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Post by jackh on Jan 1, 2008 18:52:58 GMT 1
Arriva say they will be due out February. I assume as all the drivers are familiarised with them, the buses will enter service as soon as they arrive from Darwen.
However, the 1409-15 batch of Commanders at Dewsbury were in store for a while until they entered service. Some arrived in Spring last year.
Therefore maybe the case they wait until 1st March for new 08 plates to come out to make them look newer. Also I don't think 1800/1 are taxed either hence the trade plate in the windscreen.
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Post by jimbob90 on Jan 4, 2008 20:59:57 GMT 1
It can't come quickly enough! went on one of the DB250 Spectras on 110 last week and they are definitely due to be replaced, Although I'm sure they'll be a great improvement for Heckmondwike when they replace the Arrows. They'd look a bit fresher painted into Interurban livery with "Connecting Kirklees" branding, although doubt that'll happen!
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 4, 2008 23:36:36 GMT 1
The only other route in the Arriva Yorkshire West area that I think should have the 'Connecting...' treatment is the 268, using some of the low floor DAF Optare Spectras
All Heckmondwike's other routes are so messed up with short journeys built into the timetable, not very frequent and all interwork with each other
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Post by guyarab on Jan 11, 2008 22:47:41 GMT 1
Seen a fotopic site tonight of a visit to Darwenbus this week and it shows a Volvo B9TL/Olympus with chassis no 122988. Unfortunately it is only a body shell. If this is so how many will be finished to enter service in February? Here is the link to the website if anyone wishes to view it: alistair268.fotopic.net/c1438959_1.html
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Post by lynxboy252 on Jan 14, 2008 9:57:46 GMT 1
There is quite a delay in getting out orders at the old ELC body builders factory partly due to them going into administration and then being taken over by Darwen Group.
It could go two ways. They could be stored like the Commanders were and introduced into service as one batch... or let them out a few at a time like the ELC Lowlanders. I wonder whether there will be an official launch of them? I know there was the naming ceremony with Jonathon Ross but the Lowlanders got a launching 'do' at the White Rose Centre.
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Post by jimbob90 on Jan 14, 2008 21:05:42 GMT 1
I think the best way to enter them will be a few at a time, that way if there are any problems they'd still have plenty of DB250 Spectras to fall back on before they go to Heckmondwike.
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Post by guyarab on Jan 16, 2008 14:02:14 GMT 1
Are the new buses now coming through? A 52 reg. DAF/Optare Spectrum was seen heading for DEWSBURY garage around 21:00 last night. Could have been an existing Hecky garaged one, but why visit Savile Town so late in the day?
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Post by lynxboy252 on Jan 16, 2008 14:47:11 GMT 1
The first one is already out apparently.
The guy in the post room where I work asked if I'd seen the new buses yet, he said he'd seen it this morning though didn't say whether it was by the depot or actually in service.
Adam
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Post by guyarab on Jan 18, 2008 0:30:26 GMT 1
Are the new buses now coming through? A 52 reg. DAF/Optare Spectrum was seen heading for DEWSBURY garage around 21:00 last night. Could have been an existing Hecky garaged one, but why visit Savile Town so late in the day? Oops! Only a Belle Isle driver on the 126/127 going for a cuppa I understand. Even so how much of a layover did he have? The bus would be due in to Dewsbury at five to and depart on the hour. Makes me wonder.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 18, 2008 0:39:44 GMT 1
I noticed one of the new B9TL/Olympus leaving Leeds on the 110 today about 17.15ish. Unable to ID it though.
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Post by jimbob90 on Jan 18, 2008 19:01:00 GMT 1
Saw 1800 twice today, once leaving Leeds and once going into Leeds. looked impressive.
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Post by guyarab on Jan 25, 2008 13:25:42 GMT 1
Some of the new B9TLs must now be in service as DAF/Optare 717 was seen in service on route 268 yesterday evening.
Does anyone have an update on numbers in service and those transferred to Heckmondwike?
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Post by lynxboy252 on Jan 25, 2008 13:57:57 GMT 1
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Post by jackh on Jan 25, 2008 16:12:46 GMT 1
Will the M reg Volvo East Lancs be going as well as a result?
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Post by lynxboy252 on Jan 25, 2008 21:22:19 GMT 1
Will the M reg Volvo East Lancs be going as well as a result? These haven't been mentioned but would've thought they'd have a better chance of stopping so far, merely because they're Volvo Olympians which are more popular than Dennis Arrows. Though I think they have the same engine as a Lance, which Hecky have plenty of. Shame, I would've liked to have taken more photos and ridden on the Arrows. Best make the most of the Lance and B10B whilst they're still around I guess because as usual, you expect them to be around for a while longer and before you know it, they're being sold Adam
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Post by Craig on Jan 26, 2008 22:10:20 GMT 1
Does anyone know what the PVR of Arriva Yorkshire's services roughly is compared to what WR/YWD used to be. It's just with all the service cuts they never seem to actually reduce the numbers of buses in the fleet?! For example the new Darwens are allowing the Spectras to move to Heck to replace some Arrows, so there is no overall reduction of numbers of vehicles?
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 27, 2008 14:10:07 GMT 1
The number of vehicles has been reduced dramatically in the last few years
They got rid of all the ECW Olympians and Lynxes without actually buying much in the way of replacement
There are about 60 less vehicles operated now than in 2000
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Post by lynxboy252 on Jan 27, 2008 17:06:07 GMT 1
A decrease in the number of vehicles since 2000...
... and no doubt an increase in unhappy customers since 2000. Well, those customers who no longer have a service or it's frequency decreased.
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Post by guyarab on Feb 9, 2008 21:42:12 GMT 1
Now that 1800/1801 are in service, 716 and 717 are now operating out of Heckmondwike (usually on the 268), but seven of the Dennis Arrows have been withdrawn. Only 502, 505 and 506 remain and one of these has an electronic destination screen, so does this mean it will remain in service for some time to come? Anyone know which it is?
With 7 now withdrawn it falls upon more single deckers to perform duties, but where have they come from? 467 has now transferred to Heckmondwike and 17 is now back in service from the same garage; conversely Dennis Lance/Alexander Striders 807/809 and 821 are now reprted to be withdrawn. Did the company then have too many spare vehicles after the service cuts?
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Feb 9, 2008 23:17:03 GMT 1
the daytime requirement in the Heckmondwike area has reduced by a further 4 buses since the last service reductions, so this explains why there are more withdrawals than new buses
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Post by guyarab on Feb 9, 2008 23:55:50 GMT 1
Thanks for that reply. I'd now just like to know which Arrow has the electronic destination equipment.
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Post by jimbob90 on Feb 10, 2008 14:52:37 GMT 1
to the best of my knowledge, the arrow with electronic destination is 505. Jim
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Post by jimbob90 on Mar 7, 2008 18:11:56 GMT 1
I saw the 'A Touch Of Frost' advert on the side of 1801 today. This is to promote the fact that Yorkshire Television are currently filming a new episode of the show at Wakefield Bus Station.
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Post by jabbott1987 on Mar 15, 2008 0:47:16 GMT 1
I think 1801 will probably be name David Jason.
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Post by lynxboy252 on Mar 15, 2008 15:56:41 GMT 1
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