Drivers - Bus Reviews & Opinions

[MW]

4665.

Had a President for 2 circles on the 11, a break and then this.

Bloody hell this was the complete opposite of said President.

Very responsive bus this, I'm really struggling to fault it. It's that good. It doesn't judder as much as other Geminis, the brakes are consistent, the acceleration is spot on. Was pulling away from 4037 (i think it was 4037), (which was in convoy with me on the 11), with such ease. I even went to overtake 4037 up Marsh Hill! And at the Tyburn Road lights, both buses were lined up, one in the second lane. Off the line the power is instant in the Geminis! Kickdown helps, it revs to about 2200-2300 rpm in each gear if required!

It wasn't long before the cooling fans roared, but they weren't constant, just on and off as and when required. The suspension was spot on too, there wasn't any rattling that I can remember. Was running slightly late towards the end of the Circle, so hit the pedal to the metal. Actually had a compliment from a passenger lol, saying it's a fast bus this, haha.

Also, exterior wise, it's looking mint, recently repainted. Cannot remember what the interior trim is, or anything about the interior tbh. Also in contrast to the President I had in the earlier portion, the kneeling system was so much better! It actually goes down to the Kassell Kerb, obviously a fault with the President!

But yeah, to conclude, it's an excellent vehicle, really made my working day lol.

[Liverpool Street]

4665.

Had a President for 2 circles on the 11, a break and then this.

Bloody hell this was the complete opposite of said President.

Very responsive bus this, I'm really struggling to fault it. It's that good. It doesn't judder as much as other Geminis, the brakes are consistent, the acceleration is spot on. Was pulling away from 4037 (i think it was 4037), (which was in convoy with me on the 11), with such ease. I even went to overtake 4037 up Marsh Hill! And at the Tyburn Road lights, both buses were lined up, one in the second lane. Off the line the power is instant in the Geminis! Kickdown helps, it revs to about 2200-2300 rpm in each gear if required!

It wasn't long before the cooling fans roared, but they weren't constant, just on and off as and when required. The suspension was spot on too, there wasn't any rattling that I can remember. Was running slightly late towards the end of the Circle, so hit the pedal to the metal. Actually had a compliment from a passenger lol, saying it's a fast bus this, haha.

Also, exterior wise, it's looking mint, recently repainted. Cannot remember what the interior trim is, or anything about the interior tbh. Also in contrast to the President I had in the earlier portion, the kneeling system was so much better! It actually goes down to the Kassell Kerb, obviously a fault with the President!

But yeah, to conclude, it's an excellent vehicle, really made my working day lol.

Yeah wait until they start complaining about you and you'll be called in the office. Wouldn't be so fun then.

[2900]

When I  first started driving buses in my very early 20s I was hot headed , pedal to mettle, swearing gesturing to other motorists , passengers included if they verbally abused me. But over years with experience I,ve learnt that kind of behaviour doesn't get you very far, you find your self stressed out all the time. I practically lived in hockley garages offices for summat  or other, so many final warnings etc etc. I just woke up one day things have to change I went on a mad self analyses, I questioned every part of my driving if a situation arises I haven't experienced before I would think next time I deal with it in a different way, problem solved.
From my experience a steady constant speed drive is more effective than mashing the pedal it's less stressful, plus you have time to deal with the other other toe rag motorists who treat with complete contempt, yesterday was a rough day so many youngsters in there cars with mates giving it large, I was on the 83/89 so many shitty back roads these routes serve, these kids haven't a clue, double parked vehicles with a bus coming up these pricks won't wait in the side road they,ll come down towards you till they become stuck then abuse you for being there.
So what if your running late it's better than filling those blue forms when summat happens.
I tell passengers I don't make the timetables I,m only a DRIVER if your not happy with the service please contact national express.
Had a few frosty ones after work to wash off the shitty day.

To any newly qualified driver of any vehicle you don't know shit, the day you pass your test is the day you start learning really, you can't buy experience, I,m still learning if any one says different then there being arrogant Morons

[BU07 LGO]

4261

Had my first drive on a B7 ALX this morning, was really quite impressed. The brakes took a trip to get used to, I slightly overshot a few bus stops because I didn't want to brake too harshly whilst I was getting the hang of it but soon figured them out.

Acceleration was quite respectable and only really struggled up hill, but there was quite a bit of soot when pulling away from the exhaust.

seemed in good condition with its refurb although the cab could do with a good clean!

7/10

[John]

4261

Had my first drive on a B7 ALX this morning, was really quite impressed. The brakes took a trip to get used to, I slightly overshot a few bus stops because I didn't want to brake too harshly whilst I was getting the hang of it but soon figured them out.

Acceleration was quite respectable and only really struggled up hill, but there was quite a bit of soot when pulling away from the exhaust.

seemed in good condition with its refurb although the cab could do with a good clean!

7/10

Isn't that the one with the loose accelerator pedal? All of the others 42**s pedals are firmer. I know it was one I didn't like that much. 4262 looks very smart when I saw it on the 934 just, and 4260 also on the X51/997

[BU07 LGO]

Isn't that the one with the loose accelerator pedal? All of the others 42**s pedals are firmer. I know it was one I didn't like that much. 4262 looks very smart when I saw it on the 934 just, and 4260 also on the X51/997

The accelerator pedal seemed okay, but its had a cctv monitor retro fitted I think, so its got the periscope and the monitor in the cab!

The blue plastic behind the drivers seat had turned black it was that dirty though!

I had it on the 997 / x51

[John]

its had a cctv monitor retro fitted I think, so its got the periscope and the monitor in the cab!

Most of the ex-Central examples do have the CCTV screen in the cabs as well as the periscope. I think they were installed with the bridgeclear device after 4253s de-roofing. A lot better to see upstairs with! There are a couple that slipped through the net (4246 may be one) and don't have them. Some have also had them removed too

[BU07 LGO]

Most of the ex-Central examples do have the CCTV screen in the cabs as well as the periscope. I think they were installed with the bridgeclear device after 4253s de-roofing. A lot better to see upstairs with! There are a couple that slipped through the net (4246 may be one) and don't have them. Some have also had them removed too

yes, It did have the bridge clear. I was expecting it to go off when I went under the Lichfield road bridge in rushall but it didn't

[MW]

Had 4674 & 4526.

4526 also didn't have kickdown, like 4525.

The 46**s seem in a lot better condition than the 45**s, in the cab from a drivers point of view. Only thing is the 46**s tend to have the cooling fans on more regularly (as in my experience they rev higher.)

There are a handful of quick Presidents around too. 4062 being one, and apparently 4051 too (which I've not driven yet).

[BU07 LGO]

I had 4879 yesterday, it was sooo slow. Going up Beacon Road I was flat out doing 25mph!

4880 is probably my favourite of our mk2's as its got a nice whistle when pulling off

[Ronnoc]

Had 4674 & 4526.

4526 also didn't have kickdown, like 4525.

The 46**s seem in a lot better condition than the 45**s, in the cab from a drivers point of view. Only thing is the 46**s tend to have the cooling fans on more regularly (as in my experience they rev higher.)

There are a handful of quick Presidents around too. 4062 being one, and apparently 4051 too (which I've not driven yet).

Most of the 46XX batch don't really have their coolers on, some of the 45XX batch had their coolers on whilst at WB, like 4507 and 4523. What route were you on?

[Sh4318]

Most of the 46XX batch don't really have their coolers on, some of the 45XX batch had their coolers on whilst at WB, like 4507 and 4523. What route were you on?

Only 4504 and 4518 on a regular basis.

[MW]

Most of the 46XX batch don't really have their coolers on, some of the 45XX batch had their coolers on whilst at WB, like 4507 and 4523. What route were you on?

I was in convoy with 4507 today, whilst I was driving 4526. No coolers on.

What I'm trying to say is the 46**s are much more prone to cooler fans coming on because they rev higher should the driver push the pedal flat. The 45**s (most of them) don't have the full flat pedal, I.e there's no click at the bottom of the accelerator allowing higher revs or kick down into lower gear. There are a few 45**s that kick down, I did have one, I can't remember the fleet number though. It's on one of my previous posts.

There are some Geminis, like 4518, that are constant coolers, but that's just a fault not corrected.

I've yet to drive 4518 however.

I hope all this makes sense as I'm confusing myself now lol

Whenever I have any 46**, the coolers come on at some point. 

[MW]

An interesting day today.

Got my first set of "noteworthy" passenger abuse, my first weed smokers, my first "idiots playing music", my first "kids messing about with bells and emergency exits" and my first full to the brim bus. There was more things but I can't remember.

A very interesting day. Happily I was at most 13 mins late at one point on the Circle and didn't have to be adjusted :D

4679, much better than the last Gem I drove (4526) and 4063 (a decent Plaxton)

[BU07 LGO]

An interesting day today.

Got my first set of "noteworthy" passenger abuse, my first weed smokers, my first "idiots playing music", my first "kids messing about with bells and emergency exits" and my first full to the brim bus. There was more things but I can't remember.

A very interesting day. Happily I was at most 13 mins late at one point on the Circle and didn't have to be adjusted :D

4679, much better than the last Gem I drove (4526) and 4063 (a decent Plaxton)

What was your abuse?