New Deliveries / New Livery & Branding Discussion

[Trident 4609]

Something just occurred to me. Isn't the Enviro 200 the shorter "midi" bus and the Enviro 300 the longer single decker bus ?! Have they made these Enviro 200 MMC models longer otherwise, replacing full length B7RLE or OmniLinks with a "midi" bus seems illogical.

Yes, the new Long Wheelbase E200MMC (11.8M model) has 46 seats.

Proof:
http://www.route-one.net/vehicles/adl-unveils-new-enviro200/

[the trainbasher]

Something just occurred to me. Isn't the Enviro 200 the shorter "midi" bus and the Enviro 300 the longer single decker bus ?! Have they made these Enviro 200 MMC models longer otherwise, replacing full length B7RLE or OmniLinks with a "midi" bus seems illogical.

They have introduced a longer model which is why there is no E300MMC - the E200MMC has a B45F variation

[Kevin_Brum12]

You may find that there are existing quality partnership agreements in place that dictate why certain routes have to have their fleets updated more frequently than others, hence why the same old appear to keep getting the new fleets. Other factors such as which routes will provide the most passenger growth from having a new fleet, what the competition are doing and the NXWM / Centro Partnership agreement for introduction of  Gold Corridors are dictating where the remainder of the new fleet is going. All the 9--- series limited stop services appear to be being upgraded to Platinum, most already have buses on them no older the 2-4 years old, but the new Platinum's will offer a different level of passenger comfort & other extra features. Newish buses made surplus from those routes will be used to upgrade other routes elsewhere. There is always limit to how many new buses that NX can buy each financial year & how many routes that can be upgraded.

Going forward for East Birmingham, the 14, 94 & 97 will all have to be re-equipped with either new or a newer fleet within the next two years, as the buses used on both of those routes will not comply with the new min Euro 4 emission ruling within B'ham City Centre come May 2017. The same will also apply to Pershore Rd (45/47) & Bristol Rd services (61/63), those routes haven't had a new fleet for some years as well.

Thinking aloud, now the E400 MMC's have arrived at Yardley Wood this releases newer Enviro 400's that could be released to Central to allow some of the current stock on Pershore Road/Bristol Road to be dispersed elsewhere (e.g. West Brom/Pensnett?)   The "Platinum" vehicles on the 900/957 will allow very new E400's to be released and further more elderly vehicles to be transferred away.

The SQBP in the City Centre means that Birmingham will probably continue to receive the newest vehicles, either until the fleet catches up with the latest emission regulations, or another authority decides to implement an SQBP in its boundaries.

Bristol Road probably will never get brand new vehicles, owing to the Cross City line.  It is busy, but the rate of return in any business case for NXWM will be stronger where there is no rail competition, or where there is bus priority, or where there is a rapid way into and out of the city. 

[Liberator9]

The E400s from YW are going to WB, not Central, to run the Dudley Road services. I expect the Platinums arriving on the 900/957 will allow either the Pershore or Bristol Road to be upgraded, or the 97 perhaps.

[JoNi]

Why does everything have to be a secret, leading to rumours/guesswork, rather than having a clear positive vision for deployment of the fleet for the future in tandem with an ongoing refurbishment programme?

[winston]

Why does everything have to be a secret, leading to rumours/guesswork, rather than having a clear positive vision for deployment of the fleet for the future in tandem with an ongoing refurbishment programme?

Because certain things are commercially sensitive

[Tony]

Why does everything have to be a secret, leading to rumours/guesswork, rather than having a clear positive vision for deployment of the fleet for the future in tandem with a ongoing refurbishment programme?

There is a very clear vision for deployment of the fleet which I have a copy of from the beginning of the year, that says what vehicle types will be at what garages at the end of the year (not actual fleetnumbers). There is also another document saying which vehicles are expected to be refurbished during the whole year that does include fleetnumbers. Bu no other industry, other than transport, do people expect companies to disclose their plans for there assetts in advance.

Do the rail leasing companies disclose future deals with ToCs for moving stock to different services? Not unless they have to when someone at the DfT or the losing company leaks info to the press.

[the trainbasher]

The DfT has more leaks than Wikileaks!

[JoNi]

With localism rampant there was a leak/comment in the press the DfT might be on borrowed time!
Amazing how in other parts of the country operators in competitive situations have route led investment. An example is Trent buying new vehicles for the Red Arrow. Operators even run demonstrators to get feedback from customers and staff before deciding what to buy.

[Tony]

With localism rampant there was a leak/comment in the press the DfT might be on borrowed time!
Amazing how in other parts of the country operators in competitive situations have route led investment. An example is Trent buying new vehicles for the Red Arrow. Operators even run demonstrators to get feedback from customers and staff before deciding what to buy.

What do you mean 'in other parts of the country'? it is generally the rule of all the big operators or haven't you noticed.

22 new buses in March for 9
26 new buses in April for 50
5 new buses in Coventry - all on the same route!

[JoNi]

National Express didn't state a list of routes and cities they were investing in for their customers by buying new vehicles and also stating those that would receive cascaded vehicles.
Name another company that has bought new vehicles for routes only to cascade them on a year later wasting money on the branding that is going to thrown in the bin as is going to happen on the 900/957.

[The Real 4778]

The DfT has more leaks than Wikileaks!

Not really. Although it has been known to meddle a fair bit.

Tony's point is right though. The train companies play their cards very close to their chest. And why wouldn't they, when their assets are worth millions.

[monkeyjoe]

Debate i like it. Keep it coming.

[Tony]

National Express didn't state a list of routes and cities they were investing in for their customers by buying new vehicles and also stating those that would receive cascaded vehicles.

Yes they have, plenty of local press coverage about the new buses and where they are going

Name another company that has bought new vehicles for routes only to cascade them on a year later wasting money on the branding that is going to thrown in the bin as is going to happen on the 900/957.

Stagecoach have quite often, and it will be 2 years since the 900/957 were branded to replaced!

[The Real 4778]

National Express didn't state a list of routes and cities they were investing in for their customers by buying new vehicles and also stating those that would receive cascaded vehicles.
Name another company that has bought new vehicles for routes only to cascade them on a year later wasting money on the branding that is going to thrown in the bin as is going to happen on the 900/957.

There are plenty of current and recent examples in Rail.

It may seem short-termist to casual observers, but it forms part of the deployment of a bigger plan.