Electric Buses

[Stu]

I only noticed today that these new electrics have a little speaker on the outside next to the door.

Was waiting on Camp Hill for a 2 or 3, three new buses on the 6 arrived in convoy. Two of them stopped to let off passengers, as the doors were closing I heard the "6 to Solihull" announcement, and initially wondered where it was coming from. It was only when the second bus did the same that I noticed this speaker.

I assume this is for the benefit of blind or visually-impaired passengers, so while I applaud this move as a great idea, two things I will suggest is that the volume could be a bit higher, and the announcement should be played BEFORE the doors close and the bus pulls away!

[Tony]

I only noticed today that these new electrics have a little speaker on the outside next to the door.

Was waiting on Camp Hill for a 2 or 3, three new buses on the 6 arrived in convoy. Two of them stopped to let off passengers, as the doors were closing I heard the "6 to Solihull" announcement, and initially wondered where it was coming from. It was only when the second bus did the same that I noticed this speaker.

I assume this is for the benefit of blind or visually-impaired passengers, so while I applaud this move as a great idea, two things I will suggest is that the volume could be a bit higher, and the announcement should be played BEFORE the doors close and the bus pulls away!

The volume can be changed via the destination DERIC controller (not by the driver, you need some codes to get into the controls). They are supposed to play as the doors open

[BBS]

The volume can be changed via the destination DERIC controller (not by the driver, you need some codes to get into the controls). They are supposed to play as the doors open

Coventry also has them, their quite useful but most of the time you can't even hear them 

[Tony]

E323 has just entered service on the 16 making it 80 vehicles now in service at PB

[Tony]

Today's new entry into service is E322

[Mayfield]

When are the 74 plates entering service

[Tony]

When are the 74 plates entering service

Probably after they are delivered

[Mayfield]

Oh I misunderstood I thought the 24s were going to be taxed as 74s

[Tony]

Oh I misunderstood I thought the 24s were going to be taxed as 74s

All the known registrations are on the main site
E001 upwards (wmbusphotos.com)
Everything showing as a '24' plate on that page is now taxed, even if it hasn't been delivered yet, so won't be changing

[Mayfield]

Thanks for clarification 

[Westy]

Slightly off topic, but has anyone seen page 4 of today's Metro?

[Tony]

I see someone altered the registration to E288 this morning on Bustimes who obviously hadn't actually seen the bus!

[Tony]

E231 at YW is the 95th of this batch of 170 to enter service

[Tony]

E295 into service today - number 96

[Lukeee]

E295 into service today - number 96

Misread that then and panicked a bit, dd on the 96 wouldn't end well