably early, 2-3 minutes
Quote from: Matt on May 30, 2014, 10:46:25 PM
The 2245 9 to Birmingham at my stop on Manor Way passed considerably early, 2-3 minutes
Is it a timing point? Personal opinion, I would call anything over 2.5minutes as running early. That's just my personal opinion. But I think it only deserves to be reported to an operator if more then 4.5/5mins early.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on May 31, 2014, 04:07:44 PM
Quote from: Matt on May 30, 2014, 10:46:25 PM
The 2245 9 to Birmingham at my stop on Manor Way passed considerably early, 2-3 minutes
Is it a timing point? Personal opinion, I would call anything over 2.5minutes as running early. That's just my personal opinion. But I think it only deserves to be reported to an operator if more then 4.5/5mins early.
Noo, but he must have left the bus station early to get to my stop so early. I noticed on its way back from city an hour later it was again 2-3 minutes early. Obviously I won't give any identification but there's one driver on late night 9s who
always runs a couple of minutes early.
Quote from: Matt on May 31, 2014, 08:39:51 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on May 31, 2014, 04:07:44 PM
Quote from: Matt on May 30, 2014, 10:46:25 PM
The 2245 9 to Birmingham at my stop on Manor Way passed considerably early, 2-3 minutes
Is it a timing point? Personal opinion, I would call anything over 2.5minutes as running early. That's just my personal opinion. But I think it only deserves to be reported to an operator if more then 4.5/5mins early.
Noo, but he must have left the bus station early to get to my stop so early. I noticed on its way back from city an hour later it was again 2-3 minutes early. Obviously I won't give any identification but there's one driver on late night 9s who always runs a couple of minutes early.
Probably an ex-BC driver I know, sounds like his type of driving! Good lad actually. And your watch isn't out per chance?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on May 31, 2014, 09:59:31 PM
Quote from: Matt on May 31, 2014, 08:39:51 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on May 31, 2014, 04:07:44 PM
Quote from: Matt on May 30, 2014, 10:46:25 PM
The 2245 9 to Birmingham at my stop on Manor Way passed considerably early, 2-3 minutes
Is it a timing point? Personal opinion, I would call anything over 2.5minutes as running early. That's just my personal opinion. But I think it only deserves to be reported to an operator if more then 4.5/5mins early.
Noo, but he must have left the bus station early to get to my stop so early. I noticed on its way back from city an hour later it was again 2-3 minutes early. Obviously I won't give any identification but there's one driver on late night 9s who always runs a couple of minutes early.
Probably an ex-BC driver I know, sounds like his type of driving! Good lad actually. And your watch isn't out per chance?
No, I was using a radio controlled clock which is accurate to the second
10:20 X51 (trident) just left at 10:18 according to both the bus stop and my phone... thanks for that driver if youre on here
a diamond 71 was either a few minutes early this evening or nearly half hour late
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on July 31, 2014, 10:05:11 PM
a diamond 71 was either a few minutes early this evening or nearly half hour late
On the couple of occasions I've had to use a late night Diamond 71 during the last few months, it's departed Sutton Coldfield about 5 late - but then run virtually non-stop through to Walmley where I've got off it, so quite possibly it's then, more or less, back on schedule ........
Quote from: Ossie on July 31, 2014, 11:06:10 PM
Quote from: Matt.N0056 on July 31, 2014, 10:05:11 PM
a diamond 71 was either a few minutes early this evening or nearly half hour late
On the couple of occasions I've had to use a late night Diamond 71 during the last few months, it's departed Sutton Coldfield about 5 late - but then run virtually non-stop through to Walmley where I've got off it, so quite possibly it's then, more or less, back on schedule ........
If it was early, it would have been the 8:02 out of Solihull Station. I saw it near Lode Heath School at this time so would have departed early.
@Matt he's just gone past my current position 3 early too
Quote from: the trainbasher on January 31, 2015, 06:00:21 PM
@Matt he's just gone past my current position 3 early too
Was that 20263 or the small dart?
Years ago when the 41A & 41C (Acocks Green Circulars) were in operation. I was going to School one day and the 41C I got showed up by my stop at 08:02 10 minutes early I think the bus was Metro 2812 or a MKIIA can't remember exactly.
20501 left halesowen at 5 past instead of 10 past
NX45 went past the Oak Tree Island a couple of minutes ago - should still be in West Heath at that point!
Quote from: Russ Smith on March 03, 2015, 12:50:54 AM
NX45 went past the Oak Tree Island a couple of minutes ago - should still be in West Heath at that point!
Where's the oak tree island exactly? I've lived in this parish for neigh on 60 years and I've never heard it be called that!
Haha yeah, Rednal island then, but I find people get confused with Longbridge island if I call it by its real name. Actually I name quite a few places by the pubs there lol
1856 28E departure off Lane Head TESCO for Willenhall passed stop at 1850, leaving a very p**sed off me waiting at the stop
The 222 last Saturday at dudley left 2 early
Route 50, the 07:08 service came at 07:05, the 1 minute late 8C had to make me sprint for it.
Igo must be trying for a record with one 226 making 6 early round Ashwood Park
DTS were running 5 early on the 87 earlier, was aiming for 15:37 from spring hill into town but he passed the roundabout at the bottom of Newhall Hill while I was still on an 82 out there in the first place
The 18:05 222 left Russell's. Hall Post Office at 18:03
Quote from: Rhys S on March 15, 2015, 06:16:26 PM
The 18:05 222 left Russell's. Hall Post Office at 18:03
That isn't a 'timing point' so the driver is not running early. If that is towards Merry Hill he is due to leave Russell's Hall Hospital at 18:01 (left 18:02) and Swan Street 18:06 (left 18:06) so bus is on time
It was towards dudley
Quote from: Rhys S on March 15, 2015, 06:55:42 PM
It was towards dudley
OK That was bus 828 which the system has recorded as being at Church of St Barnabus (just before the Post Office) at 18:04:33, looks pretty good timekeeping by the driver to me!
Seen a Stagecoach Strathtay 73 running 8 early before...
R & B Travel 291 08:41 dep on Saturday left Kidderminster Bus Station for Tenbury Wells 5-4 minutes early which ment me and
@Will missed it and that messed up that days round trip!! >:(
Quote from: Reece on March 30, 2015, 05:08:11 PM
R & B Travel 291 08:41 dep on Saturday left Kidderminster Bus Station for Tenbury Wells 5-4 minutes early which ment me and @Will missed it and that messed up that days round trip!! >:(
There is no need to be upset.
A Stagecoach Nuneaton driver once departed Nuneaton Bus Station on his 9 5 minutes early after mis-reading his running card but realised his mistake as he left the stand, rather than reversing (of course you're not allowed), he went to roundabout as you exit the bus station and came straight back in and onto the stand again. He still got booked by the inspector for it though!
imo, running early is worse than running late, especially on infrequent services!
There's a 1001 excuses for running late but not one for running early!!
Quote from: the trainbasher on March 30, 2015, 06:11:40 PM
There's a 1001 excuses for running late but not one for running early!!
Name them. Name them all.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on March 30, 2015, 07:57:49 PM
Name them. Name them all.
Take away 999 and you get the only two minus elaboration. Passengers and traffic. 1001 people would never believe it though
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on March 30, 2015, 09:02:48 PM
Take away 999 and you get the only two minus elaboration. Passengers and traffic. 1001 people would never believe it though
What about vehicle breakdown as another.
But as has been said, early running, only one reason, driver incompetence!
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on March 30, 2015, 09:02:48 PM
Take away 999 and you get the only two minus elaboration. Passengers and traffic. 1001 people would never believe it though
There are some that don't fit either of those categories.
Driver needed the toilet
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on March 30, 2015, 09:05:59 PM
What about vehicle breakdown as another.
But as has been said, early running, only one reason, driver incompetence!
Think about it, there could be another reason, incorrectly written running board!
Quote from: Tony on March 30, 2015, 09:09:27 PM
There are some that don't fit either of those categories.
Driver needed the toilet
Still, only 998 more to go :D
Driver fell asleep
Bus went up in flames
Bus is a nail
Driver got lost
Driver decided to jack it in
Bus stuck in roadworks
Bus stuck due to bus in front in flames
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on March 30, 2015, 09:33:08 PM
Think about it, there could be another reason, incorrectly written running board!
That's reminded me of one of Stagecoach Nuneaton's old running boards actually, according to what it said, you had to go back in time 5 minutes to get to the next timing point!
Plus, at the time, every single one had the wrong inbound bus station stand on it! I.e. you could do 7x route 5 in a row, leaving from stand A3, but it would tell you to drop passengers off on a completely different stand when you return, then be expected to pick up again on A3 for the next trip, which would mean exiting the bus station and re-entering again!