Previously Posted

Previously Posted: Want to buy a bus, going cheap

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For those new to CabbieBlog or readers who are slightly forgetful, on Saturdays I’m republishing posts, many going back over a decade. Some will still be very relevant while others have become dated over time. Just think of this post as your weekend paper supplement.

Want to buy a bus, going cheap (16.06.09)

Arthur Daily would have managed to move them. But it seems that the London mayor’s first attempt to sell off the capital’s bendy buses has not met with success. A batch of thirty-one of these 58ft-long monsters from Mercedes Benz advertised in a trade magazine has failed to attract a buyer after six weeks.

Those with the £80,000 spare can buy one of the 350 which ultimately will be sold.

But buyers may have been put off by their chequered history. Introduced by then-mayor of London Ken Livingstone in 2001, bendy buses were temporarily taken out of service in 2005 when three suddenly caught fire. A year later, the evidence presented to the London Assembly showed that they are more likely to be involved in an accident than other buses in the fleet. Critics also said fare-dodgers were sneaking on the buses using the back doors, instead of the front ones next to the driver.

Go on, give a bus a home it would look great on the drive.

Thinking allowed

Oh, the irony!

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Many who decided to miss celebrating our good fortune at living in a constitutional democracy by leaving the country, ended up waiting hours at the airport. Some slept on the concourse floor, so anxious were they to avoid missing their flight to a country where women’s rights are severely restricted, or a slight indiscretion might put you in jail awaiting trial without legal representation. Well, we all had a great time marking The Queen’s Platinum Anniversary: Trooping the Colour; a 70 aircraft fly past (it went over my house); street parties; rock stars and a pageant. Well, I hope your return was as equally traumatic, the result of greedy airline managers laying off their highly skilled staff.

Puppydog tails

Johnson’s London Dictionary: Bank Junction

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BANK JUNCTION (n.) Thoroughfare devoid of Hansom cabs, doth encouraging the disabled to explore the City in search of transport.

Dr. Johnson’s London Dictionary for publick consumption in the twenty-first century avail yourself on Twitter @JohnsonsLondon

The Grill

The London Grill: Marie-Louise Samuels

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We challenge our contributors to reply to ten devilishly probing questions about their London and we don’t take “Sorry Gov” for an answer. Everyone sitting in the hot seat they will face the same questions ranging from their favourite way to spend a day out in the capital to their most hated building on London’s skyline to find out what Londoners think about their city. The questions are the same but the answers vary wildly.

My name is Marie-Louise, and I am a London Black Cab driver. I have been a cabbie for just over four years and I absolutely LOVE my job, making passengers smile and giving them a great lasting impression of me! I’m not the usual type of cab driver that you would expect when you hail me down. You will be met with a welcoming smile and big positive, vivacious energy, my flamboyant personality is as much versatile as my dress sense. I enjoy travelling, learning new things, as I don’t know it all and laughing as it’s good for the soul, try it!

What’s your secret London tip?

My secret London tip is to get lost! You’ll find out so many new things or may end up in a bar or two!

What’s your secret London place?

My secret London place wouldn’t be a secret now as you’re going to know! But as I’m one to share it would be Peckham Levels something about being in familiar territory.

What’s your biggest gripe about London?

London’s cycle lanes the length of a car space but are not being used! Take Euston underpass for one, get rid of the lane and revert it to its original two lanes and get London moving again – well eastbound anyway.

What’s your favourite building?

My favourite building or one of them is the Shard! Been there a few times and the view of London/surrounding areas is amazing even better at night.

What’s your most hated building?

Most hated building in London? I don’t have one! I reckon if you give them a good clean then they would look nicer, well to look at anyway.

What’s the best view in London?

The best view in London as told by a passenger would be in Highgate (Southwood Lane), you can see the Dartford Crossing without wincing, but the view is amazing.

What’s your personal London landmark?

My personal landmark is the buildings in Canary Wharf, just something about staring at it from Greenwich or from the Emirates Air Cable gives me at ease love my city vibes.

What’s London’s best film, book or documentary?

London’s best film for me personally is Rocks (2020), it gives a true reflection of London where I grew up and have come to know.

What’s your favourite restaurant?

Balthazar in Covent Garden.

How would you spend your ideal day off in London?

I would usually spend my day off by going to the gym and getting a workout done as it helps me start my day off right and then go catch a film as I like to keep on top of the latest films. I then go to my favourite place in London which is Southbank, taking a long stroll down the Embankment, watching everyone around me go by and take in the incredible London sights, grab a coffee and not think about work or being in my cab!! There’s so much to appreciate around us and some parts you can’t get to in a cab.

Taxi Talk Without Tipping