1 and 95- Enviro 500

[fwybuses]

With the arctics running low here in Leeds, and Hunslet park stretched to keep capacity both up on the 1 and 95 isn't it time that FWY order these.

Glasgow got theirs, and i think they have proven that they are a good vehicle, better people movers then the arctics. If they put them on the 95 and 1 routes, this frees up a lot of Olympians and B9TLS/B7TLS covering the routes for other routes or total scrap. Some B7TLS could go to Huddersfield/Halifax to replace most if not all the Volvo's they have there.

What is your personal opinions on this whole matter ?

[kendall17]

A simple solution to such an annoying problem. Will it happen? No. If it was going to happen it would've done atleast 5years ago.

[fwybuses]

Am sure it would be far easier to just replace them with these. If not what is replacing these.

As a customer of first, am getting pretty fed up with the unreliability of the service 1. The arctics turn up, i may as well sit on metal they are uncomfortable. Then the solution, is to put Marshall darts and Volvo single Decker's on which causes capacity issues.

[northerner]

Feb 8, 2010 18:06:14 GMT 1 fwybuses said:

If they put them on the 95 and 1 routes, this frees up a lot of Olympians and B9TLS/B7TLS covering the routes for other routes or total scrap.

These buses are far too young to be scrapped, they have years left in them!!!!!

First do need to get their act together with the artics they appear to spend more time out of service than in service. However, providing a Dart/B7 single decker instead is surely better than no bus running at all?

[striderlad]

ill agree with FWYbuses i have been on them in glasgow and they are very comfy smooth and nice come on FWY get some ordered

[fwybuses]

Feb 8, 2010 23:03:19 GMT 1 northerner said:

These buses are far too young to be scrapped, they have years left in them!!!!!

Sorry i didn't make it clear. The Volvo B9TL/B7TL will move around within FWY, so to Bradford/Huddersfield and Halifax replacing the Olympians which can then be scrapped.

[firstbusmaniacrich]

im srry but i think All Royales in FWY should all be replaced by the enviro 500s.

I know royales have years left in them, but i think elders are getting sick of them, due to step entrances, plus the enviro 500s are long enough to cope with busy 184 hudds to manchester times too, and the 2 b9tls can go back to Manchester for the 17.

I wonder if the Enviro 500 buses glasgow have scania and dennis trident 2 engines, i prefer them than volvo b7tls but the b9tl has a nice idle noise too.

Also all darts except SPDs should be sent elsewhere so we can all get tempos lol

And will all this happen? - - - - - - NO IT WONT WITH FIRST LOL.

[Davidc]

The Glasgow based Enviro500s are Dennis Tridents.

They may be ok for busy routes that are in demand through out the day but as you said the Royales have plenty of life in them yet (though I do wounder with some of the West Yorkshire examples). Give them a refurb, likely to cost less then a new Enviro500, and they will continue to keep on working for a few years yet.

Plus the Enviro500s are odd ball buses in the First Bus fleet. Their continued partnership with Volvo and Wright Bus will probably lower the chances of these appearing any time soon.

David.c

[fwybuses]

Replacing all Royales with Enviro 500 is a bit too dramatic. Replacing buses on MAJOR corridors which suffer with over capacity despite the amount of frequent services, is a much more sensible.

As much as i would like to see diversity within Yorkshire, i don't think we will ever go back to the Yorkshire Rider days, when you could get a MCW Metrobus, Scania and Leyland Olympian all on one route. Its all about money, and having a common bus for 2 depots, it decreases costs.

[kendall17]

Feb 10, 2010 16:29:11 GMT 1 fwybuses said:

Its all about money, and having a common bus for 2 depots, it decreases costs.

Spot on!

[Matty]

It's called standardisation, So you will all have to get used to Gemini's! - I wonder if people will feel nostalgic about Gemini's in 20 years time?

[westyorkshirebus]

What's all this talk about Enviro 500s, does any route need them?

Surely any normal double decker would have enough capacity to replace a bendi

The problem is, what do you do with the bendibuses, they are too new to scrap, hence why First Leeds still have to continue with them.

[Matty]

The X6 could do with a couple of them for peak times, but I very much doubt it will happen.

[fwybuses]

X6 could do with X84 type seats. It could also do with an 'into' evening extension finishing around 10PM, and Sunday daytime service, but thats another story.

[firstbusmaniacrich]

mind u bendis could be used for X6 if they stop at railway stn at hudds, the non parking bays at bradford and leeds rail station as X7 which could continue to beeston

[westyorkshirebus]

Feb 10, 2010 19:11:05 GMT 1 Matty said:

The X6 could do with a couple of them for peak times, but I very much doubt it will happen.

So instead of 73 passengers seated on a Gemini as now, you'd have 55 seated and 18 stood up on a B10LA. Good idea

[Matty]

I meant Enviro500's - Which have about 90 seats

[fwybuses]

Feb 10, 2010 21:29:01 GMT 1 Matty said:

I meant Enviro500's - Which have about 90 seats

But while you suggest to put them on a peak times, what do they do during the 'slump' during the day. Cant put them on any other routes, as they are perfectly covered by B7RLE/B10BLE and B7/B9TL during day to day operation, capacity wise. Plus many of the routes are up and down hills here there and everywhere.

If we go with just putting them on peak boards, they don't turn as much money over during weekdays, then during the weekend have ziltch profit but cost. Overall would be a waste of money for first to upgrade the route, from the B9TL which suitably cover the operation.

And before you think of the 617/618 argument, they had arctics for a few years and look what happened there.

[driver6540]

Before Glasgow received its E500s, it had a small fleet of East Lancs Nordic 3axle deckers. Are they still there, or have the E500s replaced them?.

[fwybuses]

Think it was a 1 to 1 replacement, then capacity upgrade. Not sure full details, just know they replaced the Nordics with Enviros.

[Matty]

They are still up there from what I know.

[B521UWW]

Feb 10, 2010 16:14:52 GMT 1 firstbusmaniacrich said:

i
I know royales have years left in them, but i think elders are getting sick of them, due to step entrances,

I think more like the Royales are sick of the Elders getting on and using them for warmth. "good these passes are, saves us on or heating bills" i have heard some say.
Get the elders to cough up and the operators could then maybe afford more low floor vehicles though i think E500's is a bit extreme, maybe E400's that hold more seats - have larger buggy/wheelchair zones than the B9's.

[firstbusmaniacrich]

true enough the enviro 400s would suit us.

[danielnew]

Feb 10, 2010 16:28:39 GMT 1 Davidc said:

The Glasgow based Enviro500s are Dennis Tridents.

They may be ok for busy routes that are in demand through out the day but as you said the Royales have plenty of life in them yet (though I do wounder with some of the West Yorkshire examples). Give them a refurb, likely to cost less then a new Enviro500, and they will continue to keep on working for a few years yet.

Plus the Enviro500s are odd ball buses in the First Bus fleet. Their continued partnership with Volvo and Wright Bus will probably lower the chances of these appearing any time soon.

David.c

I wonder why First Devon & Cornwall have opted for Enviro 400's if they have a partnership with Volvo Wrightbus? I think the 1/95 needs Enviro 500's urgently some people are put off using these routes because they are so overcrowded!

[Matty]

I think the Enviro400's in Devon & Cornwall were funded by the local council with thick leather seats & WiFi