Last update
19th September 2011

A light hearted look at bus travel today (or views of the author, and not of any operator or other reputable body!)
	Not been on a bus in a while?
	The banana skins of local bus travel

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If you're thinking about using a bus to make your journey, open your mind, and definitely ignore anything you've read in the local papers, who regularly print inaccurate letters without checking that the contents are factual or even plausible! The recently ousted  MP, who sought to comment on local bus provision, seemed unaware that private companies, and not local government, have been largely responsible for the service since 1986 (there are exceptions). We wait to see if his successor is any improvement.

If you haven't travelled by bus for many years, there are a few things that have changed. Firstly, those old jokes about waiting for ever and then three buses turning up at once are a bit outmoded. That practice dates back to the time when demarcation and restrictive practices were the rule, and are not practices employed by either major PLC's (such as Arriva/Network Harlow), or most small private companies (the others). This is not a politically biased comment, it's just the way things are and is in keeping with current regulations.

The industry has become a lot more commercially aware and is more customer focused, with heightened standards of professionalism, but will the bus be on time? Well, the chances are that it will, but traffic congestion has worsened considerably in the last ten years, and although generally companies have built this into their timetables, the unpredictable can and does strike, just as it does when you're in a car. What has changed is that the operator and most drivers are likely to be making every effort to keep to time if they possibly can.

One other thing that has changed is the bus itself. It is most likely to be cleaner, brighter, smoother, more environmentally friendly, and have an overall much better feel to it than you may remember. Your bus could be one of the more modern "Low Floor" buses, designed especially to be accessible to disabled people, but which are also more user friendly to mothers with buggies, shoppers, and those hard of hearing or sight. A bus for all! And one other thing, they will all give change.

One disadvantage about having so many operators involved is that no one of them will provide information on the whole Harlow network. This is the reason that this site was created. Having said that, the bus station now has a very high standard of up to date information available posted around and free to collect in the travel office (opening hours are Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm or Saturday mornings). Departure times for Arriva and Network Haralow services are displayed at each stop. www.traveline.org.uk provides internet based timetables (see the contacts page), but beware that it's not always up to date, any many Saturday timetables are incorrect.

If you have managed to plan a journey by bus, then do relax and enjoy it.  If it is going to take half an hour instead of the usual ten minutes driving time, then make it a relaxing half hour of quality time instead of a frustrating ten minutes getting wound up with the other road users. Here are a few tips to assist you in arriving at your destination feeling better for the experience.

• Do find out in advance where the correct bus stop is, and arrive five minutes before the bus is due. That will save you worrying about whether you've missed it or not!
• Don't allow yourself to get frustrated if it doesn't turn up until five minutes after it's due; after all, you probably couldn't plan your car journey to the minute.
• The bus will stop for other passengers to get on and off, and may not take the most logical or direct route. Resist the temptation to look at your watch at every stop and every turn. If the timetable says it takes 30 minutes, then that is what it will take and no amount of anxiety on your part will change that!
• If you can't content yourself with people-watching or just looking out of the window, then take a book, magazine, or newspaper with you, and you'll feel a whole lot better when you arrive. Just don't miss your stop!
• Finally, do plan your arrival allowing for sufficient time to walk from the stop to where you want to get to with at least five minutes to spare - just in case of a bad road day!

Watch out for the banana skins of local bus travel!

In Harlow we now have a largely reliable, modern and comprehensive bus network that has generally actually improved over the years. Having said that, the network can still be a bit daunting to the new user, and forearmed is forewarned. Here are a few tips.

Many bus stops around the town were upgraded about six years ago with route numbers and new timetable information, particularly for Arriva services. Unfortunately things have changed significantly since then and the information often hasn't. Take no notice of route numbers on stops!

Most routes operate frequently, but not all. It's wise to know the times of the less frequent services before you head out. If you can't find the times here, then the national traveline (www.traveline.org.uk) or phone 0870 6082608 is a good starting point.

Both the evening and the Sunday network in Harlow are significantly different to the daytime service, and the Sunday service particularly is very much a skeleton service. If you normally only travel during the week, it is worth re-checking how you make your journey before you set out. Many routes have different numbers, different operators, might stop on the opposite side of the road to usual and generally much lower frequencies operate. Some destinations cannot be reached directly or at all. The Sunday network also operates on bank holidays.

Before buying a return ticket or a season ticket, make sure that whatever you buy can actually be used on the return service. Further complications are added by different passes and where services are provided under contract to Essex County Council. If in doubt, ask the driver or call the operating company in advance (see contacts page).

All buses in Harlow serve the Bus Station, so it is a good place to start a journey if you don't know exactly where else to get a bus. It is also very convenient for the shops and amenities in the town centre. The large glass waiting area caters for most services, but those leaving for more rural or further afield destinations still leave from the remaining old stands outside the 99p stores (formally Chicago's) .These stands are also used for all destinations before 7am and after 7.30pm, as the main covered bus station is closed at these times. 

Bus routes which cross Harlow town centre serve the bus station in both directions, and some town routes use the same destination display both ways. Be certain you know which stop number to be at for the right direction. This situation also applies at Harlow Town Station where there are no dedicated stops for particular routes or destinations.

A few bus routes are prefixed by a letter such as C, R, T, X or even LCB and the services provided are different, or at least provided by a different operator. The complication is that despite the difference, the letter is not always shown on the bus, or shown correctly. Being at the right stop, and knowing either the colour of the bus or the expected destination will assist. If in doubt, ask the driver. As an example, there is a R1, which is basically similar (although not identical to) the 1B but may display M1. There is then a C3, but that is totally different to the plain 3. There are two quite different route 5's and route 20's too. 

Bus drivers fall into two camps. Most are patient, helpful, and knowledgeable, and will help with even the most seemingly ludicrous enquiry if put clearly and politely. They have a tough job and a bit of courtesy from passengers goes a long way. Then there are the others, who hate the job, or hate the public, or don't even speak English. It won't take long to work out if you get one of the bad ones. If you do, no amount of arguing will help you. My advice is report them and let management deal with it. 

All of the above is not designed to put you off, merely to encourage some caution in the right areas. It's most likely that your bus will turn up when you expect and take you to where you want to go cheaply and efficiently, and in pleasant surroundings. Best of all, you won't have to suffer that trepidation over what the fare and local tipping norms might be that you get in a taxi or mini-cab.

Have a pleasant trip!

Finally, a thought for the car drivers: -
Q. Is it true that buses pull out right in front of you?
A. Yes they do, but remember, the highway code says that you should give way to the bus!

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