One of the other projects I have set myself is to try and get a photo of every NBFL.
I've got 56 of them so far!
http://wmbusphotos.com/NONWM/NBFL/NBFL.html
I didn't realise there was that many..
Any interior shots?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 01, 2013, 10:05:37 PM
I didn't realise there was that many..
Any interior shots?
94 in service so far
You will also notice I had my camera set on some very eccentric settings for photos like this one where I was still taking photographs of moving vehicles when it was fully dark
http://wmbusphotos.com/NONWM/NBFL/LT69.html
Not something you will manage to do with most pocket cameras!
Quote from: Tony on November 01, 2013, 10:29:01 PM
You will also notice I had my camera set on some very eccentric settings for photos like this one where I was still taking photographs of moving vehicles when it was fully dark
http://wmbusphotos.com/NONWM/NBFL/LT69.html
Not something you will manage to do with most pocket cameras!
Slightly 'noisey' photo, but excellent quality nonetheless! Much better then point and shoot.
How do I access these from the homepage?
I really like the photo of LT69.
Quote from: NXWM Spectra on November 01, 2013, 10:36:26 PM
How do I access these from the homepage?
I really like the photo of LT69.
There is a link in the bottom right corner of the latest photos section. When I get chance to do a full update of all links, it takes an hour from when I start running it now with so many pages, it will be via 'vehicles from outside the Midlands' link at the bottom of the index page. That probably won't work until Sunday night though.
Quote from: Tony on November 01, 2013, 10:47:19 PM
Quote from: NXWM Spectra on November 01, 2013, 10:36:26 PM
How do I access these from the homepage?
I really like the photo of LT69.
There is a link in the bottom right corner of the latest photos section. When I get chance to do a full update of all links, it takes an hour from when I start running it now with so many pages, it will be via 'vehicles from outside the Midlands' link at the bottom of the index page. That probably won't work until Sunday night though.
Ok, didn't realise it took so long.
Are the adverts backlighted? If so they look fantastic! In a minority I think but I'm a fan of the Borismasters
First thought they were hideous but having been down to London a few times recently I have to say I think they're growing on me. Haven't actually had cause to go on one yet, so potentially...
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Yeah but will these be kept for years and years or shifted off like older tridents? Is there an age limit for London buses and will NB4L be subject to it?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 02, 2013, 07:41:36 PM
Yeah but will these be kept for years and years or shifted off like older tridents? Is there an age limit for London buses and will NB4L be subject to it?
As far as i am aware, there is no age limit, Arriva certainly have some older buses DLA206 (W437WGJ) is in use today on the 159 & other operators have vehicles of 10 years old.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:46:15 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 02, 2013, 07:41:36 PM
Yeah but will these be kept for years and years or shifted off like older tridents? Is there an age limit for London buses and will NB4L be subject to it?
As far as i am aware, there is no age limit, Arriva certainly have some older buses DLA206 (W437WGJ) is in use today on the 159 & other operators have vehicles of 10 years old.
Then I have been informed wrongly! Thanks Stu.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 02, 2013, 07:48:21 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:46:15 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 02, 2013, 07:41:36 PM
Yeah but will these be kept for years and years or shifted off like older tridents? Is there an age limit for London buses and will NB4L be subject to it?
As far as i am aware, there is no age limit, Arriva certainly have some older buses DLA206 (W437WGJ) is in use today on the 159 & other operators have vehicles of 10 years old.
Then I have been informed wrongly! Thanks Stu.
I Think Tfl are supposed to keep an eye on the age of the buses in London, but it seems quite common for older vehicles to be on the road, over the last few years quite a number of Hybrid buses have appeared on the London streets, but routes like the 8 (10 - 12 year old vehicles ) operated by Stagecoach & 137 & 159 (10 years old & above) operated by Arriva London still exist.
It depends on how long the contract is for on the route, and new contracts are often awarded on the proviso that new buses are ordered.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:21:15 PM
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Do Routemasters no longer operate on the 9 every 15-20 minutes then?
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 09:56:55 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:21:15 PM
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Do Routemasters no longer operate on the 9 every 15-20 minutes then?
Yes see http://wmbusphotos.com/NONWM/NBFL/LT88.html
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 09:56:55 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:21:15 PM
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Do Routemasters no longer operate on the 9 every 15-20 minutes then?
The Routemasters operate on the Heritage 9 (Kensington - Trafalgar Square), not the main service 9
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 09:56:55 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:21:15 PM
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Do Routemasters no longer operate on the 9 every 15-20 minutes then?
Do you mean the old Routemasters Matt? That is on the heritage route, not the full length of the 9 (Trafalgar Square - High Street Kensington. The 9 RMs used to be operated by First when they were still in London, I don't know if Tower Transit still operate the RM journeys, or another operator now runs them. The normal 9 route is operated by London United as seen in Tony's pic
Quote from: John on November 02, 2013, 10:09:28 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 09:56:55 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 02, 2013, 07:21:15 PM
production is at a pace now, so far routes 24, 11 & 9 have been fully converted with the 390 to follow in a couple of weeks followed by 148 in February.
Do Routemasters no longer operate on the 9 every 15-20 minutes then?
Do you mean the old Routemasters Matt? That is on the heritage route, not the full length of the 9 (Trafalgar Square - High Street Kensington. The 9 RMs used to be operated by First when they were still in London, I don't know if Tower Transit still operate the RM journeys, or another operator now runs them. The normal 9 route is operated by London United as seen in Tony's pic
Yes, the Routemasters are operated by Tower Transit
Thanks everyone for that. I was not aware the old Routemasters only operated part of the 9 route. Do they also still operate on the 15? Is it also on only part of the route?
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 10:14:35 PM
Thanks everyone for that. I was not aware the old Routemasters only operated part of the 9 route. Do they also still operate on the 15? Is it also on only part of the route?
Yes they are still on the 15 as well, only from Tower Hill to Trafalgar Square (not sure where the full 15 goes to/from), but this time both the heritage 9 and the normal bus service are ran by Stagecoach London
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
The registrations are a nice touch..I have been in London the last couple of days and these buses do look the part. They also have a very good rate of excelleration, well compared to my VanHool T917 they do.. A bus like that could only ever of been developed for the London market though, at the cost no one else would ever be able to justify the purchase price.
Love going on the borismasters! Went down at the end of august and went on them on the 24 along with RMs and e400s, alx400s lots of presidents and also scania olympus-metroline ones which were vile!! and my favourite was the 04 reg b7tls/myllenniums that london united had on the 9. Really nice buses those but now replaced by borismasters. Wonder if they will ever actually be given a proper name or will just keep "borismaster"??!! Luckily having had a network pass, being sent free tickets by london midland after the driver shortages x5-thats 5 days out bus spotting in london for free!
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:49:21 PM
Love going on the borismasters! Went down at the end of august and went on them on the 24 along with RMs and e400s, alx400s lots of presidents and also scania olympus-metroline ones which were vile!! and my favourite was the 04 reg b7tls/myllenniums that london united had on the 9. Really nice buses those but now replaced by borismasters. Wonder if they will ever actually be given a proper name or will just keep "borismaster"??!! Luckily having had a network pass, being sent free tickets by london midland after the driver shortages x5-thats 5 days out bus spotting in london for free!
The NBFL is their official name, isn't it?
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 11:51:45 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:49:21 PM
Love going on the borismasters! Went down at the end of august and went on them on the 24 along with RMs and e400s, alx400s lots of presidents and also scania olympus-metroline ones which were vile!! and my favourite was the 04 reg b7tls/myllenniums that london united had on the 9. Really nice buses those but now replaced by borismasters. Wonder if they will ever actually be given a proper name or will just keep "borismaster"??!! Luckily having had a network pass, being sent free tickets by london midland after the driver shortages x5-thats 5 days out bus spotting in london for free!
The NBFL is their official name, isn't it?
4 letters isnt really a name though. Its so unimaginative. LT isnt bad but guess they are just fated to be called borismasters from now on which Im not complaining about. They just seem streets ahead of any other bus available to buy at the moment. I took a lot of photos of them in London and looking back at them, theres not one picture of a borismaster from any angle that looks ugly.
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:56:13 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 11:51:45 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:49:21 PM
Love going on the borismasters! Went down at the end of august and went on them on the 24 along with RMs and e400s, alx400s lots of presidents and also scania olympus-metroline ones which were vile!! and my favourite was the 04 reg b7tls/myllenniums that london united had on the 9. Really nice buses those but now replaced by borismasters. Wonder if they will ever actually be given a proper name or will just keep "borismaster"??!! Luckily having had a network pass, being sent free tickets by london midland after the driver shortages x5-thats 5 days out bus spotting in london for free!
The NBFL is their official name, isn't it?
4 letters isnt really a name though. Its so unimaginative. LT isnt bad but guess they are just fated to be called borismasters from now on which Im not complaining about. They just seem streets ahead of any other bus available to buy at the moment. I took a lot of photos of them in London and looking back at them, theres not one picture of a borismaster from any angle that looks ugly.
It stands for NewBusForLondon, some people refer to it by that. I think I remember hearing some other title for it (other than Borismaster), but cannot remember what.
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 03, 2013, 12:32:20 AM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:56:13 PM
Quote from: nitromatt1 on November 02, 2013, 11:51:45 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on November 02, 2013, 11:49:21 PM
Love going on the borismasters! Went down at the end of august and went on them on the 24 along with RMs and e400s, alx400s lots of presidents and also scania olympus-metroline ones which were vile!! and my favourite was the 04 reg b7tls/myllenniums that london united had on the 9. Really nice buses those but now replaced by borismasters. Wonder if they will ever actually be given a proper name or will just keep "borismaster"??!! Luckily having had a network pass, being sent free tickets by london midland after the driver shortages x5-thats 5 days out bus spotting in london for free!
The NBFL is their official name, isn't it?
4 letters isnt really a name though. Its so unimaginative. LT isnt bad but guess they are just fated to be called borismasters from now on which Im not complaining about. They just seem streets ahead of any other bus available to buy at the moment. I took a lot of photos of them in London and looking back at them, theres not one picture of a borismaster from any angle that looks ugly.
It stands for NewBusForLondon, some people refer to it by that. I think I remember hearing some other title for it (other than Borismaster), but cannot remember what.
LTs?
I wonder if the conductors are employed by TfL as the ones on the 11 look like they have TfL uniforms, as opposed to Go Ahead
Just looks like their official name is
Wrightbus NB4L Borrismaster
No individual body or chassis name I can find anywhere.
Or I suppose you could call it
Wrightbus bodied NB4L?
On the Wrightbus website, it's simply called 'New Bus For London'.
I checked one of the regs in my vehicle lookup and it returned:
MAKE: WRIGHTBUS
MODEL: NEW BUS FOR LONDON NBFL (1)
Quote from: Ex BC driver on November 03, 2013, 03:14:40 AM
I wonder if the conductors are employed by TfL as the ones on the 11 look like they have TfL uniforms, as opposed to Go Ahead
The Customer Assistants as they are called are employed by the bus company, eg: London United although the money for there wages comes from TFL. It has been revealed that not all routes will have these, indeed i think the 390 will be operated as a normal bus, ie: with no Customer Assistant and the 9 only has customer assistants Monday to Friday..
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 03, 2013, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
And I expect the heritage routes will stay for good? What's the oldest Routemaster in operation? - I could Google it; but I'd rather your knowledge prevails.
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 08, 2013, 10:13:43 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 03, 2013, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
And I expect the heritage routes will stay for good? What's the oldest Routemaster in operation? - I could Google it; but I'd rather your knowledge prevails.
In use at the moment, i would suggest it is Stagecoaches RM324 (WLT 324) unless anybody else knows any different? Delivered to London transport in 1960 and last used on the 15H on wednesday.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 08, 2013, 10:32:03 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 08, 2013, 10:13:43 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 03, 2013, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
And I expect the heritage routes will stay for good? What's the oldest Routemaster in operation? - I could Google it; but I'd rather your knowledge prevails.
In use at the moment, i would suggest it is Stagecoaches RM324 (WLT 324) unless anybody else knows any different? Delivered to London transport in 1960 and last used on the 15H on wednesday.
I thought you were spitting feathers but a quick search confirms it.
Can't beat a Regent 3 myself. Different, y'know. Not that the tourists new any different!!
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 08, 2013, 10:13:43 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 03, 2013, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
And I expect the heritage routes will stay for good? What's the oldest Routemaster in operation? - I could Google it; but I'd rather your knowledge prevails.
Interestingly, use of the Routemasters (Heritage Routes) in London is Dwindling.
Route 9H:
2005/06 0.22million (part year only)
2006/07 0.62million
2007/08 0.61million
2008/09 0.55million
2009/10 0.60million
2010/11 0.53million
2011/12 0.52million
2012/13 0.44million
Route 15H:
2005/06 0.21million (part year only)
2006/07 0.67million
2007/08 0.68million
2008/09 0.70million
2009/10 0.76million
2010/11 0.67million
2011/12 0.58million
2012/13 0.47million
On the other side of things, in 2012/3, route 25 (Oxford Street - Ilford) carried just short of 25 million passengers.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 27, 2013, 05:47:39 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on November 08, 2013, 10:13:43 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on November 03, 2013, 01:14:04 PM
Quote from: Tony on November 02, 2013, 10:29:09 PM
Quote from: andyr on November 02, 2013, 10:23:35 PM
Tfl contracts specify if new or refurbished buses are reqired for the specific route and strict rules apply to the buses operated. The NBFL will be very very old before they would be cascaded because of there very expensive cost to buy. No operator i can think of would ever buy one of these buses at the price they cost.
They are all going to do two 7 year contracts (according to TfL's current thinking) so what should happen is The London United batch currently on the 9 will be operated by LU for 7 years and then the same vehicles will pass to whoever wins the 9 for the next 7 years, whether that is London United or another operator.
I Like the fact TfL have allocated the registration numbers and fleetnumbers, makes spotting and photgraphing fare easier!
At the moment, the NB4Ls are being allocated to routes mid contract, currently the 11 is due to go out to Tender this time next year with the winner announced in March 2015 & the new contract beginning in October of 2015. However it is likely that a two year extension of the current contract may be ordered.
Also due to go out for tender at this time next year are the 9H & 15H, rumour has it that the Heritage routes may be changed at this time, although this is pure rumour.
And I expect the heritage routes will stay for good? What's the oldest Routemaster in operation? - I could Google it; but I'd rather your knowledge prevails.
Interestingly, use of the Routemasters (Heritage Routes) in London is Dwindling.
Route 9H:
2005/06 0.22million (part year only)
2006/07 0.62million
2007/08 0.61million
2008/09 0.55million
2009/10 0.60million
2010/11 0.53million
2011/12 0.52million
2012/13 0.44million
Route 15H:
2005/06 0.21million (part year only)
2006/07 0.67million
2007/08 0.68million
2008/09 0.70million
2009/10 0.76million
2010/11 0.67million
2011/12 0.58million
2012/13 0.47million
On the other side of things, in 2012/3, route 25 (Oxford Street - Ilford) carried just short of 25 million passengers.
When I was in London for two weeks I noticed several times that the heritage buses were running in pairs, and also holding back to let a modern 9 or 15 past them when approaching a main stop, then overtaking when the modern bus was picking up. It seemed they were trying to avoid picking up passengers and the conductors rarely showed any neterest in collecting fares!
When I was in London for two weeks I noticed several times that the heritage buses were running in pairs, and also holding back to let a modern 9 or 15 past them when approaching a main stop, then overtaking when the modern bus was picking up. It seemed they were trying to avoid picking up passengers and the conductors rarely showed any neterest in collecting fares!
[/quote]
You could well be right there, have been in London all day and have been out and about on the Routemasters as well as other buses.
as you say the conductors seem very reluctant to collect the fares/check oyster cards. What they don't realise is that it is there jobs that will suffer if TFL decide to do away with the Heritage Routemasters.
Also noticed today, that the New Routemasters (as they have now been named) were mostly going round in one man operation mode. Only route 11 had crew operation.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 28, 2013, 10:03:39 PM
When I was in London for two weeks I noticed several times that the heritage buses were running in pairs, and also holding back to let a modern 9 or 15 past them when approaching a main stop, then overtaking when the modern bus was picking up. It seemed they were trying to avoid picking up passengers and the conductors rarely showed any neterest in collecting fares!
[/b]
You could well be right there, have been in London all day and have been out and about on the Routemasters as well as other buses.
as you say the conductors seem very reluctant to collect the fares/check oyster cards. What they don't realise is that it is there jobs that will suffer if TFL decide to do away with the Heritage Routemasters.
Also noticed today, that the New Routemasters (as they have now been named) were mostly going round in one man operation mode. Only route 11 had crew operation.
[/quote]
Most of the routes are supposed to be OPO on Saturdays, only two man on Monday to Fridays 7am to 7pm
Quote from: Tony on December 28, 2013, 10:28:33 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 28, 2013, 10:03:39 PM
When I was in London for two weeks I noticed several times that the heritage buses were running in pairs, and also holding back to let a modern 9 or 15 past them when approaching a main stop, then overtaking when the modern bus was picking up. It seemed they were trying to avoid picking up passengers and the conductors rarely showed any neterest in collecting fares!
[/b]
You could well be right there, have been in London all day and have been out and about on the Routemasters as well as other buses.
as you say the conductors seem very reluctant to collect the fares/check oyster cards. What they don't realise is that it is there jobs that will suffer if TFL decide to do away with the Heritage Routemasters.
Also noticed today, that the New Routemasters (as they have now been named) were mostly going round in one man operation mode. Only route 11 had crew operation.
Most of the routes are supposed to be OPO on Saturdays, only two man on Monday to Fridays 7am to 7pm
[/quote]
exactly Tony, but Saturday & Sundays can be very busy in London & the new buses being used opo is just asking for fare evasion. If you don't want to pay, just get on in the middle or at the back.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 29, 2013, 01:01:45 PM
Quote from: Tony on December 28, 2013, 10:28:33 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 28, 2013, 10:03:39 PM
When I was in London for two weeks I noticed several times that the heritage buses were running in pairs, and also holding back to let a modern 9 or 15 past them when approaching a main stop, then overtaking when the modern bus was picking up. It seemed they were trying to avoid picking up passengers and the conductors rarely showed any neterest in collecting fares!
[/b]
You could well be right there, have been in London all day and have been out and about on the Routemasters as well as other buses.
as you say the conductors seem very reluctant to collect the fares/check oyster cards. What they don't realise is that it is there jobs that will suffer if TFL decide to do away with the Heritage Routemasters.
Also noticed today, that the New Routemasters (as they have now been named) were mostly going round in one man operation mode. Only route 11 had crew operation.
Most of the routes are supposed to be OPO on Saturdays, only two man on Monday to Fridays 7am to 7pm
exactly Tony, but Saturday & Sundays can be very busy in London & the new buses being used opo is just asking for fare evasion. If you don't want to pay, just get on in the middle or at the back.
[/quote]
I have been down and been out with TfLs revenue inspectors for a day, They have nearly 300 of them. There is not much fare evasion in Central London. The revenue teams down there prosecute almost all fare evaders. Standards Fares are only issued for first offense of not scanning an oyster, all other offenses and second time not scanning oyster all go straight to the courts.
Interestingly, yesterday in London, i had the chance to ride route 13 with its new hybrid Volvo B5LH with Wrights Gemini bodywork.
Have to say i was very impressed by them, the buses were much more quiet than the NX hybrids & maybe it was the drivers, but when the buses pulled off, there was no jolt when the engine cut in.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 29, 2013, 08:22:40 PM
Interestingly, yesterday in London, i had the chance to ride route 13 with its new hybrid Volvo B5LH with Wrights Gemini bodywork.
Have to say i was very impressed by them, the buses were much more quiet than the NX hybrids & maybe it was the drivers, but when the buses pulled off, there was no jolt when the engine cut in.
Did they seem quicker then ours?
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 29, 2013, 10:44:33 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on December 29, 2013, 08:22:40 PM
Interestingly, yesterday in London, i had the chance to ride route 13 with its new hybrid Volvo B5LH with Wrights Gemini bodywork.
Have to say i was very impressed by them, the buses were much more quiet than the NX hybrids & maybe it was the drivers, but when the buses pulled off, there was no jolt when the engine cut in.
Did they seem quicker then ours?
Yes they did LS, although in London, especially on the 13 route, there is not much chance to get up speed. It had been widely expected that this route would be converted to New Routemaster, but London Sovereign (Transbus) preferred the Volvo B5LH
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202712916811538&set=gm.624806604235174&type=1&theater
See the Borismaster on the far left which has been painted into a special silver and red livery. It is LT150 apparently.
Quote from: Matt on January 19, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202712916811538&set=gm.624806604235174&type=1&theater
See the Borismaster on the far left which has been painted into a special silver and red livery. It is LT150 apparently.
It appears to have been removed from facebook already, but is here
http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/Heysham-Docks/27816939_rvssTn#!i=3030202652&k=2G8QT48&lb=1&s=A
Quote from: Tony on January 19, 2014, 06:05:17 PM
Quote from: Matt on January 19, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202712916811538&set=gm.624806604235174&type=1&theater
See the Borismaster on the far left which has been painted into a special silver and red livery. It is LT150 apparently.
It appears to have been removed from facebook already, but is here
http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/Heysham-Docks/27816939_rvssTn#!i=3030202652&k=2G8QT48&lb=1&s=A
TFL has decided that 2014 is "the year of the bus" which coincides with 75 years of the RT, 60 years of the RM and the centenary of the start of the Great war so this livery may be something to do with that?
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 19, 2014, 08:18:05 PM
Quote from: Tony on January 19, 2014, 06:05:17 PM
Quote from: Matt on January 19, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202712916811538&set=gm.624806604235174&type=1&theater
See the Borismaster on the far left which has been painted into a special silver and red livery. It is LT150 apparently.
It appears to have been removed from facebook already, but is here
http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/Heysham-Docks/27816939_rvssTn#!i=3030202652&k=2G8QT48&lb=1&s=A
TFL has decided that 2014 is "the year of the bus" which coincides with 75 years of the RT, 60 years of the RM and the centenary of the start of the Great war so this livery may be something to do with that?
Last year marked 150 years of the Underground too
Quote from: Matt on January 19, 2014, 09:34:26 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 19, 2014, 08:18:05 PM
Quote from: Tony on January 19, 2014, 06:05:17 PM
Quote from: Matt on January 19, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10202712916811538&set=gm.624806604235174&type=1&theater
See the Borismaster on the far left which has been painted into a special silver and red livery. It is LT150 apparently.
It appears to have been removed from facebook already, but is here
http://malsfotofile.smugmug.com/HeyshamDocks/Heysham-Docks/27816939_rvssTn#!i=3030202652&k=2G8QT48&lb=1&s=A
TFL has decided that 2014 is "the year of the bus" which coincides with 75 years of the RT, 60 years of the RM and the centenary of the start of the Great war so this livery may be something to do with that?
Last year marked 150 years of the Underground too
Yes, i am lucky, i have one of the commemorative Oyster cards.
Do find it a bit strange they've done that, given the whole "London buses are red buses" thing
LT150 reminds me of the RM that was not painted, the silver one (wàsn't it RM669?). It does look strange because we are used to seeing them in red, but I do like it
For any one interested in London Buses, working timetables for numerous routes are now available through the London Bus Timetable Graveyard site. These have been made available through Freedom Of Information requests.
Timetables for the night services are quite confusing as they are a continuation of the previous days services so you get times of 25:21 & 27:30.
This is the website
http://mjcarchive.www.idnet.com/wt_index.html
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 21, 2014, 09:42:42 PM
For any one interested in London Buses, working timetables for numerous routes are now available through the London Bus Timetable Graveyard site. These have been made available through Freedom Of Information requests.
Timetables for the night services are quite confusing as they are a continuation of the previous days services so you get times of 25:21 & 27:30.
This is the website
http://mjcarchive.www.idnet.com/wt_index.html
Are these timetables for old services?
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 21, 2014, 09:57:19 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 21, 2014, 09:42:42 PM
For any one interested in London Buses, working timetables for numerous routes are now available through the London Bus Timetable Graveyard site. These have been made available through Freedom Of Information requests.
Timetables for the night services are quite confusing as they are a continuation of the previous days services so you get times of 25:21 & 27:30.
This is the website
http://mjcarchive.www.idnet.com/wt_index.html
Are these timetables for old services?
some are, but most are for current London Bus timetables. If you go to the timetable you wish, it will tell you when the timetable started.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 21, 2014, 10:00:17 PM
Quote from: DiamondDart on January 21, 2014, 09:57:19 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on January 21, 2014, 09:42:42 PM
For any one interested in London Buses, working timetables for numerous routes are now available through the London Bus Timetable Graveyard site. These have been made available through Freedom Of Information requests.
Timetables for the night services are quite confusing as they are a continuation of the previous days services so you get times of 25:21 & 27:30.
This is the website
http://mjcarchive.www.idnet.com/wt_index.html
Are these timetables for old services?
some are, but most are for current London Bus timetables. If you go to the timetable you wish, it will tell you when the timetable started.
Thanks :)
This is interesting too! A destination display'simulation'
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl001-100.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl101-200.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl201-300.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl301-plus.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl401-500.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl-letter.html
http://www.londonbuses.co.uk/routes/rl-nights.html
Rob Munsters site http://www.londonbusroutes.net/timetables.htm has current timetables, operational details i.e. vehicles types, peak vehicle requirements and also a service changes section detailing upcoming alterations.
A reminder, for anyone who watched the first 5 episodes that The Routemasters, Running Londons Roads episode 6 is being shown tonight at 10pm. This episode has been delayed due to legal reasons.
I was down in London over the weekend and I had the pleasure of riding one to Euston from St Pancra's. Very charismatic inside if you ask me and they have proper bench-type seats rather than the bucket seats which dominate most buses nowadays. I like them to be honest and the dual staircases make these buses unusual on the inside.
I have just taken a short journey on LT150 @ Brooklands museum..Very impressed, the build quality and ride were to a very high standard. A real credit to Wright bus..
Saw three of these (two of them were together) going down the M6 today.
The one on its own was displaying 136 and the two together were displaying 199.
I have to say that I am another who has been converted to the Borismaster!
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 14, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
That explains why I saw LT210 heading north last week, it was going north with silver LT189 too
Quote from: Ex BC driver on May 15, 2014, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 14, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
That explains why I saw LT210 heading north last week, it was going north with silver LT189 too
First an apology, i had been told that LT230 was to be painted into an ad for Marie Curie, i now understand it is to be painted as part of Northern Ireland's participation in the Giro D'Italia cycle race. it will be repainted red before being returned to London.
LT189 is an interesting one as it is one of 8 prototypes to be fitted with a Euro 6 engine and will be going to Do Ahead London.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 15, 2014, 07:25:21 PM
Quote from: Ex BC driver on May 15, 2014, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 14, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
That explains why I saw LT210 heading north last week, it was going north with silver LT189 too
First an apology, i had been told that LT230 was to be painted into an ad for Marie Curie, i now understand it is to be painted as part of Northern Ireland's participation in the Giro D'Italia cycle race. it will be repainted red before being returned to London.
LT189 is an interesting one as it is one of 8 prototypes to be fitted with a Euro 6 engine and will be going to Do Ahead London.
Is Do Ahead London the naughty brother of Go Ahead London lol
Quote from: tank90 on May 16, 2014, 02:12:17 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 15, 2014, 07:25:21 PM
Quote from: Ex BC driver on May 15, 2014, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 14, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
That explains why I saw LT210 heading north last week, it was going north with silver LT189 too
First an apology, i had been told that LT230 was to be painted into an ad for Marie Curie, i now understand it is to be painted as part of Northern Ireland's participation in the Giro D'Italia cycle race. it will be repainted red before being returned to London.
LT189 is an interesting one as it is one of 8 prototypes to be fitted with a Euro 6 engine and will be going to Do Ahead London.
Is Do Ahead London the naughty brother of Go Ahead London lol
::) ::) ::) My typing gets worse
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 16, 2014, 05:51:24 PM
Quote from: tank90 on May 16, 2014, 02:12:17 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 15, 2014, 07:25:21 PM
Quote from: Ex BC driver on May 15, 2014, 01:55:49 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 14, 2014, 07:55:20 PM
Quote from: tphi12000 on May 14, 2014, 04:36:57 PM
noted all black LT210 & LT214 passing through the region on the M6 this afternoon.
Yes, they are part of twenty that have been painted black at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn and are to received an ad for Nike.
For anyone else that is interested, LT230 has been painted pink & is to receive an ad for Marie Curie Cancer Research.
That explains why I saw LT210 heading north last week, it was going north with silver LT189 too
First an apology, i had been told that LT230 was to be painted into an ad for Marie Curie, i now understand it is to be painted as part of Northern Ireland's participation in the Giro D'Italia cycle race. it will be repainted red before being returned to London.
LT189 is an interesting one as it is one of 8 prototypes to be fitted with a Euro 6 engine and will be going to Do Ahead London.
Is Do Ahead London the naughty brother of Go Ahead London lol
::) ::) ::) My typing gets worse
I wouldn't say mine was any better when half a sleep and typing like billyo.
Why have the Borismasters on the 38 got their rear doors closed? I thought they were to be operated with customer assistants on the inner section of the route.
@Stevo, They shouldn't have the rear door closed between 7am and 7pm on a weekday as that is when the CAs are employed, during the evening, overnight & at weekends the buses are in one person mode.
LT148 is now in coca cola ad livery.
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 08:10:39 PM
@Stevo, They shouldn't have the rear door closed between 7am and 7pm on a weekday as that is when the CAs are employed, during the evening, overnight & at weekends the buses are in one person mode.
LT148 is now in coca cola ad livery.
I think they are going to put the CAs on when the route is converted, because it is such a massive PVR I think they are slowly dropping extra buses on as they get them prepared, then doing the full two man thing. Remember the 38 has had LT4-7 on in one man mode for a couple of years now
That must be the answer. I went on a 38 when LT1-8 first started - the drivers did every other day as a CA. The CA I spoke to said there was no engine - just batteries!
@Stevo When the original prototypes entered service on the 38, you are correct in saying that drivers were used as CAs for a time. Then, as these buses were being trialled, they were used in OPO mode. For a period last year, they were trialled using CAs for part of the route which is now the plan. LTs are now being phased in on the 38 and total conversion to LT has been scheduled for Mid June.
Quote from: Tony on May 29, 2014, 08:35:47 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 08:10:39 PM
@Stevo, They shouldn't have the rear door closed between 7am and 7pm on a weekday as that is when the CAs are employed, during the evening, overnight & at weekends the buses are in one person mode.
LT148 is now in coca cola ad livery.
I think they are going to put the CAs on when the route is converted, because it is such a massive PVR I think they are slowly dropping extra buses on as they get them prepared, then doing the full two man thing. Remember the 38 has had LT4-7 on in one man mode for a couple of years now
Just had it confirmed by London Transport group that the LTs are running with CAs for part of the route!
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 09:15:35 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 29, 2014, 08:35:47 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 08:10:39 PM
@Stevo, They shouldn't have the rear door closed between 7am and 7pm on a weekday as that is when the CAs are employed, during the evening, overnight & at weekends the buses are in one person mode.
LT148 is now in coca cola ad livery.
I think they are going to put the CAs on when the route is converted, because it is such a massive PVR I think they are slowly dropping extra buses on as they get them prepared, then doing the full two man thing. Remember the 38 has had LT4-7 on in one man mode for a couple of years now
Just had it confirmed by London Transport group that the LTs are running with CAs for part of the route!
They weren't on Monday when I was down there although it was Bank Holiday
Quote from: Tony on May 29, 2014, 09:19:31 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 09:15:35 PM
Quote from: Tony on May 29, 2014, 08:35:47 PM
Quote from: Stuharris 6360 on May 29, 2014, 08:10:39 PM
@Stevo, They shouldn't have the rear door closed between 7am and 7pm on a weekday as that is when the CAs are employed, during the evening, overnight & at weekends the buses are in one person mode.
LT148 is now in coca cola ad livery.
I think they are going to put the CAs on when the route is converted, because it is such a massive PVR I think they are slowly dropping extra buses on as they get them prepared, then doing the full two man thing. Remember the 38 has had LT4-7 on in one man mode for a couple of years now
Just had it confirmed by London Transport group that the LTs are running with CAs for part of the route!
They weren't on Monday when I was down there although it was Bank Holiday
Only route that has CAs working on weekend & Bank Holidays at the moment is the 11, routes 9, 10, 24, 38 & 390 only have CAs Monday to Friday from around 7am till 7pm and route 148 is totally OPO.
on the 38, CAs only operate between Mildmay Park & Victoria, for the rest of the route the buses run OPO.
Saw a group of six people in plain clothes and Arriva hi viz vests the other week looking round Victoria bus station, possibly trainee CAs
It has been announced that Stagecoach operated routes 55/N55 will be converted to Borismaster from 28th February 2015 using 34 vehicles.
That's interesting, when was that annouinced?
Today, seen on London based transport forum posted by very reliable chap.
He also stated Stagecoach had also retained 56 with new Hybrid buses from same date.
Noted an all white Borismaster on the M6 passing through the Midlands this morning.
LT280 and LT300 were heading south on the M6 this morning, both for Go Ahead. The Go Ahead logos are white, I wonder if this is standard now in London
Quote from: Matt on December 31, 2014, 06:15:04 PM
A few weeks ago, on a trip down in London, my coach was stopped at the lights alongside a Borismaster in service. The rear doors were open, and a lady attempted to board with a young child. Just as the child jumped on, the lights turned green and the vehicle pulled off with the child on board and the lady running behind. That was the last I saw of it
Standard way to board a back loader then...
Quote from: Matt on December 31, 2014, 08:07:08 PM
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 31, 2014, 07:57:42 PM
Quote from: Matt on December 31, 2014, 06:15:04 PM
A few weeks ago, on a trip down in London, my coach was stopped at the lights alongside a Borismaster in service. The rear doors were open, and a lady attempted to board with a young child. Just as the child jumped on, the lights turned green and the vehicle pulled off with the child on board and the lady running behind. That was the last I saw of it
Standard way to board a back loader then...
Wasn't that many complaints during the first 80 years of buses operating. If you messed up and fell over or similar it was you own fault!
I think you missed the crucial point that the mother was separated from her child. Whilst I am not a fan of the ridiculous health & safety regulations of today it seems to me that it's all too easy for accidents to occur with people boarding a moving vehicle
I have a few NB4Ls, if you want them...