(31 Dec 2014, 5:09 pm)Dan wrote I obviously cannot argue against direct experiences of breakdowns, but I wasn't aware that the Volvo Hybrids regularly did breakdown... They're still fairly new buses, and certainly should not be suffering problems so early in their predicted life span.
What I would say is slightly more plausible is that, like a lot of Wrightbus products, the "Angel" allocation are facing problems which are electrical rather than mechanical... So a bus may have to come off at Chester-le-Street to be replaced by a corporate liveried vehicle due to an issue with a light on the dash, or something similar...
Haven't had to transfer before but:
- I was on 6105 on the first full 309 of the day back in April and the fire warning system came on (the lights around the rev counter on the Volvo dashboard) as well as the noise. Ended up getting off due to the noise doing my head in and jumping on 6102 following behind on the 310 through Battle Hill.
- Every time that I've rode on ANE 7608, the upstairs bell makes a continuous ringing noise after being pressed until the driver opens the doors.
It does seem that Wright bodywork does tend to suffer from electrical faults.