First Group Buses in Leeds...Are Shit!

I don't drive, instead, i use buses to get around Leeds. The problem with that though, is that i have to put up with the sub standard service that First Group Plc have to offer to the bus users of Leeds.

My first problem with the First Group Plc Leeds, is the fact that they seem to have reduced the services that they run. I live in Roundhay, meaning that i have to use the number 12 & number 2 bus to go back and forth between Leeds City Centre and Roundhay. In the evenings, it seems as though they just run them when they want. They're never synchronised with the times advertised on the boards and i've had to wait up to an extra 20 minutes, on occassion.

The other major problem is the fact that whether the buses are late, on time, or early - they always park and the driver stops at the Roundhay Park bus stop, for up to 10 minutes at a time - every time! Is this really necasary? I think not. If this is as a result of the militant stance that the drivers took before Christmas, leading to the Leeds Bus Driver strikes that affected Leeds bus users at Christmas, then get rid of them and get some new drivers. At the end of the day, buses should be looked at as a public service and to that end, they should always run. If the government took control and really wanted to improve it, they could. The cars that they're trying to get off the road would be if buses and the times that they run, could be relied upon. So remember, the next time you're catching a bus, wether you're in Leeds or not, write a comment and let me know your thoughts whether you're in Leeds or not.

The Bin Strike

The Bin Men are on Strike and our bins still haven't been emptied.

Why, because i live in Leeds, have i not had my bins emptied for a month? because fucking Bin Men don't realise that if they want to earn more, they could fuck off and train or have paid more attention at school.

Whilst most of the private sector has been hit hard by the current, economic climate, most have accepted the 5% to 10% pay cuts that have been imposed. Forgive me if i'm wrong but that's because people wanted to keep their jobs.

Why don't the council simply sack the fucking morons and negotiate with a private firm like Biffa? I understand that things aren't that simple (i'm not a bin man) but there's got to be something they can do.

BIN MEN - Wake up and realise that you work in the private sector and that Gordon and his boys have clearly stated that there will be hundreds of job cuts to keep the essential staff in jobs. £18k for emtying bins, a completely un-skilled job, is fantastic pay and if the people stating that they'll lose £6k per annum are on over £20k, i have even less sympathy.

Play ball and go back to work.
Love,

Mr Angry

Embrace the self service checkout!

Why use this when you can be British, and queue?

They're supposed to reduce ques. They're supposed to speed up the process of going in and out of the supermarket - So why don't people use them?

In a study two weeks ago, it was deduced that the number of British casualties resulting from the sinking of the Titanic was due to one simple fact; We formed an orderly queue. How British can you get?

While Americans, and all other nations, fought to get into life boats - we simply acted like we were waiting for a bus.

I think this goes some way to explaining why a large percentage of people shun these handy machines. It may take away the personal element of talking to a human being, but unless you're incredibly lonely, why do you want polite chat with a stranger?

This morning i visited my local Tesco Express. When i got to the checkout, there were two self service machines crying out to be used. As opposed to this happening, several human sheep (all of differing ages) had hearded together, and formed a queue. This resulted in the poor girl on the till having to ring the bell, and get another member of staff to open another till. Why? There can only be one reason. As a nation, we enjoy following others. We fear change, and technophobia over the age of 35 is rife.

I made a beeline for the machine and was out of the supermarket within seconds. The next time you visit you're supermarket, think about the staff. Use the bloody machine! and unless your 65 years of age, there's really no excuse for ignoring a self service checkout.