First Bus - Leicester

[Mayfield]

iirc
70 are pre-production / prototype (probably a better word somewhere) newpower repowers
71 are the production newpowers
72 are the equipmake ones

Is there another one due

[Coventrybususer95]

I see the BXH5 Spon End to Rugby is back to using an Electroliner this sunny morning (36618).
What speed can they reach on the M6 motorway?

Are they not limited to 43MPH?

[leicesterbusadventurer]

With 71007 (former 35190) now in service, 33696 and 33700 have now been debranded and should be leaving for Essex shortly.

[Danthebusman]

Are they not limited to 43MPH?

According to google, they have a top speed of 65mph, can see that being limited to 56mph.

[Mayfield]

Are they not limited to 43MPH?

If it's 43 they should be banned from motorways 

[EK40]

Are they not limited to 43MPH?

it took 10 mins to do the 7 miles on the motorway (from bustimes tracking) giving around 42 mph as an average so seems like they are.

[Tony]

If it's 43 they should be banned from motorways

Why? I regularly drive BYDs at 43mph on motorways, it's not a problem and there's always various other vehicles driving at similar speeds

[Wumpty]

If it's 43 they should be banned from motorways

Why's that? Speed limits are there for a reason - a limit, not a target. Although buses/coaches are usually limited to 62mph, there's no legal reason why they can't/shouldn't use the motorway at lower speeds, especially when they have been limited for a reason. If this offends or bothers other road users, perhaps they should consider their own driving style/standard before berating others.

[Fin W]

I'm told the electroliners are limited higher than the newpowers, so they will be used on Amazons going forward

[RobertJ21a]

If it's 43 they should be banned from motorways

Really? - no idea why.
.
Do you include HGVs?

[Mayfield]

I drive 30,000 miles a year on motorways and going slow is just as dangerous as going over 70

[Wumpty]

I drive 30,000 miles a year on motorways and going slow is just as dangerous as going over 70

What do you consider "slow"? Perhaps yours differs to that of  Speed limits - GOV.UK

The salient section that covers your objections states: 

A speed limiter must be fitted on:

• vehicles with more than 8 passenger seats, for example, buses, minibuses, coaches, stretch limousines
• goods vehicles with a maximum laden weight of more than 3.5 tonnes

Speed limiters are designed to reduce collisions. They limit the maximum speed of a vehicle by restricting the fuel supply to the engine. Having a speed limiter may mean that your vehicle cannot reach the speed limit.

Therefore, legally safe to drive on a UK motorway at lower than the national speed limit. Whilst YOU may not like it, the law states otherwise.

[RobertJ21a]

I drive 30,000 miles a year on motorways and going slow is just as dangerous as going over 70

Distance is irrelevant - apart from the fact that I frequently cover 50,000 miles most years. Not really sure what you mean by 'going slow' unless it's just the old lady doing 40mph on the M1 lane 2 etc - it's a *limit* not a target. HGVs  and Coaches go that bit slower - by law, common sense and efficiency.

[Mayfield]

The biggest problem with our motorways is they are are all basically 2 lane because of poor discipline, drivers quite happily doing 50 in lane 2 of 3 or lane 3 of 4 while the inside lanes are empty 

[Sandy Lane]

Distance is irrelevant - apart from the fact that I frequently cover 50,000 miles most years. Not really sure what you mean by 'going slow' unless it's just the old lady doing 40mph on the M1 lane 2 etc - it's a *limit* not a target. HGVs  and Coaches go that bit slower - by law, common sense and efficiency.

Here is another thought about buses in use on motorways.

In a modern truck the drivers cab has a level of crash protection to offer a chance of survival in a front end crash, with motorway speeds in mind. What about the front end protection of the driver in a First Electroliner on the M6?