What routes need NEW or different buses the most

[TheMidlandsTransportGuy]

Loads of people were saying about that some routes needs new or different on the Electric Buses thread. So I decided to make this thread

[BBS]

The 74

[karl724223]

Pn number 9

[MasterPlan]

The 74

Don't the electrics have less capacity? That won't help on the 74 which gets overcrowded as it is.

In terms of Birmingham the one that would benefit the most is the 4/4A.

[Stu]

In terms of Birmingham the one that would benefit the most is the 4/4A.

Which are already using more double-decks than singles now.

[MasterPlan]

Which are already using more double-decks than singles now.

More than they used to have on the route, yes.

[Stu]

Loads of people were saying about that some routes needs new or different on the Electric Buses thread. So I decided to make this thread

To be honest, this thread is a bit pointless now, as has already been pointed out elsewhere, new vehicles are just replacing older ones, and not being allocated to any particular routes, see Yardley Wood for example.

Also, with bus franchising looming in the next couple of years, it is going to be difficult for bus operators to make commitments to invest in vehicles, if there is uncertainty about whether the WMCA will acquire them and for what value.

Of course, in the case of NX Bus, if they continue to partner with Zenobe, then there's no reason why the leasing costs wouldn't pass to WMCA.

Unfortunately I can see the next couple of years being a bit of a 'no-mans land' with fleet renewal being in a bit of 'limbo'.

Members are welcome to comment in this topic, however I warn you all that I won't have this turn into another argument clinic, bickering and squabbling isn't welcome here.

[ellspurs]

Stick them on the 96. We need some open-top buses and I've missed the joy of seeing two DDs trying to squeeze past each other on Kingfisher Drive.

[joseph88]

The X12 may need more buses on weekdays because it gets busy.

[cardew]

Of course, in the case of NX Bus, if they continue to partner with Zenobe, then there's no reason why the leasing costs wouldn't pass to WMCA.

Unfortunately I can see the next couple of years being a bit of a 'no-mans land' with fleet renewal being in a bit of 'limbo'.

WMCA mention leases being novated on 600 NX ZEBs and they currently have 329 + the 20 Hydrogens. Add the incoming 130 and around 30 diesels in Coventry to that so maybe the 100 from the 2022 Zebra funding might turn up?

[RW]

As I've posted elsewhere given the proposed franchising arrangements why would any current service provider even consider acquiring new vehicles?

[B7RLE]

4M gets overlooked so much but its crying out for alternative vehicles to omnilinks

[2206]

4M gets overlooked so much but its crying out for alternative vehicles to omnilinks

It'll probably gain more B7RLE eventually as more omnilinks are withdrawn. Walsall already operate them.

[GoldenSquid]

The X12 may need more buses on weekdays because it gets busy.

I'd say no, it's the occasional trip thats busy - most of the time the X12 is dead.

[Wumpty]

To be honest, this thread is a bit pointless now, as has already been pointed out elsewhere, new vehicles are just replacing older ones, and not being allocated to any particular routes, see Yardley Wood for example.

Also, with bus franchising looming in the next couple of years, it is going to be difficult for bus operators to make commitments to invest in vehicles, if there is uncertainty about whether the WMCA will acquire them and for what value.

Of course, in the case of NX Bus, if they continue to partner with Zenobe, then there's no reason why the leasing costs wouldn't pass to WMCA.

Unfortunately I can see the next couple of years being a bit of a 'no-mans land' with fleet renewal being in a bit of 'limbo'.

Members are welcome to comment in this topic, however I warn you all that I won't have this turn into another argument clinic, bickering and squabbling isn't welcome here.

As I've just posted in the Franchising thread, I completely agree with the statement in bold italic above.

Several routes across the region need new buses, some routes by choice, and some operators that need them and just won't invest (Travel Express for one!). With the advent of franchising, it's forced a lot of operators hands - to upgrade, or not upgrade - and with WMCA seemingly buying diesel fleets for £77m, I'm  sure someone there would have mooted to operators, "don't go buying anymore buses, especially not diesels", to keep the local authority's costs down and to save any awkward discussions along the lines of, "we've just bought X new buses at a cost of Y, so where do we stand?!".

There's also going to be a hell of a loot of second hand diesels knowing around at WMCA look to recoup some of the £77m spent. It may not have any benefit in the West Midlands, but for the likes of operators in Staffordshire, Warwickshire and beyond, it may help them upgrade.