For anyone complaining about NXWM's current vehicle presentation, take a look at the latest Ronnie photos! Did the garages ever wash the Metroriders? Almost every photo of one uploaded is either filthy or battered! What unpleasant little buses they were, loosely based on the Sherpa's weren't they?
Certainly make the ADL Enviro 200's look like quality products, and that's certainly an achievement
They were a significant step up from the Sherpa's, Transits, Dodges and Ivecos that went before them.
However WMT lost interest in little buses and it showed.
The Metro Rider looked to be a bit more "roomy" than the Transit or Sherpa. Maybe with a bit more luck/investment, they could have rivalled the Optare Solo in due course ?? 8)
Quote from: B61 ANDREW on December 23, 2014, 08:18:41 PM
The Metro Rider looked to be a bit more "roomy" than the Transit or Sherpa. Maybe with a bit more luck/investment, they could have rivalled the Optare Solo in due course ?? 8)
The Solo was a descendant of the Metrorider
Ah yes. I had forgotten that ! Optare bought the bus designs amongst other things when MCW ceased to be. If you read up the entry in Wikipedia, it throws up some interesting facts - such as that the original rear light cluster on the Metro Rider was the same as on a Ford Escort Cabriolet ! Now there's one for the trivia quizzers. . . . . . . :D
I love the Metrorider!
...am I a bad person?
Quote from: B61 ANDREW on December 24, 2014, 05:52:26 PM
Ah yes. I had forgotten that ! Optare bought the bus designs amongst other things when MCW ceased to be. If you read up the entry in Wikipedia, it throws up some interesting facts - such as that the original rear light cluster on the Metro Rider was the same as on a Ford Escort Cabriolet ! Now there's one for the trivia quizzers. . . . . . . :D
And Metrocab Taxis also have the same rear lights too
Quote from: Liverpool Street on December 24, 2014, 11:10:49 PM
I love the Metrorider!
...am I a bad person?
Bit late in replying, but nope.
I used to love Blackpool Transport's service 2.
Lovely little bus ride into Lytham St Annes from where we used to stay in B'Pool when I was younger.
Although, in the opposite direction, Knott End on Sea was not a wise idea haha!
Quote from: busfan2847 on December 23, 2014, 02:46:35 AM
They were a significant step up from the Sherpa's, Transits, Dodges and Ivecos that went before them.
However WMT lost interest in little buses and it showed.
Didn't Walsall's Metroriders disappear in favour of those equally short lived at Walsall, Darts with the NI regs?
They were bought for the Alumwell & Bentley service originally wasn't they?
Quote from: Westy on March 30, 2015, 10:45:33 PM
Didn't Walsall's Metroriders disappear in favour of those equally short lived at Walsall, Darts with the NI regs?
They were bought for the Alumwell & Bentley service originally wasn't they?
You mean 801-805 - the KDZ Darts. They did displace MRs from 331 Walsall to Lodge Farm via Bentley but kept some for other routes.
MRs were used during the bus,wars of 1992/3 on 301 against Midland Choice's 171 Leyland Nationals between Walsall, Bloxwich and Moseley. I actually liked the MRs as they were stylish and could move when needed.
When the MCW Metrorider was brand new, it was revolutionary, being a purpose-designed integral minibus. Early WMT examples had 5-speed ZF manual gears with a reversed gate, i.e., 5th speed was away from the driver, and forward. The clutch had a "ceramic" plate, which resulted in a very severe drive uptake. Ride comfort was good due to soft springs. Downside was that they were always noisy. Initially extremely fast in both acceleration and top speed, they were completely strangled when retrofitted with Allison automatic transmission, a fete which also befell Varios 251-260 purchased for Travel Merry Hill. Later WMT Metroriders were automatic from new.
A few MCW Metroriders saw service with Travel Merry Hill, but by then they were awful, very noisy, filthy and far less reliable than the Sherpas they partially displaced. More than one Merry Hill Minis driver secretly wanted the Sherpas back!
Some, if not all (I can't now remember) of the KDZ Darts also served at Merry Hill. These were superb buses, but, like the MCWs, woefully neglected.
Quote from: Wumpty on March 31, 2015, 10:07:21 PM
You mean 801-805 - the KDZ Darts. They did displace MRs from 331 Walsall to Lodge Farm via Bentley but kept some for other routes.
MRs were used during the bus,wars of 1992/3 on 301 against Midland Choice's 171 Leyland Nationals between Walsall, Bloxwich and Moseley. I actually liked the MRs as they were stylish and could move when needed.
Dont remember the MRs on the 301, but the NI Darts did appear on there though.