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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2023 21:21:56 GMT 1
First South West donβt have any MMCs besides 4 mini E200s, and I doubt they are going anywhere Is Somerset still counted as part of the South West ops? As they have some used on the Hinckley Plant network
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Oct 28, 2023 21:40:39 GMT 1
First South West donβt have any MMCs besides 4 mini E200s, and I doubt they are going anywhere Is Somerset still counted as part of the South West ops? As they have some used on the Hinckley Plant network While not the most reliable source... Wikipedia says 'First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.' Here's me looking at Cymru, completely the wrong side of the country! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_South_West
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Post by Deleted on Oct 28, 2023 22:01:30 GMT 1
Is Somerset still counted as part of the South West ops? As they have some used on the Hinckley Plant network While not the most reliable source... Wikipedia says 'First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.' Here's me looking at Cymru, completely the wrong side of the country! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_South_WestThanks for that, I Believe Cymru is in with Bristol/Bath/North Somerset & Worcester operations as the 'West Of England' unit.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Oct 28, 2023 22:14:33 GMT 1
While not the most reliable source... Wikipedia says 'First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.' Here's me looking at Cymru, completely the wrong side of the country! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_South_WestThanks for that, I Believe Cymru is in with Bristol/Bath/North Somerset & Worcester operations as the 'West Of England' unit. No problem! That puts an end to that rumour. I don't think there's a single first-ran route suitable for the mini versions at Kernow.
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Post by arriva1606 on Oct 29, 2023 9:37:15 GMT 1
Is Somerset still counted as part of the South West ops? As they have some used on the Hinckley Plant network While not the most reliable source... Wikipedia says 'First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.' If kernow is part of South West then they have about 50 MMCs of both 200 and 400 models
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Oct 29, 2023 9:54:57 GMT 1
While not the most reliable source... Wikipedia says 'First South West includes the Kernow, Truronian, Adventures by Bus and Buses of Somerset brands.' Here's me looking at Cymru, completely the wrong side of the country! en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/First_South_WestThanks for that, I Believe Cymru is in with Bristol/Bath/North Somerset & Worcester operations as the 'West Of England' unit. The South West management organisation of First now includes Kernow, Buses of Somerset, SPS (Somerset Passenger Solutions), Wessex, Solent and Beeline Only the first two are on the First South West Limited licence though Buses donβt generally get transferred out of FSW, they generally get transferred in. Besides their own fleet of E400MMCs and Optare Solos that were new here, Cornwall is mostly Geminiβs that have come from everywhere else, none were new here. Somerset recently received a large batch of old style E400s from West of England that now makes up the majority of their double deck operations. Old style E200s make up the majority of the rest of the fleet.
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Post by stevieinselby on Nov 3, 2023 19:59:15 GMT 1
One thing that I have found surprising recently is the number of small independent bus companies getting brand new Volvo B8 Evoras. It used to be that Volvo saloons were largely the preserve of big companies, and small companies would usually get smaller, cheaper or second-hand buses ... but now that has completely turned around.
Aa far as I can see, First, Transdev, Rotala/Diamond and Go-Ahead don't have any at all, and Stagecoach and Arriva only have them for specific contracted fleets (eg The Busway, Orkney) where it looks like they have been specified as part of the contract. A handful of larger municipals and independents have got some β Lothian have the most, with Uno, West Coast Motors and Sanders having a few β but that's all. Part of this may be because a lot of the recent acquisitions by these bigger operators have been electric, although by no means all of them, so that isn't the whole story.
And yet in Yorkshire alone, Pullman have 6, Lonsdale have 4, Reliance have 2, Hulleys have 2 and Thornes has 1 β with a similar pattern elsewhere across the country, often small operators that have rag-tag fleets of older, smaller buses and typically used on rural routes that look like they would have low ridership ... and then suddenly, out of nowhere, shiny new Volvos.
At a time when finances for bus companies seem to be squeezed, it seems surprising that so many of them would be splashing out on expensive new buses β I don't know whether it means that Volvo are offering particularly attractive leasing deals in a desperate bid to shift vehicles that the big players won't take ... I just hope that they aren't setting themselves up for a fall a few years down the line with costs spiralling out of control on routes that aren't bringing in the bacon. We've seen it happen often enough before.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2023 20:32:09 GMT 1
One thing that I have found surprising recently is the number of small independent bus companies getting brand new Volvo B8 Evoras. It used to be that Volvo saloons were largely the preserve of big companies, and small companies would usually get smaller, cheaper or second-hand buses ... but now that has completely turned around. Aa far as I can see, First, Transdev, Rotala/Diamond and Go-Ahead don't have any at all, and Stagecoach and Arriva only have them for specific contracted fleets (eg The Busway, Orkney) where it looks like they have been specified as part of the contract. A handful of larger municipals and independents have got some β Lothian have the most, with Uno, West Coast Motors and Sanders having a few β but that's all. Part of this may be because a lot of the recent acquisitions by these bigger operators have been electric, although by no means all of them, so that isn't the whole story. And yet in Yorkshire alone, Pullman have 6, Lonsdale have 4, Reliance have 2, Hulleys have 2 and Thornes has 1 β with a similar pattern elsewhere across the country, often small operators that have rag-tag fleets of older, smaller buses and typically used on rural routes that look like they would have low ridership ... and then suddenly, out of nowhere, shiny new Volvos. At a time when finances for bus companies seem to be squeezed, it seems surprising that so many of them would be splashing out on expensive new buses β I don't know whether it means that Volvo are offering particularly attractive leasing deals in a desperate bid to shift vehicles that the big players won't take ... I just hope that they aren't setting themselves up for a fall a few years down the line with costs spiralling out of control on routes that aren't bringing in the bacon. We've seen it happen often enough before. First have a batch of Evoras currently in Ireland for the Dublin Airport routes until new electrics arrive next year, with them rumoured to then being moved to a few of the English ops.
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Post by SCH117X on Nov 3, 2023 20:58:01 GMT 1
Either ticket machines have gone walkies or the Transdev Harrogate school Starbuses have been in general use this week, notably on the Pateley Bridge service.
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Post by dwarfer1979 on Nov 4, 2023 10:08:52 GMT 1
One thing that I have found surprising recently is the number of small independent bus companies getting brand new Volvo B8 Evoras. It used to be that Volvo saloons were largely the preserve of big companies, and small companies would usually get smaller, cheaper or second-hand buses ... but now that has completely turned around. Aa far as I can see, First, Transdev, Rotala/Diamond and Go-Ahead don't have any at all, and Stagecoach and Arriva only have them for specific contracted fleets (eg The Busway, Orkney) where it looks like they have been specified as part of the contract. A handful of larger municipals and independents have got some β Lothian have the most, with Uno, West Coast Motors and Sanders having a few β but that's all. Part of this may be because a lot of the recent acquisitions by these bigger operators have been electric, although by no means all of them, so that isn't the whole story. And yet in Yorkshire alone, Pullman have 6, Lonsdale have 4, Reliance have 2, Hulleys have 2 and Thornes has 1 β with a similar pattern elsewhere across the country, often small operators that have rag-tag fleets of older, smaller buses and typically used on rural routes that look like they would have low ridership ... and then suddenly, out of nowhere, shiny new Volvos. At a time when finances for bus companies seem to be squeezed, it seems surprising that so many of them would be splashing out on expensive new buses β I don't know whether it means that Volvo are offering particularly attractive leasing deals in a desperate bid to shift vehicles that the big players won't take ... I just hope that they aren't setting themselves up for a fall a few years down the line with costs spiralling out of control on routes that aren't bringing in the bacon. We've seen it happen often enough before. There were two primary reasons why my employer (Centrebus/D&G have received 6 EvoRas with 9 more on order) switched to buying more Volvos from solely ADLs, price & delivery timescales - though we haven't switched entirely. 12-metre Volvo EvoRas are available for less than a 8.9-metre E200MMC (or the Solos that have just returned to the market - the price difference between long & short models is minimal) & Volvo were able to delivery in half the time of ADL (we were quoted 6-months for ADLs but 3-months from Volvo) at the time though I suspect that the recent uplift in demand for Volvos means that is becoming less of a difference (our second batch of Volvos have been delayed to April now which is a similar delivery timescale to ADL orders). Volvo are being helped by the quality of the product, having ridden on a number (including some early models) the MCV body is tight and the Volvo chassis has got itself a good reputation with operators and it needs to be remembered that as a leading supplier of coaches to the UK market the Volvo sales team is used to dealing with smaller & family owned operators as much as, if not more than, ADL who historically left such deals to companies like Mistral or independent dealers though they have been taking more of that on themselves these days. There is also simply that people need to update their fleets, COVID meant many paused replacements and things are catching up with them, and their is a shortage of options. If you look in the trade press there aren't a lot of good secondhand stock on the market, & what there is shifts quickly often without getting advertised, and with fewer options to go with for new (effectively ADL & Volvo though Wright have never left the market but they have not been popular in the independent sector for years, Optare/Switch have reintroduced the Solo but not the larger models & the big Euro manufacturers aren't really pushing diesels anymore). With partnerships & low emission zones a number of operators can no longer rely on older vehicles in the same way they have in the past so newer vehicles are needed.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Nov 4, 2023 14:29:30 GMT 1
That one enthusiast who is high up and places orders for vehicles at first mentioned it was their favourite modern vehicle. It's a proper shame none were ever ordered. I have to say they are solid buses and are probably the only ones I expect to last more than twenty years, with good maintenance of course
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Post by mattb7tl on Nov 9, 2023 15:57:02 GMT 1
Another day, another rumour Apparently the SL67s will be leaving upon the arrival of the electrics. I wonder if it is planned for all the non hybrids to leave the fleet at some point in the near future
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Post by mattb7tl on Nov 21, 2023 18:42:16 GMT 1
Another one! Electrics have been rumoured to be on order for the P&Rs. It could have some truth. I don't believe the actual number of vehicles ordered has been mentioned. Just the amount from ZEBRA. They could've very well put towards new vehicles themselves.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 22, 2023 0:41:15 GMT 1
Another one! Electrics have been rumoured to be on order for the P&Rs. It could have some truth. I don't believe the actual number of vehicles ordered has been mentioned. Just the amount from ZEBRA. They could've very well put towards new vehicles themselves. WYCA have expressed interest in bidding for ZEBRA 2, so wouldn't be surprised if the 'order' is just them being included in that.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Nov 22, 2023 11:47:19 GMT 1
Another one! Electrics have been rumoured to be on order for the P&Rs. It could have some truth. I don't believe the actual number of vehicles ordered has been mentioned. Just the amount from ZEBRA. They could've very well put towards new vehicles themselves. WYCA have expressed interest in bidding for ZEBRA 2, so wouldn't be surprised if the 'order' is just them being included in that. Another update. The BZL demonstrator that has had a good tour around Sheffield, was on the P&R 3. Not sure if that would be related to the order rumour or not
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Post by mattb7tl on Dec 11, 2023 16:26:49 GMT 1
First is experimenting with electric conversions. They have currently sent three solent streetdecks off to be converted. I feel like a lot of streetdecks may see a similar fate as replacing the engine every year is probably most expensive than a battery replacement every five years.
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Post by driver6540 on Dec 11, 2023 22:45:47 GMT 1
First is experimenting with electric conversions. They have currently sent three solent streetdecks off to be converted. I feel like a lot of streetdecks may see a similar fate as replacing the engine every year is probably most expensive than a battery replacement every five years. Sorry, Don't quite understand what you mean. Are you implying the Wright Streetdeck needs an engine replacement every year?. If so can you back that up with hard fact's. If you can, fair enough but i don't recall seeing anything about large swathes of these vehicles littering Mercedes Benz PCV dealerships awaiting replacement Daimler engines every year. Surely if this was the case most First Leeds services couldn't run as well as a goodly amount of First Bradford services due to the amount of Streetdecks VOR awaiting replacement engines. If iv'e misinterpreted your post apologies in advance, If not then please feel free to put me out of my ignorance.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Dec 11, 2023 23:15:50 GMT 1
First is experimenting with electric conversions. They have currently sent three solent streetdecks off to be converted. I feel like a lot of streetdecks may see a similar fate as replacing the engine every year is probably most expensive than a battery replacement every five years. Sorry, Don't quite understand what you mean. Are you implying the Wright Streetdeck needs an engine replacement every year?. If so can you back that up with hard fact's. If you can, fair enough but i don't recall seeing anything about large swathes of these vehicles littering Mercedes Benz PCV dealerships awaiting replacement Daimler engines every year. Surely if this was the case most First Leeds services couldn't run as well as a goodly amount of First Bradford services due to the amount of Streetdecks VOR awaiting replacement engines. If iv'e misinterpreted your post apologies in advance, If not then please feel free to put me out of my ignorance. No worries I was exaggerating of course but engine replacements do appear to be every few years based off of a comment made by a mechanic on the main enthusiast page. That mechanic has videos and photos of them working on vehicles and comments frequently on any mechanical related comment or question with great knowledge so I would say they have validity.
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Post by stantheman on Dec 18, 2023 8:37:34 GMT 1
Whatβs happened to AY 1443? Transferred here not so long since but out of service since October.
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pricel
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Post by pricel on Jan 23, 2024 21:51:01 GMT 1
We seemed to be going a bit off topic in the Fleet changes section of the First bus threads. So I have decided to discuss this here.
A very reasonable question was asked by MattB7TL reguarding the heating system on First buses, besides the ex Bournemouth Gemini 2s I have never felt heating on a First bus.
They probably do have heating but they are never turned on. Does anyone know the reason for that?
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2024 21:54:40 GMT 1
We seemed to be going a bit off topic in the Fleet changes section of the First bus threads. So I have decided to discuss this here. A very reasonable question was asked by MattB7TL reguarding the heating system on First buses, besides the ex Bournemouth Gemini 2s I have never felt heating on a First bus. Isn't the roof pods & vents down the side of the Eclipses Interior a joint Air con/Heating system? With the Streetlites having a similar system as well.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Jan 23, 2024 21:59:28 GMT 1
We seemed to be going a bit off topic in the Fleet changes section of the First bus threads. So I have decided to discuss this here. A very reasonable question was asked by MattB7TL reguarding the heating system on First buses, besides the ex Bournemouth Gemini 2s I have never felt heating on a First bus. They probably do have heating but they are never turned on. Does anyone know the reason for that? Deleted my post in the other thread to keep it more organised But I genuinely haven't felt a heated bus but that may be due to my preference of where to sit perhaps? Upstairs at the front on a nice day, by the engine on a cold one, and downstairs towards the front at night to avoid the chavs
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Jan 24, 2024 17:56:33 GMT 1
We seemed to be going a bit off topic in the Fleet changes section of the First bus threads. So I have decided to discuss this here. A very reasonable question was asked by MattB7TL reguarding the heating system on First buses, besides the ex Bournemouth Gemini 2s I have never felt heating on a First bus. They probably do have heating but they are never turned on. Does anyone know the reason for that? Deleted my post in the other thread to keep it more organised But I genuinely haven't felt a heated bus but that may be due to my preference of where to sit perhaps? Upstairs at the front on a nice day, by the engine on a cold one, and downstairs towards the front at night to avoid the chavs Personally I always have the heating on my bus and book them off if they are cold (no good for concentration freezing your sausage off, cold feet - can't feel brake pedal etc), I have people get on and tell me "it's lovely and warm on here driver". Problem is with the saloon is the opening and closing the doors takes out a lot of the heat and on the other side of things it makes them struggle to get warm in the first place. The only saloon heating is above the windows on the Eclipses and then on the Geminis the same but the upper deck under the rear bench there is a heater there. Next time you are on one look above the windows where it meets the roof and you'll see some small vents. As pricel says, the Ex-Bournemouth Gemini 2's were fantastic for heating. When I definitely didn't take one out of Todmorden depot one morning last year private to Halifax, it was already blowing warm by Eastwood. Some warm up quicker than others though, this morning 37755 was deffo not given to me as a change over in Halifax at 0730 and was blowing warm within 10 minutes. 37687 for example only blows luke warm.
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Jan 24, 2024 18:02:25 GMT 1
I have it from a reliable source (cheers BBQ), that the 692/3/4xx B7RLE's and the B9 Geminis are only getting withdrawn when catastrophic failures occur/when it is no longer financially viable to fix. If any are to be going soon they will be the Bramley ones but via potential use elsewhere.
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mattb7tl
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Post by mattb7tl on Feb 13, 2024 21:42:12 GMT 1
Huddersfield has been branded as having the 'Volvo Badge' in terms of standardisation, by Andy. Kind of confusing but it plays into the old, unconfirmed rumour, that the new buses were a diverted order and were not destined for Huddersfield. With the no diesel rule, along with the lack of modern volvos in the existing fleet, what newer vehicles would even be available for fleet upgrade?
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