The Bee Network has been out for a while now in Manchester and some improvements have already been made to the vehicles and level of service that is provided over Manchester. However there are still some changes that really need to be made to make the network better for the Public and the drivers.
Starting off with the Public side of things, I believe there should be little cleaning bases around Manchester at major terminus where a cleaner can at least can be swept off. I think as Andy Burnham wants to bring a brilliant transport system to Manchester a look needs to be at the cleanliness of the vehicle towards the end of the day. This is due to over night the vehicles being cleaned however after the morning rush the vehicles thanks to the public can be looking quite bad. After the afternoon rush its not to bad due to the type of people using the buses however in between I think it can’t be very nice for those traveling in the afternoon have to travel in the mess of the morning.
However this really wouldn’t be a issue if people did take their rubbish with them rather than just leaving it behind on the bus for other to clean up. A big issue is the Metro Newspaper and school kids, Some drivers might tackle this by putting the newspapers in the cab however if they haven’t the papers often end in millions of bits all over the place. This is a lot down to the fellow travelers and the lack of respect we have in this day and age.
The other issue I think needs addressing is the Loo’s for drivers or more to the point the lack, Back when I was a driver it was tough you should of gone before you left the depot but lets be real it doesn’t work like that. I know that they did try and place superloo’s in places but due to how they look it wasn’t very good response. What is needed is the same as Metrolink has a Small brick building that can look respectable that is safe for the drivers to go loo inside if they are caught short. This is a major thing for Female drivers as they are unable to find a quite spot and pee in a bottle or up the wheel. So this is something that needs a lot of thought as although they might not get used to often it is more of a nice thing to have the chance to go to the loo at a terminus than have that chance and have to drive the return leg bursting for the loo.
While writing this Another complaint that a family member has made comment is that when the bus is busy there is now a lack of seating for them since they put the second wheelchair bay in the low level seating has been cut right back and mixed with people that refuse to give up a seat for someone who struggles to walk, has put them off catching a bus unless they have to. Was there really a need for a second wheelchair bay. Maybe they should of focused on parents folding prams especially when there is no child in them. However this day and age it does seem very every person for themselves.
