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Post by SCH117X on Jan 24, 2016 19:37:15 GMT 1
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Post by pub146g on Jan 24, 2016 20:14:56 GMT 1
Well, the day finally arrived for these to enter service and after spending Sunday afternoon sampling a few examples I have to say these are truly awesome machines.
Any doubts I may have had about the shallower upper deck windows were soon dispelled and I can say that the ability to ‘see out’ is not compromised whatsoever, in fact I didn’t notice they were shallower from the inside. I do still have a slight niggle about those front upper deck corner pillars but on my journeys today I didn’t hear anybody occupying the front seats commenting about them, in all probability they didn’t notice!
Regarding the engine, the 5 litre Volvo unit coupled with the 6 speed ZF transmission ensured Harewood Bank was encountered with no difficulty, although I didn’t really have any doubts about this as I had a similar experience with the demonstrator B5TL that was on loan early last year.
More important than any of this though is the fact the new buses with their Gemini3 body are getting noticed by ‘normal’ passengers, sorry I mean customers and you only have to look on social media to see all the favourable comments from people who would never normally look at a bus twice; things like “loving the new bus, very swanky” and “Transdev are making buses look cool” etc etc.
The Gemini 3 in my opinion does look cutting edge and modern, again a view shared by those who attended the preview in Leeds on Saturday whilst I was there so maybe it’s just enthusiasts who don’t like change and like a good moan!
Finally, the next stop announcement is a familiar voice, I’m sure it’s Harry Gration!
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Post by rwilkes on Jan 24, 2016 20:28:32 GMT 1
can confirm it is Harry G
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Post by SCH117X on Jan 25, 2016 18:23:58 GMT 1
After all the glitter the reality kicks in today and no real time displays for intending passengers for some reason, just timetabled times showing.
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Post by rwilkes on Jan 25, 2016 18:48:17 GMT 1
They have real time to departure on the bus desti indicators Some very senior bus industry people tweeting abt 36 today
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 25, 2016 18:59:52 GMT 1
They have real time to departure on the bus desti indicators Some very senior bus industry people tweeting abt 36 today I wonder what the screen says if the bus is late and already past departure time when it pulls in? "departing now, hurry up get on quick I'm already late" Alex Hornby and co were being "bus butlers" handing out breakfasts on the 36 this morning, something they used to do at Trent Barton. With all his PR work I wonder how he makes time to actually do all his boring desk based work.
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Post by SCH117X on Jan 25, 2016 19:13:37 GMT 1
They have real time to departure on the bus desti indicators Some very senior bus industry people tweeting abt 36 today I know, but the next bus app is only showing the timetabled time, not much use for someone waiting en route wondering where the bus is. I pulled it up to see how well or not the "fast" services were doing this evening.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 25, 2016 20:03:57 GMT 1
After all the glitter the reality kicks in today and no real time displays for intending passengers for some reason, just timetabled times showing. Yes this was something I noticed and assume they haven't fitted the transponders which is a bit of a bummer. One bus today was showing real time though, 3613 which of course already has the equipment. (3614 was on 770 today).
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Post by rwilkes on Jan 25, 2016 20:34:41 GMT 1
Its not the buses or Transdev It some other issue and it will be fixed soon
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Post by rwilkes on Jan 25, 2016 22:08:03 GMT 1
another tease Transdev Harrogate @harrogatebus · 25 mins25 minutes ago We've had lots of fun launching the new 36 buses, but customers on another route are in for a surprise tomorrow morning! See you then!
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Post by SCH117X on Jan 25, 2016 22:40:32 GMT 1
another tease Transdev Harrogate @harrogatebus · 25 mins25 minutes ago We've had lots of fun launching the new 36 buses, but customers on another route are in for a surprise tomorrow morning! See you then! At a guess either more bus buttling by Alex or they are going to use 3601-3612 on another route(s), 3614 was probably in use today as one of the new vehicles was almost failed by its driver en route Leeds-Harrogate with a noisy buzzer but it continued to Harrogate at least pbs.twimg.com/media/CZkRcfBXEAADjF_.jpgtwitter.com/BusAndTrainUser
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Post by SCH117X on Jan 25, 2016 23:22:21 GMT 1
A trawl of Flickr shows a number of working heading towards Leeds still showing Harrogate on the desti so it obviously is driver operated, none apart from the a pre launch one show Ripley then Ripon and all seem to show just Ripon when beyond Harrogate. A Harrogate then Starbeck is shown in one picture and NextBus lists the local working beyond Harrogate as E1, E2 and E3. 3618 and 3621 are both have the same rear route promotion of "Loving Leeds", 3616 has "Night Times" and 3623 "Business Class"
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Post by alextransdev on Jan 26, 2016 0:12:16 GMT 1
After all the glitter the reality kicks in today and no real time displays for intending passengers for some reason, just timetabled times showing. This is a problem directly at the hands of Wayfarer and VIX - and is with them getting sorted. Not our fault, not an issue with the new fleet.
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Post by alextransdev on Jan 26, 2016 0:14:17 GMT 1
They have real time to departure on the bus desti indicators Some very senior bus industry people tweeting abt 36 today I wonder what the screen says if the bus is late and already past departure time when it pulls in? "departing now, hurry up get on quick I'm already late" Alex Hornby and co were being "bus butlers" handing out breakfasts on the 36 this morning, something they used to do at Trent Barton. With all his PR work I wonder how he makes time to actually do all his boring desk based work. Seeing as I did the "PR work" on Thu evening, Saturday and Monday morning before 9am (I deem it highly important that I meet our customers and stakeholders, and they meet me) that left plenty of time for my desk work..,
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Jan 26, 2016 0:38:13 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum Alex. Don't think I was having a go, it was only a jokey remark, the work you put in leading the PR from the front should be applauded as many managers do stay chained to the desk.
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Post by alextransdev on Jan 26, 2016 1:30:13 GMT 1
Welcome to the forum Alex. Don't think I was having a go, it was only a jokey remark, the work you put in leading the PR from the front should be applauded as many managers do stay chained to the desk. No worries.
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Post by B521UWW on Jan 26, 2016 10:58:13 GMT 1
another tease Transdev Harrogate @harrogatebus · 25 mins25 minutes ago We've had lots of fun launching the new 36 buses, but customers on another route are in for a surprise tomorrow morning! See you then! At a guess either more bus buttling by Alex or they are going to use 3601-3612 on another route(s), 3614 was probably in use today as one of the new vehicles was almost failed by its driver en route Leeds-Harrogate with a noisy buzzer but it continued to Harrogate at least pbs.twimg.com/media/CZkRcfBXEAADjF_.jpgtwitter.com/BusAndTrainUserWho needs to see a picture of a driver on their phone, very intrusive I think. Not a picture of a bus with the faint image of a driver behind a window but a paparazzi style photo taken from upstairs, maybe this Twitter user needs to inform us where they work and we put some pics on the web of them!!!
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Post by rwilkes on Jan 26, 2016 12:31:22 GMT 1
I know the twitter user who took the pic and I would be very surprised indeed if he had not sought permission from the driver.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 29, 2016 0:48:43 GMT 1
Experienced a journey on one of the new 36 vehicles today and have to say it was the best bus experience I`ve had, never travelled on bus seats that good. Transdev should be proud of themselves.
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Post by kevg on Jan 29, 2016 13:26:57 GMT 1
Experienced a journey on one of the new 36 vehicles today and have to say it was the best bus experience I`ve had, never travelled on bus seats that good. Transdev should be proud of themselves. Totally agree, it's nice to see a company get new buses for a route and going that bit further than normal to make the journey better for the public. Top marks from myself here.
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Post by Dom on Jan 29, 2016 23:42:56 GMT 1
Experienced a journey on one of the new 36 vehicles today and have to say it was the best bus experience I`ve had, never travelled on bus seats that good. Transdev should be proud of themselves. Totally agree, it's nice to see a company get new buses for a route and going that bit further than normal to make the journey better for the public. Top marks from myself here. Missed my 7S today, so had a trip on the 36 to Moortown. What fantastic buses, fresh smelling and the roof makes it seem more atmospheric! Cheaper than First too. Also great customer service from the driver and pilot 'Chris'. Not going to lie, one of the best bus services in the country! Bonus to the smartly dressed staff. Mr Hornby, was bus 3618 this evening at tea time! I'll be getting it more often
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Post by kevg on Jan 30, 2016 2:20:24 GMT 1
Totally agree, it's nice to see a company get new buses for a route and going that bit further than normal to make the journey better for the public. Top marks from myself here. Missed my 7S today, so had a trip on the 36 to Moortown. What fantastic buses, fresh smelling and the roof makes it seem more atmospheric! Cheaper than First too. Also great customer service from the driver and pilot 'Chris'. Not going to lie, one of the best bus services in the country! Bonus to the smartly dressed staff. Mr Hornby, was bus 3618 this evening at tea time! I'll be getting it more often Again, totally agree,it's brilliant to be giving massively positive comments about something in our area and well deserved.
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Post by 1071 on Jan 30, 2016 8:32:05 GMT 1
If you look on Flickr then you will find out that one bus had a little accident reversing out of std 2 in hgte as there was a single decker right behind it parked up
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Post by SCH117X on Jan 30, 2016 14:03:27 GMT 1
Pranging new buses in Harrogate bus station seems to be habit, one of Versas when new quickly acquired a green stripe off a passing HCT vehicle.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 30, 2016 15:39:18 GMT 1
Most of the new buses are now showing real time info on Metro Next Bus.
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