21 new buses on the way... Wonder what these will be...
http://www.traveldecourcey.com/news/article/46/local_heroes_wanted
That's some serious investment for the size of DeCourcey
Impressive fleet order as I kind of assumed TdC's bus side was in a bit of a decline vs coach side where they seem to have been doing very well. I'm going to bet they're planning to get shot of MANs!
Doesn't give any information of type or timescale!
Refers to hybrid systems. Streetlite micro hybrids perhaps?
Quote from: Mike K on October 28, 2015, 01:16:59 PM
Refers to hybrid systems. Streetlite micro hybrids perhaps?
Euro6 StreetLite Micro Hybrids would be good to see definitely. Maybe TDC have been persuaded by lower fuel consumption and good reliability? I wouldn't be too surprised if it was Optare buses as they have previously bought off them.
Quote from: DiamondDart on October 28, 2015, 11:18:41 AM
Impressive fleet order as I kind of assumed TdC's bus side was in a bit of a decline vs coach side where they seem to have been doing very well. I'm going to bet they're planning to get shot of MANs!
They could be getting rid of the MAN's definitely, seen 565 today... sounded terrible! Olympian 360 wouldn't be surprising either. Also the Marshall Capital perhaps, or the 1 Citaro perhaps for a more standardised fleet.
Quote from: Adam 404 on October 28, 2015, 06:50:28 PM
They could be getting rid of the MAN's definitely, seen 565 today... sounded terrible! Olympian 360 wouldn't be surprising either. Also the Marshall Capital perhaps, or the 1 Citaro perhaps for a more standardised fleet.
I've just counted 22 x MAN/MCV's, so they seem the mostly likely to be replaced and the new buses will be single deckers.
The decker fleet serving Warwick Uni is pretty old and could do with some modernizing
Quote from: Winston on October 28, 2015, 07:22:49 PM
I've just counted 22 x MAN/MCV's, so they seem the mostly likely to be replaced and the new buses will be single deckers.
The decker fleet serving Warwick Uni is pretty old and could do with some modernizing
Must be a pretty heavy piggy bank they've got on site lol.
I quite like the MCV's apart from the legroom on some. The only vehicle choice I can think of is Streetlite Max's.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 28, 2015, 07:26:54 PM
Must be a pretty heavy piggy bank they've got on site lol.
I quite like the MCV's apart from the legroom on some. The only vehicle choice I can think of is Streetlite Max's.
It is heavy for now at least.... unless of course they will be leased due to the size of the batch?
It is a big investment from them considering they've bought very little new for the main DeCourcey bus fleet
Quote from: Winston on October 28, 2015, 07:32:04 PM
It is heavy for now at least.... unless of course they will be leased due to the size of the batch?
It is a big investment from them considering they've bought very little new for the main DeCourcey bus fleet
I hadn't thought about them being leased. If maybe some sort of external subsidy but I think I'd be going abit out of my depth with that thought.
The double decker fleet has done well for it's age. I suppose Tridents aren't as old but they're not the best and would I be right to assume DDA will be an additional factor on some of them?
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 28, 2015, 07:52:41 PM
I hadn't thought about them being leased. If maybe some sort of external subsidy but I think I'd be going abit out of my depth with that thought.
The double decker fleet has done well for it's age. I suppose Tridents aren't as old but they're not the best and would I be right to assume DDA will be an additional factor on some of them?
A large proportion of the Trident fleet are V-reg (ex Metroline & Abellio/Travel London), most of those are 16/17 years old
Quote from: Winston on October 28, 2015, 08:29:22 PM
A large proportion of the Trident fleet are V-reg (ex Metroline & Abellio/Travel London), most of those are 16/17 years old
When you put it that way they seem even older. I think what I meant to say that they're young compared to the Olympians and N113DRB's still on fleet. We'll see when the time comes I suppose.
Quote from: Ashley 60171 on October 28, 2015, 11:29:58 PM
When you put it that way they seem even older. I think what I meant to say that they're young compared to the Olympians and N113DRB's still on fleet. We'll see when the time comes I suppose.
I'd forgotten they'd still got the 2 x ex Lothian F-reg Olympian's. A handful of the V-reg Tridents have only recently been put in to service with DeCourcey having been rebuilt from long term stored / withdrawn condition after Green Bus bought them from Abellio acting as a dealer and failed to sell them up until recently.
Just an idea but, could a few (2 or 3?) be for the X6? So possibly a couple of deckers, maybe (and a big maybe!) Metrodeckers or E400MMCs? As deCourcey have but deckers from Optare before, and it wouldn't surprise me if the X6 is due a bit of an upgrade as the Olympus's have to a bit worn out after 5 years of motorway running!
I'd also hazard a guess that the single deckers could be Euro 6 Citaro's? As the last new single deckers were the 12 plate Mercedes/MCVs weren't they?
Just my thoughts, though.
Quote from: Alex on October 29, 2015, 12:43:41 AM
Just an idea but, could a few (2 or 3?) be for the X6? So possibly a couple of deckers, maybe (and a big maybe!) Metrodeckers or E400MMCs? As deCourcey have but deckers from Optare before, and it wouldn't surprise me if the X6 is due a bit of an upgrade as the Olympus's have to a bit worn out after 5 years of motorway running!
I'd also hazard a guess that the single deckers could be Euro 6 Citaro's? As the last new single deckers were the 12 plate Mercedes/MCVs weren't they?
Just my thoughts, though.
The last new buses for the Main DeCourcey Fleet were 12/62 plate Merc/MCV's & 12/62 plate Optare Versa's. Plus there were also the 12 plate Merc Citaro's for NEC shuttle. Did DeCourcey have an E400MMC demo not so long ago & used in service? I do wonder whether the bulk of the order may be for single deckers to get rid of the MAN/MCV's, I also think that they could be Optare Metrocity's.
According to the website these buses will have hybrid systems fitted. So my guess would be Streetlites with the micro hybrid system fitted...
It seems all this has been a false alarm.... their website (http://www.traveldecourcey.com/news/article/46/local_heroes_wanted) now says "We are upgrading 21 of our buses".
The article you quote also says:
"The hybrid systems within our new vehicles..."
The article also originally had highlighted wording something along the lines of "Snazzy new buses", why would that now be removed?
News is that one of the two Optare Scania double deckers working the X6 has been burnt out at Burbage.. very sad these are very nice vehicles.
Also not recorded, there are 3 former Dublin Alexander Volvo B7 double-deckers at the depot, in blue and yellow. Will be cleaned and repainted, they are in very good condition. They are AV90 OO.D40090, AV225 01.D 10225 and AV22601D 10226 and sure to be re-registered. The four ex Brighton Scanias in the fleet are to be sold.
Quote from: t.w.moore on November 12, 2015, 07:52:43 PM
News is that one of the two Optare Scania double deckers working the X6 has been burnt out at Burbage.. very sad these are very nice vehicles.
Also not recorded, there are 3 former Dublin Alexander Volvo B7 double-deckers at the depot, in blue and yellow. Will be cleaned and repainted, they are in very good condition. They are AV90 OO.D40090, AV225 01.D 10225 and AV22601D 10226 and sure to be re-registered. The four ex Brighton Scanias in the fleet are to be sold.
Ooh B7TL's. Could these be the first of more to come?
Not too sure about more Dublin buses for Mike de Courcey...I.will enquire.
Any more news on De Courcey's order for 21 buses?
Quote from: James4368 on December 05, 2015, 06:24:34 PM
Any more news on De Courcey's order for 21 buses?
545 is the first to be bought into the Hybrid Age! They are now modifying 21 vehicles rather than buying 21 vehicles.
Looks are deceiving at the front though! https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.375263595978913.1073741868.369276339910972/488670627971542/?type=3&theater
Quote from: Adam 404 on December 31, 2015, 03:17:44 PM
545 is the first to be bought into the Hybrid Age! They are now modifying 21 vehicles rather than buying 21 vehicles.
Looks are deceiving at the front though! https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.375263595978913.1073741868.369276339910972/488670627971542/?type=3&theater
Are you sure?
What hybrid system are they been converted with? I don't see how DeCourcey could recoup its investment on 11-12 year old buses and even more so with them being MAN's
Quote from: Adam 404 on December 31, 2015, 03:17:44 PM
545 is the first to be bought into the Hybrid Age! They are now modifying 21 vehicles rather than buying 21 vehicles.
Looks are deceiving at the front though! https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.375263595978913.1073741868.369276339910972/488670627971542/?type=3&theater
Bit underwhelming... ::) 11 year old MCV's made Hybrid, any idea whether they've received a refurb inside or anything?
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 31, 2015, 08:30:18 PM
Bit underwhelming... ::) 11 year old MCV's made Hybrid, any idea whether they've received a refurb inside or anything?
Maybe even less legroom? Lol
Quote from: Kevin on December 31, 2015, 08:35:19 PM
Maybe even less legroom? Lol
Would that even be possible :P
Quote from: DiamondDart on December 31, 2015, 08:30:18 PM
Bit underwhelming... ::) 11 year old MCV's made Hybrid, any idea whether they've received a refurb inside or anything?
Correction: They have been refurbished...
Link to 545: https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.493823830789555.1073742178.369276339910972/493823877456217/?type=3&theater
Perhaps Hybrid Flywheel technology? It's being fitted to various other vehicles around the country. It makes the buses sound very odd inside though, particularly when braking.
A video of such a contraption when fitted to a Scania N230UD Enviro400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFI5Zp2j2b8
544 has joined the ranks of the Hybrids...
Link: https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.400557893449483.1073741927.369276339910972/493805914124680/?type=3&theater
It isn't just hybrids they are refurbing... Here is 821's new interior.
Link: https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.442805479224724.1073742028.369276339910972/493817380790200/?type=3&theater
Quote from: Ally on January 09, 2016, 11:06:24 PM
Perhaps Hybrid Flywheel technology? It's being fitted to various other vehicles around the country. It makes the buses sound very odd inside though, particularly when braking.
A video of such a contraption when fitted to a Scania N230UD Enviro400: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aFI5Zp2j2b8
It says on the window on 544 that it is "Micro Hybrid Technology"
This alleged (and incorrectly named) 'hybrid' technology is most likely to be an eFan fitment coupled with a smart charging alternator, which is one of the components used by Wrights in its similarly incorrectly termed Micro Hybrid system, and also by ADL and Optare. It electrifies the radiator fans rather than running them hydraulically, and the alternator(s) charge only when the vehicle is slowing, removing a substantial amount of parasitic drag from the engine and thus reducing fuel consumption by up to 10%.
The fans can also be run in reverse via a switch in the engine bay, which clears all the accumulated debris on the radiator very easily. Quite a number of the MAN 14-tonne chassis such as those with DeCourcey have had it fitted, partially because it comprehensively deals with the overheating issues that they have always suffered from.
The government has given some money out to fund such conversions, but whether DeCourcey got any I don't know. Some of First's early StreetLites, which came without Micro Hybrid, are being refitted by the system manufacturer.
I thought someone posted on here or elsewhere that DeCourcey had fitted the Eminox system to the Hybrid MAN's that made them up to Euro 6 emissions that NX will be upgrading their fleet with?
They may well be doing so, but they're not 'hybrid MANs'. Fitting some smart alternators and electric radiator fans does not a hybrid make despite what they may like people to think.
I didn't think they'd be hybrids, who's going to spend that kind of money on converting MAN's.....
The Local Heroes named are starting to appear on the Hybrid Conversions.
The latest is 548 named Sarah Spurr. https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.411377585700847.1073741960.369276339910972/526658557506082/?type=3&theater
Other named vehicles are:
542: Sir Frederick Gibberd
547: Janet Colgrave
Quote from: Adam 404 on April 07, 2016, 08:04:20 PM
The Local Heroes named are starting to appear on the Hybrid Conversions.
The latest is 548 named Sarah Spurr. https://www.facebook.com/369276339910972/photos/a.411377585700847.1073741960.369276339910972/526658557506082/?type=3&theater
Other named vehicles are:
542: Sir Frederick Gibberd
547: Janet Colgrave
549 has the name "Mick McCann" on its side and is freshly repainted. It was on the morning W6.
There is a launch day planned in Coventry City Centre on the 14th of May with all the respective local heroes with their buses.
So, are there actually any NEW buses then?
Quote from: Stu on April 14, 2016, 08:40:03 PM
So, are there actually any NEW buses then?
No. Not as far as I am aware. The MCV's are being upgraded and that is it.
Quote from: Adam 404 on April 14, 2016, 08:40:44 PM
No. Not as far as I am aware. The MCV's are being upgraded and that is it.
I was just about to comment on how the original article (and thus the title of this thread) was somehow misleading then, but now I refer back to the original article, I can see it has been amended now. (From memory I do recall it stating new rather than upgraded)
Quote from: Stu on April 16, 2016, 09:29:00 AM
I was just about to comment on how the original article (and thus the title of this thread) was somehow misleading then, but now I refer back to the original article, I can see it has been amended now. (From memory I do recall it stating new rather than upgraded)
Yes, you are correct
@Stu , the website did originally say "New" rather than "Upgraded".
http://centro.org.uk/about-us/news/2016/clean-and-green-local-heroes-hit-the-road-in-coventry/
Quote from: Adam 404 on October 28, 2015, 09:40:15 AM
21 new buses on the way... Wonder what these will be...
http://www.traveldecourcey.com/news/article/46/local_heroes_wanted
Well, it did not quite turn out to be "new" buses. Since then the bus fleet is getting a little older. Wonder what the plan is for any new ones?
Quote from: Sandy Lane on May 18, 2017, 07:45:08 PM
Well, it did not quite turn out to be "new" buses. Since then the bus fleet is getting a little older. Wonder what the plan is for any new ones?
The still haven't upgraded all of them yet! (Refer to May Coventry Bus Mag http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=4566.0 )