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Permalink Reply by Marc Aird on December 9, 2016 at 9:48

Where is this information coming from as it seems at odds with the "timetable" on the TFL website (http://content.tfl.gov.uk/gospel-oak-barking-bus-service-to-februar...)?

I have no option but to use the replacement bus service to take my child to nursery on the way to work. However the service is appalling. The timetable changed a few times to a less frequent service. When it changed they told the drivers but not the passengers. The drivers had one timetable and the TFL website had another. In the mornings the buses are never on time. I generally get to the stop a few minutes early for the scheduled time but then find myself standing in the cold with my 2 year old for a good 15 to 20 minutes.

The drivers just shrug their shoulders and say "I'm just the driver", and now it seems that the rail user group has a different timetable to the published one. Are we expected just to take pot luck and stand by the bus stop hoping a bus will arrive before fingers and feet fall off in the cold?

Rant over :)

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Permalink Reply by Glenn Wallis on December 9, 2016 at 10:42

Unfortunately TfL refuses to engage with BGORUG. The group has always tried to foster good relations with an honest dialogue with the operators but TfL put a stop to that two years ago. I don't want to get anyone into trouble or risk Arriva London's contract with TfL but I can assure you that BGORUG ensures that the information it publishes is correct. When rail replacement route J started operating at weekends it was at 15 minute intervals. TfL cut this to 30 minute intervals on 01/05/2016. When the weekday service started it was at 15 minute intervals but this was cut to the service now shown on our website on 31 October. We understand that the service was nearly withdrawn completely but is now to remain on the current timetable until the railway reopens at the end of February. As writing to TfL is pointless, the Chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon, agreed to submit questions on this (amongst other issues, Jennette Arnold also assists with asking questions for us), unfortuntately TfL don't seem particularly earger to supply answers to the Mayor. see below:

Barking - Gospel Oak rail replacement bus services

Meeting:	Mayor's Question Time
Date:	Wednesday, 19 October 2016
Reference:	Question 2016/3572

Main question

Caroline Pidgeon

Further to the recent cut in weekday frequency of the Barking - Walthamstow rail replacement bus service, can TfL confirm that no further cuts will be made to either this or the Gospel Oak - Seven Sisters rail replacement bus service and that the incorrect timetables on the TfL website and posted outside the closed stations, will be corrected.

Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.

Barking - Gospel Oak rail replacement bus services

Meeting:	Mayor's Question Time
Date:	Wednesday, 14 December 2016
Reference:	Question 2016/4522

Main question

Caroline Pidgeon

Can you explain why you have not been able to provide an answer to question No. 2016/3572 which was asked back in October. Can you finally give an assurance that these bus services will be maintained until the rail service they are replacing is fully restored?

An answer to this question will be uploaded within one week of the meeting.

Please keep an eye on our website or Harringay on Line for the latest.

Glenn Wallis, Secretary, BGORUG

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Permalink Reply by michaelw on December 9, 2016 at 12:09

On a related note, there's a detailed article about what they are doing to the line & why here:

http://www.railengineer.uk/2016/09/13/gospel-oak-to-barking-renaiss...

& one on how they are doing here:

https://www.globalrailnews.com/2016/12/02/electrification-of-london...

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