The changes which occur to our Megabus duties on 28 April. Duty 97 which previously started in Winchester and then went to Birmingham city centre and back via Oxford, Coventry and Birmingham airport has changed. After we leave Oxford we cut across country on the A43 to join the M1 and take the Megabus to Watford Gap services. Here we hand the Megabus over to another driver and await the arrival of a Megabus from Liverpool which we take over and drive to London. We get a short break in London before driving back to Watford Gap, handing it to another driver, and waiting for ‘our’ Megabus to come back from Manchester so we can drive back to Winchester.
We’ll see how well that works :-(
There has been no mention yet of route learning. For my part I have only 5 more working days before the rota says I drive Watford Gap to London Victoria. On every other route we’ve had to learn we’ve been allowed two trips with another driver to learn the route ….. but, we don’t have a single driver who has driven this route yet so there is nobody to go with anybody!
Keep going on about getting route learned on north London, otherwise it’s only a matter of time before someone gets lost! It’s simple enough but all it takes is a road closure or even a missed turning to cause chaos for anyone unfamiliar.
As for W Gap, drivers with a break there are issued vouchers from the depot entitling them to their meal allowance. Basically they’re to prove the driver is in fact working and hasn’t donned a uniform and gone in their own car (this happened quite recently unfortunately). If you have passengers you should hand over the captains club card too, to get your points added (although this can depend on how arsey the assistant is!). Generally the southbound side is better in the morning for service, although northbound afternoon (2pm+) staff are generally good. You’ll get to know which the nice staff are eventually.
Have a word with your manager about the vouchers, make sure they’re aware before it’s too late. Otherwise the service station “food” will most likely cost money. Generally be nice, polite and respectful with the staff there and you won’t have a problem, although I’m sure you would be like that of course! But it only takes one driver to cause a scene to ruin it…
Oh yes, and good luck with the M1 roadworks! It’s getting worse down there they keep making the layout worse. Also there are speed cameras on A43 (only a couple), A41 etc in London, and also on the M1 between J1 to “J3” and J6A to J10.
It’s the north London section which I’d hoped we’d get some familiarisation with before going solo. Going with someone who knows the route has the added advantage of little gems like “If it gets busy here you can …..” etc.
You wrote some time ago about problems at Watford Gap and drivers not getting a drink, food etc. What’s the current situation?
You won’t need route learning to Watford Gap, you can do it blind. M40 J10, A43 north (dual carraigeway all the way) onto M1 north at J15A, ten minutes to Watford Gap from there.
As for going into London from the north route learning might be needed. Basically it’s M1 all the way down, left (inside lane) at the bottom, off immediately at island and turn tight onto A41. Follow A41 all the way to Oxford Street, turn right onto it (at Selfridges/M&S), left at Marble Arch onto Park Lane then you should know where you are.
Look forward to seeing you all at Watford Gap!