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Post by biroguy on Mar 6, 2017 0:28:53 GMT 1
According to Oliver Howarth these buses are to be scrapped, major issues with them. No one will supply new engines for them.
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Post by biroguy on Mar 1, 2017 0:38:15 GMT 1
Two tone green with 'Leeds City Transport' fleetnames would look good. The logo could be Leeds Town Hall, similar to the 'Blackpool Transport' branding which uses the Blackpool Tower as it's logo. Most likely With the obligatory 'brought to you by First' tagline somewhere near the fleetnames. Would be good to separate the Leeds city network from the rest of West Yorkshire, and a separate livery and branding would be a good option. A full overhaul of the fleet and a possible renumbering of routes to simplify and update the network. I'd like to see a large batch of new E400 City double deckers as well as refurbishing the rest of the fleet. A good investment for the city and would make good use of part of the government funding from the scrapped trolleybus scheme, but doubt any of this will happen! Quite bluntly First have no choice but to get rid of all non Euro 6 engined buses by 2020 operating through central Leeds, the same applies to every other bus operator too. 120 buses are to be re-engined, that includes all the hybrids and the 2012 B9`s.
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Post by biroguy on Mar 1, 2017 0:34:24 GMT 1
284 new buses for Leeds in a two tone green livery?. I doubt there will be a different livery however we can look forward to 284 cast offs being moved to the rest of West Yorkshire. And given how the large groups move new vehicles around after 18/24 months how long will the 284 new buses remain in Leeds. Perhaps it's me being cynical. One of the big issues for the 284 new buses on order for Leeds is will they be suitable for cascade in 8 years time to places like Halifax, the only pure diesel option is Euro 6 which cannot cope with steep hills in places like Halifax, then there is gas which again causes cascade problems or the problematic hybrid/ pure electric option.
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Post by biroguy on Feb 22, 2017 15:09:25 GMT 1
Fascinating talk with Oliver Howarth last night, loads of info. Complete replacement/rebuild of Leeds bus fleet by 2020. 284 new buses of a type still under discussion, Euro 6 problematic for future cascade, poor hill climbers. Gas? Only built by Scania, depots need high pressure gas supply, only possible at one Leeds Depot other needs expensive pipeline. Electric, flash charge induction or plug in, lot`s of issues. Current Euro 6 buses will remain at Leeds, Hybrids possibly to get full Euro 6 diesel conversion soon as batteries need replacing. Balance of Leeds fleet, re-engined Euro 6 2012 b9`s. Also of interest Streetcars going to the scrapyard, nobody will supply an engine suitable to repower them.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 27, 2017 1:47:26 GMT 1
Refurbs are dull as dishwater, not the new broom we were promised, no surprises there as Arriva have never been good at running trains! Despite the promises things have got worse, shorter trains, higher fares, dreadful huge paper tickets! No one expected miracles overnight but staff morale has collapsed. Most of the network will never see a new train with clapped out cast offs from Great Western and Scotland. We deserve better than this.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 25, 2017 1:00:11 GMT 1
I know the 1049 from Leeds to Carlisle tends to be busy with group bookings between Settle and Carlisle hence the extra unit, but not sure if still the case during the line closure. Rather strangely it hasn't been nowhere near busy on any of the journeys I've used Mon to Fri, and comment has been made by many trolley attendants that it's gone quiet since the closure. I thought many people used this line for walking and to watch the scenery, not just the numbers using it to access Carlisle? Can't believe a small closed section at the end of the line has turned people away in droves! In my experience most passengers do the full line experience, getting a seat at either Carlisle or Leeds is a real challenge on a two coach train! Many people also believe that the full line is shut. I`m sure passenger numbers will rocket on reopening in March.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 23, 2017 15:38:18 GMT 1
The BBC website( for Scotland) is reporting that Alex Hynes is leaving Arriva Rail North and moving to become managing director of Scotrail Alliance later this year That`s bad for Northern, he`s an impressive manager, we need people like him in our region. Arriva have an awful reputation in the rail industry. Their last attempt at running Northern was a disaster. Alex promised big improvements let`s hope they still happen.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 23, 2017 0:24:14 GMT 1
You would think Northern would go for the 185`s for routes like the Settle/Carlisle route, far superior than ancient Sprinters from GWR. What do you mean by "go for"? There aren't any that aren't currently in use. Northern have 4, which they're using on the route they were on before Northern took it over from TPE. TPE are using all the rest. I`m well aware of that fact, I was talking in a future context when they go off lease which I was responding to in the first place! The 185`s would offer a superior journey on routes like the Carlisle route.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 22, 2017 15:19:55 GMT 1
Recently read on another forum is the news that all the current 185's are to be externally done in the new TPE livery, and internally refurbished starting anytime now. This despite the fact some are due to be returned off-lease by 2018. Also stated is the fact that no other TOC is interested in taking them when they do go, so far. Currently, the latest TPE publicity reports that 19 Hitachi 802 Bi-modes will enter service in 2019 these will be 5-car units operating on the Liverpool-Newcastle-Edinburgh and Manchester Airport-Newcastle routes. 12 Caf Civity class 397 Emu's 5-car units will enter service also in 2019, running between Manchester and Glasgow/Edinburgh via WCML. These will replace the 450's which are expected to transfer to LMR. Lastly, 13 rakes of 5 Caf built coaches to MK5 spec will enter service in 2018 to be hauled by hired in class 68 loco's on the Liverpool to Scarborough and Newcastle routes. You would think Northern would go for the 185`s for routes like the Settle/Carlisle route, far superior than ancient Sprinters from GWR.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 20, 2017 10:41:56 GMT 1
I don`t think anyone is denying that the 158`s are bad, refurbed they are fine. It`s more the principal of age and the constant fare rises, since 2006 fares have rocketed and yet most Northern routes are destined to have 20 year plus trains indefinately. I would scrap all the Sprinters, they`ve had their day. Great in 1987 but not in 2017. 158`s offer a better ambience and have a role to play but are hopeless on my route through Harrogate with all the standing commuters.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 18, 2017 9:48:54 GMT 1
No amount of refurbishment on the inside or repainting the outside will hide the fact that decent modern stock is needed rapidly(yes I know procurement will take years) I agree totally, the Sprinters were good in 1986 but 30 years on really? In that time rail fares have rocketed!!!! I actually prefer the 144 Pacers simply due to the fact you don`t need ear plugs and can hold a conversation! I`m dubious about Arriva Northern/German State Railways. Alex Hynes is an impressive MD but the reality on the ground isn`t great, most Northern routes will continue with refurbed cast off stock some of which will be older than the trains running now.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 12, 2017 13:17:33 GMT 1
Quick calculation on the back of an envelope suggests about 9 buses of work perhaps. It's not that far to Barnsley or Penistone from Waterloo. Question is will they acquire decent buses or just draft in some life expired stock from Arriva North East that never sees an orange paint brush. Yorkshire Tiger started out with good intentions here in Leeds, with smart orange buses but sadly it ended up as a dumping ground for elderly Arriva cast offs, hope you get better kit.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 12, 2017 11:17:30 GMT 1
I sincerely hope not. The London D train concept went up in flames earlier this month, totally the wrong solution with a top speed of 60mph and awful interior layout. I share your view as to how stopping TPE trains will work, especially with plans to open a "White Rose Centre" station as well. Stopping Newcastle expresses at Morley etc seems very improbable. There are new trains in the pipeline, push and pull 5 coach loco hauled sets. The 185`s are being concentrated in pairs on south Pennine services I believe with the balance handed back to the owner.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 10, 2017 14:21:48 GMT 1
Is it just Arriva that are introducing these awful tickets? I would imagine this style of ticket would be impossible to issue from a ticket machine on a platform. Thus far Arriva/Deutche Bahn have not delivered anything positive to their passengers in the North other than a fare increase and awful paper tickets, We know new trains will appear but not on my line, we`re getting old Scottish/GWR cast offs assuming they are able to part with them? The most we can hope for is an old electric unit converted to hybrid. Rant over!
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Post by biroguy on Jan 10, 2017 11:00:51 GMT 1
In view of the tatty barbie purchases recently all running in service are we likely to see any of the Bristol buses running in blue before repaint. Saw a B7L in service on Otley Road today desperate for some tlc and a repaint. Glad they sent a tatty 1 out rather than a board completely missing. The point I was making here is why paint the smart express livered Bristol buses when other secondhand stock needs a lick of paint first, I appreciate your point that any bus is better than none. It`s a shame our smart Olympic Gemini 2`s on my local routes are now an exception to the rule whilst old bangers appear, passengers are noticing the difference.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 9, 2017 20:21:32 GMT 1
In view of the tatty barbie purchases recently all running in service are we likely to see any of the Bristol buses running in blue before repaint. Saw a B7L in service on Otley Road today desperate for some tlc and a repaint.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 9, 2017 17:20:46 GMT 1
I believe 5 or 6 are coming and they're for use on the new Park & Ride service until the new E400 MMCs arrive around June/July. Well they're to be used as normal buses & repainted - or they could stay in that livery and go on Wetherby. To paint or not to paint that is the question! The X84 liveried E400`s often appear on other routes why not keep the B7tL`s in blue and gold
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Post by biroguy on Jan 9, 2017 0:56:48 GMT 1
Thanks for the above responses. Cant say i was ever enthused by the D-train idea, although to be fair economics dictated ideas like this had to be trialed. The more i think about the 319, the more it makes sense. If succesfull perhaps a whole new generation of EMU's could be adapted in later years to bi-mode. Getting ahead of myself here, but maybe in a few years time the idea of travelling in our region on an ex-Scotrail 334 Juniper converted to bi-mode would certainly enthuse me. I couldn`t agree more on all counts! i think the fire whilst unfortunate on the prototype will seriously undermine confidence in the concept. I used D78`s a lot in London and just cannot see the attraction of travelling in one to Harrogate or wherever! The window and door layouts in whatever seating configuration will be a hindrance to passengers quality of journey. Converting redundant 319`s and such like to hybrid makes a lot more sense.
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Post by biroguy on Jan 8, 2017 15:00:30 GMT 1
In view of the fact that the VivaRail 230 prototype went up in flames last week near Coventry then I would prefer a 319 Bi Mode anyday! I think D Train is seriously flawed, the body shell design does make for a miserable travel experience. A Pacer would be preferable in terms of a view out of the window. So pleased no 230`s are coming to Northern, hopefully the fire has killed that concept off. `
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Post by biroguy on Jan 4, 2017 9:46:23 GMT 1
Any sensible company would have kept size uniform with machines and wallets. Credit/debit cards, Oyster cards, in fact most cards are a universal size, approximately 85x55mm., so why not with the new tickets? I had the pleasure of receiving one of the new totally user unfriendly paper tickets yesterday! These things are huge, they crease and we all know how unreliable bar code readers are even if the code is perfectly straight and uncreased! Total mayhem at the barriers. Since Arriva took over things have gone backwards, same old tatty trains, fare increases, these awful paper tickets and the ditching of local identity timetables ( I`ll blame Metro for that).
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Post by biroguy on Dec 22, 2016 17:25:38 GMT 1
Apologies if reported elsewhere, but 158 752 is the first unit to emerge in the new livery. Opinions will vary, but IMO seriously underwhelming. Looks better than Trans Pennine flic.kr/p/Pavur4That`s going to be a nightmare to keep clean, British Rail painted its DMU`s in white in the 1970`s with a blue stripe, soon looked a mess. The livery was quickly changed to dark blue and grey. The last Northern franchise used pale lilac on its first repaints but soon ditched that look for purple. Dark colours wear so much better on trains.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 22, 2016 17:13:09 GMT 1
Just tried to pick up a "Harrogate Line" timetable at Leeds Travel Centre! Two racks full of identical timetables all the same colour, eventually found, "Line 29" as it is now known. The staff struggle putting them on display let alone the passengers. Another example of backwards thinking.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 18, 2016 1:24:20 GMT 1
We really are going backwards! The Metro colour coded named routes have been around for decades and add legibility to a complex network. Imagine the tube in London all in one colour and no line names! Instead of the Piccadilly Line you had "Trains towards Cockfosters"! The lunatics have taken over the asylum here.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 8, 2016 21:36:10 GMT 1
Behind the headlines here, the LCC vision is rather lame, bearing in mind we have £200 million to spend on public transport in the city. First should be investing in new buses anyway and why aren`t Arriva and Transdev included? Most core routes are 10 minute services already! As for the railway stations, only Thorpe Park makes any sense. White Rose will at best get one train per hour due to capacity constraints on the track, the Airport station with bus transfer won`t attract air passengers. The whole transport policy lacks vision.
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Post by biroguy on Nov 4, 2016 0:23:51 GMT 1
The new X84 livery looks very smart, the only negative is the huge lump of gold vinyl wrecking the view for passengers upstairs! Who comes up with these ideas? Not only that, one a few looks like a very rushed attempt getting them on the front windows as some of it looks like it's been ripped or cut careless when applying and repaired with some bits of sticky back plastic. You wouldn`t spend £25,000 on a new car and then plaster some naff vinyl allover the windscreen! First never get it right which is a shame as they are doing some innovative stuff at the moment.
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