(02 Sep 2019, 8:48 pm)Malarkey wrote

And here 3976 which is now an open topper - 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/75223619@N02/48666768467/in/photostream  https://www.flickr.com/photos/75223619@N02/48667135878/in/feed

safe to say thats a write off

That bridge is hardly one of those that are borderline, it’s very low, there seems to be very little clearance in a single deck.

At least they’ve got another bus for either the Toon Tour or Scarborough now.

(03 Sep 2019, 2:47 pm)V514DFT wrote

safe to say thats a write off

Not really. They could slightly modify it to open top for the toon tour

(03 Sep 2019, 5:52 pm)Wybus wrote That bridge is hardly one of those that are borderline, it’s very low, there seems to be very little clearance in a single deck.

At least they’ve got another bus for either the Toon Tour or Scarborough now.

Yeah, from the inside it seems the Streetlites aren't far off scraping the top

I absolutely love photos with this sort of set up. This one gives a visual idea of the clearance:

Go North East - 4952 - NK51OLU - GoNorthEast20051918 by Gary James Mitchelhill, on Flickr

(03 Sep 2019, 7:13 pm)S813 FVK wrote I absolutely love photos with this sort of set up. This one gives a visual idea of the clearance:

Go North East - 4952 - NK51OLU - GoNorthEast20051918 by Gary James Mitchelhill, on Flickr

Fairly tight that is! 
I think the Streetlites have barely a foot of clearance above them

I've often wondered why the bridges along there are so low. The X66 could definitely do with some deckers like

(03 Sep 2019, 7:13 pm)S813 FVK wrote I absolutely love photos with this sort of set up. This one gives a visual idea of the clearance:

Thank you.

IIRC when the Centrelink was first open, I'm sure the 52xx Scanias and Volvo B7RLEs were originally banned from the section that passes right under the Metro Bridge due to their Air-Con pods on the roof. Not sure if it's still the case now.

(03 Sep 2019, 10:14 pm)Rapidsnap wrote

Thank you.

IIRC when the Centrelink was first open, I'm sure the 52xx Scanias and Volvo B7RLEs were originally banned from the section that passes right under the Metro Bridge due to their Air-Con pods on the roof. Not sure if it's still the case now.

Scanias with pods on the roof are signed in cab as 11' 4", so *in theory* wouldn't fit under. In practice, they do, but I never take those ones that route in a morning just to be sure.

The Yutong electric demo bus went up there for a couple of weeks last year, and I'm sure that must've been over 11'?

(03 Sep 2019, 10:14 pm)Rapidsnap wrote

Thank you.

IIRC when the Centrelink was first open, I'm sure the 52xx Scanias and Volvo B7RLEs were originally banned from the section that passes right under the Metro Bridge due to their Air-Con pods on the roof. Not sure if it's still the case now.

They've removed some of the bars on the underside so the Scanias with Aircon pods can fit under now, still signed for 11' though, I had to be reassured several times from several sources for taking a Loop on the X66 under. Nothing taller than that can fit however.

(03 Sep 2019, 11:08 pm)MrBoyt wrote

Scanias with pods on the roof are signed in cab as 11' 4", so *in theory* wouldn't fit under. In practice, they do, but I never take those ones that route in a morning just to be sure.

The Yutong electric demo bus went up there for a couple of weeks last year, and I'm sure that must've been over 11'?

After a quick Google it seems they're they're 1cm short of 11 ft, so would do technically fit underneath.

I must say, they felt taller than that in person like

Anyone after some unique photos - the open-tops are going out today on the 309/310...!

Plus 3999 on the 40/41.

Must be a serious shortage of vehicles at PM.

(04 Sep 2019, 7:51 am)Rapidsnap wrote Plus 3999 on the 40/41.

Must be a serious shortage of vehicles at PM.

6 extra vehicles out on cruise ship shuttles today.

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(04 Sep 2019, 8:19 am)Dan wrote 6 extra vehicles out on cruise ship shuttles today.

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Plus, the struggle they have with the Solos most days looks to be putting quite a strain on resources!

(04 Sep 2019, 8:37 am)RBZ 5459 wrote

Plus, the struggle they have with the Solos most days looks to be putting quite a strain on resources!

I understand Optare are currently in financial difficulty, although, unlike Wrightbus, have done well to keep this out of the media.

This means long wait times for parts, and buses being kept off service for longer than they would ordinarily.

Washington, who have a fleet of largely new Solos, are having similar issues.

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(04 Sep 2019, 11:53 am)Dan wrote I understand Optare are currently in financial difficulty, although, unlike Wrightbus, have done well to keep this out of the media.

This means long wait times for parts, and buses being kept off service for longer than they would ordinarily.

Washington, who have a fleet of largely new Solos, are having similar issues.

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I just had a quick look over Optare's accounts they filed last year and it does look good.

If I'm reading it right, they only sold 132 buses, down from 200 the previous year, and made a loss of £10 million, so it's no wonder there are long waits for parts.

I wouldn't be surprised if they play the old 'Brexit card' for the issues, even though we haven't actually left yet, and their financial troubles started long before we voted to leave

(04 Sep 2019, 11:53 am)Dan wrote I understand Optare are currently in financial difficulty, although, unlike Wrightbus, have done well to keep this out of the media.

This means long wait times for parts, and buses being kept off service for longer than they would ordinarily.

Washington, who have a fleet of largely new Solos, are having similar issues.

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Pretty sure they are always in financial difficulty, it amazes me they are still kicking around, then someone from the Middle East or New Zealand wants a big order and keeps them going for yet another year! 

But yes - believe so. Stagecoach Carlisle have had the heads up with their Solos which require (too) regular Optare warranty work and parts. Parts haven't been a great issue, but they have had a painful process of having the last of their Solos going down to Leeds for warranty work on emergency doors. On the whole, parts have been agro for anyone with an Optare. Competing against the E200MMC range, for example, which is much more modern in terms of looks and passenger experience, more maneuverable and part compatibility with other MMC range, it's no wonder Optare's books aren't full.

They really haven't got much to offer compared to the other 'big two' - unless its something the size of baby Solo or electric bus. Apart from that, which isn't exactly flying off the shelves, they have got left behind. The likes of start-stop technology I'm sure still isn't available on any of their stock, which is available on Wright and ADL products - so that's pretty much bodged any London orders they've been aiming at which is now a TfL requirement IIRC.

And they have pumped serious cash into development of their decker with not much to show for it. Looking at the Solo, it is basically the same 20 year old frame design behind the panels - just with different fibreglass and panels on. It's astonishing, quite sad really as they were revolutionary and at the front of it all back in the 90s, their attempts today just don't materialise into anything, especially the UK market.

(04 Sep 2019, 2:01 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote

Pretty sure they are always in financial difficulty, it amazes me they are still kicking around, then someone from the Middle East or New Zealand wants a big order and keeps them going for yet another year! 

But yes - believe so. Stagecoach Carlisle have had the heads up with their Solos which require (too) regular Optare warranty work and parts. Parts haven't been a great issue, but they have had a painful process of having the last of their Solos going down to Leeds for warranty work on emergency doors. On the whole, parts have been agro for anyone with an Optare. Competing against the E200MMC range, for example, which is much more modern in terms of looks and passenger experience, more maneuverable and part compatibility with other MMC range, it's no wonder Optare's books aren't full.

They really haven't got much to offer compared to the other 'big two' - unless its something the size of baby Solo or electric bus. Apart from that, which isn't exactly flying off the shelves, they have got left behind. The likes of start-stop technology I'm sure still isn't available on any of their stock, which is available on Wright and ADL products - so that's pretty much bodged any London orders they've been aiming at which is now a TfL requirement IIRC.

And they have pumped serious cash into development of their decker with not much to show for it. Looking at the Solo, it is basically the same 20 year old frame design behind the panels - just with different fibreglass and panels on. It's astonishing, quite sad really as they were revolutionary and at the front of it all back in the 90s, their attempts today just don't materialise into anything, especially the UK market.

Even with electric, they have a fair bit of competition with the likes of Yutong.

I think the only thing Optare have left are like you say the baby Solos, but even then, wouldn't something van based like the Sprinter be more cost effective since parts are more readily available

(04 Sep 2019, 2:01 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote

Pretty sure they are always in financial difficulty, it amazes me they are still kicking around, then someone from the Middle East or New Zealand wants a big order and keeps them going for yet another year! 

But yes - believe so. Stagecoach Carlisle have had the heads up with their Solos which require (too) regular Optare warranty work and parts. Parts haven't been a great issue, but they have had a painful process of having the last of their Solos going down to Leeds for warranty work on emergency doors. On the whole, parts have been agro for anyone with an Optare. Competing against the E200MMC range, for example, which is much more modern in terms of looks and passenger experience, more maneuverable and part compatibility with other MMC range, it's no wonder Optare's books aren't full.

They really haven't got much to offer compared to the other 'big two' - unless its something the size of baby Solo or electric bus. Apart from that, which isn't exactly flying off the shelves, they have got left behind. The likes of start-stop technology I'm sure still isn't available on any of their stock, which is available on Wright and ADL products - so that's pretty much bodged any London orders they've been aiming at which is now a TfL requirement IIRC.

And they have pumped serious cash into development of their decker with not much to show for it. Looking at the Solo, it is basically the same 20 year old frame design behind the panels - just with different fibreglass and panels on. It's astonishing, quite sad really as they were revolutionary and at the front of it all back in the 90s, their attempts today just don't materialise into anything, especially the UK market.

If you think back to each of the struggles, mergers, buyouts and whatever else they have had since the initial boom of the late 80's/early 90's, it amazes me to think they're still going.

Maybe Ashok as a whole are struggling. Maybe it is just this division.

It doesn't seem long since they increased their ownership of Optare, which would seem strange if the division was struggling.

Edit: financial express.com/ashok-leyland-ups-shareholding-in-optare-to-99-08-to-help-arm-slash-debt-burden/1361615

I just noticed the paint job on the back of 6328 is absolutely appalling around the glass! Looks like it was painted by a 5 year old!

Are 3997 - 3999 likely to be out tommorow?

(04 Sep 2019, 11:53 am)Dan wrote I understand Optare are currently in financial difficulty, although, unlike Wrightbus, have done well to keep this out of the media.

This means long wait times for parts, and buses being kept off service for longer than they would ordinarily.

Washington, who have a fleet of largely new Solos, are having similar issues.

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Dawson Rentals etc not got any Solos which can be hired in the short term while the current Solos are repaired and then pass the costs of doing so on to Optare.

(04 Sep 2019, 6:42 am)Dan wrote Anyone after some unique photos - the open-tops are going out today on the 309/310...!

5482 on 310 this afternoon.

(04 Sep 2019, 7:49 pm)Malarkey wrote

Dawson Rentals etc not got any Solos which can be hired in the short term while the current Solos are repaired and then pass the costs of doing so on to Optare.

The invoice for a rental vehicle would be laughed out if it was a car... highly doubt it would be any different for a bus.

(04 Sep 2019, 7:49 pm)Malarkey wrote

Dawson Rentals etc not got any Solos which can be hired in the short term while the current Solos are repaired and then pass the costs of doing so on to Optare.

(04 Sep 2019, 10:33 pm)omnicity4659 wrote

The invoice for a rental vehicle would be laughed out if it was a car... highly doubt it would be any different for a bus.

Large operators such as Go North East already have processes in place to charge vehicle manufacturers for loss of use - if the vehicle is still under warranty and is off service for a period of time, operators are able to claim for this.

Catch 22 situation if manufacturers are having cash-flow issues, however, as the longer they can't supply parts etc means the longer buses are off service and the more they get penalised for it.

Does the 42A have NSAs? Are the Quaylink buses going to be refurbished/repainted and get their NSAs redone?

(05 Sep 2019, 1:45 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does the 42A have NSAs? Are the Quaylink buses going to be refurbished/repainted and get their NSAs redone?

Used to but now the 42A is generally operated by older Solos so now they don't.

Unless you get a Cobalt Clipper B9 or something then they will have them.

(03 Sep 2019, 1:03 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote

Nexus have revised their contract requirements meaning vehicles with a greater capacity are needed, hence the swap. The Gemini must be able to get by DCC requirements.

Do DCC have any say in the requirements of the school services that operate without subsidy.

(05 Sep 2019, 2:42 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote

Do DCC have any say in the requirements of the school services that operate without subsidy.

Nope - Park View and St Bedes's being commercial can be allocated anything GNE like.

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Has Go North East lost the 151 scholars service, as I have just seen 4922 in the old standard livery (red with blue and yellow bits) on that service today ?

As far as I am aware, this vehicle was sold to A-line Travel some time ago.