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| Can a simple bus be so hated? | Can a simple bus be so hated? |
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| By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine The bendy bus has had a troubled journey but it could soon be the end of the road for it in London. Does the shape of a bus really provoke such strong emotions? | By Tom Geoghegan BBC News Magazine The bendy bus has had a troubled journey but it could soon be the end of the road for it in London. Does the shape of a bus really provoke such strong emotions? |
| Enemies of the bendy bus have long been seeing red. | Enemies of the bendy bus have long been seeing red. |
| And now they can sense that victory is near. Two of the candidates to be Mayor of London have promised to abolish them, which means their death knell may sound in just six weeks. | And now they can sense that victory is near. Two of the candidates to be Mayor of London have promised to abolish them, which means their death knell may sound in just six weeks. |
| At a time when people are being encouraged to leave the car at home, a "super bus" carrying nearly twice as many people as a double-decker would seem to be the answer. | At a time when people are being encouraged to leave the car at home, a "super bus" carrying nearly twice as many people as a double-decker would seem to be the answer. |
| So long it can't fit in the pictureBut since their introduction in 2001, there have been hundreds of stories questioning their safety to passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. | So long it can't fit in the pictureBut since their introduction in 2001, there have been hundreds of stories questioning their safety to passengers, cyclists and pedestrians. |
| Headlines like "Bendy buses fail the disabled", "Accidents surge as bendy buses take over", "Bendy bus victim set for £1/2m payout" and "Bendy bus drags man mile to his death" have not inspired confidence. | Headlines like "Bendy buses fail the disabled", "Accidents surge as bendy buses take over", "Bendy bus victim set for £1/2m payout" and "Bendy bus drags man mile to his death" have not inspired confidence. |
| But dozens of other cities across the UK seem to have accepted them without the same degree of controversy. And Jo Debank of passenger group London Travelwatch says there have been no more complaints about bendy buses than other buses. So what's the truth? | But dozens of other cities across the UK seem to have accepted them without the same degree of controversy. And Jo Debank of passenger group London Travelwatch says there have been no more complaints about bendy buses than other buses. So what's the truth? |
| On London's Oxford Street in the evening rush-hour, among the throng of red (buses) and black (taxis), there is only one bendy bus in view, the 73 to Victoria. | On London's Oxford Street in the evening rush-hour, among the throng of red (buses) and black (taxis), there is only one bendy bus in view, the 73 to Victoria. |
| BENDY CITIES LeedsManchesterAberdeenYorkGatesheadCardiffBathSouthamptonNottingham London elections But its 19-metre length, with three sets of double doors disgorging dozens of passengers at every bus stop, makes it pretty unmissable. On board, passengers can't really see what the fuss is about. | BENDY CITIES LeedsManchesterAberdeenYorkGatesheadCardiffBathSouthamptonNottingham London elections But its 19-metre length, with three sets of double doors disgorging dozens of passengers at every bus stop, makes it pretty unmissable. On board, passengers can't really see what the fuss is about. |
| "I like them," says Sameer Majeed, 46. "It's a very quick bus and so many people can get on and off." Others complimented the sliding doors and the extra space. | "I like them," says Sameer Majeed, 46. "It's a very quick bus and so many people can get on and off." Others complimented the sliding doors and the extra space. |
| But complaints included a lack of staff, not enough seats, the difficulty of standing up especially going round bends, and how their length was a problem when one bus backed on to another at a bus stop. | |
| "They're too long and the drivers don't seem to use the cameras to check that everyone has got on," says Angela Scott, 34. "The other day someone got caught in the doors before they had a chance to get on." | "They're too long and the drivers don't seem to use the cameras to check that everyone has got on," says Angela Scott, 34. "The other day someone got caught in the doors before they had a chance to get on." |
| Among 12 passengers in this unscientific survey, there was a 6:3:3 split representing like:dislike:indifferent. Hardly a revolution. | Among 12 passengers in this unscientific survey, there was a 6:3:3 split representing like:dislike:indifferent. Hardly a revolution. |
| A cyclist's utopia - no bendy in sight But in the cycling community there is a lot of anxiety about them. Some say the extra length means overtaking them at bus stops can be "terrifying" and there is the ever-present danger that drivers turn left without looking. | A cyclist's utopia - no bendy in sight But in the cycling community there is a lot of anxiety about them. Some say the extra length means overtaking them at bus stops can be "terrifying" and there is the ever-present danger that drivers turn left without looking. |
| But a spokesman for the London Cycling Campaign says while bendy buses can be awkward on narrow streets, lorries are a far greater danger. | But a spokesman for the London Cycling Campaign says while bendy buses can be awkward on narrow streets, lorries are a far greater danger. |
| And Lionel Shapiro, who has 60 years of cycling experience, says there is a lot of mythology about them. They actually "turn beautifully" round corners and sometimes collisions are purely the fault of the cyclist. | And Lionel Shapiro, who has 60 years of cycling experience, says there is a lot of mythology about them. They actually "turn beautifully" round corners and sometimes collisions are purely the fault of the cyclist. |
| Tory mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson believes they cause accidents because they are too wide for London roads and he wants to replace them with an adapted Routemaster, the much-loved open-ended bus phased out - except for two heritage routes - in 2005. | Tory mayoral hopeful Boris Johnson believes they cause accidents because they are too wide for London roads and he wants to replace them with an adapted Routemaster, the much-loved open-ended bus phased out - except for two heritage routes - in 2005. |
| 'No U-turn' | 'No U-turn' |
| His Liberal Democrat counterpart Brian Paddick highlights another problem, fare evasion. He says one in 10 passengers takes advantage of the pre-pay ticketing system and avoids paying. He would replace them with trams. Green candidate Sian Berry was unavailable to comment. | His Liberal Democrat counterpart Brian Paddick highlights another problem, fare evasion. He says one in 10 passengers takes advantage of the pre-pay ticketing system and avoids paying. He would replace them with trams. Green candidate Sian Berry was unavailable to comment. |
| BENDY BUS ACCIDENTS Lee Beckwith, 21, tried to re-board a bus after leaving his phone behind, but was killed and dragged for a mile in east LondonThree passengers hurt when back of a bus swung on the M77 near GlasgowThree teenagers died after collision between car and bus in south-east LondonBlessing Olayiwola, 12, died after being knocked over in south LondonTfL says no deaths have been caused by the design and there are no more accidents involving bendy buses than other buses Mayor Ken Livingstone stands by them, saying they're a vital part of the network, taking vast numbers of people from key stations like Victoria and Waterloo. He recently announced he has no plans to extend their use beyond the 12 routes they already serve, but denies this is a U-turn or a change of policy. | BENDY BUS ACCIDENTS Lee Beckwith, 21, tried to re-board a bus after leaving his phone behind, but was killed and dragged for a mile in east LondonThree passengers hurt when back of a bus swung on the M77 near GlasgowThree teenagers died after collision between car and bus in south-east LondonBlessing Olayiwola, 12, died after being knocked over in south LondonTfL says no deaths have been caused by the design and there are no more accidents involving bendy buses than other buses Mayor Ken Livingstone stands by them, saying they're a vital part of the network, taking vast numbers of people from key stations like Victoria and Waterloo. He recently announced he has no plans to extend their use beyond the 12 routes they already serve, but denies this is a U-turn or a change of policy. |
| "There's a perception that people don't like them but in customer satisfaction surveys people are pleased and say they meet their requirements," says his spokeswoman Victoria Collins, "so it's a perceived image that people don't like them but not reality." | "There's a perception that people don't like them but in customer satisfaction surveys people are pleased and say they meet their requirements," says his spokeswoman Victoria Collins, "so it's a perceived image that people don't like them but not reality." |
| COMPARISON Length: Bendy bus 18 metres, double-decker 10 metresCapacity (inc standing): Bendy bus 149, double-decker 90Proportion of London fleet: Bendy bus 5% (399 vehicles) Double-decker 63% (5,104 vehicles) Source: TfL. The double-decker in the graphic is a Dennis Enviro 400 Transport for London says they are only 5% of the fleet but they carry 9% of the passengers - 164 million last year. A spokeswoman said none of the 12 routes are in the top 10 for the most accidents and there have been no deaths due to their design. | COMPARISON Length: Bendy bus 18 metres, double-decker 10 metresCapacity (inc standing): Bendy bus 149, double-decker 90Proportion of London fleet: Bendy bus 5% (399 vehicles) Double-decker 63% (5,104 vehicles) Source: TfL. The double-decker in the graphic is a Dennis Enviro 400 Transport for London says they are only 5% of the fleet but they carry 9% of the passengers - 164 million last year. A spokeswoman said none of the 12 routes are in the top 10 for the most accidents and there have been no deaths due to their design. |
| York has advanced bendy buses called FTRsAnd she adds that you are more than five times as likely to have your ticket checked on a bendy bus than any other bus. | York has advanced bendy buses called FTRsAnd she adds that you are more than five times as likely to have your ticket checked on a bendy bus than any other bus. |
| Many cities around the world have had bendy buses for years and they have been running in other parts of the UK since 1980, when a ban on them was lifted. | Many cities around the world have had bendy buses for years and they have been running in other parts of the UK since 1980, when a ban on them was lifted. |
| In York they have both "bendys" and an advanced model called FTR (text-shorthand for "future"), which serves one of the fastest-growing routes in the country. | In York they have both "bendys" and an advanced model called FTR (text-shorthand for "future"), which serves one of the fastest-growing routes in the country. |
| Routemasters were very popular but were replaced by bendy busesFTRs are styled like trams, with greater low-floor area to improve access and maximise space. Their bright purple exterior raised some eyebrows in the historic city and the unpopular pre-pay system was ditched in favour of conductors. | Routemasters were very popular but were replaced by bendy busesFTRs are styled like trams, with greater low-floor area to improve access and maximise space. Their bright purple exterior raised some eyebrows in the historic city and the unpopular pre-pay system was ditched in favour of conductors. |
| But First buses, which runs the FTRs, says they have caught people's attention and made people think twice about taking a car. | But First buses, which runs the FTRs, says they have caught people's attention and made people think twice about taking a car. |
| They have been a success in York, says Councillor Ann Reid who has responsibility for the city's transport policy, partly because they are so accessible. | They have been a success in York, says Councillor Ann Reid who has responsibility for the city's transport policy, partly because they are so accessible. |
| "If you have a pushchair or wheelchair, you should expect to get on a bus. When I was younger you had to fold up a pushchair, lug it on and carry it, but now there's quite a lot of open space." | "If you have a pushchair or wheelchair, you should expect to get on a bus. When I was younger you had to fold up a pushchair, lug it on and carry it, but now there's quite a lot of open space." |
| 'Menace' | 'Menace' |
| But London has unique demands which bendy buses are not always equipped to meet, says transport expert Christian Wolmar. | But London has unique demands which bendy buses are not always equipped to meet, says transport expert Christian Wolmar. |
| "A number of them operate on main roads and do make sense but they don't when they go into town and go round corners and cause real problems and I think that's the issue." | "A number of them operate on main roads and do make sense but they don't when they go into town and go round corners and cause real problems and I think that's the issue." |
| The idea that in what is supposed to be the world's leading city, the most visible argument is about a kind of bus is slightly strange Tony TraversLocal government expert He thinks they can be a menace in the capital's narrow streets, especially with dozens of passengers standing up and hanging off straps, but their problems have been exaggerated. | The idea that in what is supposed to be the world's leading city, the most visible argument is about a kind of bus is slightly strange Tony TraversLocal government expert He thinks they can be a menace in the capital's narrow streets, especially with dozens of passengers standing up and hanging off straps, but their problems have been exaggerated. |
| The fuss is partly due to the fond nostalgia of the Routemasters which they replaced, says government expert Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, and since then it's escalated. | The fuss is partly due to the fond nostalgia of the Routemasters which they replaced, says government expert Tony Travers of the London School of Economics, and since then it's escalated. |
| "It's a bit like the First World War, no-one can remember what they're fighting about and it becomes an excuse for an argument. | "It's a bit like the First World War, no-one can remember what they're fighting about and it becomes an excuse for an argument. |
| "The idea that in what is supposed to be the world's leading city, the most visible argument is about a kind of bus is slightly strange." | "The idea that in what is supposed to be the world's leading city, the most visible argument is about a kind of bus is slightly strange." |
| And ultimately it won't make a difference come the mayoral election in May. | And ultimately it won't make a difference come the mayoral election in May. |
| "There are not many votes in arguments about types of buses. It's entertainment, like a Punch and Judy show we can all enjoy from time to time." | "There are not many votes in arguments about types of buses. It's entertainment, like a Punch and Judy show we can all enjoy from time to time." |
| But maybe not for much longer. | But maybe not for much longer. |
| Add your comments on this story, using the form below. | Add your comments on this story, using the form below. |
| How on earth anyone can feel passionate against the bendy bus is beyond me. The advantages are clear: they carry almost twice as many passengers while being only 50% longer (and single decked); the three large doors enable much quicker getting on and off, reducing the symptom of "three buses arriving at once"; most are more fuel efficient; and they are more comfortable inside than any of the double deckers and certainly than that god-awful pre-civilisation toy bus called Routemaster. There are plenty of streets the bendy can drive on very safely, not all London streets are narrow.Stephan, London | How on earth anyone can feel passionate against the bendy bus is beyond me. The advantages are clear: they carry almost twice as many passengers while being only 50% longer (and single decked); the three large doors enable much quicker getting on and off, reducing the symptom of "three buses arriving at once"; most are more fuel efficient; and they are more comfortable inside than any of the double deckers and certainly than that god-awful pre-civilisation toy bus called Routemaster. There are plenty of streets the bendy can drive on very safely, not all London streets are narrow.Stephan, London |
| They are only designed for long straight roads. Never stand on a corner when they turn... I was almost hit! I had to jump back to look after my healthPhil, London | They are only designed for long straight roads. Never stand on a corner when they turn... I was almost hit! I had to jump back to look after my healthPhil, London |
| I used to travel to work daily on Routemasters, and in the latter days they simply weren't the glorious things that people seem to make them out to be. I found them cramped and uncomfortable; they frequently broke down and some of the conductors were the rudest people I ever met. The bendys on the other hand are user-friendly and most importantly fast - because they don't linger at stops for people to run up and down stairs. I suspect the people who moan about these buses are the people who aren't actually using them - the folks who have a romanticised view of London to which the buses are a backdrop - not a vital means of transport for hundreds of thousands of people every day.Paul, London, UK | I used to travel to work daily on Routemasters, and in the latter days they simply weren't the glorious things that people seem to make them out to be. I found them cramped and uncomfortable; they frequently broke down and some of the conductors were the rudest people I ever met. The bendys on the other hand are user-friendly and most importantly fast - because they don't linger at stops for people to run up and down stairs. I suspect the people who moan about these buses are the people who aren't actually using them - the folks who have a romanticised view of London to which the buses are a backdrop - not a vital means of transport for hundreds of thousands of people every day.Paul, London, UK |
| Bendy buses have a serious problem of overcrowding because there's a never anyone to control the amount of people getting on and off the buses. Most Londoners seem to have an unspoken etiquette when it comes to the Tube and double decker buses, but it just doesn't translate onto bendy buses. Also anyone who's had to wait a stupid amount of time for buses to turn from Gower Street onto New Oxford Street in the morning because a bendy bus is clogging up not only the turning but the three lanes of traffic as well will know how much they don't work in this city!! Bring back Routemasters...please!James, London | Bendy buses have a serious problem of overcrowding because there's a never anyone to control the amount of people getting on and off the buses. Most Londoners seem to have an unspoken etiquette when it comes to the Tube and double decker buses, but it just doesn't translate onto bendy buses. Also anyone who's had to wait a stupid amount of time for buses to turn from Gower Street onto New Oxford Street in the morning because a bendy bus is clogging up not only the turning but the three lanes of traffic as well will know how much they don't work in this city!! Bring back Routemasters...please!James, London |
| I started cycling to work recently and I have to admit that the bendy bus I share a route with scared me the first time it overtook. I've got used to it now though and the driver always makes sure he has plenty of room to pull in ahead of me. As long as I'm careful there are no problems, which is true of any other road users.Elle, London | |
| More people fell off the back of open platform buses than have died in bendy bus accidents, including people who fell or stepped out into traffic to be struck by a passing bike or taxi. Off-bus ticketing is the future, giving people ticket options on phones, Oyster Cards or whatever method. John, Oxford, UK | |
| British infrastructure is designed to be able to handle the double decker bus (ie bridges etc) 2. Why can't the double deckers be redesigned to take 149 passengers, they do have more space after all and don't have a bendy bit taking up space (although they do have the stair well) 3. Surely if we are paying over a pound for a journey we should be able to have a seat, how do you expect to get anyone out of a car if they have to stand all the time not to mention the added danger of having to stand. 4. Bendy buses take up a lot more road space than normal double deckers so inevitably contribute more to traffic problems. 5. The double decker bus is profoundly British and tourists travel to the UK expecting to see them in regular use.Jamie Ferguson, Amsterdam/Edinburgh | British infrastructure is designed to be able to handle the double decker bus (ie bridges etc) 2. Why can't the double deckers be redesigned to take 149 passengers, they do have more space after all and don't have a bendy bit taking up space (although they do have the stair well) 3. Surely if we are paying over a pound for a journey we should be able to have a seat, how do you expect to get anyone out of a car if they have to stand all the time not to mention the added danger of having to stand. 4. Bendy buses take up a lot more road space than normal double deckers so inevitably contribute more to traffic problems. 5. The double decker bus is profoundly British and tourists travel to the UK expecting to see them in regular use.Jamie Ferguson, Amsterdam/Edinburgh |
| The majority of people in York dislike the bendy bus despite what the council and First say. They are to big for the streets of York.Peter Harrison, York | The majority of people in York dislike the bendy bus despite what the council and First say. They are to big for the streets of York.Peter Harrison, York |