Messages

@Simon Dunn what's the current issue with the demo bus is it broken ?

The bus has a smashed window.  We are waiting on a replacement.

I tried to catch it this morning on the 0739 to Maypole but it went on the outside lane not serving the Selfridges stop with Not In Service on the front. According to bus times it started at Birchall Street at 0758, the bus might of had a minor fault

Unfortunately we do not have CCTV of the incident.  The driver involved has been spoken to.  

Simon

Is the demo bus on going to be used on the 50 service or will it go onto the 16A /002

It may go on other services.  We have the bus for just under a month.

Is this at Redditch or Tividale?

Tividale

Grey decker branded as pelican bus and coach on the 50 today, what's this about?

(presumably a demonstrator from pelican Bus - Tony)

Correct - we have the vehicle on trial for a month.

Why did you or one of your colleagues tell the driver to change the destination board to say 'Sorry, Not In Service'?

Sorry - why do you think we did?

Tonight. Can you explain why 20886 didn't leave Upper Dean St at 2030. I know that the bus arrived at Upper Dean St at about 2037. 

Obviously if the bus arrives late - it won't leave on time.

Local papers and new outlets in Preston have reported that Preston Bus and Stagecoach Preston may be in the running for ZEBRA backed electric buses. Can you comment further on that. If you can how many do you aim for Preston Bus and what routes.

https://www.blogpreston.co.uk/2024/01/electric-buses-set-to-be-introduced-to-services-in-preston-city-centre/  here is one article  about the EVs

@Ryan Hack - The info you require is all on Rotala's website, link below, Winston

https://www.rotala.uk/news/rotala-plans-significant-investment-in-carbon-reduction-technologies.html

I presume Winston has answered this.

Poor service on the 42 last night. Driver being deliberately late.  Maybe you can ask him why he left WB @ 2117 instead of 2110.  I won't name him, but we both know that this driver does this on a regular basis

We have had a number of complaints on this forum about this service.  That feedback has led to the driver involved being trained/ retained/ and discussions around the importance of on time operation with the underlying objective of improving reliability.   

This comment does not relate to that driver.  The CCTV has been reviewed and we do not consider there is anything suspicious about the service.  I am advised that the service arrived into West Brom 3 minutes late, the vehicle unloaded and reloaded and then left.  On occasion this will happen.



Simon   

Today 40838 @ 1044 refused to stop at the first stop after Moor St. Deliberately went into the outside lane so that he/she didn't have to pull in at the bus stop. This is unacceptable

We have reviewed the CCTV.   We have identified the driver and we will take appropriate action.

@Simon Dunn both the 7:37 ex walsall and 7:57 ex walsall terminated at Halesowen today. Whilst I understand delays are occurring on route leaving people in Hayley green without a bus for an hour is poor decision making. Do drivers have to ask management to cut short routes?

We have reviewed your comments, and our real time tracking.  What happened - shouldn't have happened.  We are dealing with this.

You must have missed this bit of Simon's reply:

32260/61 will return to the Midlands.

All of the 2018* will end up at Heathrow.   

The 16 plate Streetlites will eventually end up in Preston, together with all the SK18*** Streetlites.

I figured i would make a new topic as i couldnt find anything similar. Please add to another if there is one though.

I even consider myself nitpicking here but still.

Redditch

30165 - Broken Retarder (insanely loud, if you know you know)
30167 - Back seats are fully ripped, and revs semi weirdly
30169 - Gearbox takes a long time to change gears, bus redlines for at least 20 seconds.
30503 - Last time i rode it, it was constantly beeping.
30507 - Back of the bus is warm, very much overheating.
30508 - ^^
30828 - Has a blown exhaust, credit were credits due sounds insane.
30852 - Air suspension is broken, constantly goes up and down when idling.
32212 - (bar 32218) 32219 Gearbox is utter rubbish
32219 - No light coverings, and last time i was on it it broke down. Gearbox is utter rubbish.

40625 + 40626 Insane over revving at idle, heard many passengers say god this bus is loud or similar.

I am sure you are aware the Terms of operating vehicles means we have to have systems in place to manage the repair and maintenance of our vehicles.

It would be useful to have some context of this list.   I have spoken to our engineering tonight and it is fair to say, that we have had some of these defects on the individuals buses.  However, in line with our systems the vehicles have either been removed from service until they are repaired or have been repaired.  A few examples would be (comments from an Engineering Supervisor).

30828 - exhaust was repaired last week first I saw of it on the vcr card I had a look and the flexi had snapped that has since been replaced 
 
30167 - this has been off the road for over a month and half waiting for an engine so I'm unsure how this has been picked up however I'm sure the seats in this bus are fine.

It would be useful to understand how recent each of these "defects" are.  It feels like this is an accumulation of things you have potentially witnessed over a period of time.   If so, defects do happen in service.   



Simon

Hi Simon,

I assume 30858 is a permanent transfer from Preston to Kidderminster?, I assume this is a replacement for 30051? Are there anymore vehicles transferring from other depots to the West Midlands at any point?

Yes it is a permanent transfer.  After 1st March we will register around 30 new buses in Manchester.  This will mean a large number of vehicles will transfer out to Preston, Heathrow and the Midlands.   Exactly what - we haven't exactly decided yet.



Simon

Hi Simon,

Just wanted inform you that there's quite a few buses at Preston either not tracking at all or tracking as something else.

Kind Regards

Stephen

Thank you.  We are going to fit Ticketers smart gateway, this will help control tracking.