Recent posts

#1

National Express West Midlands / Re: Withdrawn Vehicles

Last post by markcf83 - Today at 01:29:07 PM

Scientists have said that only 2 things would survive a nuclear apocalypse - cockroaches and a Mk 2 Metrobus!

What about a MK1 Metrobus? 

#2

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Bus Stops ?

Last post by Westy - Today at 01:03:29 PM

So NX are in charge of the old 10A and maybe providing the 8 Timetable

Surely it would have been cheaper to put some sort of generic signage on the shelter itself?

Non service specific.

#3

Other Operators / Re: Carolean Coaches, Willenha...

Last post by BlackCountryBusSpotter - Today at 12:50:21 PM

Appears they have a new bus ex Vision bus YY64GWA saw it Saturday on the 19 it is Fleet Number 6. Could be Ex Igo to maybe

#4

Photo Links / Re: Carolean coaches

Last post by Solo1 - Today at 12:12:48 PM

2nd ex igo bus has now joined the fleet bus https://flic.kr/p/2pPvpFz

#5

National Express West Midlands / Re: Passengers - Bus Reviews &...

Last post by Danthebusman - Today at 12:07:56 PM

Here is my review of the B7's and E200 I rode to Lichfield and back yesterday. The first B7 was 2138 on the 34 driver drove proffesionally considering Pleck has some truly awful drivers and this time was no different, he slowed for an indescive passenger just after Darlaston who didn't signal him to stop so he carried on another passenger didn't stand at the curb and put there arm out but tried to stop him without moving before shaking there head. I heard the indicator applied and the brakes pressed not the drivers fault you didn't signal clearly. Bus didn't seem to rattle much. The B7's feel well built haven't aged much and I do prefer them to the Omnilinks because they feel more spacious as 2138 had most of it's Seats taken.

My next bus was 2123 driver was a nice guy helped some people with how to get to a Morrisons somewhere inbetween Brownhills and Lichfield, helped a lot of people who had probably not caught the 8 before to go where they needed. I was getting of at the end so I didn't need any help myself. We were a bit late due to traffic so the Driver put his foot down on the faster sections Bus didn't rattle much and for the hour I was on I sat at the back right handside I had plenty of room to move my legs I am almost 6'0 foot didn't feel my bum or legs going numb. Over one of the Canal bridges after Clayhanger It felt fun to go over. Ik B7's don't offer much to the spotter but I'm not sure but when the Driver was putting his foot down I heard a small whistle/hiss maybe a Turbo. Surprised the B7 could handle some of the narrow lanes. Must say what a nice route the 8 is I can go from Urban area to Staffordshire Countryside within minutes.

856 was my third Bus to Pelsall Fingerpost needed to use the loo. E200's do rattle but this felt nippy on the country lanes I would imagine smaller wheelbase helps, Driver didn't need to have much interaction and I can't remember much as I was chatting to a passenger and was In a state of sheer joy after watching My local football team get promoted to Step 4 of the Non League game and I was 3 pints deep and full of passion, shock and adrenaline

Fourth bus from Walsall Road the Bungalow a few stops after the Cenotaph in Pelsall as I decided to try and walk into Rushall to get another bus back into Walsall was 2143 seemed fairly busy, again does what a B7 does chatted to Darlo fans. Overall I expected to feel drained and tired after spending about 2 and half hours on buses but I wasn't the Number 8 is possibly one of the most scenic routes I have caught decent route, I dreaded an E200 at first being on one for an hour as I had planned If it wasn't for my Bladder I would have and honestly it would have been fine maybe I'll try it when I ay running on emotional joy and 3 pints.

But overall I really do like the B7's there reliable, Comfortable, Well Built have speed or a boost of power when the driver does need it. They feel spacious and still quite new and I do like the look of them and the E200 was decent to. A Voith one might have not been good as I tend to think they jolt and shudder a lot more than the ZF's I say the E200 rattled it didn't as much as some of the Voith ones which I know were slated when they first entered service

E200s definitely notorious for how rattly they are, exact reason I dislike them to be honest, but they can be fast if you put your foot down, a lot of them are used here in Coventry on the 85 that goes to Rugby, I have been on a few E200s on this particular route and, except the usual rattling, it wasn't as bad as I was expecting it to be. I gotta say though I definitely prefer B7s over E200s, slightly faster acceleration, more spacious and a lot quieter.

#6

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Bus Stops ?

Last post by BlackCountryBusSpotter - Today at 09:57:48 AM

Lichfield Bus Station is owned by Lichfield District Council. Operators pay departure charges to use it though it seems operators have to do their own signage and info.

So NX are in charge of the old 10A and maybe providing the 8 Timetable

#7

First / Re: First Bus - Leicester

Last post by Glenfieldmathk1 - Today at 07:35:07 AM

I saw 4 streetdeck electroliners at the depot today. 36616 was one of them, and has the plate BN24 ZWC. The others were too far away to identify. They are pre-facelift like the kites, but have green headlights - I wonder if this is to differentiate from Arriva's batch? Hopefully won't be too long until they are in service! The infrastructure is already there and drivers are trained for electrics so I can't imagine much delay.

Here is a picture of it: https://flic.kr/p/2pPmsoL

Was told by a driver who I know there's 5 there now.. 2 are ready for service.. and more due this week.
It's expected that only when they all arrive will the other old DD's go starting with the E400's to Essex. Although not sure if all 8 will go or if 2 will remain (for Amazon). Streetdecks have a little longer before leaving.

#8

National Express West Midlands / Re: Passengers - Bus Reviews &...

Last post by BlackCountryBusSpotter - Yesterday at 10:17:43 PM

Here is my review of the B7's and E200 I rode to Lichfield and back yesterday. The first B7 was 2138 on the 34 driver drove proffesionally considering Pleck has some truly awful drivers and this time was no different, he slowed for an indescive passenger just after Darlaston who didn't signal him to stop so he carried on another passenger didn't stand at the curb and put there arm out but tried to stop him without moving before shaking there head. I heard the indicator applied and the brakes pressed not the drivers fault you didn't signal clearly. Bus didn't seem to rattle much. The B7's feel well built haven't aged much and I do prefer them to the Omnilinks because they feel more spacious as 2138 had most of it's Seats taken. 

My next bus was 2123 driver was a nice guy helped some people with how to get to a Morrisons somewhere inbetween Brownhills and Lichfield, helped a lot of people who had probably not caught the 8 before to go where they needed. I was getting of at the end so I didn't need any help myself. We were a bit late due to traffic so the Driver put his foot down on the faster sections Bus didn't rattle much and for the hour I was on I sat at the back right handside I had plenty of room to move my legs I am almost 6'0 foot didn't feel my bum or legs going numb. Over one of the Canal bridges after Clayhanger It felt fun to go over. Ik B7's don't offer much to the spotter but I'm not sure but when the Driver was putting his foot down I heard a small whistle/hiss maybe a Turbo. Surprised the B7 could handle some of the narrow lanes. Must say what a nice route the 8 is I can go from Urban area to Staffordshire Countryside within minutes. 

856 was my third Bus to Pelsall Fingerpost needed to use the loo. E200's do rattle but this felt nippy on the country lanes I would imagine smaller wheelbase helps, Driver didn't need to have much interaction and I can't remember much as I was chatting to a passenger and was In a state of sheer joy after watching My local football team get promoted to Step 4 of the Non League game and I was 3 pints deep and full of passion, shock and adrenaline

Fourth bus from Walsall Road the Bungalow a few stops after the Cenotaph in Pelsall as I decided to try and walk into Rushall to get another bus back into Walsall was 2143 seemed fairly busy, again does what a B7 does chatted to Darlo fans. Overall I expected to feel drained and tired after spending about 2 and half hours on buses but I wasn't the Number 8 is possibly one of the most scenic routes I have caught decent route, I dreaded an E200 at first being on one for an hour as I had planned If it wasn't for my Bladder I would have and honestly it would have been fine maybe I'll try it when I ay running on emotional joy and 3 pints.

But overall I really do like the B7's there reliable, Comfortable, Well Built have speed or a boost of power when the driver does need it. They feel spacious and still quite new and I do like the look of them and the E200 was decent to. A Voith one might have not been good as I tend to think they jolt and shudder a lot more than the ZF's I say the E200 rattled it didn't as much as some of the Voith ones which I know were slated when they first entered service

#9

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Bus Stops ?

Last post by PhageyMcPhage - Yesterday at 10:02:50 PM

Lichfield Bus Station is owned by Lichfield District Council. Operators pay departure charges to use it though it seems operators have to do their own signage and info.

#10

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Bus Stops ?

Last post by BlackCountryBusSpotter - Yesterday at 09:53:15 PM

At Lichfield Bus Station Stand 7 it still mentions the old 10A Route which hasn't run to Lichfield in years and in fact doesn't exist anymore partly replaced by the Number 8 which also is referenced on the bus timetable just the Chaserider 60 and 62 service, do NX pay for these to be added or is it down to the local authority