Tomorrow's Bus Strike

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kris G on January 13, 2015 at 9:41

You are comparing apples with pears - the tube is run, set up and governed quite differenty to the Tube. In principle, I would like to see this happen too but the real result would be a mixture of increased fares and reductions in routes (specifically less profitable ones) which is also not the answer.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on January 13, 2015 at 9:30

Perhaps you should Billy, perhaps you should.  Your trade union could help you with this.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by StephenBln on January 13, 2015 at 9:36

@Billy  Yes why not? Or are you afraid you'll loose your job if you do?

It's a rather silly comparison I'd say.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on January 13, 2015 at 17:31

Heather, thanks to a small proportion of Unite Union members, early this morning I had about an hour's worth of exercise that I wouldn't otherwise have had. Up and down the muddy but still delightful Parkland Walk in winter.

However I do recognise that the strike will have come as a big inconvenience for many, especially for those who rely on it to get to work.

The 16% of the workforce who voted for strike action was far less than a majority.

However I acknowledge the right of the Unite Union to support a candidate in the General Election. Whether or not the public support this involvement likewise, remains to be seen.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on January 13, 2015 at 18:49

Clive, thanks to a minority of the electorate who voted for them, we have a Conservative/LibDem government. They have a much bigger impact on my life than bus drivers ever can.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by John D on January 13, 2015 at 9:20

Today has not started well, and it's going to get worse

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Philip on January 13, 2015 at 10:25

Funny when people go on strike we hear screams from people who are inconvenienced, but the very people we need the most are under direct assault via spending cuts, privatisation, and austerity. Teachers, nurses, care workers and bus drivers are people we all need and they deserve a decent wage. Bankers, politicians, newspaper proprietors who damn and insult strikers are the very people whose absence would pass by unnoticed.....

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by StephenBln on January 13, 2015 at 17:40

Yes I agree, but that's not the case in ConDem Britain.

@John D.. The GLC was run by the tories for longer than it ever was by Labour: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greater_London_Council#Elections_to_th... In 1970, the date of wages poster that I posted, It was a tory run authority.

Basically, more frequent services have been provided by cutting down on drivers wages. It's come to the point that these essential workers can't afford to live in London.

Service statistics: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/cdn/static/cms/documents/bus-strike-service-u...

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Steve on January 18, 2015 at 15:11

Hallelujah Philip, Micheal and StephenBln

I resisted responding earlier to some of the attacks on people taking legitimate strike action for fear of saying something that might seriously offend! If some realised how difficult it is to conduct a ballot in line with the current restrictive legislation then they might think again. However I doubt they believe in the need, let alone the right, for working people to protect and improve their lot, so I expected I would have wasted my breath. As for accountants downing their calculators most in this trade are paid pretty well unlike most bus drivers!

I have made this point before and I fear for the future of London as heaven knows where the next generation of essential workers that we all depend on so much will come from as they will have little chance of buying their own home let alone afford the extortionate rents our great city has to offer. Frankly I see the power house of the UK economy collapsing unless something drastic happens, and I don't think this situation is more than a decade or two away!

ps. I was a bit baffled by those contemplating how best to get on one of the available 'strike breaking' buses!

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pamish on January 13, 2015 at 18:01

OK after a day of wild improvising, not helped by the Victoria Line coming off the rails at Highbury, probably metaphorically but they said something about rails, I am home.  The travelling was made much worse by LACK OF INFO. *Gets off soapbox* The TfL website was giving wrong info past midnight last night - so anyone especially from outside London looking for travel info, would have been told they could just get on xxx bus - no warning link to the possible strike.  All the buses I wanted today were affected, but this was not flagged up. 

AND when are we going to get those indicator displays on every bus stop?  It would have made a huge difference today, to the should I wait or walk? conundrum.  They could use the money they are saving by not paying their drivers properly.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James R Grinter on January 18, 2015 at 10:36

they stopped the roll-out of countdown to every stop, probably realising how expensive it would be (needs at least electricity at each stop).

Instead you can text the bus stop number (at your expense), or visit the Countdown mobile website or use apps like Citymapper (if you have a smartphone, of course)

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by pamish on January 18, 2015 at 12:06

What %age have those phones? I dont. 

The new stops at Seven Sisters which are about 10mm  from all the services, have been installed without indicators boards - inc the one at the top of the steps from the tube. How good is that re priorities?

• ▶ Reply

• ‹ Previous
• 1
• 2
• 3
• Next ›
• Page