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Buses grind to a halt in the heat

6:45pm Monday 9th June 2008

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Bus passengers faced delays today after a number of vehicles overheated.

The warm weather affected four Brighton and Hove Dennis Trident buses, one of which broke down four times.

Roger French, the managing director of Brighton and Hove Bus and Coach Company, said the problem was most likely down to driver error as these particular buses need to be "warmed up" to let the water cool their engines before setting off.

He said drivers had now been reminded of this quirk and apologised for any inconvenience caused to passengers.

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Your Say YourThe Argus

Major Blyth-Smith, 3rd Foot and Mouth, says...
6:56pm Mon 9 Jun 08

warm them up
- how do they do that?
set fire to them? - thats a bit counter productive, surely

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John, Cybersp says...
7:10pm Mon 9 Jun 08

"any inconvenience"
I hate that phrase. I was taught not to use it. It's self evident that a bus breaking down once, let alone four times, does cause inconvenience.

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huh?, Brighton says...
7:34pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Overheated? It was only 23 degrees today. Went to Athens last year and it reached 40 degrees. All the buses were running fine. Maybe we have the 'wrong kind' of heat here. Just like when we get a little ice and the trains stop running. Never seen that anywhere else in Europe. 'Wrong kind of ice' they said... The public transport in this country is a joke.

Brighton and Hove have a very large fleet of Dennis Trident buses. It's re-assuring that their trained drivers know how to operate them properly. If I were a nurse and had to be 'reminded' that diabetics should avoid large amounts of sugar after I had already stirred 10 spoons into their tea, I wouldn't be a nurse for much longer would I?

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b.driver, going on strike,yippee says...
7:48pm Mon 9 Jun 08

what utter tosh,the fact is the coolant level is no longer a responsability to the driver when topping up in the morning run-out due to health and safety measures impemented a few years ago by the HSE.It is the responsability of the garage staff in the mornings to make sure coolant levels are topped up,but,they dont get done because no-one in the garage is a hand at one time or out of sight because they cannot be bothered,i have seen garage staff throw top up cans acrooss the garage because they hate doing it,Frenchy will do anything to blacken the drivers reputation at the moment thus probably leeking this ridiculas story to a "mate" at the Argus just to rubbish the drivers in his comments.pay up Rog,or face serious upopularity.

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whogivesa, Brighton says...
7:50pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Anything that keeps even one bus off the roads for even a few minutes is alright by me

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Gentleman Jim, Brighton says...
7:56pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Not only are buses in Greece and Turkey running in plus 40% temperatures but they often are years old.Brighton & Hove appear to have purchased some temperamentral buses,but no worries with our summers we are only likely to get a couple of really hot days in the coming months.

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Miriam Binder, Whitehawk says...
8:44pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Need to be warmed up so that they can cool the engine? Yeah right, I believe you Mr French ... care to explain how one bus was so 'warmed up' that it broke down four times in one day?

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dc, sussex says...
9:14pm Mon 9 Jun 08

done 1 week on the bus to work, took 1hour 15mins to and 1hour back whereas my car takes me 20minutes.
this story has no relevence to me as i will not use the bus again until roger the dodger gives me a good enough explanation or reason!

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pcv+holder, says...
9:14pm Mon 9 Jun 08

instructions posted as follows.
1. if on starting the over heating alarm sounds switch off and wait 30 seconds.
2. if it continues to sound then run bus for a few minutes,
3. if it continues to sound then stop at next bus stop and call garage.

so you want to drive for at least 5 minutes with a constant distraction high pitched whitle and buzz. err no.
stop bus call garage, wait or proper engineer to confirm its safe

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David, Hove says...
9:15pm Mon 9 Jun 08

The reason is drivers cannot leave the engine running at the terminus for it
to cool down as this upsets the public who live next to the bus stop.
Next Monday it won't be a problem
with the bus strike.

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Fed Up, brighton says...
9:25pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Bus strike - I am happy to pay more in fares so the drivers can get a bit more, but I'm not happy to contribute to huge pensions for managers or to the private company's own, rather large, profits. Public services should be non-profit making, so any extra gets put back into services for those who pay for them, not into some fat cat's pockets.

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Lord Bingham, Portslade says...
9:44pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Obviously one's coachman is not as reliable as one thought. Perhaps a bicycle is in order from now on. Eat that, Frenchie! I'll ride naked if I have to so I can avoid getting on your bus again!

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nobby, says...
9:54pm Mon 9 Jun 08

typical lazy & idle drivers can't be bothered to do BASIC vehicle checks,too busy reading the sun in the canteen eating a big fry up. Go on strike there are plenty of people who would love to earn what you are earning.

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Browbeaten Busman, Brighton says...
10:00pm Mon 9 Jun 08

nobby wrote:
typical lazy & idle drivers can't be bothered to do BASIC vehicle checks,too busy reading the sun in the canteen eating a big fry up. Go on strike there are plenty of people who would love to earn what you are earning.
I'm sure there are,but would they be prepared to put up with all the crap we have to? This is why the training school is always in business!

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GMB Bus Driver, says...
10:31pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Basic vehicle checks which mean finding the coolant level`s low and getting an engineer to top it up. It`s only a gauge on the side of the bus, it`s not the drivers` job to top up coolant, it`s the engineer`s job. Doesn`t always stop them overheating though.

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Happy Shopper, on the roads says...
10:46pm Mon 9 Jun 08

Bring back Blakey!! He would not have let this happen.....he always kept Butler in check and his mate Harper. He would have "made our day"...

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Sweaty Betty, X-Ray says...
10:48pm Mon 9 Jun 08

The drivers have very little control over how the bus reacts in hot weather. Perhaps Roger French should be reviewing his maintenance regimes for the Trident fleet. How about properly maintaining the viscous fans and cleaning the radiators out on a more frequent basis? Check that the thermostats are opening at the correct temperature. Oh sorry, that would cost money!

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Major Blyth-Smith, 3rd Foot and Mouth, says...
11:21pm Mon 9 Jun 08

are all the bus crews on strike next week

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bobby bigballs, Brighton says...
12:15am Tue 10 Jun 08

Laughed so much tears run down me legs - warm them up on a day thats over 80 degrees - your 'aving a laugh Mr. French. Still I'm looking forward to the bus stike next we might see Mr. French behind the wheel in the rush hour!! Good photo oppotunity Frenchie.

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Jimmy, UK says...
1:51am Tue 10 Jun 08

"warmed up" to let the water cool their engines before setting off.

I took this to mean that the engines must be run at idle before setting off to allow the coolant to flow around the engine.
Considering this has been the warmest day for over half a year, drivers may have forgotten to do this.

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Flat Foot Soozie, Brunswick Square says...
4:31am Tue 10 Jun 08

These buses are for people out in the 'burbs.

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reggie, Brighton says...
4:56am Tue 10 Jun 08

so a few buses broke down. so ****ing what. i got a puncture in my bike last week - i hope that gets the same publicity.

when you think how many buses there are in B&H, and how many hours they are running and how many miles they do its hardly suprising a problem occurs now and again. i used to drive buses in London and they often broke down. The Routemasters were fine, but the rear engine ones werent.

Anyway, for gods sake get a life you lot - you are like a load of kids

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Rob Linham, Brighton says...
8:41am Tue 10 Jun 08

dc wrote:
done 1 week on the bus to work, took 1hour 15mins to and 1hour back whereas my car takes me 20minutes. this story has no relevence to me as i will not use the bus again until roger the dodger gives me a good enough explanation or reason!
Don't worry French doesn't use the buses either, he drives a V8 Audi everywhere. For all of us trying to be green by cycling and using his buses it sure is a kick in the teeth that the head of Brighton and Hove Buses Roger French drives a V8 Audi to work. We should all be sorry for the drivers having to work for that greedy fat cat hypocrite.

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rogers bench, paying in room says...
10:06am Tue 10 Jun 08

erm hold on a second - if the CLI light comes on you will usually get a radio supervisor who will tell you to turn the bus off no matter what the fault is -you could have a major fire and be told to turn the bus off,turn off the master switch etc etc then restart it. Most of our buses seem to display warning lights - last year i radioed up that my trident was flashing "stop" i was told to keep going! Why is the boss slagging us off?
Are you telling me a Volvo overheating is always the drivers fault also?

Thanks!


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lauren, brighton says...
10:29am Tue 10 Jun 08

Brighton and Hove City Busses
or
Brighton and Hove
S***y Busses

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Angela, Brighton says...
5:22pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Trouble with 'forums & message boards' like this one is they attract all the 'silly people' that like making silly comments!

The fact that you may find a long list of people 'knocking' the buses and jealous ones moaning about the boss driving an Audi (probably coz they have a 'P Reg' Fiesta) means absolutely nothing. The 99% of peeps that are happy with the bus service (and B&H has one of the best) are unlikely to bother to post a message - they just accept the buses for what they are - ie: pretty **** good.

These 'silly people' love to moan. Remember the one that went to the trouble to phone the Argus complaining about not being allowed on a bus due to a suspicous bus pass? Phoning the local paper? - what a dimwit!

The country seems to be made up of moaners and groaners that get a buzz out of having their petty writings viewed by others.

As was said earlier - get a life for gods sake.

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lemonpip, brighton says...
5:34pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Angela there are many valid points made on these message boards,it is people like you that need to wake up and take a reality check.Roger French is losing the plot he should simply retire and live of his profits from renting the Whitehawk garage he owns and rent to Brighton and Hove Bus Company.
People are tired of this pompous oaf coming out with spin after spin after spin. How can he sleep at night, he needs to hold his head in shame as one blogger said he has robbed us for years with his price cut diesel and price increases. As for 99% of passengers happy with the buses Angela are you on the cooking sherry ! RIP OF ROGER IS AT IT AGAIN!

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lil voice, brighton says...
5:39pm Tue 10 Jun 08

IT'S SEEMS TO ME THIS IS ALL ANOTHER ROUND OF EXCUSES BY THE BUS COMPANY TO PUT UP FARES, MR FRENCH SEEMS TO BE ALL ABOUT PROFITS AND MAINTAINING THEM FOR HIS OWN SELF GLORY RATHER THAN BEING FAIR TO HIS WORKFORCE AND CUSTOMERS, WE ARE FACING DIFFICULT TIMES WITH THIS CREDIT CRUNCH BUT SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN A COMPANY LIKE BRIGHTON AND HOVE BUS COMPANY ARE MAKING MILLIONS OF POUNDS PROFIT EVERY YEAR SURELY TO LOSE SOME OF THAT PROFIT TO GIVE A FAIR WAGE THROUGHOUT ALL DRIVERS AND STAFF IS ONLY PROPER. I THINK IT STINKS THAT HE IS BLAMING ALL OF THIS ON DRIVERS AND OIL WHEN I BELIEVE THAT DIESEL AT GO A HEAD IS PRICE CAPPED FOR A FEW YEARS AT A TIME OR SO IT SAYS ON GO A HEADS WEBSITE.SO THIS CONSTANT FARE RISING IS JUST WAFFLE AND MAKES THIS GOLDEN BOY NOT SO SHINY

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granny smith, southwick says...
5:50pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Mr French is such a gentleman and there aren't many around these days.Not many people know that on Monday if the strike goes a head he will personally open his V8 Audi to all passengers who are delayed or in need of a bus.God bless you Mr French you should get a knighthood, Dame Roger French at your service.

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Lucy on her Blackberry, Brighton says...
5:52pm Tue 10 Jun 08

lil voice wrote:
IT'S SEEMS TO ME THIS IS ALL ANOTHER ROUND OF EXCUSES BY THE BUS COMPANY TO PUT UP FARES, MR FRENCH SEEMS TO BE ALL ABOUT PROFITS AND MAINTAINING THEM FOR HIS OWN SELF GLORY RATHER THAN BEING FAIR TO HIS WORKFORCE AND CUSTOMERS, WE ARE FACING DIFFICULT TIMES WITH THIS CREDIT CRUNCH BUT SOMETIMES EVEN WHEN A COMPANY LIKE BRIGHTON AND HOVE BUS COMPANY ARE MAKING MILLIONS OF POUNDS PROFIT EVERY YEAR SURELY TO LOSE SOME OF THAT PROFIT TO GIVE A FAIR WAGE THROUGHOUT ALL DRIVERS AND STAFF IS ONLY PROPER. I THINK IT STINKS THAT HE IS BLAMING ALL OF THIS ON DRIVERS AND OIL WHEN I BELIEVE THAT DIESEL AT GO A HEAD IS PRICE CAPPED FOR A FEW YEARS AT A TIME OR SO IT SAYS ON GO A HEADS WEBSITE.SO THIS CONSTANT FARE RISING IS JUST WAFFLE AND MAKES THIS GOLDEN BOY NOT SO SHINY
He sounds like a good business man to me.

I assume you dont mind a company making a profit, so long as its only a very tiny one, and the CEO doesnt have a better life style than you!

Sadly its people like you that makes Great Britain was it is today - just Britain.

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lil voice, brighton says...
6:06pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Lucy it is a great thing that Brighton and Hove Buses do remarkably well. However maybe when profits are so good rather than management and shareholders creaming off a fair pay offer was on the cards, rather than local managers running scared because of the impending strike and hiking prices up again on yet more falsehoods.Sadly Britain is no longer Great- Greedy but not Great!

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The jolly Roger, brighton says...
6:28pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Driver error? Driver BLOODY error.......Don't go making it worse rog you twit.

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granny smith, southwick says...
7:02pm Tue 10 Jun 08

Seems to me the driver's always get blamed Jolly Roger,never mind when diesel runs out for buses what about when when there's no petrol in the pumps!!
The world is going down the pan and we cannot stop it.

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cyril, brighton says...
9:49pm Tue 10 Jun 08

The TRIDENTS are breaking down continually every day of the year, not so much driver error as a manager who is so tight on maintance he does not give a ****.
He only cares about profits,not about staff or customers.He is not community spirited he is just a lazy git.

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derek, Brighton says...
10:51pm Tue 10 Jun 08

I will bet any money that if you asked any 1000 bus users what they think of the B&H bus service, 99% would have no complaints whatsoever

Im a painter and decorator, and ive got a V8 Audi by the way - it aint that special

Stop moaning you load of old women

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leila, worthing says...
11:09pm Tue 10 Jun 08

You might be walking soon derek when you can't afford to put petrol in your tank because people can't afford to pay their mortgages let along employ you. These guys work hard all day not flick a paintbrush!

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Eco Man, Kemp Town says...
7:52am Wed 11 Jun 08

It really irritates people the way this French guy sets himself up as a "mover and shaker" or "key player" in the two-bit world of local government. He should simply get on with managing his branch of a national bus company.

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busman, says...
12:11pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Eco Man wrote:
It really irritates people the way this French guy sets himself up as a "mover and shaker" or "key player" in the two-bit world of local government. He should simply get on with managing his branch of a national bus company.
That`s right. they should never have privatised the NBC in 1986

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Eric, Hove says...
6:19pm Wed 11 Jun 08

leila wrote:
You might be walking soon derek when you can't afford to put petrol in your tank because people can't afford to pay their mortgages let along employ you. These guys work hard all day not flick a paintbrush!
"These guys work hard all day not flick a paintbrush!"

Working hard driving a bus? you are havin a laugh. I did it for 25 years - the money isnt as good as some jobs, but thats because its such an easy job.

And it isnt flickin the paint brush thats difficult, its knowing HOW to flick it

Silly person

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Danny, Brighton says...
6:27pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Eco Man wrote:
It really irritates people the way this French guy sets himself up as a "mover and shaker" or "key player" in the two-bit world of local government. He should simply get on with managing his branch of a national bus company.
JEALOUSY

He's got a nice car, and you've got an old sh*t heap (or a bike)

Go and trim your organic rhubarb you silly little twerp

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Roger (no relation), Hove says...
6:46pm Wed 11 Jun 08

The postings on this subject really show the true character of Brighton & Hove!

They certainly show how B&H is really a village, and that it has the one universal ingredient of every English village - namely a load of tittle tattling old moaners that are never happy with what they've got, and have considerable resentment for anyone of a 'higher station'. As a previous message said, its 'jealousy'. Dress up your denials in any way you like, but you dislike anyone that seems to have 'made it', particularly if they run something you rely on (it makes you the underdog), or are involved in property development etc.

Now ive never even met this R French fellow, and dont particularly want to, but like it or not B&H has one of the best bus services anywhere - and ive lived in 7 major UK cities over the last 40 years.

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Rupert, Brighton says...
7:39pm Wed 11 Jun 08

Why is everyone going on about Roger French having an Audi

You can pay more for a top of the range Ford Focus. those Audi V8's are not worth all that much after they are a year or two old. Mind you, the Focus does more to the gallon!

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r fr, gbhj says...
10:00am Sun 15 Jun 08

Roger (no relation) wrote:
The postings on this subject really show the true character of Brighton & Hove! They certainly show how B&H is really a village, and that it has the one universal ingredient of every English village - namely a load of tittle tattling old moaners that are never happy with what they've got, and have considerable resentment for anyone of a 'higher station'. As a previous message said, its 'jealousy'. Dress up your denials in any way you like, but you dislike anyone that seems to have 'made it', particularly if they run something you rely on (it makes you the underdog), or are involved in property development etc. Now ive never even met this R French fellow, and dont particularly want to, but like it or not B&H has one of the best bus services anywhere - and ive lived in 7 major UK cities over the last 40 years.
Why have you lived in so many places. Do people realise you're a bellend so you have to move on.

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