Hydrogen vehicles

[Tony]

What's the problem with these now

Nothing's wrong with them, same as nothing is wrong with BC's 3 electrics which haven't been out. It's just easier not to use them.

When six are in use that's two driver's duties taking 3 each to the fuelling station, not using them allows two more driver's to have holidays with their families

[Mayfield]

Would have been even easier if BCC hadn't bought them with there green tinted glasses on.

[BBS]

Would have been even easier if BCC hadn't bought them with there green tinted glasses on.

I don't see the problem with hydrogen though, it's a great idea, just isn't ready yet 

[Mayfield]

That's the whole point, its not ready and hasn't progressed in 4 years or possibly even gone backwards in that time.
Green tinted glasses, no planning, no idea and no common sense, just buy them so we look good to the eco warriors.

[Steve3229vp]

That's the whole point, its not ready and hasn't progressed in 4 years or possibly even gone backwards in that time.
Green tinted glasses, no planning, no idea and no common sense, just buy them so we look good to the eco warriors.

That's fine, it's BCC's problem, NX will just use them when they can. 

[Straightlines]

That's fine, it's BCC's problem, NX will just use them when they can.

Do you have shares in Mobico or something given your constant staunch defence of them? 

[Marge559]

That's fine, it's BCC's problem, NX will just use them when they can.

Is it fine? Really? 20 life expired buses could potentially have been withdrawn by now were it not for this fiasco, not to mention the amount of single deckers constantly being used on the Walsall to Birmingham routes while the Hydrogens are out of use.

[Ingleboro261F]

Is it fine? Really? 20 life expired buses could potentially have been withdrawn by now were it not for this fiasco, not to mention the amount of single deckers constantly being used on the Walsall to Birmingham routes while the Hydrogens are out of use.

It's horrible at peak times when you have to catch a single Decker and it's absolutely rammed because everyone just wants to get home.

[Steve3229vp]

Is it fine? Really? 20 life expired buses could potentially have been withdrawn by now were it not for this fiasco, not to mention the amount of single deckers constantly being used on the Walsall to Birmingham routes while the Hydrogens are out of use.

Is it fine? Really? 20 life expired buses could potentially have been withdrawn by now were it not for this fiasco, not to mention the amount of single deckers constantly being used on the Walsall to Birmingham routes while the Hydrogens are out of use.

I agree with both of you as far as life expired buses are concerned and having to use single deckers on routes normally operated by double deckers, but what is NX supposed to do? the Hydrogens belong to BCC so the blame lies with them, but I think a decision needs to be made about these buses.

[Coventrybususer95]

I agree with both of you as far as life expired buses are concerned and having to use single deckers on routes normally operated by double deckers, but what is NX supposed to do? the Hydrogens belong to BCC so the blame lies with them, but I think a decision needs to be made about these buses.

Can't they return them to BCC?

[Stu]

Do you have shares in Mobico or something given your constant staunch defence of them?

I would imagine that NX find this situation just as much of a headache as other operators of hydrogen buses are having.

NX didn't buy these buses, as was well publicised at the time they were bought by Birmingham City Council with ZEBRA funding that they had been awarded. I can only assume that NX have them under some lease/rental agreement with BCC.

I don't know the full ins and outs of the legalities and terms that were agreed, but I can imagine that NX were given assurances by BCC that there would be no issues with supplies of hydrogen, after all part of the funding that BCC received also went towards the Energy Park in Tyseley.

It's worth noting that while NX were keen to invest further in hydrogen vehicles at the time, following this experience they have declined the opportunity to purchase more of them, preferring to invest in battery-electric instead.

This isn't about 'defending' NX, this is looking at the situation pragmatically and objectively.

Can't they return them to BCC?

There's probably an option somewhere, it will depend on whatever lease/rental agreement they have with BCC, and what it would potentially cost to 'break' that agreement.

Ultimately then the challenge would be what would BCC do with these buses? Offer them to another operator to use? I doubt very much that BCC would have an option to 'sell them on', as I imagine there are also terms and conditions regarding the ZEBRA funding award, after all at the end of the day it's not "free money".

[Ingleboro261F]

I would imagine that NX find this situation just as much of a headache as other operators of hydrogen buses are having.

NX didn't buy these buses, as was well publicised at the time they were bought by Birmingham City Council with ZEBRA funding that they had been awarded. I can only assume that NX have them under some lease/rental agreement with BCC.

I don't know the full ins and outs of the legalities and terms that were agreed, but I can imagine that NX were given assurances by BCC that there would be no issues with supplies of hydrogen, after all part of the funding that BCC received also went towards the Energy Park in Tyseley.

It's worth noting that while NX were keen to invest further in hydrogen vehicles at the time, following this experience they have declined the opportunity to purchase more of them, preferring to invest in battery-electric instead.

This isn't about 'defending' NX, this is looking at the situation pragmatically and objectively.
There's probably an option somewhere, it will depend on whatever lease/rental agreement they have with BCC, and what it would potentially cost to 'break' that agreement.

Ultimately then the challenge would be what would BCC do with these buses? Offer them to another operator to use? I doubt very much that BCC would have an option to 'sell them on', as I imagine there are also terms and conditions regarding the ZEBRA funding award, after all at the end of the day it's not "free money".

Did NX have any kind of thought process before attempting to buy them 

[cardew]

I wonder (and this is not a fever dream, it was in the Express & Star) if the plan for WMCA to generate hydrogen at Walsall depot from water sourced from the Wyrley & Essington Canal is still planned to go ahead?

[Tony]

Did NX have any kind of thought process before attempting to buy them

Why not read the post?
NX didn't buy them

[Ingleboro261F]

Why not read the post?

NX didn't buy them

Or whatever they did

Did they not think about the consequences prior to getting a hold of them