SNAFU

The commute home this evening had a bit of everything,

LB fn 183 operating as a service 43 to Barnton arrives in Waterloo Place at 17:01 and blocks entry to bus stop ZG (allocated to First). It is not a terminus or designated layover point. Those are in Regent Road, opposite the Scottish Government's St Andrew's House building.

First service X28 can't get close and parallel to the kerb at bus stop ZG. That's low-floor accessibility out the window then!

Next up it's cabbie V170, sporting cherished plate B8 DSM, dropping his fare off over a metre from the kerb at 17:03. LB fn 183, service 43 is due to depart on its journey from bus stop ZH now. The bus driver is awol from the bus cab.

LB fn 659, service 15, arrives 5 minutes late for its 17:00 departure from bus stop ZH. Cabbie V170 is oblivious to the obstruction he is causing. The traffic is tailed back from the traffic lights at the junction with Leith Street.

LB fn 659, service 15 finally departs 8 minutes late on its journey to Penicuik. It is expected to arrive at Boots on Princes Street in 5 minutes. But it won't! ETA is 17:13.

Meanwhile, LB fn 183 has used the window of opportunity to depart ahead of LB fn 659, barely within the Senior Traffic Commissioner's Guidelines.

LB fn 659 moves forward in lane 2 to allow Mac Tours to move into lane 1 by mounting the pavement with its front, near-side wheel. An interesting location for such maverick driving!

LB fn 659 has reached bus stop PQ at Princes Mall, loaded its new passengers and is ready to depart at 17:18. 

Distance traveled: 0.2 mile

First fn  69259, operating service X38 to Stirling cuts in front of LB fn 659 between the bus stop and the traffic signal controlled pedestrian crossing (that is, NOT a bus stop!) and proceeds to board new passengers. LB fn 659 gives the moron a blast on his horn out of frustration. First moron gives not one jot! For, he or she is a thick-skinned First moron!

First service X38 is timetabled to depart from Regent Road every 20 minutes at 00, 20, and 40 minutes of the hour. So this moron was either very late or a bit early.

The lights change and the journey begins again at 17:20.

LB fn 659 is stationery at the traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing at the tram stop on Princes Street at 17:22. ETA at the bus stop opposite 100 Princes Street is 17:24.

Distance traveled : 0.5 mile

Time taken: 16 minutes

Average speed: <2mph

Estimated walking time: 10 minutes

The commute I undertake is 4.5 miles. It regularly takes over 45 minutes. LB fn 659 was showing 21 minutes late on its Wayfarer when I alighted at my journey's end. This is not an unusual occurrence.