Controversy over Croydon bus route continues
By Dave Burke
dave.burke@essnmedia.co.uk
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UNDER FIRE: The controversial new 466 bus service
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SLAMMED: Our front page report of September 12 exposing the problems with the bus service
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FED UP: Sally Eason with her mum Dorothy, who are sick to the back teeth of buses turning around in Tollers Lane, Old Coulsdon
Photo no: CCRKS240908h1 by Kevin Shaw
An under-fire bus company has come in for more flak this week over the controversial 466 route between Croydon and Coulsdon.
Last month, the Advertiser reported how new operators Arriva had been criticised for an unreliable service, caused by faulty new buses.
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Now, people living in Tollers Lane, Old Coulsdon, have slammed the drivers for using their road as a turning circle, kicking up a din in the process.
Among them is 37-year-old mum Sally Eason, who said she is sick to the back teeth of buses turning outside her home.
She told the Advertiser: "It's just a nightmare, it's just extra noise.
"It seems like Croydon Council and Transport for London (TfL) are staying a bit quiet on this.
"We don't want it at all, so I've got no idea why the bus drivers are still coming round here.
"It comes down to TfL not putting any pressure on them."
Councillor Chris Wright, who represents the Coulsdon East ward, told said that buses turning around are causing a huge headache for passengers too.
He said: "People have unfortunately been told to get off the bus at the Tudor Rose (pub) in Old Coulsdon when they wanted to go further on, and the bus turns round and goes back again, which is disappointing.
"I had a meeting with officers on Monday morning, we're still trying to get a definite answer from TfL as to the legal position on whether they're allowed to stop there (Tollers Lane) and for how long."
A town hall spokesman told the Advertiser: "The council has alerted TfL and the management of Arriva to the existence of a problem.
"We understand that they're now looking into the matter and will come back to the council when it's clear exactly what the issues are."
The 466 service hit the headlines two weeks ago when customers complained at the shoddy service they had received since Arriva took over the route from Metrobus at the end of August.
And commuters' woes are continuing.
Frustrated schoolteacher Jenny Moussaoui has written to TfL complaining about the service provided by the 466.
She told the Advertiser: "I am a teacher who lives and works locally, and have been late for work yesterday and nearly late many other times because of the late arrival of the 466.
"I am amazed at how we as passengers seem to just accept this pathetic service.
"We complain to each other before the bus arrives, but then meekly touch in our Oysters and proceed to seethe in silence."
A spokesman from TFL said: "We are aware that there have been some problems on route 466 since its transfer to Arriva on 30 August.
"We are working with the bus operator to ensure these issues are addressed.
"We set performance targets for all bus operators to ensure routes are run efficiently and reliably for passengers. We will continue to work with Arriva to ensure the targets for route 466 are met.
"We would encourage passengers to call London Buses Customer Services on 0845 300 7000 to report any problems they have with the route."
Comments
by Oli, Caterham on the hill
Thursday, October 09 2008, 1:19AM
“I was waiting at the bus stop waiting to get the 466 to college the other week, i waited 40 minutes and about 3 came at once, they said they broke down...im sorry but this is the worst bus in history and my oyster ran out so i started having to pay 4 pounds a day...thats 20 pounds a week for this absolutely dreadfull service, id happily pay for a car but i now ride my bike to college...cant beleive how bad this service is and we have no choice...REVOLUTION”
by Ha ha, croy
Monday, October 06 2008, 10:29PM
“Jajain of croydon, I really do hope that when you plan to stand infront of the bus that the bus driver runs over you. (ha ha ) How stupid are you because if you plan sitting on the bus and not getting off then the driver will just continue driving in the opposite direction.
Any sensible person would just get off and wait for the next one showing there desired destination but obviously you are not capable of doing such things. i will end my comment by saying thankyou for letting me know there are still people out there that are thick ( do you come from addington by any chance?)ha ha”
by Sally Eason, Old Coulsdon
Saturday, October 04 2008, 11:40AM
“Hi everyone,
Myself and my mum have been writing to TfL and London Buses for years with associated problems. We have just received a letter from TfL with their admittance that they shouldn't be stopping at the first request-stop in Tollers (after many bus drivers stopping their to put their feet up and do paperwork/sleep etc)
I'm not sure whether they are using the one further down or the Crossways as a stand but the same applies. They shouldn't be waiting there and have been told now to wait in the Coulsdon road.
Arriva are stating that in their contract, the Tudor Rose bus stand is a terminus for them. I have asked them to send me a copy of their contract stating this. To which unsurprisingly they made no mention of in their reply.
I have been told the buses can turn left into Tollers (even though the 60's aren't allowed??) it's a total farce. Turning left into Tollers is HIGHLY dangerous as there are 3 drives on the corner. ARRIVA are sending me back weak answers. They said it is not dangerous apart from the drives?? erm yes exactly my point.
Added to that. The 60's DON'T turn there so neither should the 466's.
What with the empty night-buses too. I am just about to organise a questionaire generally about Old Coulsdon being used as a bus park and giant roundabout. We need a permanent Bus station in Ullswater Crecent or somewhere in Coulsdon to end the route properly. It was proposed that a bus station could be built in Ullswater crecent a few years ago but Croydon Council rejected it.
Well, maybe it's time to rethink that idea because residents of Old Coulsdon are just about sick of being taken for a ride (or not..excuse the pun).
TfL/Councillor Wright and ARRIVA had a meeting about the problem on Monday and we are currently waiting to hear the results of that. In the meantime we were told. as I said the buses are turning here when they are late. Something never before known in the last 21 years I've lived here?
If anyone is interested in joining forces on this please email me on info@western-pr-events.co.uk where I can pick up the mail.
I want to try and sort the night-buses out too. far too many without any people on. The poor people in Mead Way get them every 15 minutes not 30, We need to take a stand together as from my experience, they will keep using this as a cheap alternative to a bus station for as long as they can!”
by friend of the Brickie, Smitham Bottom
Friday, October 03 2008, 1:09PM
“Come on folk; don't just vent your spleen here.
Write to Councillor Wright. Or email him at Croydon Council.
Ask him if it's because Arriva is trying to run the service with one bus too few.
Three instead of four.
And people knew all along that this would not work!
But - Arriva, and whoever awarded them the contract, knew better.
Naturally.
They're from Whitehall.
Hey, why not make up some slips of paper with Coun. Wright's email addy, and that of Arriva, and TfL, and hand them out to people when the bus is late or doesn't turn up.
A high enough volume of complaints will get a response soon enough.
Arriva - enquiries@arriva.co.uk and mark it for David Martin. He is the Chief Executive.
Try it - it just might work; let's try and get Arriva running a service - not a subsidy mop.”
by jajain, croydon
Thursday, October 02 2008, 5:37PM
“got kicked off the 466 today,at the tudor rose!!..bus driver said he was just following orders!!
i say the next time they stop early,as many people as poss stay on the bus and refuse to get off!! i know id happily stand in front of the bus to stop it going anywhere!! even if i have to stay there all night!”
by jackie, old coulsdon
Thursday, October 02 2008, 12:23PM
“Is Arriva or anyone concerned directly going to look at this.
The 466 drivers seem to drive around in small groups, often clogging old Coulson up by Tudor Parade. Are travelling together for safety in numbers.
Come on here someone in the know.”
by Richard III, Croydon
Thursday, October 02 2008, 11:31AM
“You think the 466 is bad? Try the 468! Supposed to run every 7-8 minutes, but 3 buses turn up at the same time every 30 minutes!”
by Jay, Caterham
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:06AM
“I've seen 7 buses go up to Westway Common whilst waiting for mine to come the other way, it's a bad joke, sort it out Arriva. Wonder how we could petition for Metrobus to come back...”
by Jay, Caterham
Thursday, October 02 2008, 10:05AM
“I've been at the bus stop when 7 buses have gone the other way whilst I waited for mine to come! It's a bad joke. Sort it out Arriva. Wonder how we could petition for Metrobus to come back....”
by GERALD SLATER, OLD COULSDON
Thursday, October 02 2008, 9:58AM
“WHEN ARRIVA CAME BACK ON ROUTE 466,
EVERYBODY CRIED OUT
"OH NO"
TODAY I WAITED 50 MINS
(FROM 9AM)
5 BUSES HAD GONE DOWN TO CATERHAM TO PARK.
I SUPPOSE IT WAS THEIR USUAL PARTY THEY HAVE.”