Double Decker 210s

katiejane

Bring them on! My five year old son is on the brink of exploding with excitement.

matt

I also saw plans for a new Routemaster in Autocar whilst in Met's barbers opposite Woody's [http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7149722.stm](http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/england/london/7149722.stm) 

magicP

Yay to the new 210! I might trundle to Highgate on it today.

dominic

I went on a talking W3 today. Must get annoying if you hear it every day but it's good for tourists or lost people (although I'm not sure how many tourists get the W3).

Liz

The 253 talks sometimes too. Useful when it's very full and dark outside so it's hard to tell where you are.

tosscat

Of course tourists get the W3 - shed loads of them pile up to Ally Pally for the darts and afro beauty galas and the gigs and fireworks and that funny theatre comedy after hours thing - did anyone go?

jandb

Hmmm ... Ally Pally ... the worst gig venue in the world ... ever.

dominic

I dunno. Excel Centre is down there too.

Glyn

Was just sat on the top deck of my W3-talkie-bus admiring the first double-decker 210 I had seen, when what should pull up behind it but... a W7 with a screen showing live CCTV footage of the rest of the bus.

These Crouch Enders will stop at nothing to outdo us!

Presumably this is so that if you get beaten up on said bus, you still won't get any help from anyone, but at least you know that it is being recorded for future use on some ITV programme or other.

naomi

such good news. 210 is always packed.

magicP

Glyn, I'm not sure that footage is live from the particular bus, but an indication that there is CCTV, because last time I was on the W7 some people got up to go downstairs, but they didn't appear in the footage being shown on the screen.

(I'm confusing myself now...)

New 210 is ace, though, and a splendid walk in a chilly and sunny Highgate was enjoyed on Sunday.

andy

magic - are you saying that it's not in fact CCTV, but a silent, black and white drama about everyday folk travelling on a bus very similar to the bus that you are on?

magicP

LOL ... kind of. I mean that I think it's an example of CCTV rather real live action. I may have to watch the drama more closely though.

Ian

Perhaps it was like Oceans 11 and some blokes were stealing some gold out of the back of the bus whilst the driver was looking at a loop at what happened earlier in Muswell Hill.

andy

Maybe it's just the demo tape they got when they bought the machine.

magicP

Heh heh. Honestly, I'm convinced it's not live action. I shall watch more closely next time on it.

David

Anyone seen that [bus ride story](http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/corporate/projectsandschemes/communityandeducation/asb/film.aspx) played just before films at the cinema at the moment? My favourite bit is the utterly unrealistc moment the young guy tells the three girls to calm down because they're intimidating the old lady. I mean, fair enough for trying to promote some decent etiquette but all a bit poo really.

tosscat

I like the little film, it reminds me of Timecode.

David

Its by Figgis, who did Timecode. I really liked Timecode, I was just a bit saddened he had to do the LA thing and pull a gun out near the end to up the ante.

jandb

STOP PRESS: The W3 now has a mini bar on the top deck. There are also rumours of a buffet on Sunday afternoons. Let's see if Crouch End can top that.

dominic

Right, so after a totally shit journey on a 210 from Archway to SGR today, I've decided it makes absolutely no difference that they have top decks because PEOPLE DON'T GO UP STAIRS. Oh no, instead they hover round the doors like simpleton drones, breathing their booze-soaked breath, scratching their piss-stained trousers and generally acting like they're on their way home from a Whittington lobotomy. And that is just the school kids. Next time I'll walk.

andy

Check out this [great letter](http://www.hamhigh.co.uk/content/camden/hamhigh/postbag/story.aspx?brand=NorthLondon24&category=Postbaghamhigh&tBrand=northlondon24&tCategory=postbaghamhigh&itemid=WeED21 Feb 2008 17:28:22:107)in one of the local papers from a Mr D Coltman of NW11, that starts likes this: *This country was once described as having the 'mother of parliaments,' considered a model for aspiring democracies. Sadly this seems to be no longer the case. Daily there are disturbing reports of officials abusing the system.* And what injustice has inspired such soaring rhetoric? What disturbing reports? Is it billion dollar bribes paid by BAe to Saudi princes? Iraq? Northern Rock? Non-domiciled millionaires? Russian spies murdering people in London? House prices? SARS? What ails you, Mr D Coltman of NW11? What has caused you to lose faith in our mother of parliaments? Mr D Coltman of NW11 continues: *The latest example was reported by you (Bad vibrations make Highgate unsuitable for double deckers, H&H Letters February 7). Despite local opposition double deckers now run on the 210 route. Transport for London, controlled by Mr Livingstone, has shown a complete disregard for the wishes of the local community.* *No-one was consulted in advance. TfL offers spurious arguments about being more economical and 'greener'. Yet for most of the day these buses travel with less than 10 passengers.* *Once more we see how politicians, once elected, become too powerful and no longer listen to the people who voted for them. It seems there is nothing to be done in this case but to get rid of those reponsible for the decision.* I salute you, Mr Coltman, for telling it like it is. Swapping over the little buses for the big buses is the thin end of a totalitarian wedge. These power mad bureaucrats need to have their wings clipped.

Colette

If you're going to write those sorts of angry letters, you really ought to know the difference between "less" and "fewer". I just can't take him seriously now. Tsk.

tosscat

I concur Colette. I know someone who refuses to distinguish between 'lend' and 'borrow' who often writes cross letters. Imagine.

David

We can probably blame those evil supermarkets for the less/fewer confusion, what with their 10 items or less lanes. Or Dale Winton. I'm quietly developing an itch/scratch confusion: Itching a scratch just sounds so much better.

Colette

*the horror*

tosscat

When was the last time anyone popped some itchy pips down an acquaintance's jumper?

tosscat

@David If a casual lady (or gentleman) friend leaves you with a couple of scratches then it might be a bit saucy and you may want to see them again. If they leave you with an itch you probably wouldn't want see them again. I hope that clears it up for you (your confusion, not your STI).