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Will the Custom Denning bus be on West Midland services?

The first vehicle is a demonstrator and will be initially operated from Tividale.  I expect it will turn up on the 45, 4H, etc.



Simon

https://www.lep.co.uk/news/new-future-announced-for-historic-frontage-of-preston-bus-depot-4620541
Are you able to update on whats going to happen at the depot (the work planned)

As the article suggests the depot is very old, and planning takes time.   There are several pieces of guidance and reports outstanding.  However our approach has changed to effectively restructure and change what is left.

 

How long will the Yutong Demo be at Diamond for?

We have the vehicle for 4 weeks.  I believe there is about 10 days left.  We collected the 1st Custom Denning vehicle from the docks this morning.

20918..The stickers are still displaying the 01204937535 phone no

20918..The stickers are still displaying the 01204937535 phone no

I will ask our engineering team to update.

20740 apparently Is now withdrawn it's a euro 6 has it been in an accident or something?

We are reviewing the vehicle - the cost of mechanical repairs and whether they are more than the value of the vehicle.

Does anyone know when/if the demo is due back out?

Yes it  is out now

@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