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You are so funny with lines like that I think you have the makings of being the next Jimmy Tarbuck!

After reading your posts constantly moaning about factors that are uncontrollable and constant contradictions I think you have the makings of being the biggest idiot of 2020!

Thanks @Driver03 . That sounds a lot better than our current Sutton Enviro400s. They changed up at 1500rpm, and struggled for power as they were in too high a gear for the road speed

The key to the whole thing was that Voith worked closely with NX to come to the solution and the problem was apparent because drivers reported all the issues on "pink" report forms and also fed back to the Union. I know sometimes drivers don't feel like reports make a difference but honestly they do and I'd encourage all drivers to report any issues.

How has the reprogramming changed them @Driver03 ?

I did travel on a 529 when they were first coming out, and it seemed to take a second or two for the engine to restart and for the bus to pull away

In essence it's changed the timing of the gear changes so instead of changing at say 1500rpm it's been remapped to slightly later giving them the additional pull away power they so desperately lacked. If you drive one fresh and cold out of the garage you'll see how they pull away smoothly however once the engine warms up they go into eco mode which is where they become slow, the remapping addresses this issue @John  :)

Great! I'm waiting to see if the stop-start affects pulling away from stops

Recent changes to WNs Platinums have proven very successful and are being rolled out on approx 10 more buses, with the view to the whole of WNs Platinums being reprogrammed with the new software for the gearbox ECU.

I'm fairly certain that it'll be rolled out to Perry Barrs new Platinums too, if not do what we have done, report it all on a pink.

will any new voith platinums be running the 126 service on Saturday by any chance as I'd like to catch one

Rubbing the crystal ball.......

Mmmmm, being as most are in service and there are a fair few branded I'd go with... yeah there will probably be a few out :D

So far:

2011 - Balvinder
2012 - Daniella Rosetta
2013 - Sonia
2014 - Hollie Anna
2015 - Sammy Louise
2016 - Jade Amanda
2017 - Riya
2018 - Lexi-Mae
2019 - Dawn Elizabeth
2020 - Flo Ivy
2021 - Tia Louise
2022 - Katherine
2069 - Imogen
2071 - Hannah
2073 - Nikki Louise
2074 - Patricia Kerry
2075 - Michaela Hanna
2076 - Maisie Jane
2120 - Birgit
2121 - Teigan-Lillieth
2122 - Zarreena
2123 - Parminder

Thanks buddy! I've got one on the list :)

All the Wolves branded Volvos have been named.

Any idea of names?

Platinums didn't go out this morning due to a communication breakdown, but some are going out this afternoon on afternoon 529 boards, 6764 being the first and its a late board on the 529....

A platinum popped into Dudley bus station today presume going round the 126 route  was unbranded

One was on 126 and one on the 529 to test the next stop announcement system

Platinums to enter service on the 529 tomorrow!! All baring any unforeseen issues most (if not all) will be on the 529.

I hope it isn't green anyway! I don't want the platinum branding to be 50 shades of green along with the 50 shades of grey in the livery!

Saw one last night in the dark which is why there's no photo, the 529s have branding similar to the current Platinums except it's a red/Crimson colour - not too bad or obtrusive I think...

There are currently 6 at the garage and more on the way soon, I couldn't catch all the fleet numbers however 6760 is the one currently being used for type training at garage and the bus station.

Rumours suggest that they won't appear in service until next week at the very earliest and it'll more likely be the middle of September when they have more ready for service (wheel tags, radios, ticket machines etc).

@Dom re the 81..... I have been reliably informed that the trees on the 81 have been "pruned" as per the council programme however there is currently no plans for DDs to run on the 81 right now... Current restrictions for the allocator still apply, singles only at the moment. Hope it helps!

I have a question, I imagine only @Tony or maybe @Driver03 will be able to answer.

I was informed by a drive that the trees around Lodge Farm and Netherton (on the 81) have been cut back meaning double deckers would be able to operate the route, could anyone confirm this for me please :)

I know that there have been times where double deckers have operated the route, but all have been swapped after 1 or 2 trips, except for 4004 which completed a full Saturday running board.

I will try and find out for you @Dom and post what I find out :)

6761 now at WN

4558 wrong National Express logo used on front grill, corporate style blue and red.

Travelled on 4605 yesterday. Such a pity a newly branded bus couldn't of been given a interior deep cleaning and re fresh. Dirty interior panels and dirty saggy seats downstairs.

Please have some respect for the cleaners that clean buses. I know for a fact that those buses left Wolves immaculate (cleanliness wise) and no doubt Walsall cleaners have cleaned them to the same high standards, bear in mind that it's certain types of passengers that ruin them and it's not because they aren't cleaned.