Forum Topic

65 Express bus service - A solution?

I've just found that TfL had planned for an express bus service for the 65 along the lines of the 607 express version of the 207This was to have been a limited stop service stopping at key stops (formerly the compulsory stops along the route with just 8 stops plus 2 request stops between Ealing and Richmond and 5 stops Richmond- KingstonIt was to have had either lightweight 'Dart' single deckers for manouverability with improved comfort seats and racking for shopping but as projections showed it may be as popular as the 607, Enhanced comfort Double decks were also planned. Timetabled for 3 buses per hour between 06.45 and 21.30 inc. weekends.It was going to be numbered 605 or 665.I understand it was shelved because of the overspend on 'Bus Plus' and lack of interest from Richmond and Kingston councils but Ealing were positive.The loadings on the 65 are heavy and it's slow progress is partly because almost every bus stops at every stop en route. Slotting in an express service on clearly timetabled departures would in my view be a huge improvement.With an election approaching maybe some parties would like to ressurect this plan and maybe we might just end up with a service  that is suffering badly from it's current constraints.

Michael Brandt ● 6012d7 Comments

Would a limited stop bus on Route 65 actually be that much faster?In my experience the buses are delayed much more by traffic than dwell time at bus stops.Perhaps the solution to the problem would be to run fewer buses or smaller buses on the route. In this way the buses would be running at maximum capacity thus reducing the necessity to pick up additional passengers along the route. :)

Alan Brainsby ● 6012d

When the buses run to their normal spacing schedule they are packed and standing room only. the buses are now bigger but are still fullOnly when they are disrupted do some run with light loads and during the mid-morning as bunching occurs.Traffic delays are a bit of a major problem but often they are miles away and cause problems for passengers away from the source of the problem.A good short term fix would be to run a smaller single deck shuttle between Ealing Bdy Stn and Brentford McDonalds/County court. Kew Green would be better as a turning point exists but the delays over the bridge are the worst continual problem. It's the Ealing-Brentford-Kew Bdg. section that is the worst regular problem and full buses are a regular occurance. All the short workings are from the other direction, terminating at Brentford and leaving South Ealing minus an adequate service.The Kew -Richmond section is duplicated by the 391 in part but no other service covers South Ealing and eastern Brentford

Michael Brandt ● 6011d

Precisely. As I stated elsewhere split the route.The solution would seem to be:1: split the route, possibly into three, EB - Brentford, Brentford - Richmond, Richmond - Kingston.2: an express bus which is limited stop and covers the existing route.3: improve the traffic flow along the existing route 65, which would of benefit to all road users.4: "Tidal" bus lanes down the middle of the road. With on-board driver to base communications that shouldn't be too difficult.5: Proper enforcement of parking (red routes, yellow lines) and stopping (box junction) regulations.There is a total solution of course, but that would possibly be a track (or two) too far!

Alan Brainsby ● 6011d

There are no roads wide enough to have any sort of bus lane along almost all of the route.When TfL put in a bus lane of Kew bridge it backed traffic up all the way to Richmond circus and trebled the journey time and of course it was the bus that suffered the most, stuck in it all.A better solution (untried) is to have get in lane markings starting from Kew Green and a left turn only lane over Kew Bridge and use the camera to enforce it so anyone who creeps up the inside lane and then turns right gets nicked!The exception could be buses and bikes.The rest of the route though is single carriagewayThe route does not really need splitting but spreadover short journeys to cover the affected bits would ease the through journeys.

Michael Brandt ● 6011d

There are no roads wide enough to have any sort of bus lane along almost all of the route.When TfL put in a bus lane of Kew bridge it backed traffic up all the way to Richmond circus and trebled the journey time and of course it was the bus that suffered the most, stuck in it all.A better solution (untried) is to have get in lane markings starting from Kew Green and a left turn only lane over Kew Bridge and use the camera to enforce it so anyone who creeps up the inside lane and then turns right gets nicked!The exception could be buses and bikes.The rest of the route though is single carriagewayThe route does not really need splitting but spreadover short journeys to cover the affected bits would ease the through journeys.

Michael Brandt ● 6011d

I think maybe a single decker shuttle type bus just stopping at Stations could help, the route is appalling

Barbara Reed ● 5968d

I wouldn't be too optimistic about this as a solution. The 607 is not all that much faster than the 207 when I have used it.

Andy Jones ● 5963d