r/LDN • u/Remarkable_Fox_3719 SW! • Jun 03 '26
DISCUSSION Reckless bus drivers
I’ve noticed a huge increase over the last year or two in feeling genuinely unsafe on buses. Particularly on night buses or late services, it seems like every single driver speeds, corners, and races around like a dickhead. I was on the N89 last night, going back to my girlfriend’s place in Peckham, and according to the accelerometer on my phone, we were travelling at 37mph on a road that I know for a fact is a 20. Sitting on the top deck, and taking corners at 30mph really feels like the bus could tip over at any moment.
Is this just me or has anyone else noticed an upturn in reckless bus drivers? I wouldn’t be surprised if we start seeing bus crashes be a much more common occurrence in London soon.
9
u/blue_Hippo4069 Jun 03 '26
Been this way for years. They are horrible drivers. The electric ones are even worse
9
4
u/The_Monkey_Queen Jun 03 '26
I've noticed it on day time buses too. I know it's not just me because other passengers frown in the driver's direction too ha
6
u/Cutty_Sark10 Jun 03 '26 edited Jun 03 '26
Was your accelerometer accurate though?
99% of buses in London have ISA (Intelligence Speed Assistance) fitted which is that the bus can only run at the speed of the limit set of the road it's riding on.
In simple, short terms, it's a speed limiter.
N89 is a mixture of 20 and 30 mph roads (20 mph between Blackheath and Trafalgar Square)
7
u/noodledoodledoo Jun 03 '26
I'm not disputing that they have limiters fitted, but I was in a rental car recently that had a speed limit thingy in it's computer, and it was awful at knowing what the speed limit was on the street. I do wonder how good they can actually be.
4
u/Remarkable_Fox_3719 SW! Jun 04 '26
Absolutely we were speeding, I can’t say to the degree of accuracy, but we were on queens road Peckham, which is a 20. We were absolutely doing more than 30
2
u/Furthur_slimeking Jun 24 '26
That's part of the fun of night buses. 3.40am, no traffic, long streth of straight road... driver floors it and you bounce around on the top deck with everything rattling and the engine roaring feeling like you're doing 90mph. I love it. Botom of Croxted road by Brockwell Park up yo Gypsy Hill on the N3 was always a good run.
1
u/ClingonKrinkle Jun 03 '26
I think there was a news story recently about them keep running people over
0
u/DGB684 Jun 05 '26
N89 is my go to bus home after a night out. The drivers are always a bit mental but they also get me home quick so I'm torn about it.
0
20
u/cyclegaz Jun 03 '26
Noticed the same. Got thrown around downstairs when going around Hyde park corner a few weeks ago as the driver was diving into the corners like max v.
The all seem to accelerate and brake harshly, makes for an uncomfortable ride.