I use the network extensively all over London, always have. Locally it's usually the 65, E2, E8, 195, 237 and 267E2 and E8 very good but the Countdown is dreadful and "2 mins" either means 25 seconds or 15 minutes. 267 very good but since the hideous delays from Hammersmith King St all the way to Kew Bridge has become a long slow journey and now rarely use it. It's quicker to take the tube and bus it from South Ealing.237 always overcrowded.But most used is the 65. Prior to Ken Livingstone's Bus Plus it was unreliable to the point of unusable from the day they got rid of conductors and Routemaster buses but had been the most improved route since London United took over the route. So very much better than the debacle of Kingston Bus and the tendering contract nonsense of LRT.But it has again become very erratic of late. Very long waits in the evening, journeys cut short. Full buses. and the bad habit of buses jumping the stop with a full up bus at the stop.On the plus they seem to have the nicest drivers and the route is by far the most pleasant. New buses are rather drab inside and very rattle prone.Worst has to be the 207/607/427 Has been messed about, but the behaviour of too many on that route makes it very oppressive to ride on. A hard job for the drivers. Closing so many bus garages in West London has caused massive recruitment and operational issues with huge costs and a downturn in workers conditions and incomes.Hanwell, Kingston, Norbiton, Acton, Alperton, Southall, to name a few replaced by temporary sites with minimal facilities and inferior working conditions and limitations on operational versatility. And, of course, local employment for unsocial hours occupations.
Raymond Havelock ● 1106d