Sprint

[Stu]

So will these fuell cell Platinums be H001-020? I thought they'd be in service this year, not well into 2022.

They were originally scheduled to be in operation this year, April 2021 according to Birmingham City Council who are buying these vehicles.
https://westmidlandsbususers.co.uk/2020/10/hydrogen-buses-coming-to-birmingham-in-spring-2021/

BCC's press release does mention that NX Bus had an 'ambition' to run them on the Sprint service when it launches.

So, these vehicles will already be 'second-hand' (so to speak, as in not 'brand new') when the Sprint service launches.

If I'm understanding all this correctly, NX Bus will be using vehicles purchased and owned by Birmingham City Council on a service operated under contract to the WMCA?

[Steve3229vp]

They will be in service this year (as long as BCC complete the fuelling infrastructure) the buses are already in build, They will not be H001-20. NX's radio system does not cope with letters, so no two vehicles can have the same number without letters eg 001

If NX's radio system does not cope with letters, what about E001 onwards ?

[Tony]

If NX's radio system does not cope with letters, what about E001 onwards ?

It is fleetnumber 001 in the radio, hence why we cannot have a H001

[BK63 YWP]

It is fleetnumber 001 in the radio, hence why we cannot have a H001

Will H001 -H020 be numbered 30 - 49 but fleet numbers on the vehicles H030 - H049 then if there is an order if electrics after the next electric vehicle will be numbered E050

[Nxwm]

Wow can't wait for perry barr to run these services

[Tony]

Will H001 -H020

There is no H001-H020

[bususer28]

I know it's to early to speculate but will NX passes be accepted on sprint because I feel as if they aren't, it may underdeliver slightly.

[MW]

I know it's to early to speculate but will NX passes be accepted on sprint because I feel as if they aren't, it may underdeliver slightly.

Probably.

Sprint appears to be the same as Metrobus (in Bristol), which I currently drive for. Metrobus is operated by First and as such, First passes are accepted.

[BBS]

Wow can't wait for perry barr to run these services

it ain't PB

[Trident4590]

it ain't PB

I thought it was confirmed already to be Perry Bar?

[bususer28]

it ain't PB

I remember someone posting a while back in the Perry Barr thread a plan of the new depot which included spaces for the sprint buses.

[Tony]

Here is a comment in this week's staff business brief about this

We will also deploy our 20 new hydrogen buses on this corridor. There are several garages which could host them, with Walsall a likely candidate. The decision is taking a bit of time as we work through the practicalities and lobby government for much more funding to buy hundreds more hydrogen buses to join the fleet.

[Stevo]

I thought the hydrogen refuelling station was going to be in Tyseley. That's a long way from Walsall!

[Stu]

I remember someone posting a while back in the Perry Barr thread a plan of the new depot which included spaces for the sprint buses.

The plan of the new Perry Barr depot showed spaces for the articulated vehicles proposed to be used at a later date.

However the plan of the layout was likely itself a proposal, and any spaces shown could be reallocated for other vehicle types.

I thought the hydrogen refuelling station was going to be in Tyseley. That's a long way from Walsall!

The refuelling station is itself just off the proposed Sprint route, near Small Heath Highway. I don't know how long it would take to refuel one of these vehicles, I guess with some clever scheduling and short workings, it could be feasible to have them refuelled 'mid-service' rather than at the end of the day back at the depot.

For example, a journey could terminate at the Airport, then run dead to Tyseley, refuel, and then run a short journey from the city centre to Walsall. That's just a guess, and I'm sure all these factors are being taken into consideration.

[2206]

They will be in service this year (as long as BCC complete the fuelling infrastructure)

Here is a comment in this week's staff business brief about this

We will also deploy our 20 new hydrogen buses on this corridor. There are several garages which could host them, with Walsall a likely candidate. The decision is taking a bit of time as we work through the practicalities and lobby government for much more funding to buy hundreds more hydrogen buses to join the fleet.

With the sprint route not due to start till 2022.
Does that mean they will be used on 51/X51 or X1/X2 if they are entering service before then? With routes remaining as they are now, or not?

For example, a journey could terminate at the Airport, then run dead to Tyseley

Would it make sense to have them come on/off at Yardley Swan maybe for example, as it would reduce the dead millage?