Posted by Noel on July 1, 2009, 10:53 am, in reply to "Translink Bus Driving Standards"
194.32.3.2
I too can only comment from a passenger's point of view, but I offer you this as a recent experience.
On a recent late run from Belfast to Larne on a 256 express service [1758], as the vehicle rook the roundabout at Ballynure, my rucksack flew out of the offside overhead luggage space and landed on the seat opposite - which, fortunately was empty.
On these Irizars I always make sure to push any baggage I have well into the rack, as the racks are narrow, with a very low, almost useless 'lip' along the edge. But even so, it took quite a powerful and speedy swerve for this to happen.
I think you'll find everyone drives much faster now generally - and that is not something that pleases me. Vehicles of all kinds are much more powerful now than they used to be, and the Scania vehicles seem to be impressive, at least in terms of acceleration. Although why much of this crazy acceleration is necessary, when all vehicles, PSVs or otherwise, are subject to speed limits, is open to debate.
The other thing which I think has to be considered is that buses now, apart from being much more powerful, are much easier to drive. Fully automatic transmission, and power assisted steering have made the driver's lot a much easier one, and I feel this is encouraging a rather slapdash approach on the part of some drivers.
It is now almost universal to see drivers operating 'one-handed' - with the other hand either resting on the ticket machine stand, holding onto the cab door screen frame, or hanging out the signal window. I think this looks sloppy, and can any driver of any vehicle - let alone an eight ton+ bus, with passengers, really be said to be in full control if both hands are not on the steering wheel??
If excessive, speedy, rough, 'on the brakes' driving is down to tight running times, then this is something management need to look at. If it's solely down to declining driving standards, then maybe some sort of regular assessment of driving standards by anonymous spot checking is called for.
A pleasant, civilised journey, where passengers are not being pitched about like passengers on a storm tossed ferry is a vital component of a completely satisfactory travel experience.
[It might also help if some drivers were a little more civil, and stopped being so downright dour with people who take the trouble to say 'Please' when paying their fare.]
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