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Post by pub146g on Apr 3, 2008 1:03:48 GMT 1
I would have thought the Green Line 645 would have got new buses instead of 681/682, 617/618. I'm not sure about X6 having just 6 buses - Would they not make it fully B9TL bus operated? Service such as the 15, 681/682, 617/618 should get the X6 geminis. The 645 is rumoured to be getting the '06 Gemini's that are presently in express livery once they have been repainted. As with everything that gets rumoured though I wouldn't treat it as gospel 'til it happens.
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Post by pub146g on Apr 3, 2008 0:57:44 GMT 1
Anyway, back to topic. A few misallocations I noted today: 61116 & 30245 on the 51/51A 61089 on the 49. I can understand why illicit allocations are made during term time when Geminis are diverted onto school runs which are on normal stage work running boards but why is it happening during the holidays when Bramley, the main culprit must have enought B7TLs knocking about to man the low floor decker routes! The 49 now has at least a couple of Scania Striders on most days. The vehicle type to be allocated to this route which is on the running boards says Volvo DD/Scania SD. The route certainly seems to have been downgraded in terms of the type of bus used since the Geminis arrived in '04 and used on here almost daily. Nowadays as well as the above mentioned types it's not uncommon to get anything from a Dart to a Scania 'decker as well. Today there was actually a 49 branded Gemini on the 49.......amazing! Only saw the 1 though. Just thought I'd do a postscript to my earlier message to mention that the regulars on the 23.13 from Eastgate to Bramley 49 tonight (Wed) had the pleasure (!) of Dart 40631. After the various Olympians that have been on over the last couple of days, Royale 30245 & one J-reg on Mon and at least Royale 30246 on Tues I don't think it's worth recording such workings as mis-allocations any more. So there we are, I promise I won't mention the 49 again...ever...Honest!
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Post by pub146g on Apr 1, 2008 23:33:21 GMT 1
From a freind at Bradford :
37071-78 Red Line 640/1 37079-84 X6 37085-91 Routes 623-7 37092-95 Routes 681/2 37096-99 Routes 617/8 37100-02 Route 15
Didn't get 37067-70 but would imagine at least a couple will be 72. That's only a guess though.
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Post by pub146g on Apr 1, 2008 23:18:19 GMT 1
The fitting of wheel trims has been adopted by First countrywide and even Dennis Darts should receive them soon.
However, in my opinion the visual effect of the trim is somewhat spoilt when the wheel is fitted with yellow nut movement indicator tags as carried by some of Cherry's new B9TL's.
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Post by pub146g on Apr 1, 2008 22:13:49 GMT 1
These are part of a batch of 28 that First Leeds are to receive for Cherry Row in order to replace the Scania L113/L94 on 35/45/47/71 plus 18/18A etc.
Not sure if 69329-331 are still at Birstall as they were said to be winging their way down to First Eastern Counties last week on loan to help out with some vehicle shortage down there.
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Post by pub146g on Mar 30, 2008 21:25:01 GMT 1
Anyway, back to topic. A few misallocations I noted today: 61116 & 30245 on the 51/51A 61089 on the 49. I can understand why illicit allocations are made during term time when Geminis are diverted onto school runs which are on normal stage work running boards but why is it happening during the holidays when Bramley, the main culprit must have enought B7TLs knocking about to man the low floor decker routes! The 49 now has at least a couple of Scania Striders on most days. The vehicle type to be allocated to this route which is on the running boards says Volvo DD/Scania SD. The route certainly seems to have been downgraded in terms of the type of bus used since the Geminis arrived in '04 and used on here almost daily. Nowadays as well as the above mentioned types it's not uncommon to get anything from a Dart to a Scania 'decker as well. Today there was actually a 49 branded Gemini on the 49.......amazing! Only saw the 1 though.
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Post by pub146g on Mar 20, 2008 23:13:17 GMT 1
It's 1413.
Think it's promoting a safety campaign or similar although I could be wrong, it was pitch black when I saw it!
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Post by pub146g on Mar 20, 2008 23:09:37 GMT 1
Don't think it's been mentioned on here yet but the 97 is now back starting in the bus staition again after a few days in Eastgate. It's sharing stand 1 with the 96.
On journeys to Leeds both 96 & 97 now divert via Vicar Lane and drop off in York Street outside the bus station.
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Post by pub146g on Mar 11, 2008 1:50:36 GMT 1
why are there gettin more new buses for? havent there got enough all ready? In a word - No. First have just placed an order for 700 new buses and Leeds & Aberdeen will be the first to receive their share. There are deadlines imposed by the Disability Discrimination Act which says that by 2014-16 all buses on stage service will have to be low floor and it was highlighted in the trade press recently that First have been under-replacing in recent years. In order for the fleet countrywide to be low floor by the deadline I expect these size orders to be repeated in coming years. (Great for Wrightbus!)
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Post by pub146g on Mar 11, 2008 1:40:47 GMT 1
I am suprised that the Scot Hall Rd corridor is been upgraded so soon. Will these been dubble deckers or single still? It would be a good idea to give those buses a clean up, paint job before moving them to Bramley or Atkinson. The leyland olympians, where are they leased from, i am right in thinking that are manly on the Otley Rd corridor so there will be new buses on there i guess. Surely not all 90 new buses will be for the scot halls? Thanks for the info above really helpfull. 1. In 1998 it was said that the the buses on Scott Halls would be replaced after 5 years in order to keep the guideway routes high profile, so on that basis the renewal is 5 years late. Actually, I suspect the original comment back then was said without foundation because it looked good in the press at the launch and would be quickly forgotten. 28 B7RLE's are in the course of delivery for Scott Halls (69329 up) although I think some Geminis may come later as mentioned in an earlier report. 2. The leased Olympians in question are the Leyland bodied J-YRM's which are at Bramley for school work although they appear on normal routes from time to time. The lease is thought to have been inherited when First bought Capital Citybus in London who had taken the original lease out.
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Post by pub146g on Mar 9, 2008 2:58:25 GMT 1
Over the next 12-18 months Leeds are to receive 90 new buses, a mixture of double & single deck.
Also, it is rumoured that 20 low floor Darts are to come to Leeds from London.
Can't wait for them!
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Post by pub146g on Mar 9, 2008 2:53:07 GMT 1
The J-YRM Olympians could be going quite soon as 30709 has recently been repainted all white. All these are leased and not owned by First and the terms and conditions dictate that they are repainted into dealer white when returned. Another is in the paint shops and they are receiving First fleet names etc on all white base which suggests they will be used for a short period of time. Thought I'd resurrect this with latest info. Talking to one of the painters from Kirkstall tonight and he says First have decided to keep the J-YRM's for a period of more than 1 year. That explains why recent repaints have been in First Livery. 30715 is in the paintshop now being so treated and should be out within the next week. Apparently the lease on these buses is being paid to First South Yorkshire! Not sure what their involvement is although I think some did briefly work in Rotherham on their journey up from London.
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Post by pub146g on Mar 9, 2008 2:18:56 GMT 1
Latest date for Atkinson St becoming operational is 04/05/08. (Unless the council put it back again).
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Post by pub146g on Mar 9, 2008 2:12:18 GMT 1
All this is just an over reaction to the incident when some person decided to walk behind a bus about to reverse out when common sense should have prevailed.
Another case of everybody suffers because of the foolish acts of the minority.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 28, 2008 23:44:47 GMT 1
Optare Solo 53101 was an unusual performer on service 96 to Holt Park today (Thurs), being seen on the Headrow waiting to turn into Albion St at about 17.25.
Scania 'decker 31096 was on the 51 although I'm not sure these should now be classed as misallocations as there appears to be one on here fairly often.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 20, 2008 3:31:04 GMT 1
On a similar note with last buses following each other (though probably at risk of going off topic!) does anyone know if the last 963 service from Otley actually runs as a duplicate as far as Shipley? For a while now I've noticed that there seems to be two journeys at 2332 hours, presumably instead of having a bus run light, but still it seems odd for two drivers to have to follow each other on not exactly the busiest service at such a late hour! You would be amazed at how many people actually use that 23.32 back to Bradford after a night in the town's pubs and the usual Solo can get full before it leaves Otley, at least on a Fri & Sat. Never any trouble though, Otley attracts the more discerning drinker!
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Post by pub146g on Feb 23, 2008 3:24:18 GMT 1
Kirkstall became an operational bus depot in June 1992 not 82. Before then it was the main works for Yorks Rider/WYPTE/LCT and the building dates back to early tramway days when Leeds Corporation built new trams there.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 22, 2008 0:01:32 GMT 1
Are single deckers most appropriate for the Scott Halls or should deckers be used? I'm not as sure about the 35/45/47, but when I use the 71 it is often a full standing load (not bad for a service which for years used to only run half-hourly). I know at the moment its a mixture of single and double deck buses, but its a bit worrying if *all* the duties are to be run by Eclipses (with less than 40 seats?). I would probably say yes as the combined 35/45/47/71 provide a 5 minute headway between 07.30 & 18.20 over the common section of route from the City Centre to Potternewton Lane. However there are times when a decker would be preferable, an example being some of the early morning 45's from Shadwell which can have a standing load before they've got to the end of Shadwell Lane! At the other end of the day, the 23.30 to Alwoodley can sometimes have a standing load by the time it's left Sheepscar WMC although a lot of these are only going a couple of stops and it's usually only on a Fri & Sat. Incidentally, First Leeds recently conducted an online opinion poll of passengers preferred type of bus and one question was ' Is it better to have more seats available even if the majority are upstairs?' The result was Yes 163 ; No 172. The results of other questions also suggested that passengers would rather stand on a single decker than travel upstairs on a double. This was over the Leeds area and not just the routes on this topic. Anyway I would say that even when the new buses are in service you will probably find B7TL's still appearing.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 19, 2008 23:49:55 GMT 1
About time the Scott Halls got some new buses; when the busway was first developed wasn't the idea for them to be updated every few years? Correct! When 8449-8464 were new in '98 the opinion was that they would be replaced on those routes within 5 years. Shame to see the back of the L113CRL's though, good buses with power when you need it. Not so with the L94UB's though which are more sluggish.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 19, 2008 23:23:37 GMT 1
I don't think they will last 20 years really! Look at the 2004 batch, I hate to say it but they are not in a pleasant state! The problem nowadays is that the materials used by coachbuilders are just not durable. I remember some comments made at the Motor Show in 2001 when the Gemini first appeared and some visitors thought the interior looked "very plasticy". It's not just Wright's though, most manufacturers are having to use plastics in the quest to make buses lighter and more fuel efficient but the fact is it's not up to the job. Passengers attitudes also need to change and not insist on putting their feet anywhere but the floor. Even professional looking people will march upstairs, sit at the front and promptly plonk their feet on the front bulkhead panelling. I've already noticed a couple of Cherry Row's new B9TL's with this panelling scuffed by shoes and this is after a couple of week's service so what they'll look like in 2028 I dread to think.
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Post by pub146g on Feb 15, 2008 23:12:19 GMT 1
On Wednesday 5211 was seen leaving Leeds on the 23.10 service 15 to Farsley, quite an unusual sight in place of the standard B10B which is usual on an evening. Well, any day except Sunday of course when it's double deckers all the way!
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Post by pub146g on Feb 1, 2008 21:25:05 GMT 1
I've not had it confirmed but i'm informed from the guys at Bradford that there's only 7 Roe/Optare Olympians in service now : 5137, 5140, 5146, 5148, 5150, 5503,5504.
5120 was mentioned in an earlier report as still being in service as of last Saturday but this bus is currently at PVS, Barnsley so either the report was incorrect or the bus has been withdrawn and sent to the scrapyard in less than a week, which is possible.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 27, 2008 19:54:19 GMT 1
Probably. PVS are mainly dismantlers but they have been known to sell buses on for further service so you never know, it may turn up somewhere.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 26, 2008 2:25:04 GMT 1
Last weekend 5135 & 5136 were at Bowling Back Lane with fleet numbers etc painted out. Think 5134 went to PVS dealer at Barnsley the week before.
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Post by pub146g on Jan 4, 2008 0:38:44 GMT 1
Most of the Scania deckers all out in service again today.
Don't think Crossroads have looked at new B9TL's 37125-130 yet so it's at least another 4/5 days before they'll arrive at Cherry Row. 37132 is still in Fleetwood at the ferry terminal where it's been since Christmas Eve!
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