This week, Prime Minister, David Cameron, reiterated his advocacy for a "big society," which was something he campaigned on prior to the last general election. Unfortunately, most of the mainstream media haven't been very supportive of the concept, then or now. Frequently, they deride it as confusing, unclear, or claim to not understand how it is supposed to work. Frankly, I don't understand how these supposedly intelligent people can understand such a simple thing. What Cameron is proposing is that the people of Britain stop looking to the government too solve every problem in their lives. Instead, they should figure out how to help themselves and each other, and together, create a "big society," where people help each other out.
I admit, I don't love the name Cameron has chosen. Margaret Thatcher famously said there is no such thing as "society" and she was right. However, the idea is one I fully support and would be a great improvement in life, in the UK. Generations of Brits, since World War II, have been taught to rely on the government for almost everything. This is the result of the creation and growth of the "welfare state" and rampantly growing socialism. Now, after 13 years of a growing state, due to Labour Party policies, people are so used to being encouraged to look to the state for everything, when they are told to sort out more of their own problems, they just get a puzzled look on their faces. They have forgotten, or have never learned, how to be self-reliant. The current, coalition government, headed by David Cameron, is trying to balance the massive budget deficit and national debt left by Labour. One way to help do this is get people to become self-reliant again. For a nation that survived the Blitz, this shouldn't be that hard..
The "Big Society" is as big as parents organizing their own schools, when they are not happy with the education being provided by government schools. It's includes things like not burdening the National Health Service by going to the doctor every time you get a sniffle. It's as small as not throwing your litter on the ground. Instead of deriding it, the mainstream media should be championing it. Stop trying to score political points on Cameron, by ridiculing the "big society" and get behind it. It's an opportunity to help build a better Britain, for the future. Remember, you live here, too.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Maximize Space
Double-decker buses, in London, can hold quite a few people. At the garage where I'm based, the older models in our fleet hold approximately 70 people. The newest models hold over 90. Passengers board at the front doors and exit from the rear doors. Once most of the seats are taken, people begin standing. Often a problem develops, as more and more people board the bus. Passengers tend to bunch up, towards the front.
The two, main contributing causes for the passengers bunching near the front are the fact that passengers on the lower deck can't see if there are empty seats on the upper deck and that passengers standing in the middle of the lower deck don't move towards the back, as more people board. The first problem I can often help with. Most of the buses in the fleet are now equipped with CCTV cameras which show the upper deck on a monitor in the driver's cab. Some older buses have a mechanical, periscope system, which lets the driver have a view of the upper deck. As the lower deck starts to have a number of people standing, I try to check the upper deck for open seats. If there are open seats upstairs, I play a recorded announcement which says, "seats are available on the upper deck." Often, even after I play this announcement, many people remain standing, on the lower deck. Many older passengers are too infirm to climb the stairs to the upper deck, which is understandable. Several of the seats on the lower deck are labeled as priority seating for the elderly. Those who are not elderly often remain on the lower deck, because they plan to get off in a few stops and they figure it's easier to stay downstairs, near the exit doors, rather than go upstairs just to come back down in a few minutes.
The second problem I also try to help with. I have another recorded announcement, which says, "please move towards the rear of the bus." When boarding passengers, where there are people standing on board already, I play this announcement, often several times. That doesn't always result in people moving towards the back. I don't know if they just don't listen, or if they are too busy talking to pay attention, but if they don't move down, I'll often turn on the public address system and shout, "please move down as far as you can, so people can get on." That usually gets some result. Still, I will often look in the mirrors that let me see the area by the rear doors and see that there is much more space between people than there is up front, where passengers are jammed together like sardines. It would be helpful if people took it upon themselves to move down, during busy periods. If there are seats upstairs and you are fit enough to climb to the upper deck, take one of the seats upstairs. This frees up space for the elderly, or for more standing passengers, downstairs. Also, when people get off, from the rear doors, thus freeing up space, move down, so more people can get on, up front. If everyone does the reasonable thing, together, we can maximize the number of people who can ride on the bus, which maxes the bus system more cost effective for all of us.
The two, main contributing causes for the passengers bunching near the front are the fact that passengers on the lower deck can't see if there are empty seats on the upper deck and that passengers standing in the middle of the lower deck don't move towards the back, as more people board. The first problem I can often help with. Most of the buses in the fleet are now equipped with CCTV cameras which show the upper deck on a monitor in the driver's cab. Some older buses have a mechanical, periscope system, which lets the driver have a view of the upper deck. As the lower deck starts to have a number of people standing, I try to check the upper deck for open seats. If there are open seats upstairs, I play a recorded announcement which says, "seats are available on the upper deck." Often, even after I play this announcement, many people remain standing, on the lower deck. Many older passengers are too infirm to climb the stairs to the upper deck, which is understandable. Several of the seats on the lower deck are labeled as priority seating for the elderly. Those who are not elderly often remain on the lower deck, because they plan to get off in a few stops and they figure it's easier to stay downstairs, near the exit doors, rather than go upstairs just to come back down in a few minutes.
The second problem I also try to help with. I have another recorded announcement, which says, "please move towards the rear of the bus." When boarding passengers, where there are people standing on board already, I play this announcement, often several times. That doesn't always result in people moving towards the back. I don't know if they just don't listen, or if they are too busy talking to pay attention, but if they don't move down, I'll often turn on the public address system and shout, "please move down as far as you can, so people can get on." That usually gets some result. Still, I will often look in the mirrors that let me see the area by the rear doors and see that there is much more space between people than there is up front, where passengers are jammed together like sardines. It would be helpful if people took it upon themselves to move down, during busy periods. If there are seats upstairs and you are fit enough to climb to the upper deck, take one of the seats upstairs. This frees up space for the elderly, or for more standing passengers, downstairs. Also, when people get off, from the rear doors, thus freeing up space, move down, so more people can get on, up front. If everyone does the reasonable thing, together, we can maximize the number of people who can ride on the bus, which maxes the bus system more cost effective for all of us.
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Barbara Bush Supports Gay Marriage
Former US President, George W. Bush's, daughter, Barbara has appeared in an ad supporting gay marriage. This is a significant break from her father's policy, opposing same-sex marriage. With the war in Iraq, George W. became a particularly unpopular figure, here in the UK, especially amongst young people. Barbara may do a lot to restore the Bush family name. Even bigger news than her openly supporting gay marriage, is the fact that she's gorgeous. Who knew "Dubbya" had such a major babe for a daughter?
Friday, 28 January 2011
Boris Johnson Get's One Right
This week, my favorite London Mayor challenged the Chancellor, George Osborne, a fellow Conservative, to clearly indicate, in his next budget, when he will reduce personal taxes. Well done, Boris! While I have been mostly supportive of the actions of the Conservative led coalition government, I too want a commitment to lower taxes. I'll put up with the increase in VAT, for a while, to help eliminate the budget deficit, once that is done, I want taxes brought down. Labour has been critical of the Conservatives, because of the Coalition's aggressive deficit reduction policy. While admitting that they, too, would have had to make cuts, the Labour leadership claim they would have taken twice as long to reduce the deficit.
Government spending cuts are never going to be popular amongst those voters who have grown accustomed to receiving benefits from the public treasury. However, by balancing the budget twice as fast as Labour would, it gives the coalition the opportunity to cut taxes before the next national election. Tax cuts are popular with voters who benefit from them, plus will help improve economic activity. The Conservatives strategy will allow them to weather the bad will created by doing the tough things to balance the budget, while leaving a couple of years fro them to rebuild good will, by tax reduction, in time for the next election. This is quite a clever long-term play and one, so far, that Labour hasn't been clever enough to perceive.
By challenging Osborne, Boris Johnson has placed himself in a position to ride the coming wave. It is rumored he has national ambitions and may, one day, make a run for the Conservative Party leadership. Some speculate that could be the reason for his tax statements, this week. I hope he stays Mayor, for the foreseeable future, so we don't end up with that nasty Red Ken back in. Calling for tax reduction makes up for his silly Thames Estuary Airport advocacy, last week. Boris, more tax cutting, less goofy new airports, please.
Government spending cuts are never going to be popular amongst those voters who have grown accustomed to receiving benefits from the public treasury. However, by balancing the budget twice as fast as Labour would, it gives the coalition the opportunity to cut taxes before the next national election. Tax cuts are popular with voters who benefit from them, plus will help improve economic activity. The Conservatives strategy will allow them to weather the bad will created by doing the tough things to balance the budget, while leaving a couple of years fro them to rebuild good will, by tax reduction, in time for the next election. This is quite a clever long-term play and one, so far, that Labour hasn't been clever enough to perceive.
By challenging Osborne, Boris Johnson has placed himself in a position to ride the coming wave. It is rumored he has national ambitions and may, one day, make a run for the Conservative Party leadership. Some speculate that could be the reason for his tax statements, this week. I hope he stays Mayor, for the foreseeable future, so we don't end up with that nasty Red Ken back in. Calling for tax reduction makes up for his silly Thames Estuary Airport advocacy, last week. Boris, more tax cutting, less goofy new airports, please.
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
What Are You Waiting For?
London has a wonderful payment system for public transport. Known as "Oyster," it's a credit card sized card, which customers can use as a pre-pay, top-up card. They can also put Travelcards and bus passes onto it, eliminating the need to carry paper tickets. Oyster is accepted on London buses, trams, the Tube, and overground trains operating within London. A customer can register his or her Oyster card and if it is stolen, TFL will protect the customer from the loss of any money on the card, when it is reported missing. Alternatively, if one is concerned about recorded wherever one travels, you can leave the card un-registered, which makes its use anonymous.
When Oyster first came out, I hesitated getting one. As I live just outside London, I didn't travel in the city every day, at that time. I used to buy one day Travelcards, when I did come into London, which gave me unlimited use of public transport on the valid day. I was worried that, with Oyster, where one is charged for each journey, I might end up paying more than a Travelcard. On the other hand, a Travelcard is only worthwhile, if you make enough trips to exceed the purchase price. Oyster solves the problem. The card will only charge you up to the cost of a Travelcard, or if used exclusively on buses, the maximum will be the equivalent of a one day bus pass. Thus, either way, you get the lowest price. If you don't travel enough to meet the price of a Travelcard, you only end up paying for the trips you use. If you do reach the Travelcard, or bus pass cost, it automatically caps the charges at that amount. If that wasn't enough, you get discounts on the cost of single trips, compared with paying cash. For example, a single bus journey is now £2.20, cash, but only £1.30 on Oyster.
Oyster also makes boarding the bus much quicker. Just press the card to yellow, circular "reader." It will beep once, which means the card has been accepted, and you are on your way (young people's concessionary Oyster cards beep eight times, rapidly). This is much quicker than buying a cash ticket. The faster the bus is loaded, the faster we are on our way. Queues move quickly and everyone benefits.
However, a significant minority of passengers slow the whole process down, by not having their Oyster cards ready when they board the bus. These passengers, the majority of whom seem to be women, wait until they board the bus to begin looking for their cards. It's so frustrating waiting while a woman fishes around in her handbag, looking for her Oyster, when most folks get them in their hands while waiting for the bus to approach. Some want me to drive off, while they look, but there are a few reasons why that's not practical. First, if it turns out I need to issue a cash ticket, we drivers are forbidden from issuing cash tickets while the bus is in motion. This is a safety issue, as issue a cash ticket can distract us from driving. Another reason, also safety related, is that we aren't supposed to be operating the bus with a passenger standing that far forward. Additionally, if I start driving, I can loose track of the passenger who hasn't paid, allowing him or her to disappear into the crowd on the bus and travel without paying. Finally, the psychological pressure of everyone on the bus waiting for the person motivates that he or she find the card quickly. It's also easier to launch the person from the bus, if he or she ends up not having a valid form of payment, if we are still at the bus stop.
In summary, if you are using cash to travel on London's buses, get an Oyster card today and start saving money. If you are an Oyster user, please have your card ready when you board, rather than start fishing for it on the bus. Here's a hint: if you always keep your Oyster in the same place, it will be a lot easier to find.
When Oyster first came out, I hesitated getting one. As I live just outside London, I didn't travel in the city every day, at that time. I used to buy one day Travelcards, when I did come into London, which gave me unlimited use of public transport on the valid day. I was worried that, with Oyster, where one is charged for each journey, I might end up paying more than a Travelcard. On the other hand, a Travelcard is only worthwhile, if you make enough trips to exceed the purchase price. Oyster solves the problem. The card will only charge you up to the cost of a Travelcard, or if used exclusively on buses, the maximum will be the equivalent of a one day bus pass. Thus, either way, you get the lowest price. If you don't travel enough to meet the price of a Travelcard, you only end up paying for the trips you use. If you do reach the Travelcard, or bus pass cost, it automatically caps the charges at that amount. If that wasn't enough, you get discounts on the cost of single trips, compared with paying cash. For example, a single bus journey is now £2.20, cash, but only £1.30 on Oyster.
Oyster also makes boarding the bus much quicker. Just press the card to yellow, circular "reader." It will beep once, which means the card has been accepted, and you are on your way (young people's concessionary Oyster cards beep eight times, rapidly). This is much quicker than buying a cash ticket. The faster the bus is loaded, the faster we are on our way. Queues move quickly and everyone benefits.
However, a significant minority of passengers slow the whole process down, by not having their Oyster cards ready when they board the bus. These passengers, the majority of whom seem to be women, wait until they board the bus to begin looking for their cards. It's so frustrating waiting while a woman fishes around in her handbag, looking for her Oyster, when most folks get them in their hands while waiting for the bus to approach. Some want me to drive off, while they look, but there are a few reasons why that's not practical. First, if it turns out I need to issue a cash ticket, we drivers are forbidden from issuing cash tickets while the bus is in motion. This is a safety issue, as issue a cash ticket can distract us from driving. Another reason, also safety related, is that we aren't supposed to be operating the bus with a passenger standing that far forward. Additionally, if I start driving, I can loose track of the passenger who hasn't paid, allowing him or her to disappear into the crowd on the bus and travel without paying. Finally, the psychological pressure of everyone on the bus waiting for the person motivates that he or she find the card quickly. It's also easier to launch the person from the bus, if he or she ends up not having a valid form of payment, if we are still at the bus stop.
In summary, if you are using cash to travel on London's buses, get an Oyster card today and start saving money. If you are an Oyster user, please have your card ready when you board, rather than start fishing for it on the bus. Here's a hint: if you always keep your Oyster in the same place, it will be a lot easier to find.
Friday, 21 January 2011
Boris Johnson's Flights of Fancy
This week, London's Mayor, Boris Johnson, dragged out his old idea of building a new airport in the Thames Estuary. Now, I really like the Mayor. I think he's a great improvement over the previous Mayor, Ken Livingston, but I find this idea one of his weak spots. To a great degree, I think this comes down to politics. The previous, Labour government approved building a third runway at Heathrow. Some odd people opposed this and I think the Conservatives campaigned on cancelling the third runway, to gain votes form those people opposed to the project. This was such an odd situation, because traditionally, the Conservatives have been on the side of business. I think the majority of businessmen, in London, favor expansion of Heathrow. Heathrow is the busiest London airport and close to the West End.
In any case, Boris couldn't really run on a campaign favoring expanding Heathrow, when his party was officially opposed to it. So, when faced with questions as to what he would propose doing about the need for more airport capacity, in London, Boris came up with this daft idea of building a new airport, out east, in the Thames Estuary. After he won the election, Boris' airport idea fell by the wayside. Recently, I heard that some people objected that it would disturb Thames birds. The heck with the birds, it would be too far away. I live just southwest of London and Heathrow is the closest airport to me. I wouldn't want to have to travel all the way to the other side of London. A Thames Estuary airport would be further from me than any other London airport. It would cost a lot of money to build a complete airport, from scratch. Plus, it would be necessary to build all the transportation infrastructure to get people to and from the new airport. Heathrow already has that infrastructure. Surely, it would be cheaper just to build another runway there. Boris, please let your half-baked idea die. For good advice on all things transport, talk to me, Mr. Mayor.
In any case, Boris couldn't really run on a campaign favoring expanding Heathrow, when his party was officially opposed to it. So, when faced with questions as to what he would propose doing about the need for more airport capacity, in London, Boris came up with this daft idea of building a new airport, out east, in the Thames Estuary. After he won the election, Boris' airport idea fell by the wayside. Recently, I heard that some people objected that it would disturb Thames birds. The heck with the birds, it would be too far away. I live just southwest of London and Heathrow is the closest airport to me. I wouldn't want to have to travel all the way to the other side of London. A Thames Estuary airport would be further from me than any other London airport. It would cost a lot of money to build a complete airport, from scratch. Plus, it would be necessary to build all the transportation infrastructure to get people to and from the new airport. Heathrow already has that infrastructure. Surely, it would be cheaper just to build another runway there. Boris, please let your half-baked idea die. For good advice on all things transport, talk to me, Mr. Mayor.
Wednesday, 12 January 2011
Lost and Found
Back at work, after my quick trip to L.A., I've put the fun of driving a fast car behind me and settled back into the routine of maneuvering a big, slow bus around the streets of South London. People often leave things on the buses. I've found bank cards, Oyster cards, shopping, and gloves, but this week, I've ha d a new experience. When I reached the last stop of a run back to Croydon, I discovered a large, rectangular bag in the luggage area. It looked like the case for a musical instrument. After prepping the bus for the next run, I open the bag, to see what was inside. I was shocked to find a large piece of medical equipment and a scarf. I zipped the bag back up and left it stowed where it was. I would turn it in, back at the garage, at the end of my shift.
When I pulled up to the first stop, at the beginning of my next run, an older woman boarded the bus. She pointed at the bag and said, "that's mine." I asked her what it contained, to prove that it was hers. "A blood pressure monitor and a scarf," she replied. That satisfied me that she was, in fact, the owner. I was pleased I wouldn't have to lug that heavy bag, up the stairs, to our lost and found department. Please try to remember to take everything you bring onto the bus with you when you leave. If you leave something that arouses suspicions, it could result in police being called and the transport being interrupted. If you do end up leaving something on the bus, contact the garage where the buses for that route are based. A quick call can result in the garage notifying the drivers on duty to look for your lost item. Alternatively, if some time has passed, the garage can check to see if your item has been found and turned in. If you find something on a bus, which you think has been lost, give it to the driver. We make our best efforts to see that lost property is reunited with its owner.
When I pulled up to the first stop, at the beginning of my next run, an older woman boarded the bus. She pointed at the bag and said, "that's mine." I asked her what it contained, to prove that it was hers. "A blood pressure monitor and a scarf," she replied. That satisfied me that she was, in fact, the owner. I was pleased I wouldn't have to lug that heavy bag, up the stairs, to our lost and found department. Please try to remember to take everything you bring onto the bus with you when you leave. If you leave something that arouses suspicions, it could result in police being called and the transport being interrupted. If you do end up leaving something on the bus, contact the garage where the buses for that route are based. A quick call can result in the garage notifying the drivers on duty to look for your lost item. Alternatively, if some time has passed, the garage can check to see if your item has been found and turned in. If you find something on a bus, which you think has been lost, give it to the driver. We make our best efforts to see that lost property is reunited with its owner.
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