Messages

james-robertson-  Thanks for the sighting!

bob- Arriva are 99% DDA compliant, they might as well go the whole  hog - indeed they are. As for "bugger the DDA" that comes across as "bugger the disabled/infirm" which I think is an unacceptable tone to take on this forum.

sconehead85

The retention of these Scanias is odd  given the DDA requirements for single decke buses are get ting closer (31/12/2014) and the small number of new vehicles should be enough to see off 3415/7/9/68/89/91.

Anyone seen 2038, the last Arriva step Dennis Dart of late?

sconehead85

Single deckers have to be compliant by 31st December 2014, double deckers that date in 2016 and coaches by that date in 2019.

sconehead85

Just dusted off this thread to announce the advance notice of VDL SB200/Wrightbus Pulsars 3767-9, according to the Derby Bus Depot site.  These are due in June for service X38.

sconehead85

Just a thought, but are we counting 9000 - which is R423TJW, the fitness bus?

Only buses in  passenger service.  9000 and driver training buses are ancilliary vehicles.

sconehead85

It makes more sense than the system Veolia attempted, but my system would consolidate into blocks  -10xx Dennis Trident, 11xx spare, 12xx Volvo B9 and Scania, 13xx Volvo B5LH, 19xx Leyland Olympian/Volvo Citybus.  20xx Optare Solo, 21xx Optare Solo reserve, 22xx OS hybrid,
23xx Optare Solo reserve,  24xx Plaxton Primo, 25xx Wrightbus Streetlite, 29xx Mercedes Benz-some midicoaches.  30xx/31xx Dennis Dart fs, 32xx/33xx Dennis Dart MPD, 34xx Volvo B7, 35xx Volvo spare, 36xx VDL, 37xx Scania, 38xx MAN, 39xx Mercedes Benz Citaro, 40xx Optare Versa/Excel, 41xx ADL Enviro, 4998/4999 Dennis Lance/Leyland Lynx.

COACHES - 90xx Volvo, 9100 Bova. 

Consolidation of numbers, thats the method!

sconehead85

Stagecoach have still got 120 Volvo B10M buses to clear out as well as 400-500 Volvo Olympians so they have  still distance to go.

sconehead85

Fleet numbering systems are my area of interest.  BTW the second digit 1 applies to the two step entry single deckers, the Preston Leyland Lynx and the ex First Dennis Lance.

IMHO a FOUR DIGIT system would be sufficient for Rotala. 

1xxx  would be double deck (19xx step entry),  2xxx MINI/MIDI,  3xxx and 4xxx FULL SIZE single decks and 9xxx COACHES.  As you can see there are large gaps in my system but theres room for expansion.

sconehead85

 First and Stagecoach- particularly the latter- have got HUNDREDS of Volvo Olympians to remove and are not ordering sufficient new buses to replace them.  Stagecoach will HAVE to cascade if they are to meet the 2016 DDA deadline, mainly from the 17xxx series Dennis Tridents.

If London goes for leasing, who is going to buy new? 

sconehead85

Oh dear!  I warned against this move as it will deprive First of a supply of mid-life low floor double decks.  Now they will have to buy new or second hand, or perhaps come to some agreement to buy some 200 ex First LFDDs once the new owners have finished with them.

sconehead85

There are enough new buses coming to replace all the steps, and I cant think why Arriva Midlands  dont take the opportunity to go all low floor.

sconehead85

The new arrivals SHOULD be enough to clear out the last step entry buses if Arriva chose. Heaven knows there are so few left and Arriva Midlands could be all low floor.  This means transferring older LF single de cks to Wardle and Telford to replace the Scania 34xx.  Unless of course Dart 2038 and Scania 3415 are being "saved" for preservation.

sconehead85

They had to raise the £100 million by TOMORROW!  I think theyd be best keeping their London fleet and also its very difficult to see who would be in a position to buy large chunks of First due to the asking price.  First want and desperately need top dollar for anything they sell, so no small fry need apply.

sconehead85

Perhaps Arriva could go the way of Go-Ahead (in the West Midlands area) but who would take over?NXWM would be barred, and whoever took over would be in the same situation with the same vehicles.  Mercifully NXWM was not split up the way GM Buses was, but their hold means other operators cannot get much of a look in.  But competition doesnt work in the bus industry.

sconehead85

Is 3468 a staff bus nowadays? If it is its technically withdrawn from normal service.  Any news on 4798, 4800 upwards? These may be going to Wardle to replace the last step double decks.

sconehead85

No, 3468 still runs on normal services, not just the staff bus. 4787 is technically withdrawn from normal service - as its only used on school service and staff shuttle, in addition to the football service.

Do you mean 4687?