Worst drivers to strike?

Keg · Post by **Keg** » Thu 26 Nov, 2009 8:46 am

And suports mine too, the private dentists earm somuch privately, why do the need NHS income. Personal view is that our wonderful govt cocked up when changing the NHS which allowed this stupid situation to arise.Remember when the grinning corpse Tont said "24 hours to save the NHS"?. He lied then and yet again has lied about the war.Agree with the list of drivers, especially old people. We have just convimced my mum she is not safe to drive anymore. She still thinks she is, but due to AMD she cannot recognise me from a few feet away. I always worry when i see 2 young girls in a car, usually chatting away no idea of what is going on around them. Bit of a generalisation i know but i drive 50,000 miles a year and see mosyt horrors!.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 26 Nov, 2009 7:14 pm

Well, it's confirmed in tonights YEP.The strike is on.http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/n ... 1741.jpBus drivers in Leeds today voted overwhelmingly in favour of strike action.86 per cent of First Leeds drivers and conductors voted to walk out over pay.The first strike is expected to take place on Monday, December 7 followed by two others on Satutday, December 12, and Saturday, December 19.Unions say the First Leeds workers are the lowest paid in West Yorkshire.They are looking for a one or two per cent pay rise. First Leeds runs more than 90 per cent of bus services in Leeds.And that last sentence sums up exactly what is wrong with public transport in Leeds - virtually all of it under the control of one monopoly. Perhaps the good folk at Metro might like to wonder why we have arrived at such a situation when similar cities across the country still have competition for services?

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Thu 26 Nov, 2009 8:38 pm

I can only believe that 90% figure excludes any service that isn't entirely within the Leeds boundary. Arriva/Keighley/Transdev must certainly operate more than 10% of services serving Leeds

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Thu 26 Nov, 2009 9:27 pm

tyke bhoy wrote: I can only believe that 90% figure excludes any service that isn't entirely within the Leeds boundary. Arriva/Keighley/Transdev must certainly operate more than 10% of services serving Leeds You're right, those companies offer services into Leeds from outside the area, but Worst totally dominate the market within the Leeds boundaries.If Worst don't run, then that effectively means no buses at all for the majority of people in Leeds.

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Thu 26 Nov, 2009 9:52 pm

Other than Geldard's 28b I can't think of any service with both termini within Leeds that Worst don't operate but that only reflects how it was under LCT and even under privatisation that monopoly has only really been broken by Black Prince and one or two other smaller independents

Terrym · Post by **Terrym** » Sun 29 Nov, 2009 11:01 am

As a ex bus driver who still works for one of the largest ex nbc private companies still operating I support 100% the drivers who are going on strike.Bus drivers wages are not big bucks as many seem to think and the job is not just a case of sitting down all day.Over the years the conditions of work have dropped as companies attempt to make more and more money.If First group had told all the shareholders the same story they are telling the drivers then possibly a strike would never happen.Those responders who slag off drivers but have never done the job should spend a week behind the wheel of a bus and then decide if it is the easy job everybody thinks it is.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sun 29 Nov, 2009 1:21 pm

Terrym wrote: Those responders who slag off drivers but have never done the job should spend a week behind the wheel of a bus and then decide if it is the easy job everybody thinks it is. Absolutely right Terry - I can't speak for other "First" districts, but the critics and shareholders (and management so it seems) should be aware of just a few of these employment horrors which would quite rightly not be permitted by law in any factory, office or shop.1) Five and a half hours continuous driving in one piece without the opportunity for a drink or to visit a toilet2) Eight and a half hours rest (legally allowed lunacy) between two day's work - and that paltry figure includes travelling home, a meal, an "adequate" sleep,a meal before leaving home, and travelling back to work.3) Virtually a total lack of co-operation from many passengers as far as punctual operation goes - no idea of the timetable and couldn't care less, no money and passes ready, standing and blocking the bottom of the stairs and the exit "Oh I'm only going a few stops" and bringing the journey virtually to a halt. If only the public realised that the Latin word "Omnibus" means "FOR ALL" and not a privately ordered taxi !!4) The ridiculous sale on the vehicles of complex weekly tickets requiring the driver to dig out a perspex two leaf folder, issue the ticket from the machine, and then seal it safely in the folder - meanwhile more late comers stroll up - no money no passes, and so the grossly inadequate journey time ticks relentlessly away.In case anyone thinks I was a discontented, grumpy driver who loathed the job, I can deny that entirely - I basically loved the job, the vehicles, the shifts, the comradeship etc etc but my word I'm glad to be out of it now. If anyone would like a real life demonstration of how bad things are I can thoroughly recommend a ride on service 56 from Town to Moor Grange - a route which has to fight the worst possible illegal parking, chicanes, speed humps etc that its possible to imagine - and hordes of the most obstructive and "sackless" passengers in "Student Land" that you will find anywhere. If I was still on the job nowadays I'm afraid that, calm co-operative and contented as I liked to be, I wouldn't last a couple of shifts on that route. Sadly, this has not been a maniac rant, but a very accurate look at the hopelessness of the present day situation.I know Terry that you have now moved to a far more peaceful area where the nature of bus operation is quite different to the Leeds scene, but I think that even with your memories of Leeds bus days , and familiarity with the "56", you would be just astounded at how barmy its become.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Sun 29 Nov, 2009 1:45 pm

Terrym wrote: As a ex bus driver who still works for one of the largest ex nbc private companies still operating I support 100% the drivers who are going on strike.Bus drivers wages are not big bucks as many seem to think and the job is not just a case of sitting down all day.Over the years the conditions of work have dropped as companies attempt to make more and more money.If First group had told all the shareholders the same story they are telling the drivers then possibly a strike would never happen.Those responders who slag off drivers but have never done the job should spend a week behind the wheel of a bus and then decide if it is the easy job everybody thinks it is. Quite right Terry. My post wasn't designed to slag off the drivers, most of whom do what must be a taxing job well, but to highlight the hypocracy of a company that has a monopoly over services and makes millions in profit (a good share of it from public subsidy) and then tells staff there is no money for a couple of quid a week extra.Although to be fair, there are some bus drivers who ruin the diligence and professionalism of the majority with their actions.

Terrym · Post by **Terrym** » Sun 29 Nov, 2009 8:57 pm

As Chris quite rightly points out above I am now in more peacuful surroundings, but even so our drivers are still working long hours.Whilst I have to be careful in what I say as I do not wish to make my company sound like rogues I do not think I would upset the apple cart by saying that the norm does seem to be as stated by another responder.I appreciate that all companies have to make profits, but I think the bus industry in general needs to look at the people who actually bring the money in and face the passenger complaints on a daily basis.I am sure anyone who has worked as a driver or conductor will know exactly what I mean when I ask who gets the flak when the fares increase.When I started with Leeds City Transport in March 1974 working on the buses was a respected and well paid job with a waiting list of applicants.Sadly today it seems the wheel has turned and now it is a low paid job with no respect, and a waiting list of drivers trying to get another job.

amber · Post by **amber** » Sun 29 Nov, 2009 10:33 pm

When I joined LCT in 1960 as a driver my father in law was a train driver. He earned about £3 aweek more than I did. Compare what the difference is today £000s. Not that I begrudge the train drivers pay, but I do think bus drivers have lagged well behind at the expense of shareholders, I am aware that dvrs, garage staff etc are shareholders but there holding are peanuts compared to managers and directors