(13 Apr 2013, 9:47 am)Rob wrote This is total nonsense, there will always be a compromise with each new vehicle purchased, you can never get it exactly to the specification and needs unless you create your own vehicle.
Optare
A number of problems occurred with both batches of Optare Versa vehicles delivered; Optare did however provide aftercare to resolve the electrical issues, this being the main problem. There was originally a problem with the vehicles climbing accents, namely amongst the batch bought for Saltwell Park and Drifter services. This is another issue Optare resolved for us in-house. The Quaylink batch purchased had minimal problems, with Optare ensuring that the buses had been tested prior them being delivered to us. As a result, there were minimal problems with this batch. A batch of the newer model were subsequently purchased for Orbit and Simplicity routes, a number of problems occurred, which lead to Optare being brought in to fix the problems again. When you purchase a new car, you don’t expect there to be so many problems which need to be fixed. It is obvious that Optare had not been quality testing each vehicle to ensure it meet the demands and constraints required for day to day operation. It would never be suggested that Optare vehicles will never be purchased again. In fact, a batch of Optare Solo SR has been purchased, which have been a great success. Any company want to purchase a repeat order would want to ensure that the product they are purchasing is up to the job, hence the use of the new Optare Versa demonstrator at Stanley for such a long period. The vehicle is being put through its paces to ensure that it meets demand, not just over a month, but over the longer timeframe it will be operational within the fleet.
MAN
How can a company be expected to purchase these vehicles, when the facilities aren’t available at the moment?
Scania
The Scania vehicles in the fleet at present are essentially the ‘workhorses’ of the fleet, the Scania L94UB vehicles are excellent, some of them are coming to the end of their lives and they are still more reliable than some of the more modern stock. It is known that a vehicle will not last forever; some of those vehicles are now over 12 years old. It is normally only expected that a bus will last 15 in service before being moved to less demanding work or being replaced altogether. These buses are starting to show signs of their age, but isn’t that to be expected? I won’t lie; I wouldn’t expect some of them to be on frontline services in 2 year time.
As for the Omnicity, what is wrong with them? I know they have problems with rattles, but they are generally good, solid, reliable buses. Without the poor internal fittings, they would be brilliant buses.
Mercedes
From a passenger experience, theses buses are fabulous, comfortable, efficient, clean and modern. The seating layout is of social nature, and you only lose one seat. There is no problem with these vehicles at all, that is why there is so many in the fleet.
(12 Apr 2013, 10:26 pm)tyresmoke wrote I don't think capacity is the issue on 58s, I think GNE just saw an opportunity for a cheap "upgrade" which seems to have spectacularly backfired.
Capacity is an issue, the rigid stock could not meet demands at peak times. The 58 is one of the those services which has a regular flow of passengers throughout the day, it doesn't have a particularly empty period. Yes, the busiest section is only between Newcastle and Heworth, but demand rockets at peak time, as such higher seating capacity is a requirement for this service.
Im not sute what is nonsense.
I mentioned the problems with Versas - you added to it.
i mentioned nothing had came from the MAN demo - you added to it.
I mentioned the Scanias, specifically the problems with the Omnicities in the snow when parts werent supplied. You added to it.
On a seperate note, a Scania Laser was being towed away at Herrington earlier.
