Oh my how things have changed. As a kid growing up in the UK where there was a driver and a conductor with a mechanical ticket dispenser we used to love swinging around the pole at the rear open entrance and leaping off the moving bus as it slowed to stop. All while we were inhaling the diesel fumes!
I was a conductor at Westbourne Park before I went driving. I used to love hanging off that pole like a demented pole dancer as the bus was bombing along at 30 plus or whatever the driver could get out of it. Then you do that showy step off as the bus is coming to a halt without going arse over tit.
My lifelong interest has always been the railway but one of my nephews is now a driver for Stagecoach and he's now driving electric double-deckers. I came across this video and noticed it was nearly 16 minutes long so I nearly dimissed it, but I didn't. I've just watched the whole video and I must admit I found it very interesting indeed. So yes, very good and informative video and thanks for posting. Definite thumbs up.
I use London buses almost every day. You drivers are heroes the way you go out early in all weathers to keep us all moving. We should all celebrate bus, train and tube drivers. Thank you so much for all you do for us Londoners!!
I lived in London back in 2000-2002. I was 16-18 years old back then. Now I'm almost 40, man :) . And thanks to CZcams and your channel I can now see how it was done by bus drivers. I was always surprised how people like you - bus drivers handled all that. It is a very tough driving there. Gonna go one day back to London just to see it all with adult eyes. Thank you very much Sir, for everything you do!
I was a bus driver for 12 years, No thanks, window getting smashed, drivers being robbed, spat at , assaulted and more, glad I left. Most supervisors are stitch up merchants…
It’s has its challenges, but every person has their own experiences, I have had a few bad things happen, but overall it’s been good. The only thing I find difficult is shift work. But the rota I’m on now has made that less of a challenge. Bus drivers need.a lot more than driving skills to know how to, handle a wide range of human beings on a daily basis, Supervisor I can’t comment on that, main thing I aim for is to someone who want everyone to work together. I know being on allocation as supervisor is tough, when trying to keep up a full service, I couldn’t do that job..
I'm a bus driver been up and down the UK dealt with many people. Had my fair share of bad experiences, but I wouldn't change the job for the world, not moving I to the Co trolley office very much love hare relationship with that part of the job but I still wouldn't change it. A job is what you make of it. If your not happy go somewhere else. Easier said than done with some places but don't stick around somewhere your not happy in
TfL rules, don’t start the engine from the back.. ibus instructed me to do so many times but no I wouldn’t, they expected new drivers to comply though, only when I told ibus that I would report them they stopped instructing me, some drivers did do it and got a DP, this was Uxbridge garage. Only follow health & safety when it suits. As for the Union total waste.
Nothing Worse then a cold bus. Supervisor/ Regulators/ Ibus, don't Really care. Some things never change. But when you get ill. and you have too many day's off. That's when manager come after you. Dp. Etc. Good Luck. 🤣🤧
I disagree. There is nothing worse than hot, fuggy rooms or vehicles, especially if it’s damp or wet outside. That doesn’t mean the driver should be cold so they need their own set of temperature controls. They, like the passengers also need plenty fresh air.
I worked as a bus driver for a company called Yorkshire Traction back in the late 90's. It was a truly awful company to work for and drivers came and went regularly in droves. In fact the week I left, 9 other drivers left too. It would have been lovely to have had an electric bus, sadly back then they were old knackered diesels that broke down almost as much as they ran. The first year I worked there it snowed really heavily and I had to do a rural route in a micro rider from Huddersfield to Penistone via Holmfirth. It had snowed all night and I was on the 5.30am shift. I can tell you, it was a harrowing journey, especially over the moors, where, the road was indisguishable from the fields. I can laff about it now, but at the time I remember being terrified of crashing or skidding into a ditch. Fortunately I suppose, any potential passengers had forgoed any journeys they planned that day. Life eh..............
We didn't have much snow, no more than about 2" in London back in 85 and they cancelled the service from my garage, don't know about the other garages.
There was a time when London Transport and the Post Office alias Royal Mail competed for staff, the guys moving between on who was offering the best deal. Not uncommon to see LT crew wearing part PO uniform and vice versa!
@@BadRavenFPV I worked for Wilts & Dorset for just under a year after leaving LT. I then joined British Rail (very poor pay back then). Also had an interview with the P.O. at the same time but decided that the trains were better than tramping the streets in the pouring rain. Lot of ex bus drivers on the railway especially L.T.
He said it went up to 27°C, so was NICE! How is that nice? How can you even think in 27°C? I would doze off. I'm a 20,5°C guy myself, but 21 with the missus.
Blimey! Looks like the Starship Enterprise after the many old buses that I used to drive. I wish you had the chance to experience an original Routemaster and not the ones that were messed about with. I was at Westbourne Park in 1984 to 86. I wouldn't swap them for any other bus, not even a modern one. All I had to do was a walk round to look for any damage. Turn the battery isolation switch on under the stairs, and start it by pulling the arran switch above your head to the left. Build up enough air for the brakes, a STOP flag goes away when you have, and then drive up to the nearest tap on a post to fill it with water. You got your conductor to check that the single brake light was working and they set the destination blinds. We also had only one headlight in operation along with the sidelights unless they were on main beam. Schedule cards look similar though 😁 Great fun then, it was more like 'On The Buses' with the funny things that went on. Wonderful part of my working life along with being a British Rail guard and later an SWT driver on the trains.
I drove Route master as an engineer and I also worked on them as I was an electrician during LT Days, Will definitely do a video about my life as an engineer..
Nice video mate. Of course you finally driving the electric 199 hope it went well. I watched one of the previous video of you being trained and mentored on the new electrics for the 199. Of course all drivers who drive usual hybrid diesel buses always need training on the electrics. Of course not too long ago back in early mid November I was on 185 which is electric the driver was nice and was being mentored by a mentor who is also a driver based at go ahead camberwell I know that mentor because me and my brother got on the 188 back in late March the mentor was there mentoring another good driver as well. In my placement at Abellio in Battersea certain new drivers who are driving needs support from an experienced driver to make sure they are driving safely on certain routes. It isn't easy but rewarding of course. I'm happy 4 u for driving the new electric on 199. Me and my brother have got on 199 loads of times but will want to ride the electrics hopefully soon. I know that isn't can be difficult knowing that sometimes the allocation team can sometimes change drivers duties/times/days this can be due to some being off unwell and other commitments meaning that some drivers like you have to cover other shifts n drive other routes. It happens where I'm at in abellio in battersea so it's quite normal though. I know you are always used to driving 47 but sometimes you drive other routes as well which is good n it gives you more options and learn something new and get experience driving other routes. Well good video i love it. Driving the new electrics is something out of what drivers r used 2 but opportunity is worth it. I also notice recently that our bus 136 takes too long 2 come sometimes (heading to Grove Park) because I'm noticing that there us a driver shortage that's why the 343 gets more busy on the way back south. Also I notice some of the Stagecoach TL drivers have moved to Go Ahead London NX new cross to drive 343 36 and 171 is it because of pay n conditions or agency/temporary contract? And also it might be an excuse because P4 is going to NX Go Ahead London New Cross in late April which some of the TL drivers who r at NX GAL now would be able 2 drive it again. Hope u have a good weekend after a busy week doing shifts u always keep ur colleagues smiling all the time I do that at the Battersea depot most drivers know me now. One day I definitely want to make vlogs/videos on buses like you and other enthusiasts. Next year in January I'll be moving to Abellio HQ at Walworth depot which I'll be doing more operations as well. I may know some people from there. WL walworth depot routes are 68, 381, C10, 63, 363 (since November, but electrics for 363 is delayed until 2024), 3, P5, P13 & 45. I'm happy that 363 went 2 abellio because I'm seeing more new welcoming nice drivers and more young people also driving within abellio as well which i feel is the way forward instead of them going the wrong path in life. But Stagecoach is also going big in 2024 as well, more electric buses and some routes being awarded as well. Stagecoach is another good company as well you lot should be proud of the service u provide that's why total strangers always like your videos and some will even see you and know you on the buses. Have fun x have a good weekend n stay safe on the roads you r doing very well my friend I hope 2 get on your bus again one day. Your doing a good job everyone in TL needs u more than ever when life on the road is tough as always as it gets. Stephen
great video, im wanting to be a bus driver my self in the new few months, love thses videos Leonard keep them up its great to see your life as a driver.
Big up the eBus. I drive an electric HGV. No one else likes it. Have you got regenerative braking? Torque from the direct drive electric motors is a game changer. I need to slow down because my transport manager is starting to have words about it and it could become a problem. Can't help it, when I'm running empty it flies.
What kind of range between charges? What kind of gross weight loaded? What ambient temperature range where you work? I see electric trucks as being useful in inner city or regional pickup and delivery in temperate climates. Long haul or -30°C don't think it's going to work
@@juliogonzo2718 Example, last week I did a whopping 84 miles and the battery was down from 100 to 14%. Office calculate deliveries based on 1% battery = 1 mile. There are variables which affect battery range: terrain, speed, acceleration, load, use of regen, etc. On the day mentioned, I was flooring it most of the time. Approximately ⅓ was city driving, ⅓ motorway, remainder rural. Temperature range is whatever the West Midlands has. It was chilly that day and I was using the heating quite a lot. GVW 27t rigid 3 axel. I only do local deliveries with it and it's probably more for show than practicality. When dry cell solid state batteries roll off the production lines, range should be greatly improved and charge times significantly reduced. It's early days and the technology is still in its infancy even though milk floats used to be battery operated many moons ago.
Hello there, That was a very interesting video :) I generally like the public transportation in London because I like the system a lot. Since I was a native speaker one week with my school group and classmates, I had also gotten the experience to travel with the London transportation service. I used to drive with the 199 towards Bellingham and then change busses to the 136 to Grove Park or so to get to Greenwich to my language school. Thank you for your service. Kind regards from Austria! 🇦🇹
Everyone knows that EVs are quieter, but the thing I find it more striking is how incredibly loud an old diesel bus can be from the back compared to an electric bus, especially when pulling away on a quiet road!
You don't say! Originally we had all Volvo electric buses in my city (now we have MAN e-buses too), and when the articulated Volvos were brand new some of the drivers seemed quite...enamored by them and their performance. lol One line in particular goes from city streets up on a long throughfare across a suspension bridge over the river so it's a quite long stretch of straight road and the driver stomped the gas pedal as we drove onto the throughfare and the bloody thing just shot away. I had to grab a handhold to keep myself steady when I was standing near the exit doors. You never see acceleration like that with the diesel horkers. 30 tons those friggin electric buses weigh, and woosh. They zoom off. The diesels, they spit and roar a lot, but not much happens. :) Uphill, it's an enormous difference. We have some long, steep hills in my city and the electric buses handle those beautifully, and quietly. Diesel horker downshifts and roars slowly and extremely loudly the whole way up to the top of the hill on low gear, e-bus can accelerate - uphill! Massive, massive torque in those electric motors. No toxic fumes coming out the back end is a huge bonus as well. About half the bus fleet is now electrified (more than 250 buses, not sure how many exactly), regular 12 meter city bus and articulated 18 meter - no double deckers unfortunately! Yet, anyway. The region bought a bunch of new diesel double deckers recently for the long-range commuter lines coming into the city, but everything in the greater region will be electrified by 2030, and all intracity lines by 2025. It will be glorious.
Thanks for the review, When I was last in London the buses were very noisy, so it would have been nice to see how it drives and how quite it was for passengers.
The most underpaid job, also bus drivers get treated like trash by their employers and customers. Most people don’t know how much responsibility bus drivers take on….they deserve way more than they currently earn.
We have the same desto controller in our newer diesel Mercs and they're so much easier to use than some of the old ones. I much prefer driving our electric Volvos though. When checking our buses, we generally treat it as though we're the first driver, just in case the previous driver didn't check it properly. Someone in another comment asked about range. We can get about 300km out of ours, that's an all day shift of around 11 hours. I'm in Australia though, our traffic isn't like yours.
One small question, am I right on the newer buses the roller blinds are now high definition displays? Just like I think you said about those new buses from what I caught are digital.
Hello Leonard.👋🏾 I’m curious to know if there are any buses at your garage that have the all over advertising wraps on them? If so, when was the last time you’ve driven one of them? I think that they are so cool to look at. Also, everyone at your garage seems to be so cool and laid back.
Hello young Sir! Although I'm not a fan of the bus or of bus transport in general…. I watched your (fascinating and interesting) account and enjoyed it! I would welcome you here in Bournemouth as good and polite drivers are essential! After watching your informative video I realise there's much more to driving an electric bus than I thought ….but perhaps it would be possible for us to see you driving the bus in service? I’d really like to see how it sounds and handles in the heavy London traffic. I expect you’ll have to arrange it so we don’t see passengers’ faces…but it’s you and how the actual bus drives which is of interest to me. It’s many years since I last rode on trolleybus services here in the UK (the excellent trolleybus system we had in Bournemouth is much missed by 'Oldies' like me!) but I’ve ridden on them a great deal in Europe. The acceleration and seemingly effortless power and almost silent running of the modern trolleybus is most impressive and I wonder how the battery bus compares? Thank you for your presentation and I look forward to seeing more of the same. If you celebrate the event…I wish you a happy Christmas …and also a good, peaceful New Year. Rob in Bournemouth.
I lived in Poole in the 1960s, and worked briefly as a conductor on the Bournemouth trolleybuses. Our favourite stretches were Barrack Road ( for top speed) - and Richmond Hill (for sheer torque).
Love your comment, I have spoke to management about recording while I’m driving, they looking into it. They don’t see a big issue but I think they want to run it by TFL. Funny thing is we have so many devices in the cab to distract us already, I’m sure a camera won’t make any difference. Thanks again for your support.
@@jackpayne4658 Really great to hear from you, it so amazing how technology has developed. The trolly bus system were truly a nice bit of engineering, I really want to do video on the past system of transport and compare it to today..
@@tooleyheadbang4239Yes, if you Google it you can see pictures. It has a preservation order and is now in an office car park, blue plaque on the wall outside.
Thanks for posting, interesting watch. Have to say though, 25C with a coat and a jumper? I get too hot at 21 in a Tee!! 🙂 Having driven buses with no synchro, no power steering, no brake lights, no indicators, no wipers, tiny mirrors, centre throttle pedal, right brake (and drum brakes only on back wheels) one even with reversed gate gearbox, and up to 2015 occasionally including Central London, it all looks SO easy! (I know its not, but everything's relative!) All Best.............. 👍
The London streets are so narrow and it has a lot of roundabouts,I wonder how you operator’s out there navigate the traffic,very good operators I saw when I visited,out here the streets are broad.
We have the single deck version, Wrights Kite Electroliner, and we have had loads of issues with the heating not working. Sounds like you're having exactly the same problems we are having.
Where I live in Richmond, electric buses took over on most routes about a year ago. After the changeover, it was common to feel sudden surges of acceleration or (especially) braking - not good if you're standing up! I guess the drivers weren't quite familiar with regenerative braking, at first. Within a few weeks, all was running smoothly again. I wonder if the same re-learning process applies to electric cars - I've never driven one to find out.
From my experience: yes. The first few days are a bit jerky... until your brain figures out the instant reaction to any change on the accelerator pedal 🙂 But once you get used to it (especially one-padal driving) it actually starts to feel much easier than always having to consider the delay with combustion engines.
Yup, only for a few minutes, though, until I adjusted to it. After that, the sudden burst of acceleration were from the joy of the torque 🤣 All new electric car drivers drive like they’re in a race for the first year or so, it wears off eventually 🤣
Our first electric bus made my Alexander Denis byd bus took longer to get use to, this one seem a lot more seamless in it operation, but as you say electric is a lot more power when moving of, so driver need to be more cautious people holding on..
It is a learning process but in my experience does not take very long. Having driven an EV for nearly 5 years now I was shocked when I had to drive a friends ICE car. In an EV you get used to the accelerator pedal doing exactly what you tell, push down it goes, lift up it slows the car right down and of course captures kinetic energy in the process putting electrical energy back into the battery. An EV so much easier to drive smoothly if that's what you want to do, and I do so I guess bus drivers will love electric power.
On non electric vehicles we all get used to just totally lifting off the accelerator pedal when slowing down because the engine braking is relatively mild. On an EV you have regen braking so you need to lift off gradually rather than all at once. It gives you great control over the slowing of the vehicle so it ends up being much smoother ... but not until you have adapted your driving style! Most people adapt within a matter of minutes but some it takes them a little longer to develop the technique.
I used to drive buses in London. If you get stupid lights you can call code blue to let them know they are defective. They'll tell you to "observe the highway code" which means look around and move on with caution (but check that). If you don't get the chance to do that and you can report it to your company through an incident/occurence report if you think you got caught by the cameras. Reporting it is the first defence against points+fines.
A couple of years ago mr khan introduced electric busses in London,but they used a diesel generator to charge them up,we wonder if it’s still the same answers on a postcard 🤪
Love the content mate. As an ex bus driver we definitely shouldn’t be showing the public excatly how to start busses. Apart from that keep up the hard work
Our drivers who are trained still have problems starting it lol.. I left out vital part to start bus process. Funny think is my manager asked me to make a specific video to help our drivers, cos there still a big problem of starting vehicle.
I have no idea if the Wrightbus Streetdeck is any better. First Glasgow have ADL BYD Enviro 200 and 400 EV but the heating is crap on them due to the MAX temperature being restricted due to battery drain, we arent allowed to unplug them either. I find Braking on them good, ive learned to lift off on approach to a stop and brake to finally stop and its smooth as anything compared to the older ADL Enviro 300 where the Engine brake can be quite violent on some of them. I guess the Enviro 300s we have are just staring to show their age being 10 years old. That said i had an old 17 year old Eclipse Gemini on a run and it was a dream to drive compared to some newer ones
In the winter it would be worth heating the bus fully before unplugging. Keeping the vehicle warm on a long run is much more efficient than that first warm up, which can be done using grid electricity instead of the battery. This is one of the joys of an EV at home ... it can be warming up before you leave so you get in the car fully warmed!
I do it now for a living and you have to ignore the bad behaved ones, drive to your time, smile and enjoy life. Most people who travel on buses hate life anyway. We love life as drivers as we’re professionals who can handle 11 tonnes of pulling power
That's bonkers. Not sure if those buses are using heat pumps or resistive heaters; I hope you don't have the same issues in the summer time with air con!
Thanks for the video ! I lived in Seattle from 2007-2018. Many centrally located routes have been long electrified due to the steep grades. Unfortunately some junctures would face regular problems with the masts disconnecting requiring drivers to exit and reconnect. I'm curious if that's something drivers encounter in London as well or if it is just a symptom of Seattle's system or geography...? Keep on truckin' m8 !
I had my interview last week and tomorrow i got my medical and west ham garage then I have to wait for my training I think I'm looking at the back end of May or sometime in June and I cannot wait. I'm on the 96 route.
These buses are built in Ballymena in Northern Ireland and I've been up to the factory and seen these buses being built and they are very well put together and are great to travel on as the local Northern Irish operator translink have some on their metro belfast fleet
Many years ago I worked on the buses in Eastbourne in Sussex where I originally born and bred I was a conductor and it was really quite stressful when it came to checking in your takings for the day less the "float" of cash they gave us to start with and mine was only ever right once!! I did it for a year but eventually went to British Rail as junior shunter which was not as bad a job as the conducting one. They were a;; diesel driven back then (around 1967) and were really quite sluggish driving around and to me very boring. I eventually trained as a Registered Nurse and shortly after emigrated to Australia (best move I ever did) and frankly I am still wondering what the heck I was thinking of doing that bus job for over one year. These electric ones would frighten me as I am not a fan of EV's anyway. I would also be thinking of the thing catching on fire. It also surprises me that they run at well considering the low temperatures that were even vey cold down on the south coast.
Sound like city buses are well suited for being electrified, lots of stop and go traffic so lots of regenerative braking and slower speeds so much less wind resistance.
Good video 👍 I just came across your channel on my recommended, I thought you look like the actor Idris Elba. I haven't seen any Electric buses in Liverpool but I have seen the odd electric black cab. I always think it's interesting the different besides some of the main one of it being electric and not a diesel, there must be some quality of life chances that are better or maybe worse then a normal one, I think the camera mirrors on the new bus look pretty good, it must make it well easier to see. What are the camera mirrors like at night?
Is it 'all electric'? I understand that the heating may be powered by a separate diesel engine. How many hours will this bus run before needing a re-charge and how many service technicians are there at Bellingham to fix them when they go wrong? You probably don't know at this stage.
Having driven RTs in the 60s and 70s, I can't understand these complicated E buses. Also heating was not invented then. We drove freezing in Winter. There was a tiny cab heater that mostly blew cold. No door, so the connie had to run around to keep warm. The RTs were fantastic though.
My electric car has a preheat system. I can program it for when I leave in the morning. It charges the car overnight and then uses the mains power to heat the car, so the car is defrosted before I take my regular drive. That leaves the battery full for the morning commute.
Whoops, there was a hanger for the plug on the body of the charger unit, clearly visible from your camera angle mate. Doesn’t say much for TFL Training that!
You have a good style and approach to your job! If I was employing drivers you are exactly the kind of guy I would want.
Oh my how things have changed. As a kid growing up in the UK where there was a driver and a conductor with a mechanical ticket dispenser we used to love swinging around the pole at the rear open entrance and leaping off the moving bus as it slowed to stop. All while we were inhaling the diesel fumes!
Yea things have changed, I remember the route masters, fell of one banged my head lol, luckily I fell on the grass.
I was a conductor at Westbourne Park before I went driving. I used to love hanging off that pole like a demented pole dancer as the bus was bombing along at 30 plus or whatever the driver could get out of it. Then you do that showy step off as the bus is coming to a halt without going arse over tit.
My lifelong interest has always been the railway but one of my nephews is now a driver for Stagecoach and he's now driving electric double-deckers. I came across this video and noticed it was nearly 16 minutes long so I nearly dimissed it, but I didn't. I've just watched the whole video and I must admit I found it very interesting indeed. So yes, very good and informative video and thanks for posting. Definite thumbs up.
Really appreciate you watched all of it
I use London buses almost every day. You drivers are heroes the way you go out early in all weathers to keep us all moving. We should all celebrate bus, train and tube drivers. Thank you so much for all you do for us Londoners!!
I lived in London back in 2000-2002. I was 16-18 years old back then. Now I'm almost 40, man :) . And thanks to CZcams and your channel I can now see how it was done by bus drivers. I was always surprised how people like you - bus drivers handled all that. It is a very tough driving there. Gonna go one day back to London just to see it all with adult eyes. Thank you very much Sir, for everything you do!
Thanks
I was a bus driver for 12 years, No thanks, window getting smashed, drivers being robbed, spat at , assaulted and more, glad I left. Most supervisors are stitch up merchants…
Totally agree, and don't get me started on the unions
It’s has its challenges, but every person has their own experiences, I have had a few bad things happen, but overall it’s been good. The only thing I find difficult is shift work. But the rota I’m on now has made that less of a challenge. Bus drivers need.a lot more than driving skills to know how to, handle a wide range of human beings on a daily basis, Supervisor I can’t comment on that, main thing I aim for is to someone who want everyone to work together. I know being on allocation as supervisor is tough, when trying to keep up a full service, I couldn’t do that job..
@@thatbusdriverguy4182great attitude to have
I'm a bus driver been up and down the UK dealt with many people. Had my fair share of bad experiences, but I wouldn't change the job for the world, not moving I to the Co trolley office very much love hare relationship with that part of the job but I still wouldn't change it. A job is what you make of it. If your not happy go somewhere else. Easier said than done with some places but don't stick around somewhere your not happy in
TfL rules, don’t start the engine from the back.. ibus instructed me to do so many times but no I wouldn’t, they expected new drivers to comply though, only when I told ibus that I would report them they stopped instructing me, some drivers did do it and got a DP, this was Uxbridge garage. Only follow health & safety when it suits. As for the Union total waste.
Nothing Worse then a cold bus. Supervisor/ Regulators/ Ibus, don't Really care. Some things never change. But when you get ill. and you have too many day's off. That's when manager come after you. Dp. Etc. Good Luck. 🤣🤧
I disagree. There is nothing worse than hot, fuggy rooms or vehicles, especially if it’s damp or wet outside. That doesn’t mean the driver should be cold so they need their own set of temperature controls. They, like the passengers also need plenty fresh air.
You won't get ill from cold lol
I worked as a bus driver for a company called Yorkshire Traction back in the late 90's. It was a truly awful company to work for and drivers came and went regularly in droves. In fact the week I left, 9 other drivers left too.
It would have been lovely to have had an electric bus, sadly back then they were old knackered diesels that broke down almost as much as they ran.
The first year I worked there it snowed really heavily and I had to do a rural route in a micro rider from Huddersfield to Penistone via Holmfirth. It had snowed all night and I was on the 5.30am shift. I can tell you, it was a harrowing journey, especially over the moors, where, the road was indisguishable from the fields. I can laff about it now, but at the time I remember being terrified of crashing or skidding into a ditch.
Fortunately I suppose, any potential passengers had forgoed any journeys they planned that day. Life eh..............
We didn't have much snow, no more than about 2" in London back in 85 and they cancelled the service from my garage, don't know about the other garages.
There was a time when London Transport and the Post Office alias Royal Mail competed for staff, the guys moving between on who was offering the best deal. Not uncommon to see LT crew wearing part PO uniform and vice versa!
@@BadRavenFPV I worked for Wilts & Dorset for just under a year after leaving LT. I then joined British Rail (very poor pay back then). Also had an interview with the P.O. at the same time but decided that the trains were better than tramping the streets in the pouring rain. Lot of ex bus drivers on the railway especially L.T.
Good video, surprised that you werent put on a course to drive a different type of bus- just in case. Well done. Kudos to all drivers and thank you.
Hello from Ireland. 🇮🇪 Love visiting London, buses and drivers there are the best ❤
Thanks
25 degC - really,...🥵passengers wearing coats will expire - it's a bus not a living room.
He said it went up to 27°C, so was NICE! How is that nice? How can you even think in 27°C? I would doze off. I'm a 20,5°C guy myself, but 21 with the missus.
When I was in my teens, late 1950's I went to work on a trolley bus.
Blimey! Looks like the Starship Enterprise after the many old buses that I used to drive. I wish you had the chance to experience an original Routemaster and not the ones that were messed about with. I was at Westbourne Park in 1984 to 86. I wouldn't swap them for any other bus, not even a modern one. All I had to do was a walk round to look for any damage. Turn the battery isolation switch on under the stairs, and start it by pulling the arran switch above your head to the left. Build up enough air for the brakes, a STOP flag goes away when you have, and then drive up to the nearest tap on a post to fill it with water. You got your conductor to check that the single brake light was working and they set the destination blinds. We also had only one headlight in operation along with the sidelights unless they were on main beam.
Schedule cards look similar though 😁
Great fun then, it was more like 'On The Buses' with the funny things that went on. Wonderful part of my working life along with being a British Rail guard and later an SWT driver on the trains.
I drove Route master as an engineer and I also worked on them as I was an electrician during LT Days, Will definitely do a video about my life as an engineer..
Nice video mate. Of course you finally driving the electric 199 hope it went well. I watched one of the previous video of you being trained and mentored on the new electrics for the 199. Of course all drivers who drive usual hybrid diesel buses always need training on the electrics. Of course not too long ago back in early mid November I was on 185 which is electric the driver was nice and was being mentored by a mentor who is also a driver based at go ahead camberwell I know that mentor because me and my brother got on the 188 back in late March the mentor was there mentoring another good driver as well. In my placement at Abellio in Battersea certain new drivers who are driving needs support from an experienced driver to make sure they are driving safely on certain routes. It isn't easy but rewarding of course. I'm happy 4 u for driving the new electric on 199. Me and my brother have got on 199 loads of times but will want to ride the electrics hopefully soon. I know that isn't can be difficult knowing that sometimes the allocation team can sometimes change drivers duties/times/days this can be due to some being off unwell and other commitments meaning that some drivers like you have to cover other shifts n drive other routes. It happens where I'm at in abellio in battersea so it's quite normal though. I know you are always used to driving 47 but sometimes you drive other routes as well which is good n it gives you more options and learn something new and get experience driving other routes. Well good video i love it. Driving the new electrics is something out of what drivers r used 2 but opportunity is worth it. I also notice recently that our bus 136 takes too long 2 come sometimes (heading to Grove Park) because I'm noticing that there us a driver shortage that's why the 343 gets more busy on the way back south. Also I notice some of the Stagecoach TL drivers have moved to Go Ahead London NX new cross to drive 343 36 and 171 is it because of pay n conditions or agency/temporary contract? And also it might be an excuse because P4 is going to NX Go Ahead London New Cross in late April which some of the TL drivers who r at NX GAL now would be able 2 drive it again. Hope u have a good weekend after a busy week doing shifts u always keep ur colleagues smiling all the time I do that at the Battersea depot most drivers know me now. One day I definitely want to make vlogs/videos on buses like you and other enthusiasts. Next year in January I'll be moving to Abellio HQ at Walworth depot which I'll be doing more operations as well. I may know some people from there. WL walworth depot routes are 68, 381, C10, 63, 363 (since November, but electrics for 363 is delayed until 2024), 3, P5, P13 & 45. I'm happy that 363 went 2 abellio because I'm seeing more new welcoming nice drivers and more young people also driving within abellio as well which i feel is the way forward instead of them going the wrong path in life. But Stagecoach is also going big in 2024 as well, more electric buses and some routes being awarded as well. Stagecoach is another good company as well you lot should be proud of the service u provide that's why total strangers always like your videos and some will even see you and know you on the buses. Have fun x have a good weekend n stay safe on the roads you r doing very well my friend I hope 2 get on your bus again one day.
Your doing a good job everyone in TL needs u more than ever when life on the road is tough as always as it gets.
Stephen
My local area just ordered 96 EV buses and they building a new ground-up bus station to house, maintain and change them
Nice. Which country?
In Warrington we are getting around 100 new electric buses
great video, im wanting to be a bus driver my self in the new few months, love thses videos Leonard keep them up its great to see your life as a driver.
Despite being licenced to operate a coach, I'll stick to driving trucks or HGV as you guys call them.
Big up the eBus. I drive an electric HGV. No one else likes it. Have you got regenerative braking? Torque from the direct drive electric motors is a game changer. I need to slow down because my transport manager is starting to have words about it and it could become a problem. Can't help it, when I'm running empty it flies.
What kind of range between charges? What kind of gross weight loaded? What ambient temperature range where you work? I see electric trucks as being useful in inner city or regional pickup and delivery in temperate climates. Long haul or -30°C don't think it's going to work
@@juliogonzo2718 Not right now but in the future the vast majority of trucks will be electric.
@@Simon-dm8zv we shall see
@@juliogonzo2718 We know.
@@juliogonzo2718 Example, last week I did a whopping 84 miles and the battery was down from 100 to 14%. Office calculate deliveries based on 1% battery = 1 mile. There are variables which affect battery range: terrain, speed, acceleration, load, use of regen, etc. On the day mentioned, I was flooring it most of the time. Approximately ⅓ was city driving, ⅓ motorway, remainder rural. Temperature range is whatever the West Midlands has. It was chilly that day and I was using the heating quite a lot. GVW 27t rigid 3 axel. I only do local deliveries with it and it's probably more for show than practicality. When dry cell solid state batteries roll off the production lines, range should be greatly improved and charge times significantly reduced. It's early days and the technology is still in its infancy even though milk floats used to be battery operated many moons ago.
Supporting your channel brother! Love it, one love!
another great video! I came across you because CZcams suggested you🏆
Hello there,
That was a very interesting video :)
I generally like the public transportation in London because I like the system a lot. Since I was a native speaker one week with my school group and classmates, I had also gotten the experience to travel with the London transportation service.
I used to drive with the 199 towards Bellingham and then change busses to the 136 to Grove Park or so to get to Greenwich to my language school. Thank you for your service.
Kind regards from Austria! 🇦🇹
Thanks, I glad you liked the system here in England
Great video, interesting and informative. The job has changed a great deal from what I remember with LT in the 80s !
Thanks for sharing this experience with us. Great video.
I went on a couple of rides on the 199 on Thursday 7th December. Quite nice buses.
Loved this Len, very informative. Nice one. See you on the road.
Ok bro
Thanks
Apparently, route 97 will get these buses sometimes next year, I can't wait
Amazing video, its quite nice to see a different route on the channel in my opinion
Ok I aim to do a lot more other routes
As a passenger I must say the electric buses do have a good pickup when pulling away
Everyone knows that EVs are quieter, but the thing I find it more striking is how incredibly loud an old diesel bus can be from the back compared to an electric bus, especially when pulling away on a quiet road!
When the dial on the dial cluster said starting that seemed to take a time though@@you2be839
You don't say! Originally we had all Volvo electric buses in my city (now we have MAN e-buses too), and when the articulated Volvos were brand new some of the drivers seemed quite...enamored by them and their performance. lol One line in particular goes from city streets up on a long throughfare across a suspension bridge over the river so it's a quite long stretch of straight road and the driver stomped the gas pedal as we drove onto the throughfare and the bloody thing just shot away. I had to grab a handhold to keep myself steady when I was standing near the exit doors.
You never see acceleration like that with the diesel horkers. 30 tons those friggin electric buses weigh, and woosh. They zoom off. The diesels, they spit and roar a lot, but not much happens. :) Uphill, it's an enormous difference. We have some long, steep hills in my city and the electric buses handle those beautifully, and quietly. Diesel horker downshifts and roars slowly and extremely loudly the whole way up to the top of the hill on low gear, e-bus can accelerate - uphill! Massive, massive torque in those electric motors.
No toxic fumes coming out the back end is a huge bonus as well. About half the bus fleet is now electrified (more than 250 buses, not sure how many exactly), regular 12 meter city bus and articulated 18 meter - no double deckers unfortunately! Yet, anyway. The region bought a bunch of new diesel double deckers recently for the long-range commuter lines coming into the city, but everything in the greater region will be electrified by 2030, and all intracity lines by 2025. It will be glorious.
Had a long journey across Manchester today and it was electric very nice trip
I use to work in London for Thames Water so I definitely miss seeing London Buses,This Gentleman definitely has my attention,Great Video Leonard 👍😉💪
Thanks for the review, When I was last in London the buses were very noisy, so it would have been nice to see how it drives and how quite it was for passengers.
The most underpaid job, also bus drivers get treated like trash by their employers and customers. Most people don’t know how much responsibility bus drivers take on….they deserve way more than they currently earn.
We have the same desto controller in our newer diesel Mercs and they're so much easier to use than some of the old ones. I much prefer driving our electric Volvos though. When checking our buses, we generally treat it as though we're the first driver, just in case the previous driver didn't check it properly.
Someone in another comment asked about range. We can get about 300km out of ours, that's an all day shift of around 11 hours. I'm in Australia though, our traffic isn't like yours.
My favourite bit is 2:22, "Where do I put this?"
Nice video. Thank you
Nice Video Mate , I look forward to seeing these types of buses on route 86 aswell
Nice! That startup procedure is quite long. Too bad the heating was rubbish on the last bus
Yes that’s been a big issue for driver
@@thatbusdriverguy4182 I can imagine!
One small question, am I right on the newer buses the roller blinds are now high definition displays? Just like I think you said about those new buses from what I caught are digital.
Awesome channel!!!
Great video. I would have thought you would get some training. I went on a Electric Bus last week Between Bury And Bolton. £2 A TICKET VERY NICE.
I bet that Traffic light has a Camera watching you, as soon as you go though it, BANG, GOT YA, and nothing you can do about it, unless you wait :)
Must admit it was quite frustrating, Sometime hard to tell what going on lol.. Well glad to did turn to green lol
just me that realised you had your body warmer/vest on backwards? 😂😂
They should never have got rid of the Trolleybuses I used to go to school on. Ironically Spain bought some of them we scrapped the rest.
They never ran out of battery power😊
Just discovered the channel, looking forward to more videos
Hello Leonard.👋🏾
I’m curious to know if there are any buses at your garage that have the all over advertising wraps on them? If so, when was the last time you’ve driven one of them? I think that they are so cool to look at. Also, everyone at your garage seems to be so cool and laid back.
We definitely have one, I will check if we have more
I don’t think I have driven one, like you I love how they look
As a passenger I hate busses with ads printed over the windows. You can kinda still see out, but it sucks non the less.
@@y0uRF4t3Didn’t think of that lol
Thanks that was a lovely video 👍
With so many buttons to press on, the electric bus should have one dedicated button for a cup of hot coffee!
Hello young Sir! Although I'm not a fan of the bus or of bus transport in general…. I watched your (fascinating and interesting) account and enjoyed it! I would welcome you here in Bournemouth as good and polite drivers are essential! After watching your informative video I realise there's much more to driving an electric bus than I thought ….but perhaps it would be possible for us to see you driving the bus in service? I’d really like to see how it sounds and handles in the heavy London traffic. I expect you’ll have to arrange it so we don’t see passengers’ faces…but it’s you and how the actual bus drives which is of interest to me.
It’s many years since I last rode on trolleybus services here in the UK (the excellent trolleybus system we had in Bournemouth is much missed by 'Oldies' like me!) but I’ve ridden on them a great deal in Europe. The acceleration and seemingly effortless power and almost silent running of the modern trolleybus is most impressive and I wonder how the battery bus compares? Thank you for your presentation and I look forward to seeing more of the same. If you celebrate the event…I wish you a happy Christmas …and also a good, peaceful New Year. Rob in Bournemouth.
I lived in Poole in the 1960s, and worked briefly as a conductor on the Bournemouth trolleybuses. Our favourite stretches were Barrack Road ( for top speed) - and Richmond Hill (for sheer torque).
Love your comment, I have spoke to management about recording while I’m driving, they looking into it. They don’t see a big issue but I think they want to run it by TFL. Funny thing is we have so many devices in the cab to distract us already, I’m sure a camera won’t make any difference. Thanks again for your support.
@@jackpayne4658 Really great to hear from you, it so amazing how technology has developed. The trolly bus system were truly a nice bit of engineering, I really want to do video on the past system of transport and compare it to today..
Is the Church Street turntable still there?
@@tooleyheadbang4239Yes, if you Google it you can see pictures. It has a preservation order and is now in an office car park, blue plaque on the wall outside.
Big deal. I went on them in Reading when I was a kid.
Sounds like a common fault with wrightbus streetdeck. There's some electric wrightbus here in Norwich and had similar issues to what you had.
It was really good to see a USEFUL EV on the roads at last .
Thanks for posting, interesting watch. Have to say though, 25C with a coat and a jumper? I get too hot at 21 in a Tee!! 🙂 Having driven buses with no synchro, no power steering, no brake lights, no indicators, no wipers, tiny mirrors, centre throttle pedal, right brake (and drum brakes only on back wheels) one even with reversed gate gearbox, and up to 2015 occasionally including Central London, it all looks SO easy! (I know its not, but everything's relative!) All Best.............. 👍
25 setting didn’t feel like it lol.. we was told to set hi cos the hold things is really cooler
The London streets are so narrow and it has a lot of roundabouts,I wonder how you operator’s out there navigate the traffic,very good operators I saw when I visited,out here the streets are broad.
We become experts on these narrow roads, lookout for a video I will do soon on the 273 route.
We have the single deck version, Wrights Kite Electroliner, and we have had loads of issues with the heating not working. Sounds like you're having exactly the same problems we are having.
Where I live in Richmond, electric buses took over on most routes about a year ago. After the changeover, it was common to feel sudden surges of acceleration or (especially) braking - not good if you're standing up! I guess the drivers weren't quite familiar with regenerative braking, at first. Within a few weeks, all was running smoothly again. I wonder if the same re-learning process applies to electric cars - I've never driven one to find out.
From my experience: yes. The first few days are a bit jerky... until your brain figures out the instant reaction to any change on the accelerator pedal 🙂
But once you get used to it (especially one-padal driving) it actually starts to feel much easier than always having to consider the delay with combustion engines.
Yup, only for a few minutes, though, until I adjusted to it. After that, the sudden burst of acceleration were from the joy of the torque 🤣 All new electric car drivers drive like they’re in a race for the first year or so, it wears off eventually 🤣
Our first electric bus made my Alexander Denis byd bus took longer to get use to, this one seem a lot more seamless in it operation, but as you say electric is a lot more power when moving of, so driver need to be more cautious people holding on..
It is a learning process but in my experience does not take very long. Having driven an EV for nearly 5 years now I was shocked when I had to drive a friends ICE car. In an EV you get used to the accelerator pedal doing exactly what you tell, push down it goes, lift up it slows the car right down and of course captures kinetic energy in the process putting electrical energy back into the battery. An EV so much easier to drive smoothly if that's what you want to do, and I do so I guess bus drivers will love electric power.
On non electric vehicles we all get used to just totally lifting off the accelerator pedal when slowing down because the engine braking is relatively mild. On an EV you have regen braking so you need to lift off gradually rather than all at once. It gives you great control over the slowing of the vehicle so it ends up being much smoother ... but not until you have adapted your driving style! Most people adapt within a matter of minutes but some it takes them a little longer to develop the technique.
Good stuff. I've subscribed
I used to drive buses in London. If you get stupid lights you can call code blue to let them know they are defective. They'll tell you to "observe the highway code" which means look around and move on with caution (but check that). If you don't get the chance to do that and you can report it to your company through an incident/occurence report if you think you got caught by the cameras. Reporting it is the first defence against points+fines.
Yeah I did call them after, they told me to do code blue, just let them know. The light changed a lot quicker second time around..
Can see that was taken using a Pocket 3. Enjoyable look around someone else work. Bit different to working on aircraft. Best Dave
Good you notice that, really pleased with the Camera.
@@thatbusdriverguy4182 I did know it was a Pocket 3, which I also have, before. seeing the shadow on yourself.
I used to wrap my legs wih newspaper when driving RMLs!
A couple of years ago mr khan introduced electric busses in London,but they used a diesel generator to charge them up,we wonder if it’s still the same answers on a postcard 🤪
We have generator in our garage I guess it the pro out weighs that cons it all good. Every electric vehicle has to draw power from somewhere.
First trip. Did you have to change bus because the first one was broken down?
Love the content mate. As an ex bus driver we definitely shouldn’t be showing the public excatly how to start busses. Apart from that keep up the hard work
he had a lock key, and its in a depot
Our drivers who are trained still have problems starting it lol.. I left out vital part to start bus process. Funny think is my manager asked me to make a specific video to help our drivers, cos there still a big problem of starting vehicle.
I just wrote the same thing, definitely a very bad idea to put out to the general public, basically just type trained every criminal
I was on a double decker the other day , first time in about sixty years, beats driving thats for sure.
Great Video!!!!!
I have no idea if the Wrightbus Streetdeck is any better. First Glasgow have ADL BYD Enviro 200 and 400 EV but the heating is crap on them due to the MAX temperature being restricted due to battery drain, we arent allowed to unplug them either. I find Braking on them good, ive learned to lift off on approach to a stop and brake to finally stop and its smooth as anything compared to the older ADL Enviro 300 where the Engine brake can be quite violent on some of them. I guess the Enviro 300s we have are just staring to show their age being 10 years old. That said i had an old 17 year old Eclipse Gemini on a run and it was a dream to drive compared to some newer ones
In the winter it would be worth heating the bus fully before unplugging. Keeping the vehicle warm on a long run is much more efficient than that first warm up, which can be done using grid electricity instead of the battery. This is one of the joys of an EV at home ... it can be warming up before you leave so you get in the car fully warmed!
Another really interesting video 👍 do you find the cameras rather than mirrors better?
I will have to do more driving, the camera seem better, because it’s clear in all conditions, shockingly bright at night time.
Just a quick simple question.
If bus on low charge.
How long does it take to get a full charge.
Thanks..Ding, Ding
Fantastic video
At our garage, the driver are not allowed to touch the charger
It down to the run out supervisor or engineers
I do it now for a living and you have to ignore the bad behaved ones, drive to your time, smile and enjoy life. Most people who travel on buses hate life anyway. We love life as drivers as we’re professionals who can handle 11 tonnes of pulling power
The heating seems good for the driver, but how does the heating for the pssengers seem on thos really cold mornings?
That's bonkers. Not sure if those buses are using heat pumps or resistive heaters; I hope you don't have the same issues in the summer time with air con!
Not sure how the system works, will investigate
Great insight. How do you not get shown how to place the charging connector back in the charger unit properly? (The way you did it wasn't correct).
Thanks, when we had type training, I don’t remember them making a point of it. Will have to find out.
Thanks!
So in the above video EV buses are about 1 month old now we have an EV bus no more in Wimbledon after catching fire, when will we learn.
Nice chunk missing out of the side wall of one if your tyres should you be driving that????
Thanks for the video ! I lived in Seattle from 2007-2018. Many centrally located routes have been long electrified due to the steep grades. Unfortunately some junctures would face regular problems with the masts disconnecting requiring drivers to exit and reconnect. I'm curious if that's something drivers encounter in London as well or if it is just a symptom of Seattle's system or geography...?
Keep on truckin' m8 !
Not sure I understand, these buses are battery powered, I think you talking about trolly buses.. Not sure
I had my interview last week and tomorrow i got my medical and west ham garage then I have to wait for my training I think I'm looking at the back end of May or sometime in June and I cannot wait. I'm on the 96 route.
Cool man
These buses are built in Ballymena in Northern Ireland and I've been up to the factory and seen these buses being built and they are very well put together and are great to travel on as the local Northern Irish operator translink have some on their metro belfast fleet
Should be able to preheat the bus off a timer or remotely ? having it up to temp starting off would also save some battery energy.
How long are the working days ??? Former bus driver from the north ! 😄
Many roads in London are very narrow, but the buses are very giant especially the double decker buses. It's very challenging to drive a bus in London.
Yes we are experts lol
Many years ago I worked on the buses in Eastbourne in Sussex where I originally born and bred I was a conductor and it was really quite stressful when it came to checking in your takings for the day less the "float" of cash they gave us to start with and mine was only ever right once!! I did it for a year but eventually went to British Rail as junior shunter which was not as bad a job as the conducting one. They were a;; diesel driven back then (around 1967) and were really quite sluggish driving around and to me very boring. I eventually trained as a Registered Nurse and shortly after emigrated to Australia (best move I ever did) and frankly I am still wondering what the heck I was thinking of doing that bus job for over one year. These electric ones would frighten me as I am not a fan of EV's anyway. I would also be thinking of the thing catching on fire. It also surprises me that they run at well considering the low temperatures that were even vey cold down on the south coast.
I drove them at Plumstead on the 180s you wait until the summer when they overheat 😂all I can say is good luck
Erith faser road north Greenwich
Nicely video!
Very helpful thanks
How do you remember the routes... why dont they give you a sat nav. Im doing route learning i keep forgetting the route.
Uh yeah the supervisor returning those favours, I think my supervisor is up about 20 favours he owes me!
Great video
Sound like city buses are well suited for being electrified, lots of stop and go traffic so lots of regenerative braking and slower speeds so much less wind resistance.
Good video 👍 I just came across your channel on my recommended, I thought you look like the actor Idris Elba.
I haven't seen any Electric buses in Liverpool but I have seen the odd electric black cab.
I always think it's interesting the different besides some of the main one of it being electric and not a diesel, there must be some quality of life chances that are better or maybe worse then a normal one, I think the camera mirrors on the new bus look pretty good, it must make it well easier to see. What are the camera mirrors like at night?
The mirror is so perfect at night, you can see everything clearly
@@thatbusdriverguy4182 That's great 🙂👍
What is the 'boss' sound playing in the background? Cheers
Is it 'all electric'? I understand that the heating may be powered by a separate diesel engine.
How many hours will this bus run before needing a re-charge and how many service technicians are there at Bellingham to fix them when they go wrong? You probably don't know at this stage.
When I use to drive busses I hated cold busses and dirty ones when taking over
Was that a stop charge button to press, before unplugging? Interesting vid thanks!
On this bus I just unplugged it, I know on our older electric there is another process. Must admit felt like we been thrown in deep end lol..
Haha, I know the feeling, we all get thrown in the deep end whatever we do these days! lol @@thatbusdriverguy4182
Having driven RTs in the 60s and 70s, I can't understand these complicated E buses. Also heating was not invented then. We drove freezing in Winter. There was a tiny cab heater
that mostly blew cold. No door, so the connie had to run around to keep warm. The RTs were fantastic though.
Ah yes, the RTs. Windscreen, Driver's Cab, Top deck cover.
Luxury...
My electric car has a preheat system. I can program it for when I leave in the morning. It charges the car overnight and then uses the mains power to heat the car, so the car is defrosted before I take my regular drive. That leaves the battery full for the morning commute.
Yes, it's surprising that the feature isn't part of the bus design and the standard depot routine.
How much is the electric range ?
Whoops, there was a hanger for the plug on the body of the charger unit, clearly visible from your camera angle mate. Doesn’t say much for TFL Training that!
how many miles per charge do you get
Nice video, came here as new viewer, but is it the first time :) ?
Welcome!
4 centigrade? ha ha that's like mid summer over here lol
lol, where you from?