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Post by pirate49 on Aug 24, 2016 19:34:43 GMT
The most important thing yesterday was the match. The great performance by our
team and the tremendous support from the fans.
But many missed the start of the match, and others arrived with minutes to spare.
I travelled in a coach from the Memorial Stadium. A very orderly and prompt start, though
many thought a 3.15 departure, therefore driving past Swindon and Reading as rush hour developed,
arriving around Brentford when it was in full swing, would be cutting it fine.
It soon became apparent that our driver was unfamiliar with the Muller Road, let alone the Streets of
London, but more of that anon.
Then, after just about 50 miles, we stopped for half an hour at Membury. Why? If a stop at all was necessary
Reading would have made more sense; we would by then have known how the traffic was developing.
Eventually we inched into the outskirts of London. Our driver's piece of paper told him to turn right off the A4
just after Hammersmith. That turning proved to be a 'No Right Turn'.
With Rush Hour now at its peak we looked for the King's Road, discovering that there was no entry, as extensive
roadworks had been going on for a number of weeks! Was there no way of knowing this in advance?
We circled the area a number of times before three coaches just decided to pull up in a one-way street, let us all off
at the traffic lights; telling us they'd be in Imperial Street after the match. Where? Nobody knew.
There was then a long walk to the ground. I arrived at 7.25, though I know of others who didn't get in until 8.
Then followed one the best Rovers performances I have ever seen!
After the match those with more up-to-date 'phones than my Nokia tracked down Imperial Street....about 30
minutes walk away.
Then on the M4 there were two sections of down to one lane for roadworks, and one short section at a junction
completely closed. Surely coach fims could have known of these planned works.
Eventually arrived back at the Mem at 1.30am.
I'll drive next time!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 19:44:16 GMT
Second rate service for first rate supporters.
Hopefully the numbers diminish for the next big game and the travel firm gets a kick up the jacksie.
An apology yet?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 19:46:11 GMT
Departed from Kingswood at 3:20pm. Traffic was horrendous and were let out in the wrong place with 2 minutes until kick off, had to leg it to the ground and missed the first 3 minutes. Massive c*ck up by the supporters club that. I was expecting to arrive with at least 45 minutes before the match and soak up the atmosphere, got absolutely none of that.
They completely misjudged their timing. Pathetic, really.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 19:47:46 GMT
Yes the M4 had two sections closed to one lane 'twas a joke
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 19:52:01 GMT
Couldn't agree more. Rubbernecking an accident on the westward side didn't help and couldn't have been predicted, but surely a 3.15 departure was asking for trouble by failing to build in any leeway for accidents and roadworks. We got off the coach early and walked, making it with 5 minutes to spare. We got back to Kingswood at 2am.
But the bit inbetween...awesome. I love this team and the way they never give up. Good times to be a gashead.
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Post by spiess1 on Aug 24, 2016 19:53:21 GMT
Do you guys complaining about the M4 expect the surface to repair itself magically?
Or would you rather they did the work during the day?
Or that they just left it dangerous?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 19:55:40 GMT
Do you guys complaining about the M4 expect the surface to repair itself magically? Or would you rather they did the work during the day? Or that just left it dangerous? nobody is saying that but surely the coach companies would check updates and study alternative routes? I travelled by car so no excuse for me but these people paid for a travel service? |
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Post by lulworthgas on Aug 24, 2016 19:57:15 GMT
I'd say 3.15 was a fair time to leave. Over 4 hours to get to west London is very generous. Clearly the coach stopping on route was misguided but I'd put the journey down to bad luck rather than poor planning
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Post by socrates on Aug 24, 2016 19:59:09 GMT
The most important thing yesterday was the match. The great performance by our team and the tremendous support from the fans. But many missed the start of the match, and others arrived with minutes to spare. I travelled in a coach from the Memorial Stadium. A very orderly and prompt start, though many thought a 3.15 departure, therefore driving past Swindon and Reading as rush hour developed, arriving around Brentford when it was in full swing, would be cutting it fine. It soon became apparent that our driver was unfamiliar with the Muller Road, let alone the Streets of London, but more of that anon. Then, after just about 50 miles, we stopped for half an hour at Membury. Why? If a stop at all was necessary Reading would have made more sense; we would by then have known how the traffic was developing. Eventually we inched into the outskirts of London. Our driver's piece of paper told him to turn right off the A4 just after Hammersmith. That turning proved to be a 'No Right Turn'. With Rush Hour now at its peak we looked for the King's Road, discovering that there was no entry, as extensive roadworks had been going on for a number of weeks! Was there no way of knowing this in advance? We circled the area a number of times before three coaches just decided to pull up in a one-way street, let us all off at the traffic lights; telling us they'd be in Imperial Street after the match. Where? Nobody knew. There was then a long walk to the ground. I arrived at 7.25, though I know of others who didn't get in until 8. Then followed one the best Rovers performances I have ever seen! After the match those with more up-to-date 'phones than my Nokia tracked down Imperial Street....about 30 minutes walk away. Then on the M4 there were two sections of down to one lane for roadworks, and one short section at a junction completely closed. Surely coach fims could have known of these planned works. Eventually arrived back at the Mem at 1.30am. I'll drive next time! Yeah same as my story it was one big balls up really. Why didn't the drivers know before hand the way to the ground and why didn't they have a designated place to stop to let us off ? We jumped out about half a mile from the ground after we'd been circling it for half an hour. And ran to the ground and got there with a minute to spare. Cracking game though. |
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Post by WeAreTheGas on Aug 24, 2016 20:06:35 GMT
Can't comment on last night, but I went to York away by supporters coach at the end of last season and found the whole experience fairly dire.
Left the Mem at 10am (for a 3pm KO), which we felt wasn't leaving much leeway if there were any accidents etc anyway, but then after the coach driver's 45-minute stop at a service station and going the wrong way in York a couple of times, we ended up getting there 15 minutes before KO.
Wouldn't use the service again.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 20:13:16 GMT
Problem is the coaches don't factor in "pre game drinking" if you get there for kick off that's good enough
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Post by BishopstonBRFC on Aug 24, 2016 20:13:23 GMT
It's a lot cheaper than any other mode of transport but like others have said you never arrive early enough to soak up the atmosphere. Leaving Bristol at 3.15 seemed a bit late too as it left very little margin for error, especially when hitting London during the midweek rush hour!
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Post by BishopstonBRFC on Aug 24, 2016 20:14:25 GMT
Also I think the driver has to stop for X amount of time but that should be factored into the travel. And why do they not have sat navs?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2016 20:21:02 GMT
Also I think the driver has to stop for X amount of time but that should be factored into the travel. And why do they not have sat navs? They used to get a free meal at the services as a "Thank You" for providing them with 50 other customers - don't know if this is still the case. |
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Post by Topper Gas on Aug 24, 2016 20:23:18 GMT
Given virtually everybody now as a smartphone with either Google or Apple maps installed why wouldn't a coach driver use one, or just a normal Sat Nav?
Likewise why wouldn't a coach driver be warned about a motorway being closed, isn't that part of his job?
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Post by aghast on Aug 24, 2016 20:45:55 GMT
They just left too late. Plenty said it before the event. Including me (blushes immodestly). No benefit of hindsight here.They should have started off at 13:15, to allow for delays and a couple of pre match snifters at or near the ground.
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Post by oldsage on Aug 24, 2016 21:00:14 GMT
Have to say thanks to Weston Gas for first class arrangements for our trip to Stamford Bridge. Left WSM at 2.15pm. Driver stopped at Reading Services for 20 mins. Entered London via Sat Nav. Arrival at Imperial Road one of the first. Enough time for a swift half or two. All had a highlighted map of the roads around the Bridge with the route to the ground and return. Road works for the return was a pain but out of our control. Got home 2am. Thanks Wilf and Nigel.
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Post by bluegas on Aug 24, 2016 21:02:52 GMT
I think I can top this. Returning from a Wycombe game I followed a supporters coach out of Wycombe on B roads (instead of the A404) until we got to Marlow. Passed through the town until we came to a bridge across the Thames. Coach stops. Pause. Then reverses. Turns round & goes back the way he'd come. As I crossed the bridge I saw the reason - a weight limit on it preventing heavy vehicles using it!! Couldn't believe a professional driver wouldn't know this.
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Post by Hugo the Elder on Aug 24, 2016 21:07:45 GMT
I'd say 3.15 was a fair time to leave. Over 4 hours to get to west London is very generous. Clearly the coach stopping on route was misguided but I'd put the journey down to bad luck rather than poor planning I haven't been able to get to London (west ham area) in less than 4 1/2 hours with a short stop in the the last 2 years. Even Hammersmith takes at least 3 hours these days. They left way too late. |
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Post by syg on Aug 24, 2016 21:21:45 GMT
Driving up at 2 I was discussing with my bro that if the coaches left at 3.15 they could be late. Now if we can make that prediction. whoever decided to leave that late should be fired.
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