:: bus price hike
This morning I daftly decided to grab a bus to work, instead of the scooter. It had been freezing quite a lot, and I didn't fancy my fingers freezing off or slipping on black ice.
6.50 : The first annoyance was buying a ticket. Without much change in my pocket I first had to use the cash point at the local garage, then break a tenner by buying chewing gum. While I did, a bus went past quickly followed by another. I stood at the bus stop soon after but waited for at least 15 minutes - for a bus that advertises itself 'every 10 minutes or better'.
7.12 : I then laid down £4.30 for a 'System One day ticket', needed as I have to use two bus companies to get to work. It wasn't enough. The price has gone up to an astonishing £4.60. In comparison, I can fill the scooter tank for £6 and travel 3 days on that. A day ticket on Lothian buses in Edinburgh costs £1.20, for another comparison.
7.35 : Thirdly, the bus took 20 minutes to drive to nearby Pendlebury, getting completely stuffed with smelly snivelling travellers. Next, the bus driver took a ten minute breather just idling by the side of the road. We set off again at 7.35 or so. Had I left home on the scooter at 6:50, I had arrived at the office by now. As it was, I arrived in central Manchester at 7:55
8.01 : Having thoroughly missed the 7.28 bus 104, I walked to the Piccadilly bus station and decided to take the bus 101. While it takes 45 minutes normally to get to Wythenshawe, 10 more than 104, the next 104 would leave 10 minutes later. It seemed to make sense.
8.25 : It didn't. The bus 101 crawled along Princess Road, and twice idled at a bus stop - 5 minutes each time and for no apparent reason. Taking a further 10 minutes to load a bus load full of screaming kids and nutters, the 104 overtook us. We crept further along, then took the typical 101 detour via the smaller streets in Wythenshawe, regularly getting stuck between parked cars et cetera.
9:11 : Finally getting to Wythenshawe Civic, already 40 minutes late for work, it took me some time to loosen my stiff bones and walk to the office. Where of course it took time to start up the computer.
9:25 : 55 minutes late, I finally start taking calls. Crappy ones of course, but that deserves another rant - and I haven't got the energy to type one up.
6.50 : The first annoyance was buying a ticket. Without much change in my pocket I first had to use the cash point at the local garage, then break a tenner by buying chewing gum. While I did, a bus went past quickly followed by another. I stood at the bus stop soon after but waited for at least 15 minutes - for a bus that advertises itself 'every 10 minutes or better'.
7.12 : I then laid down £4.30 for a 'System One day ticket', needed as I have to use two bus companies to get to work. It wasn't enough. The price has gone up to an astonishing £4.60. In comparison, I can fill the scooter tank for £6 and travel 3 days on that. A day ticket on Lothian buses in Edinburgh costs £1.20, for another comparison.
7.35 : Thirdly, the bus took 20 minutes to drive to nearby Pendlebury, getting completely stuffed with smelly snivelling travellers. Next, the bus driver took a ten minute breather just idling by the side of the road. We set off again at 7.35 or so. Had I left home on the scooter at 6:50, I had arrived at the office by now. As it was, I arrived in central Manchester at 7:55
8.01 : Having thoroughly missed the 7.28 bus 104, I walked to the Piccadilly bus station and decided to take the bus 101. While it takes 45 minutes normally to get to Wythenshawe, 10 more than 104, the next 104 would leave 10 minutes later. It seemed to make sense.
8.25 : It didn't. The bus 101 crawled along Princess Road, and twice idled at a bus stop - 5 minutes each time and for no apparent reason. Taking a further 10 minutes to load a bus load full of screaming kids and nutters, the 104 overtook us. We crept further along, then took the typical 101 detour via the smaller streets in Wythenshawe, regularly getting stuck between parked cars et cetera.
9:11 : Finally getting to Wythenshawe Civic, already 40 minutes late for work, it took me some time to loosen my stiff bones and walk to the office. Where of course it took time to start up the computer.
9:25 : 55 minutes late, I finally start taking calls. Crappy ones of course, but that deserves another rant - and I haven't got the energy to type one up.
Monday, 12 October, 2009
that must be really annoying :( top