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(23 Dec 2013, 1:05 pm)Kuyoyo wrote B9s are also unlikely for future decker orders unless they were ordered in the next week - the Euro6 emissions take effect from the 1st January 2014 when the Volvo Decker becomes the B5TL (after operators requested the 5-litre engine in the new decker rather than the planned 8-litre fitted to the replacement for the B7RLE - the B8RLE).
(30 Dec 2013, 9:02 am)Davey Bowyer wrote I honestly don't know how operators are going to cope over the coming years with regards to rural and endurance routes when the likes of the B9TL/DB250 are withdrawn in favour of so called eco-friendly buses. How would the B5TL cope tearing up and down the A19 with a maximum of 94 passengers everyday for 7 years? Volvo don't realise that some operators still need bigger engines for high capacity long range double deck routes such as GNE's TTX and Arriva's X15 and X18.
(30 Dec 2013, 9:20 am)Kuyoyo wrote I think you need to re-read my post, Volvo were originally planning to fit the 8-litre engine going in the single decker and some coaches but the operators requested the decker be fitted with the 5-litre engine used in the hybrids.
The 31st of December in 2013 Volvo will make hybrid the standard offer for city buses in Europe.
(30 Dec 2013, 12:58 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote What I would say though, is in five years time, Yorkshire Coastliner (Transdev), Arriva and GNE could unite for a big order of the Gemini 3. There would be enough orders to warrant Wrightbus to add the B8TL engine into the Wright Gemini 3. Look at it like this:
- GNE would order 20 for the TEN and TTX.
- Arriva would order 37 for the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21 and X22.
-Transdev would order 20 for the Yorkshire Coastliner.
It would be a total order of 77 vehicles and this alone would warrant the cost of Wrightbus serving a collabirated order.
(30 Dec 2013, 1:11 pm)Michael wrote With GNE wanting to order 80 buses for 2014/2015.
The Gemini 3 could be on the list of Demo buses for next year.
We go back to Rob's teaser list:
Lime
X66
Laser
Crusader
Washington Street Shuttle
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Only route their which could get a Gemini 3 is the 27.
Can't see any of the other services getting decker's.
Unless GNE change their plans for orders.
(30 Dec 2013, 1:13 pm)andreos1 wrote In days gone by, the 35 was known as the 535 and 536.
There were deckers on the route then.
You never know...
(30 Dec 2013, 1:22 pm)Michael wrote Ye, GNE could change their plans but atm only info we have on the Laser is new Citaro's will replace the Scania's... to me that's daft when they could just upgrade all of the brand with new buses.
For me it would be:
Decker's for the Laser
Laser Citaro's to Prince Bishops
Prince Bishop Scania's replacing Cadets
(30 Dec 2013, 1:31 pm)Dan wrote That, or the Solars replacing the Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles which has previously been discussed... If you went with the latter option, I'd say you were spot on.
(30 Dec 2013, 1:35 pm)Michael wrote I was busy talking to someone else at the same time and we were discussing the cadets, typed it in by accident.
Dan it does seem the best way to do it, instead of just replacing the laser scania's
I also hope they get decker's for the Prince Bishops some time in the future, maybe in 2015/2016
They are hoping their 160 new buses in service by the end of 2016...
(30 Dec 2013, 1:41 pm)Dan wrote I suspect Go North East will make the right decision in the end, and what you've said sounds pretty logical to me (replacing Renowns as opposed to Cadets as I said above, however).
Let's remember that Go North East need to continuously invest in their double decker fleet for the future, otherwise you're left in a position whereby services can justify an upgrade but there are no suitable vehicles to upgrade them to.
While double decker investment may not seem all too logical at present, it will help out massively in the future.
Hey, it'll not be long until the eldest Citaros in the fleet start leaving the "big boy" services, and start being rolled out into a lesser role! That's what investment of 100 buses does for you.
(30 Dec 2013, 1:49 pm)Michael wrote Ye, they sure will, it does seem in the next 2-3 years the older Citaro's will enter a "spare role" within the flee, which is good.
The way GNE are investing in new orders will be have all newish buses by the time 2017 arrives, this of course might be achieved with at least 160 new buses coming in to service over the next 2 years (said 2 years due to it being its 2014 in 2 days time!).
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(30 Dec 2013, 3:12 pm)tyresmoke wrote The only issue I can see with this is in 10 years everything will come up for renewal in one go!
(30 Dec 2013, 3:36 pm)grandad wrote So what chance the Red Kite getting an update any time soon? The omnicities are 7 years old and quite heavily used.
(30 Dec 2013, 3:48 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Based on the Current PVR's that makes a total of 60 New Buses, I think if you were to add (Centurion/Fab57/Pulse) which makes up a PVR of 20 then that would give you a Total of 80 New Buses for 2014, Although if I recall the X66 PVR would need an Increase as GNE won't be Purchasing Artics and didn't the Centurion PVR Drop by 2 to enable it to use 2 Deckers due to Scholars Interworking. So even after that I think it'll still be 80 New Buses.
(30 Dec 2013, 4:00 pm)Michael wrote Not sure on the Street Shuttle myself but the Venture got new buses, which was a surprise, so it might happen.
If the PRV is 60, then i'm gonna add a few more to the list (Not all will get them but a few ideas):
FAB 57
Pulse
Highwayman
Loop
The Scania's like it was said earlier look like they are taking a spare role in the fleet. Maybe it's time for a upgrade?
(30 Dec 2013, 4:29 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Didn't one of the GNE Reps say Last Week they were going to Mercedes to be Repainted Midnight Blue once the Geminis enter Service on the 309/310, In my mind I would say that was Confirmation, Otherwise how else are GNE going to Withdraw the Olympians.
(18 Dec 2013, 7:10 am)Rob wrote Are the Cobalt Clipper Mercedes destined for the X21?
Would downgrading the 9 (from an enthusiast's view) allow greater reliability?
Does the X30 and X31 operation require double decker operation?
Is the new operation, 29, to be branded?
(18 Dec 2013, 6:46 pm)Rob wrote Were they ever? Are solid plans ever made that far in advance? Is the suggestion of Mercedes on the X21 just a rumour, or is it fact?