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Messages - AndrewLee

#61
4218 4190 4569 4573 4331 4829 so far...
#62
Quote from: Nxwm on June 23, 2016, 10:10:55 PM
Any idea what buses will be out tommorow on the shuttles and how many?

Heard 17 were asked for (could be 23).  BC confirmed 3 drivers and PB 8 as of last week. My mate is on it tomorrow so should know then, think it's 1030 book on...
#63
Quote from: GeminiFan1991 on June 14, 2016, 10:04:18 PM
I always thought it was a collection of garages just lending a spare vehicle in.

Office Staff  :D Im assuming drivers aren't obliged to take up duties on these shuttle type services ?

No you volunteer via a pink report. During the ashes it was so busy a couple of 'graduates' lent a hand driving.

Look out on Friday 24th  (I think) one day international maybe some loan buses on there. I know some of the lads that do it so I'll ask about if I see them.
#64
Quote from: Tony on June 14, 2016, 05:53:18 PM
I would Andrew, it is very interesting, what you won't see is controller sat around ignoring drivers. They can be sat chatting having a laugh between themselves at times where no driver is calling, then suddenly 3 or 4 vehicles will light up on the screen, or even worse, one emergency call will come in like on Saturday when an Inspector had his arm slashed with a Stanley Knife in Birmingham City Centre, not even a revenue inspector, or even in an argument. Obviously while the controller was getting police, ambulance, other inspectors to the scene then notifying management of a sserious incident drivers were 'being ignored'.

I heard about this incident and know the Inspector personally having sometimes worked closely with him. I wish him a speedy recovery.

#65
Quote from: Tony on June 14, 2016, 03:53:47 PM
I have sympathy for your comments, Andrew, but not for Dom who is just having a pop at people doing a job without knowing anything from either end.

As someone who has been in AVL I will back them up though.

There can be 15 people sat at those desks, but once a person takes one call, then they have to follow that up before they can take the next call.
If you radio through to say you have broken down for instance then they have to get all the details from you, then pass those details onto the engineers, then log the lost mileage (a legal requirement) before they can answer the next call. If three calls come on the screen in close succession then the third will have quite a long wait, while that is happening at times of disruption another 3 calls might appear.

Totally understand! Obviously AVL have their own challenges unique to job they do. I also realise things are being looked at and tweaked, for example the recent radio call options/procedure. I just think the system isn't being utilised to maximise its potential. I've been invited up by a couple of colleagues to have a look round and observe, I think I'm going to find the time and take up the offer.
#66
BC have exclusively covered the last three weeks' T20 matches. The other garages normally come on board on the more busier days ie one day international/five day test. During the Ashes last year even office staff from BY were driving buses!
#67
Quote from: Liverpool Street on June 14, 2016, 02:57:32 PM
Jesus wept. AVL must have their work cut out

At times like this the AVL system should be the jewel in the crown. Now, this is my opinion being a driver; speech requests go unanswered as do phone calls. Requests for emergency service assistance are ignored, often a controller will call back twenty minutes later asking if they're still required and you're there thinking help is on the way! Diversions are not put out quickly enough to warn following vehicles, it's like they don't trust information we give them.  We, drivers, are told to keep passengers informed of any situations as this helps alleviate confusion and frustration. Same goes for us drivers. If they get busy and struggle to answer calls then they should let us know.  Terribly sorry about this rant but for those on here who don't drive they should understand the struggle.
#68
Garage threads / Re: Birmingham Central Garage
June 14, 2016, 09:59:12 AM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on June 10, 2016, 11:35:53 AM
Find if there's any truth to this 45 extension

According to the lads there is no extension.

#69
Garage threads / Re: Birmingham Central Garage
June 10, 2016, 09:56:36 AM
Quote from: Russ Smith on June 09, 2016, 03:04:09 PM
Little bro phoned NX customer services today, because the 45 had been shown on real time and scheduled times on the app, along Lickey Road in Rednal. They put him through to BC, who told him the 45 would be extended to Rednal Island from this weekend. Eh?

There has already been complaints from residents about the 47 turning there. With the 47 I think you have to turn at Rednal Island but wait your time at the old terminus.
#70
The Archive / Re: Noteworthy Workings - June 2016
June 09, 2016, 07:48:15 AM
55xx Hybrid on the 9 this morning!
#71
National Express West Midlands / Re: Diversions
June 08, 2016, 10:39:16 PM
With AVL blanking the radio and phones, ignoring requests for emergency service assistance and failing to warn following vehicles of cut off routes led to it being a free for all! Once the police reversed/turned you then you had to make it up as you went along.
#72
805 has one "Crimson" seat on the back row.
2136 has an Enviro 400 style bandit alarm.
#73
Other Operators / Re: Thandi
April 24, 2016, 12:44:09 PM
Quote from: the trainbasher on April 21, 2016, 06:44:34 PM
@2206 it was registered during the Solihull Travel closure saga I believe. It ran for a couple of days then came off with Johnsons replacing them. At the time, rumours stated that Thandi brought Solihull Travel, but those got quickly rebuked.

The FORT contract was won from AMPM by Thandi I believe. Ironically AMPM had won the contract from The Green Bus!

Will another operator take this on or has it just finished?
#74
Quote from: sonic84 on April 21, 2016, 05:17:15 PM
Does anyone know what the route change is to the X64 from 29.05.16 in Woodgate?

Don't know for sure but maybe turn right from Romsley Road to go straight to the turnaround...?
#75
Will they be naming the Tridents at Central that have been Crimsoned?
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