There was plenty of research behind introducing bendy buses. The main argument being that they transit the route faster overall because they have a much shorter dwell time at stops. The introduction of bendy buses was a rational evidence based decision, the campaign against them was mostly emotional hubris, which resulted in them being replaced early at vast expense to the taxpayer. The main reasonable complaint against them was that you were more likely to have to stand up, but you often couldn't even get on the bus (e.g's routes 73,38) before they were introduced so I don't know what's worse.