Recent posts

#1

Other Operators / Re: Centrebus

Last post by Magikrabby - Today at 06:42:17 PM

But equally I believe they are looking at an all double deck uni shuttle for next year.

It would be almost all double deckers - the uni shuttle uses 7 vehicles! 5 of them are on uni all day. One does morning, then goes off to do Melton Foods contract and S1005 before returning late afternoon - this is usually a decker. The last one starts at about 1pm and does early afternoon, goes off to do Beauchamps college run and returns to do uni in the evening.

I'm hoping that the increase in deckers will improve the student's perception of the service. The uni shuttle has a pretty bad reputation amongst students, to the point that many prefer to pay for Ubers to get to uni than catch the free bus. While most just like to complain for the sake of it, the one valid complaint I hear is that the buses are always full. In fact me and my friends would try and schedule to catch a double decker to increase our chances of actually getting on!

#2

National Express West Midlands / Re: Electric Buses

Last post by Stu - Today at 05:44:22 PM

It's so common on Facebook to see all of these low functioning doom and gloom people commenting nonsense about electric buses blowing up. They are everywhere and have nothing better to do. Your article was amazing, don't let them hinder your work.

Thanks, I don't do this for kudos or recognition, just to try and inform bus users about what is going on. I wouldn't say that article was 'amazing' though, just concise and to the point.

The Facebook post has definitely attracted the Daily Mail-reading anti-electric bus mob now though. What also disappoints me is how many people are commenting who clearly haven't read the article I wrote.

Here's some stats which are correct at the time of posting this.
The website article currently shows 491 views.

According to Facebook, that particular post has 22k impressions/reach, and 1.6k 'engagement'. While the link to the article only has 378 clicks.

So far only one person has actually commented on the website.

#3

National Express West Midlands / Re: Electric Buses

Last post by Ronnoc - Today at 05:38:26 PM

The Platinums are probably some of the most uninspiring buses ever conceived.

Platinums were an upgrade over existing vehicles, boasting many new comfort features to attract new passengers. This has allowed the platinum spec to become standard for National Express fleet. What makes you think they are uninsipring?

[E165]

#4

National Express West Midlands / Re: Electric Buses

Last post by Tony - Today at 05:32:55 PM

Current locations

PB	BC	WA	WN	PN	Aston	MS	Roberts	ADL
E165	E245	E166	E168	E229	E164	E176	E174	E231
E167	E248	E171	E172	E236	E198	E196	E175
E169	E251	E218	E173	E242	E200	E219	E177
E170	E253	E220	E178	E238	E201	E223	E179
E191	E257	E221	E184	E239	E203	E224	E180
E199	E258	E222	E189	E240	E204	E226	E181
E230	E261	E244	E194	E241	E213	E227	E182
	E262	E246	E195	E243	E225	E232	E183
		E247	E197			E260	E185
		E249	E205				E186
		E250	E207				E187
		E254	E208				E188
		E256	E210				E190
			E211				E192
			E216				E193
			E228				E202
			E235				E206
			E237				E209
			E252				E212
			E255				E214
							E215
							E217

#5

National Express West Midlands / Re: Electric Buses

Last post by Straightlines - Today at 05:21:41 PM

Some (actually a lot) of the comments were unsubstantiated rubbish, these new Electric buses are the future, they are comfortable, quite and fairly quick. When the Platinums arrived they were the most impressive buses since the Timesaver metrobuses from 1986. For me the new Electrics are even better. The only problem with them is their seating capacity is a bit low at 65 which is 8 less than a Platinum and 12 less than an Enviro, the main daytime will be fine, but peaks may struggle, buses going towards Perry Barr are carrying more than a year ago. I hoping than come September there will be peak frequency increases on the 33 and 907. If passenger numbers are increasing the last thing we need is them been put off by packed buses especially with Parker on the prowl.

The Platinums are probably some of the most uninspiring buses ever conceived. 

#6

National Express West Midlands / Re: Electric Buses

Last post by Ronnoc - Today at 05:02:52 PM

@Tony that article I posted on my Facebook page yesterday has definitely attracted a lot of negative/ignorant comments for some reason!

It's so common on Facebook to see all of these low functioning doom and gloom people commenting nonsense about electric buses blowing up. They are everywhere and have nothing better to do. Your article was amazing, don't let them hinder your work.

#7

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

Last post by Gareth - Today at 04:59:43 PM

i had 4744 the other it was average at best for one of these Tridents but still way better any MMC
4477 still going great from my point of view, punters took one look at it on the 82/87s and thought no and catch the USELESS bus behind me, bonus for me

I'm glad to know that the the 82/87 is so incredibly reliable and frequent that your passengers have the luxury of letting a bus they 'don't like the look of' go past them for the one behind. 

#8

Other Operators / Re: Centrebus

Last post by Glenfieldmathk1 - Today at 04:03:10 PM

From my observations around Wenlock Way, 931 is having absolutely nothing done to it.
Be wary of bus driver gossip. They're not always the best at assimilating all the facts and presenting an accurate picture of events.

Correct, drivers cannot always get everything right as they just assume. However like just stated in quote below, it was mentioned by a driver with knowledge and a high up personnel of staff.. "there's no rush to get it back up as won't be back out until after Summer for start of the uni services".

Of course.. things could change - as the Grantham deckers arrived. So they may well decide actually it's the end of 931. But equally I believe they are looking at an all double deck uni shuttle for next year.

It was stated in a facebook group by a trusted employee back in March that it is off for repairs before MOT, and there was no rush because of the uni's easter break - this doesnt seem like gossip to me. Plans can and do change, but since it was seen in the workshop yesterday I'd say that's unlikely. Probably didn't move for a while whilst waiting for parts. It had a very noisy air leak from the front door for a couple of weeks prior to being taken off road which I expect is one of the things they are repairing.

This is correct 👍
By moving it inside for these repairs I would assume it's being made ready for MOT / having the works done so it's ready for the end of summer. (Maybe even be back before then!).

#9

Garage threads / Re: Wolverhampton Garage

Last post by BN - Today at 03:00:32 PM

Is 6761 coming back anytime soon since its still loaned to Walsall garage?

I do hope so.

#10

General Discussion, Questions & Route Suggestions / Re: Bus Accidents/Incidents.

Last post by frostjay974 - Today at 01:30:22 PM

6995 had the same a couple of months ago

Must be the same people doing it