Fabulous infographic by Supernova Condensate.

Private Eye‘s Signal Failures column is a constant reminder of everything that was good about British Rail.

Putting all ideological objections to privatisation to one side, the 1994 sell off of British Rail was inherently unworkable, and would inevitably result in the current fragmented and inefficient system.

Unbelievably, the real cost of the public rail subsidy is now higher than it ever was under British Rail: “In 1994, the total government support received by BR was £1,627m, (£2,168m in 2005 terms, adjusted by RPI), while in 2005, government support from all sources totalled £4,593m” (from Wikipedia).

Come back British Rail – all is forgiven!

Picture courtesy Queeky.

Yesterday (9 December 2011) the bendy-bus (or more accurately the Mercedes-Benz Citaros) was withdrawn from the London 207 route, one of which is pictured above on its last day of service (here’s a less impressionist shot from May 2011).

This is the last of the London bus routes to run bendy-buses, which have been withdrawn as a result of the last city mayor election.

Two objections have been made to the use of buses such as the Mercedes-Benz Citaros in London:

• The size of vehicles. This has been a problem on some of the routes the buses have been used. However they work best on roads that have few sharp bends, such as the 207 route, which I am a familiar – a long, comparatively straight route, with high volumes of passengers that the vehicle is designed to handle efficiently.
• Fare dodging. This has been an issue – however I’m sure a technical solution could be forthcoming from the organisation that put in place the Tube ticket gating system.

Given articulated buses efficient capabilities in dealing with high passenger volumes, and their suitability for disabled users, I don’t believe we have seen the permanent disappearance of such vehicles from London.

Tower Bridge at 1845 on 17 November 2011.

The level crossing outside Acton Central Overground station at 2004 on Thursday 1 September 2011.

The quality of pedestrian signs in the UK is generally quite poor.

So it’s good to see Legible London signs, already seen in some parts of the West End, being introduced into the bustling environs of Shepherds Bush.

Shepherds Bush Bus Station 9 November 2010.

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