shoddysolutions said:
2. I'm not interested in everyone else - I'm asking YOU why YOU won't pay your fare! I assume that you agree that fare charging is the best way to pay for the service (as opposed to say, government subsidy). Are you so poor relative to other passengers that you feel you should not have to pay? Do you think the fares are too expensive, or what?
Yes, I do think that the fares are too high now, so for short hops (which is mostly what I use the bus for) I don't pay on 73 when I use it - which is exactly how I used to use it when it was a proper route, with conductors. Often, you would find that the clicky wouldn't bother getting fares at our end of the route cos they'd be having a well deserved sit down after ferrying hundreds of people back and forwards. Of course, I have to pay on other routes, and I often pay the fare if I'm on a 73 into town but for short hops around the borough, not a chance.
London Buses manages bus services in London. It plans routes, specifies service levels and monitors service quality. It is also responsible for bus stations, bus stops and other support services. The bus services are operated by private operators, which work under contract to London Buses. They have a budget of £666million for 2004-05 (spooky or what) out of a total Transport for London budget of over £2,000million, which is made up of government funding (i.e. my and your taxes), GLA funding (i.e. my and your council tax precepts) and fares and other revenues. You'll remember of course, that in trying to get elected, that wonderfully consistent Mayor of ours promised that fares would rise less than or equal to inflation, something he seems to have conveniently forgotten lately.
As for the old RMs and new BBs, I read an interesting article recently that cast a loto of doubt on the business case for the introduction of BBs, at the expense of revamping some RMs (which were tailor made designed for use on London's streets), implying that not only were the BBs less suitable in getting around, but that they also use more, not less, fuel. However, I can't remember where I read this so you'll have to take my word (well, of course you don't but you get my drift)
oh of course, ramadan, isn't that driving you insane?!
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