LNERGE Posted March 15, 2011 Share Posted March 15, 2011 Can I join you? Of course! Lets make a nuisance of ourselves if it takes any longer than it did in 1968.. I'm sure if the TV people are there they'd listen. I have the last train staff for the line complete with key for the level crossings that can join the WTT on a jaunt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
PLD Posted April 2, 2011 Share Posted April 2, 2011 Well some body tried to make use of the busway yesterday... http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/Home/You-could-waste-away-waiting-for-guided-bus.htm 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Richard E Posted April 3, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 3, 2011 I had anticipated using the busway for at least one journey as I used to work on the Cambridge Business Park (that's the one on the opposite side of Milton Road to the Science Park). I actually remember them lifting the track between Chesterton and Milton Road which ran past the back of my office building. Would it surprise anyone that it is now 4 1/2 years ago or more that the track was lifted. In fact I no longer work in Cambridge with the company having been taken over and relocated to York. Mind you the latter is far more interesting when it comes to trains ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Welly Posted April 22, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 22, 2011 Contractors have finally handed over the busway to the CCC yesterday! Opening date is still not set though. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-13164615 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted April 22, 2011 Author Share Posted April 22, 2011 I keep checking in here in case there's a shot of the bloody thing working!!!!!!! One day.........maybe......... Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Those responsible for this project should now offer their expertise to the Edinburgh Tram system. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir douglas Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 definitely a bus way, there used to be a guided bus system in leeds but is now unused How about this steam powered monorail:http://www.aqpl43.ds...ala/patiala.htm Best, Pete. and that is an excellent website for those more interested in the unusual, i have had alot of inspiration Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 Those responsible for this project should now offer their expertise to the Edinburgh Tram system. As I think I posted further back, both the busway and Edinburgh are suffering from disputes between the contractor and the local authority sponsors. This type of problem can occur with all sorts of civil engineering projects and there's no particular reason why a busway is more likely to suffer this type of delay than any other transport system. definitely a bus way, there used to be a guided bus system in leeds but is now unused Very much still in use. See this list of busways. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caradoc Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 As I think I posted further back, both the busway and Edinburgh are suffering from disputes between the contractor and the local authority sponsors. This type of problem can occur with all sorts of civil engineering projects and there's no particular reason why a busway is more likely to suffer this type of delay than any other transport system. Yes, but the Cambridgeshire Guided Busway is (or rather will be) by far the longest and most ambitious scheme of its type in Britain, and Edinburgh's tram system will (or rather might) be the first modern tram system in Scotland. The travails of both have done absolutely nothing to further the cause of modern public transport. Furthermore, if the Cambridge/St Ives scheme was a railway, rather than a busway, I have no doubt at all that it would be operational now. Perhaps local authorities should concentrate on fixing streetlights and emptying the bins, and leave complex projects to those who have some idea what they're doing. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poggy1165 Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 There is a similar guided busway planned for Greater Manchester, to be specific out to Leigh. The locals generally don't seem very keen on the idea, and I've even seen it questioned whether it will be significantly faster than the existing bus route via ordinary roads. Only the politicians seem to think it's a great idea. The most positive thing I've seen written about it is that apparently it would not be too difficult to convert to Metrolink if and when the demand is proved. I think the problem in England (particularly) is that there's a ruling-class view that anything done outside of London must be 'on the cheap'. There is little in the way of genuine long-term thinking/planning. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted April 24, 2011 Share Posted April 24, 2011 The travails of both have done absolutely nothing to further the cause of modern public transport. I agree with that. We need to know if the busway is workable before too many others embark on similar schemes. Furthermore, if the Cambridge/St Ives scheme was a railway, rather than a busway, I have no doubt at all that it would be operational now. That doesn't follow. If they'd followed the same contractual process to deliver a railway then they'd probably have got themselves into a very similar situation, just as the Edinburgh people have with the tram. And as to heavy rail, how long did the Robin Hood line take even with all local authorities and industry bodies fully behind it? Perhaps local authorities should concentrate on fixing streetlights and emptying the bins, and leave complex projects to those who have some idea what they're doing. I hope you're not suggesting DfT would be a better option! Consider for example Manchester Metrolink, a much larger transport project also being run by local authorities, and shaping up to deliver pretty much what was promised. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 Just to point out that we in the UK are not alone in running into problems with modern transport schemes. The Leipzig underground hs swallowed up around an extra 500m euros so far with no sign of an opening date. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
roythebus Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 There's usually an update of the Cambridge (mis)guided busway in RouteOne magazine, available online. I don't have a link to hand, but your search engine will find it. How about the Millenium Doom guided busway? Designed to pass the buses so close they knocked the mirrors off as they passed..more millions wasted on THAT project! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
sir douglas Posted April 25, 2011 Share Posted April 25, 2011 As I think I posted further back, both the busway and Edinburgh are suffering from disputes between the contractor and the local authority sponsors. This type of problem can occur with all sorts of civil engineering projects and there's no particular reason why a busway is more likely to suffer this type of delay than any other transport system. Very much still in use. See this list of busways. i heard that it was unused, it looks like i have misguided ears Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Richard E Posted April 26, 2011 RMweb Premium Share Posted April 26, 2011 I hadn't realised but Luton to Dunstable is going ahead as well - what does it have in common with the Cambridgeshire busway you ask? Well, it is on disused railway formation and it has the same contractors (BAM Nuttall) as the Cambridgeshire example ... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
stewartingram Posted April 26, 2011 Share Posted April 26, 2011 I hadn't realised but Luton to Dunstable is going ahead as well - what does it have in common with the Cambridgeshire busway you ask? Well, it is on disused railway formation and it has the same contractors (BAM Nuttall) as the Cambridgeshire example ... Think you missed off:- another waste of time/money/effort; another white elephant; (need we add to this?) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
trisonic Posted April 27, 2011 Author Share Posted April 27, 2011 I like this: "Hudson - Bergen Light Rail"http://www.njtransit.com/var/var_servlet.srv?hdnPageAction=HBLR8thStreetTo It has been a success in New Jersey (across the Hudson from Manhattan). Best, Pete. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold daveyb Posted May 3, 2011 RMweb Gold Share Posted May 3, 2011 I think the problem in England (particularly) is that there's a ruling-class view that anything done outside of London must be 'on the cheap'. There is little in the way of genuine long-term thinking/planning. Don't fool yourself into thinking money is thrown at London projects.... They're still on the cheap - they just cost more! To see where expensive projects have their money wasted, visit any MoD or NHS establishment with a 'project' ongoing. The works along the L&D busway are noticeable by their absence, you have plenty time to look at the weeds when sitting in Luton traffic. If ever there was a route for a Parry People Mover, this is it. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etched Pixels Posted May 3, 2011 Share Posted May 3, 2011 Swansea we have a busway. Now it is not guided as the busses come with a steering wheel and driver to operate it. Its a piece of tarmac on spare land, it works really well, and about the only thing they had to spend extra money on is the magic gates to stop idiots trying to use it. In future it can be cheaply converted into a road or similar as well. Alan (doesn't get guided busways) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edwin_m Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 In future it can be cheaply converted into a road or similar as well. Alan (doesn't get guided busways) I don't really get them either. But road conversion is one reason why people may favour a guided rather than an unguided busway. Councils sometimes open bus lanes to general traffic moreorless on a political whim, and could easily do the same with an unguided off-road busway, thus increasing noise and pollution for the locals. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 Maybe the people in Cambridge will have the chance tomorrow to get rid of the idiot councillors who commissioned this waste of money ,our councillors are spending money like its going out of fashion but at least we havent got a busway only bus lanes used a couple of times per hour. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bernard Lamb Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 thus increasing noise and pollution for the locals. But there lies part of the problem. For a large part of this route there are no locals. Bernard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmsforever Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 You could ride your bike on it Bernard ,if there no locals on the route how did it ever get started ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldfield_Park Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 I grew up in the locality of this busway and I too fail to recall many people being in favour of this scheme, apart from one particularly vocal local councillor who liked to have her face plastered across the front of the Hunts Post. I remember a couple of years back that the buses intended for the busway had "I'll be on the busway soon, will you?" transfers added to their livery. I was pleased to see, on a recent visit back to the area, that these buses are still trundling about with the "Will I be on the busway soon?" transfers added more recently. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord-Claud-Hamilton Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 Maybe the people in Cambridge will have the chance tomorrow to get rid of the idiot councillors who commissioned this waste of money If only!!! Those individuals are long gone and will never be held accountable. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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