New Buses

[Sh4318]

Im coming round to the opinion that the 56 is their most successful route as last saturday i saw it take on huge loads in birmingham city centre-it must do well. If so, begs the question why arriva axed it. Mind you, the same could be said about the X31

Yes I agree with the 56, and I think the 002 is another successful route, whenever I have been on it, that is nearly full.

Was it an old Ludlows route, or Diamonds own?

I believe it was a previous Ludlows route, as well as the 004, 417 & a few others

[Ash]

There is just a comparison in terms of passengers as I know profit would be affected due to the frequency but the 56 is every half hour compared to the 4 which every 6 minutes so does the 56 take more passengers in 1 bus or the 4 service in 5 buses. Also the 4 is a quick service from only Walsall to West Bromwich which takes only 24 minutes. So could possible do 3 all around trips compared to 1 all round trip of the 56.

[Ash]

30832 now in service on the 4 the second ex midland classic b7rle to enter service with diamond.

[Ash]

http://wmbusphotos.com/diamondpages/30835.html

Tony has uploaded a photo of one of the new 13 reg b7rle's looking very smart in the diamond livery.

[Solo1]

how many B7RLE's are they having in all & when will they all be in service i take it they will be on the 4

[Tony]

http://wmbusphotos.com/diamondpages/30835.html

Tony has uploaded a photo of one of the new 13 reg b7rle's looking very smart in the diamond livery.

All four new ones are currently in Long Acre fully painted and taxed, two more photos should appear shortly

[JackC]

I would imagine it's either just the lighting or me going mad but it looks as if they don't have side displays  :o

[winston]

I would imagine it's either just the lighting or me going mad but it looks as if they don't have side displays  :o

It doesn't look as though they do as its masked off.

[PM]

Did blue diamond have an existing wright eclipse 2 in white that was new last year or have i made that up? If so, anyone know where it is-is it the white eclipse in one of the photos of the new buses?

[Ash]

They still have it think its used on the national grid contract

[PM]

They still have it think its used on the national grid contract

Cheers Ash-seems a bit of a waste of a new bus though

[the trainbasher]

Its also used on Rail Replacement

[winston]

Did blue diamond have an existing wright eclipse 2 in white that was new last year or have i made that up? If so, anyone know where it is-is it the white eclipse in one of the photos of the new buses?

30923 BD62FGD, I presume it could be some of the rest of this batch that went to Wessex that could be returning to supplement the brand new & ex Classic examples @ Tividale

[PM]

Did blue diamond have an existing wright eclipse 2 in white that was new last year or have i made that up? If so, anyone know where it is-is it the white eclipse in one of the photos of the new buses?

30923 BD62FGD, I presume it could be some of the rest of this batch that went to Wessex that could be returning to supplement the brand new & ex Classic examples @ Tividale

I thought it was some of the FJ57 batch?

[winston]

Did blue diamond have an existing wright eclipse 2 in white that was new last year or have i made that up? If so, anyone know where it is-is it the white eclipse in one of the photos of the new buses?

30923 BD62FGD, I presume it could be some of the rest of this batch that went to Wessex that could be returning to supplement the brand new & ex Classic examples @ Tividale

I thought it was some of the FJ57 batch?

Not sure then? I was under the impression that they might have been newer than those, but I've just checked the start of the thread & Tony doesn't say whether the Wessex ones are Eclipse 1 or 2, only the 3 x 5 year old ex Classic are 57/08 plate. So not sure where I got that from?

Just noticed Tony's other statement 'There will be no capital expenditure at Kidderminster or Redditch until the purchase is given the OK by the OFT'

Wessex have as follows:

5 x FJ57--- At Avonmouth in UWE livery (30508/9 & 30813-5)
3 x BX62--- At Avonmouth in Wessex Red Livery (30525-7)
5 x BX62--- At Keysham, 4 in Royal Bath, 1 in Uni Connect (30924-8)

I think my money is on 3 x BX62--- (30525-7) coming to Tividale, I have thought they may have replaced all 5 x 57 plate in UWE livery rather than just 3? No doubt I'll be wrong though......