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Post by biroguy on Feb 26, 2015 1:26:02 GMT 1
Are the Halifax Eclipse 2`s moving to Leeds? One appeared on route one in Leeds.
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Post by biroguy on Feb 18, 2015 0:32:55 GMT 1
The prospect of travelling on old underground stock across Yorkshire isn`t a nice one, 15 mph slower than a Pacer and imagine the draughts in winter with all those doors open in each carriage. Not a good prospect, They should be sent to the scrapyard. Look what happened on the Isle of Wight where "Stop-gap" tube stock from London is still running today and dates back to 1938!
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Post by biroguy on Feb 12, 2015 11:31:51 GMT 1
I do hope that one is painted in the lovely South Sea blue and primrose of the former Bradford Corporation as well.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 30, 2014 11:11:41 GMT 1
Catch a First bus whilst you still can, Metro are going to go down the quality contract route, should mean new buses at last in places like Halifax.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 22, 2014 22:06:23 GMT 1
They have truly shot themselves in the foot, public relations disaster!
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Post by biroguy on Dec 6, 2014 13:31:10 GMT 1
Still no word on the Leeds heritage repaints?
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Post by biroguy on Dec 5, 2014 23:17:32 GMT 1
A recent visit to Birmingham, where buses terminate at special interchange points around the city centre, highlights why cross city services are better. To get from the new Birmingham Library to Edgbaston, I had to walk in the rain to Moor street, a considerable distance. Manchester is now bringing back cross city services.
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Post by biroguy on Dec 4, 2014 11:14:59 GMT 1
The way things are going with devolved powers to City Regions, Manchester will be first, new city mayors will take control of bus services in the next few years. Both major political parties want quality contracts so First need to get their act together.
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Post by biroguy on Nov 14, 2014 13:15:56 GMT 1
There must be strings attached to this as most of the population will be lucky to get 1%. It is rather troubling for Northern passengers to have strikes on top of the huge hike in fares over the last few years especially as we have seen no new trains.
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Post by biroguy on Nov 12, 2014 13:45:58 GMT 1
I have told you once ,its cost effective scheduling! where ever route branding is used on buses anywhere in the country occasional crossover will occur! it is just not practical for 100% compliance. For the record you are right it was a Red Arrow bus on a service 512!!! Some operators seem to manage it - they usually have spares not in route colours but keeping vehicles with route branding on that route is not impossible - I've never seen a vehicle on the wrong route happen in Nottingham with NCT or trentbarton, never mind one being scheduled to be on the wrong route. Let`s face it First are hopeless at keeping branded buses on the correct routes, whilst I applaud attempts at local identity I have to say the Red Arrow branding is absolutely dire! Just looks like someone has tipped a can of red paint over the roof, ghastly.
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Post by biroguy on Nov 12, 2014 13:42:06 GMT 1
The Atlanteans were good buses and lasted a long time. I liked the exhaust sounds when working hard plus the close-ratio 5 speed semi automatic gearboxes allowed for some speedy acceleration. Sorry to say, but they were 4 speed boxes on those Atlanteans mentioned. Let's be honest, and face the fact, the Ainleys always has and always will be a test for any bus particularly double deckers, it's a long steep hill. I do gather from people who remember them, that the Huddersfield Trolleybuses flew up that hill though. Now there's a thought!!!! One of the reasons why trolleybuses really should make a come back and of course they were a great success in Huddersfield and Bradford.
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Post by biroguy on Nov 11, 2014 17:18:02 GMT 1
Pictures are appearing on flickr with it showing X33 blinds for Guiseley. is it in general passenger service now?
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Post by biroguy on Nov 5, 2014 23:30:46 GMT 1
I wonder which version of Leeds City Transport livery we will get 7575 was the last bus to carry LCT one man livery back in 1988.
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Post by biroguy on Oct 16, 2014 9:08:14 GMT 1
They are still attaching a lot of things to this proposal that has nothing to do with the New Routemaster and could be implemented anyway, or in some cases is being implemented anyway. Smart ticketing - is happening anyway Free WIFI - could be implemented now on existing buses, might explain why they are holding back on this Faster boarding through any door - a fare evaders paradise, as they found in London. Plus how many bus stops can accommodate safe boarding at any door. It'll cost a lot to ensure every bus stop in Leeds has no obstructions, even by the shelter itself never mind other street furniture Cleaner journeys - obviously trying to play on the general thought that all buses are old and smelly that many people believe. They could buy hybrids now if they wanted, not sure battery buses will be able to do 18 hours heavy service any time soon. The Versas in York have fairly light duties and need charging in the middle of the day. My sentiments exactly, if the trolleybus scheme fails First go back into being the sole transport provider for much of Leeds and any innovation will fall by the wayside. They are running scared of NGT!!!!! It is worth remembering that Leeds had a vast fleet of two door buses for over twenty years, the A660 corridor has all the stops adapted for artics with two doors already. First could invest in two door hybrids now for route one but they won`t. I don`t trust their intentions and neither do most of the general public.
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Post by biroguy on Sept 30, 2014 10:56:25 GMT 1
Hat`s off to First West Yorkshire for being daring and doing an experiment like this I await their Leeds livery with interest
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Post by biroguy on Sept 27, 2014 20:47:21 GMT 1
Is it a heritage livery or the start of a new identity for each area of West Yorkshire, local management are keen to go much further than a skyline vinyl.
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Post by biroguy on Sept 26, 2014 21:15:44 GMT 1
I saw an unidentified ALX400 on the 508 in Leeds this morning with Halifax branding.
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Post by biroguy on Sept 6, 2014 14:07:53 GMT 1
I remember when Yorkshire Rider decided to start buying second hand buses from other operators. At that time the company was not part of any group. The first vehicles, 7201/2 arrived from GM buses. They were allocated where? At the time Leeds were receiving 25 brand new Metrobuses. Leeds was not excempt from old cast offs either in 1987, we had to endure the 6401 batch of ex GM atlanteans that were in some cases older than the LCT stock they were replacing.
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Post by biroguy on Sept 2, 2014 14:37:55 GMT 1
Just rode on one of these excellent trains from Glasgow to Carlisle, their almost silent operation, turn of speed and large windows contrasted sharply with our northbound journey on a Virgin Pendelino which was gloomy, too warm and stank like an old toilet.
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Post by biroguy on Aug 30, 2014 9:00:02 GMT 1
I cannot understand what all the fuss is about. I have lived in London and Kent and travelled by train into London on a daily basis. I never had the luxury of using a "day return" during the rush hour. If someone wants cheaper travel then travel outside the rush hour. And do you pay peak fare if you travel into London (against the peak) in the evening? I don't see any point in making a train from Keighley to Leeds at 1800 peak - they're nearly empty. If you buy an off peak day travelcard to get to London are you allowed to use it between 1600 and 1830 within London? That's the London eqivalent of a Day Rover. Last Friday my other half and I caught 3 nearly empy trains and one bus. Two of the trains will no longer be valid under the new restrictions so the fare for us both will increase from £11.80 to £22.00. That'll send to us the the car, not bring in extra income. It won't benefit the existing passengers as they had around 10 seats each already. Well said, people will simply go back to cars. Pricing people off trains is crazy thinking, meanwhile clapped out old rolling stock is being shipped to Northern from Capital connect.
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Post by biroguy on Aug 29, 2014 22:14:57 GMT 1
I really feel sorry for the Northern frontline staff who will bear the full force of angry passengers who simply won`t understand the changes, it is a recipe for chaos. The irony here is that we cannot expect any new or additional trains despite paying more for our tickets. At least around London the trains are newer and longer, meanwhile our 1980`s pacers are going to be around for another decade
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Post by biroguy on Aug 10, 2014 13:00:23 GMT 1
I hear that it will be used on services in Leeds shortly but only to duplicate timetabled services on 1/96 to judge customer reactions Unfortunately the three door layout means it cannot be used in normal service in West Yorkshire but it will do runs on specific routes with invited parties on board
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Post by biroguy on Aug 10, 2014 12:57:45 GMT 1
Will be interesting to see a Gemini in Halifax Orange and Green, plus a bit of Cream, just a pity the wheels won't be red........................ But then again one from Huddersfield might well have red wheels. Leeds; looks like lots of different shades of Green being ordered. No news on anything from Bradford yet......................... There is a desire to "Go Further" with local branding in Leeds, expect a change of colour on the standard livery to begin with before anything more radical appears
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Post by biroguy on Aug 4, 2014 20:16:36 GMT 1
First are not wanting any public money at all for the 'New Bus for Leeds' - green borismasters The roll out would be paid for entirely by First subject to the road infrastructure, bus lanes, bus stops, shelters etc being provided by the Combined Authority as part of a Quality Partnership. No partnership - no 'New Bus for Leeds' Considerable modification of seats, doors, staircases, windows may take place depending on public and stakeholder feedback. If a partnership proceeds well, the buses could be seen in other districts too. This is a huge commitment to West Yorkshire by First Not quite the case, the money for all the NGT road alterations currently paid for by the DFT would have to come from the new West Yorkshire Transport Fund. So £200 million earmarked for areas across West Yorkshire would all end up going to Leeds. In view of the fact that First are objecting to the Metro NGT scheme it is highly unlikely the two will be able to form an amicable partnership anytime soon.
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Post by biroguy on Jul 24, 2014 16:15:36 GMT 1
I was involved in a meeting about these buses with top management at First in March, they are very serious about using up to 250 of these buses across Leeds. It is worth bearing in mind as well that very few First services use the bus station, so they will appear on cross city services. A new ticketing system should be up and running for these buses in the not too distant future.
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