Unusual/Noteworthy Working December 2013

[Ashley]

It could be spotters luck Matt, that is if your now a fan of President B7s over ALX B7's

I also saw 4763 nathan, 1930 on lichfield street, could still be out perhaps?

[Trident 4609]

It could be spotters luck Matt, that is if your now a fan of President B7s over ALX B7's

I also saw 4763 nathan, 1930 on lichfield street, could still be out perhaps?

I did think it would do that journey but I didn't bother go out to catch it

[nitromatt1]

It could be spotters luck Matt, that is if your now a fan of President B7s over ALX B7's

I also saw 4763 nathan, 1930 on lichfield street, could still be out perhaps?

Certainly not - they are vile, and the ALX400s are lovely.

Funny you should mention trainers, I saw one of the Ultras going up Moor St about 2/3 weeks ago turning into Carrs Lane, had about 4 people on board.

I saw 1505 (I think) going round Paradise Circus the other day.

[vinh1000]

Is a 21xx bus on 24 unusual? Seen it at 5:25am

[Kevin]

Isn't there a fine or something to be implemented when the rule gets broke? Like the Trainee Buses aren't allowed into the city either I've heard (those ones which aren't Emmison Compliant)

I've never heard that bit before, definitely seen B10 trainer buses in on Moor Street a few times

[37351ml]

4932 izzy on 16a, 07.40 ex scott arms.

[37351ml]

Just caught the rear of 4931 coming off broad st towards city. CG on the display which i presume is the cape gemini / waterlinks shuttle.

[Tony]

Just caught the rear of 4931 coming off broad st towards city. CG on the display which i presume is the cape gemini / waterlinks shuttle.

Yes, on the CG contract

[P419 EJW]

1453 on (WA) 40, seen it entering in Wolverhampton bus station, 6 minutes late for 12:17 departure.

[the trainbasher]

According to my brother 1706 was on the 222 earlier

[John]

Geminis on both the 301 and 302 this morning following each other down to Walsall

[fleetline6477]

Just spotters luck that I only see Presidents on the 83/89 then, cheers

Also note WB have broken the LEZ rules again

I'm beginning to wonder if they are more of a guideline than a solid rule...

Isn't there a fine or something to be implemented when the rule gets broke? Like the Trainee Buses aren't allowed into the city either I've heard (those ones which aren't Emmison Compliant)

I understood that the emission rules only applied to routes which have a frequency of less than 30 minutes, hence why AG continue to use Presidents on 73, routes 83/89 are exempt because on frequency. Even thought they each every 30 minutes 127/8/9 have to comply because they are on the same registration.

This was certainly the case when first introduced, has this change

[Stu]

Just spotters luck that I only see Presidents on the 83/89 then, cheers

Also note WB have broken the LEZ rules again

I'm beginning to wonder if they are more of a guideline than a solid rule...

Isn't there a fine or something to be implemented when the rule gets broke? Like the Trainee Buses aren't allowed into the city either I've heard (those ones which aren't Emmison Compliant)

I understood that the emission rules only applied to routes which have a frequency of less than 30 minutes, hence why AG continue to use Presidents on 73, routes 83/89 are exempt because on frequency. Even thought they each every 30 minutes 127/8/9 have to comply because they are on the same registration.

This was certainly the case when first introduced, has this change

LEZ = London Emissions Zone, so WB would only be breaking 'LEZ rules' if they operated these buses in the affected area in London!  ;)

Here is Birmingham, we have a 'Quality Partnership Scheme' in place, all the details can be perused here:
http://www.centro.org.uk/bus/qualitypartnershipscheme.aspx

From the Technical Summary document:

For services operating at a frequency of  three or more buses per hour  between 0800 and
1800 Monday to Friday,  or services  with a frequency less than three buses per hour but
whose  timetable  is  jointly  coordinated  with  that  of  another  service  between  common
destinations  at  a frequency  of  three  or more  buses  per hour (for  example  two  half -hourly
services providing a 15 minute frequency over a section of route, or three hourly services
providing  a  joint  20  minute  timetable),  all  vehicles  used  must  meet  Euro  III  emissions
standards (see below for exact meaning). Services in this category are referred to as 'Core
Services or Coordinated Core Services'.

For services operating  fewer than three buses per hour, from 6th January 2013 vehicles
will  be  required  to  meet  the  Euro  II  emissions  standards.  These  services  are
'Complementary Services'. At the beginning of January 2016, these standards increase to
Euro III for single deck buses (Euro II for double deck).  From 28th May 2017, double deck
buses will be required to meet the same emission standards as single deck buses, so Euro
III for these Complementary services.

So yes, Presidents and Mercs would be acceptable on services such as the 73 and 141, and the 83 and 89 which don't operate to a co-ordinated timetable (both services are every 30 minutes independent of each other). However the 127/8/9 operate to a co-ordinated timetable, likewise the 31 and 31A, so they wouldn't be acceptable on these services.

Also worth noting:

What happens if I can't meet the Scheme's requirements?
If you sign the Undertaking, you have to ensure you operate your registered services in line
with the Scheme's requirements. If you are unable to do this, in the first instance you should
immediately discuss the problem with Centro.
If  you  have  a  problem  with  your  vehicles,  you  must  ensure  that  any  replacement  vehicle
meets  the  required  standards  (see  below).  No  exceptions  to  these  requirements  are
permitted  –  this would not be fair on other operators who have signed the Undertaking and
are ensuring their operations are compliant.

It has been suggested previously that NXWM have been able to 'get away' with using 'non-compliant' vehicles (eg Presidents on the 37) where there is a vehicle shortage, as long as they have notified Centro in advance, as in these exceptional circumstances Centro would rather a journey operate with a non-compliant bus, rather than have no journey at all. At this point I can only guess that NXWM would then in turn assure Centro that a suitable bus would be sought as a replacement at the earliest opportunity.

[domino.99]

According to my brother 1706 was on the 222 earlier

yeah it is I saw it in merry hill at 16:45ish

[Liverpool Street]

Just spotters luck that I only see Presidents on the 83/89 then, cheers

Also note WB have broken the LEZ rules again

I'm beginning to wonder if they are more of a guideline than a solid rule...

Isn't there a fine or something to be implemented when the rule gets broke? Like the Trainee Buses aren't allowed into the city either I've heard (those ones which aren't Emmison Compliant)

I understood that the emission rules only applied to routes which have a frequency of less than 30 minutes, hence why AG continue to use Presidents on 73, routes 83/89 are exempt because on frequency. Even thought they each every 30 minutes 127/8/9 have to comply because they are on the same registration.

This was certainly the case when first introduced, has this change

LEZ = London Emissions Zone, so WB would only be breaking 'LEZ rules' if they operated these buses in the affected area in London!  ;)

Here is Birmingham, we have a 'Quality Partnership Scheme' in place, all the details can be perused here:
http://www.centro.org.uk/bus/qualitypartnershipscheme.aspx

From the Technical Summary document:

For services operating at a frequency of  three or more buses per hour  between 0800 and
1800 Monday to Friday,  or services  with a frequency less than three buses per hour but
whose  timetable  is  jointly  coordinated  with  that  of  another  service  between  common
destinations  at  a frequency  of  three  or more  buses  per hour (for  example  two  half -hourly
services providing a 15 minute frequency over a section of route, or three hourly services
providing  a  joint  20  minute  timetable),  all  vehicles  used  must  meet  Euro  III  emissions
standards (see below for exact meaning). Services in this category are referred to as 'Core
Services or Coordinated Core Services'.

For services operating  fewer than three buses per hour, from 6th January 2013 vehicles
will  be  required  to  meet  the  Euro  II  emissions  standards.  These  services  are
'Complementary Services'. At the beginning of January 2016, these standards increase to
Euro III for single deck buses (Euro II for double deck).  From 28th May 2017, double deck
buses will be required to meet the same emission standards as single deck buses, so Euro
III for these Complementary services.

So yes, Presidents and Mercs would be acceptable on services such as the 73 and 141, and the 83 and 89 which don't operate to a co-ordinated timetable (both services are every 30 minutes independent of each other). However the 127/8/9 operate to a co-ordinated timetable, likewise the 31 and 31A, so they wouldn't be acceptable on these services.

Also worth noting:

What happens if I can't meet the Scheme's requirements?
If you sign the Undertaking, you have to ensure you operate your registered services in line
with the Scheme's requirements. If you are unable to do this, in the first instance you should
immediately discuss the problem with Centro.
If  you  have  a  problem  with  your  vehicles,  you  must  ensure  that  any  replacement  vehicle
meets  the  required  standards  (see  below).  No  exceptions  to  these  requirements  are
permitted  –  this would not be fair on other operators who have signed the Undertaking and
are ensuring their operations are compliant.

It has been suggested previously that NXWM have been able to 'get away' with using 'non-compliant' vehicles (eg Presidents on the 37) where there is a vehicle shortage, as long as they have notified Centro in advance, as in these exceptional circumstances Centro would rather a journey operate with a non-compliant bus, rather than have no journey at all. At this point I can only guess that NXWM would then in turn assure Centro that a suitable bus would be sought as a replacement at the earliest opportunity.

Thank you Stu; it makes a bit more sense now!! I was told though even noncompliance Trainee buses aren't allowed into the City Centre though;; misinformed it seems.