Re: Belgian?

From: Peter T. Daniels (grammatim_at_worldnet.att.net)
Date: 07/16/04 

Date: Fri, 16 Jul 2004 12:12:04 GMT

Sean O'Leathlobhair wrote:
>
> "Peter T. Daniels" <grammatim@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message news:<40F74087.5AC8@worldnet.att.net>...
> > Harlan Messinger wrote:
> > >
> > > "Peter T. Daniels" <grammatim@worldnet.att.net> wrote in message
> > > news:40F6AA7E.7B8C@worldnet.att.net...
> > > > Harlan Messinger wrote:
>
> <snip>
>
> > > The funny thing is, you're taking this as though this were an arrangement
> > > that was being proposed, and you were arguing against it. It *is* done, and
> > > the rationale and/or the operational particulars are just eluding you.
> >
> > Where? We've just been informed that it is done somewhere in Britain,
> > but where is it "*is*" done over here in sensible-land?
>
> I haven't noticed the response from Eccentric-Land so here is one.
> The system of optional and compulsory stops is very common here and
> since I grew up with it, it seems normal and sensible. As a small
> kid, I rode a public bus to school and was familiar with this system.
> The terms we used were: Compulsory stop and Request stop. The type
> was marked on the sign posts.
>
> If you were waiting a compulsory stop then you could relax and stand
> back from the kerb since the bus would stop.

That could help explain London's legendarily lousy traffic and air
pollution!

> If you were at a request stop then you needed to watch every
> approaching bus, check its number (route), and if it was one that you
> wanted, then stand close to the edge and stick your arm out. I
> preferred the compulsory stops especially as a small child.
>
> If you were on the bus then the difference was whether or not you
> needed to ring the bell (by a cord or button). Again the compulsory
> stops were more relaxed. You were less likely to miss your stop. It
> is easy to remember to glance out of the bus when it stops and if you
> realise at the last moment that it is your stop, you usually have just
> enough time to get off. If your stop was a request stop then you
> needed to watch out more carefully and may need to get up while the
> bus was moving to ring the bell (not all buses have a cord or button
> within reach of every seat).
>
> I think that the system makes sense. If all stops were compulsory
> then life would be more comfortable and relaxed but the buses would be
> slower and they would disrupt traffic more. If all stops were request
> then the buses would run faster but life would be more frantic.

Are New York and Chicago life "more frantic" than London life?

> So I like the system in which stops which are frequently used are
> compulsory and more rarely used ones are optional.
>
> > > > > "Express bus" means that it doesn't stop at every stop on the route.
> > > > > That has nothing to do with whether people are boarding or alighting
> > > > > when it does stop..
>
> Express has that meaning here. An express bus will refuse to stop at
> some stops. This would usually be indicated at the sign post. It is
> no use waving at these buses if you at the wrong stop.

Express buses don't even hug the curb (Brit: kerb) -- they can use the
more flowing lanes in the middle of the street. 

-- 
Peter T. Daniels                       grammatim@att.net

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Belgian?
    ... I rode a public bus to school and was familiar with this system. ... Compulsory stop and Request stop. ... preferred the compulsory stops especially as a small child. ... then life would be more comfortable and relaxed but the buses would be ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Complusory Bus Stops
    ... All buses SHOULD stop at a bus stop if it looks like someone wishes to ... difference between Bus Stops and Request Stops. ... Bus stop flags at Bus Stops consist of a red roundel on a white background with "Bus Stop" underneath; bus stop flags at Request Stops consist of a white roundel on a red background with "Request Stop" underneath. ... Buses will stop without a signal for pedestrians waiting at Bus Stops; buses will not stop without a signal for pedestrians waiting at request stops. ...
    (uk.transport.london)
  • Re: Belgian?
    ... I rode a public bus to school and was familiar with this system. ... >> If you were waiting a compulsory stop then you could relax and stand ... >> preferred the compulsory stops especially as a small child. ... >> then life would be more comfortable and relaxed but the buses would be ...
    (sci.lang)
  • Re: Economics in SF
    ... So stops should be no closer together than 1/2 mile. ... Though called a "bus", almost all of the vehicles are ... small buses with a tail-lift for wheelchairs. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.science)
  • Re: Bus drivers Big Red Book
    ... 'compulsory' and 'request' stops. ... designated bus stops in the same manner. ... button on board the bus they must stop at the next bus stop. ... It's difficult to see the logic behind this change, unless it is just a general dumbing-down for the benefit of those poor souls who can't remember the difference between a compulsory stop and a request stop when waiting for a bus. ...
    (uk.transport.london)