(22 Jan 2024, 3:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I wonder if there's provision for EV charging at Durham Bus Station.
EVs on the 21 has been on the cards for a while now, other than DCCs complete incompetence, there's no reason why it shouldn't be in place.
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(22 Jan 2024, 4:17 pm)Storx wrote No use for it at Durham since none of them terminate there. If only there was a depot they could go into near the one of the terminus...They could terminate a few at Durham instead of Brandon just to give them half an hour on charge. That should give them a good 30-40% boost
(22 Jan 2024, 4:54 pm)streetdeckfan wrote They could terminate a few at Durham instead of Brandon just to give them half an hour on charge. That should give them a good 30-40% boost
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(22 Jan 2024, 5:47 pm)R852 PRG wrote But then you would have to account for half an hour of unproductiveness from a driver.
Unless, of course, someone thought outside the box and scheduled meal breaks around such an idea.
(22 Jan 2024, 6:51 pm)DeltaMan wrote Sending a driver from Riverside to Durham just to take over another driver, who then needs to travel back to Riverside doesn't sound very productiveBut we all know GNE aren't as productive as other companies.
(22 Jan 2024, 6:37 pm)busmanT wrote Would Go North East drivers accept a mealbreak in Durham?
(22 Jan 2024, 6:51 pm)DeltaMan wrote Sending a driver from Riverside to Durham just to take over another driver, who then needs to travel back to Riverside doesn't sound very productive
(22 Jan 2024, 7:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote While I was in the Arnison Centre today, I spotted the U11DD on it's way to Durham, so I cancelled my plans for the rest of the day (sitting in Spoons) and waited for it to come back on it's way north to give it a try.
The ride is a bit fidgety, but over the bigger bumps is rather smooth. For example, over the bump pulling into the 21 stand at CLS there's less of a jolt than in the Streetdecks or B5s, and on the speed bumps in Low Fell it didn't feel like my back was about to break. I feel like the 67 plate Streetdeck I had on my journey back was a smoother ride overall, but it was close. While I obviously haven't tried them back to back, from memory alone a 20 plate Streetdeck or E400 is better.
The cabin feels spacious and bright, the ambient lighting is quite nice although I wouldn't have picked orange. There was weird LED light under the windscreen upstairs pointing straight back, quite blinding when you're looking forward!
Overall, it looks very ADL inside (design wise and with the shiny plastics), but feels much better built. Although there seemed to be a fair bit of flex in the wall cladding when I pushed against it with my knee.
Being electric, it is quiet, but there is a bit of wind noise coming from the windows upstairs when they're open.
Interestingly, it lacks a 'stopping' light upstairs, and the bell sounds like a door bell rather than the usual ding. I did quite like the light around the button that lights up when you push it, it's a nice touch.
The seats on the demo are alright, more comfortable than the Enviros despite less padding (probably better for it since they're firmer), and the hospital spec vinyl is much better than the arse sweat absorbing moquette GNE moved to with the last batch of orders.
...
(08 Feb 2024, 11:31 am)Rapidsnap wrote Don't know if anyone else noticed (well probably those within the company have).
The Yutong U11DD Demo (which has now returned to Pelican) managed to operate in service for 23 days in a row from Tuesday 16th Jan to Tuesday 7th Feb.
Even for a demo bus that is remarkable reliability, and I don't think standard buses achieve that level of reliability without having a day off or two.
(08 Feb 2024, 11:31 am)Rapidsnap wrote Don't know if anyone else noticed (well probably those within the company have).
The Yutong U11DD Demo (which has now returned to Pelican) managed to operate in service for 23 days in a row from Tuesday 16th Jan to Tuesday 7th Feb.
Even for a demo bus that is remarkable reliability, and I don't think standard buses achieve that level of reliability without having a day off or two.
(22 Mar 2024, 5:29 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Do we know how long it will be until the Zebra 2 funded EVs arrive - it’s like likely within a year, 2 years, more?
(22 Mar 2024, 7:23 pm)busmanT wrote I understand that the electric bus manufacturers have bulging order books and are quoting over 12 months for delivery of buses ordered now.
The biggest delay however is getting the required HV electric supply to depots, in some case operators are being told it will take 10 years to provide an electric supply of the voltage required.
(22 Mar 2024, 10:43 pm)Ambassador wrote So basically there’s more chance of Riverside fixing the Angel Streetdecks in the next 5 years than there is of EVs appearing on the angel
(23 Mar 2024, 10:19 pm)busmanT wrote Late 2025/early 2026 at the earliest would be my guess.
By which time planning for the new franchised “Angel Network” will be well advanced.
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/kim-mcgui...-of-buses/
(03 Apr 2024, 8:28 pm)ne14ne1 wrote The new ADL E400EV at Riverside:For trial I imagine?
https://x.com/liamhall24/status/1775590763616743546?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw
(03 Apr 2024, 8:28 pm)ne14ne1 wrote The new ADL E400EV at Riverside:Looks rather smart that does!
https://x.com/liamhall24/status/1775590763616743546?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw
(22 Mar 2024, 5:29 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Do we know how long it will be until the Zebra 2 funded EVs arrive - is it like likely within a year, 2 years, more?