(22 Mar 2015, 5:49 pm)leestransportphotos He said that I'm not the only one to complain so far and they are expecting hundreds more but they've done their research.... He did say that he disagrees with Streetlites on the Red Kite though. He said he wasn't too sure about the Lime
(22 Mar 2015, 5:49 pm)leestransportphotos He said that I'm not the only one to complain so far and they are expecting hundreds more but they've done their research.... He did say that he disagrees with Streetlites on the Red Kite though. He said he wasn't too sure about the Lime
(22 Mar 2015, 6:05 pm)leestransportphotos I wasn't saying I didn't think it would work. I was pointing out the fact that I was on a Citaro on the X66 this morning and there was at least 20 standees
(22 Mar 2015, 6:05 pm)leestransportphotos I wasn't saying I didn't think it would work. I was pointing out the fact that I was on a Citaro on the X66 this morning and there was at least 20 standees
Yes I counted 19. The bus was packed but it was 10ish.
It does my head in like mad when people sit on the outer seats and there is elderly people for example who have no where to sit! It's just general ignorance and it really boils my pi**! Davie you do that on the 9 don't you
(22 Mar 2015, 6:09 pm)citaro5284 At least the Streetlite has 5 more seats compared to 5332.I hate the seating layout on the Citaro's, if you sit on the lower level there is little room for my legs because of the heater and I nearly always end up having to sit on the backwards seats next to the sideways seats and the only way I can sit comfortably is to place one of my legs behind the sideways seats.
(22 Mar 2015, 6:09 pm)citaro5284 At least the Streetlite has 5 more seats compared to 5332.I hate the seating layout on the Citaro's, if you sit on the lower level there is little room for my legs because of the heater and I nearly always end up having to sit on the backwards seats next to the sideways seats and the only way I can sit comfortably is to place one of my legs behind the sideways seats.
(22 Mar 2015, 6:01 pm)Robert Which is correct. They wouldn't have ordered streetlites if they didnt think they'd work...
(22 Mar 2015, 6:01 pm)Robert Which is correct. They wouldn't have ordered streetlites if they didnt think they'd work...
(22 Mar 2015, 7:59 pm)Andreos1 Omni's on the 21?
Marshall Darts on the 194?
Handybus on the 26, 721 and 777?
All replaced, older, bigger vehicles - the first two examples ended up having the originals back on route pretty soon.
The final example ended up with bigger vehicles too.
Granted technology is better now, but the reports relating to loadings won't be faultless.
The new vehicles may even stir additional custom, putting extra demand on the service - like the Mercs did on the X1.
You then have the build quality.
The Renowns have lasted on the 78/8 route since the late 90's, despite some of them looking worse for wear both internally and externally.
A short trial and the word of a sales-rep from Wrights isn't the best way to check suitability.
Council cutbacks may mean the road conditions deteriorate to a worse state than at present.
Like any purchase, it is a calculated gamble.
Only time will tell whether it was the correct one.
(22 Mar 2015, 7:59 pm)Andreos1 Omni's on the 21?
Marshall Darts on the 194?
Handybus on the 26, 721 and 777?
All replaced, older, bigger vehicles - the first two examples ended up having the originals back on route pretty soon.
The final example ended up with bigger vehicles too.
Granted technology is better now, but the reports relating to loadings won't be faultless.
The new vehicles may even stir additional custom, putting extra demand on the service - like the Mercs did on the X1.
You then have the build quality.
The Renowns have lasted on the 78/8 route since the late 90's, despite some of them looking worse for wear both internally and externally.
A short trial and the word of a sales-rep from Wrights isn't the best way to check suitability.
Council cutbacks may mean the road conditions deteriorate to a worse state than at present.
Like any purchase, it is a calculated gamble.
Only time will tell whether it was the correct one.
(22 Mar 2015, 8:17 pm)Dan I agree with Robert. Go North East is able to monitor how many passengers get on a bus and which tickets/passes have been issued or used for passengers to board using one of its very many systems. This data was used prior to an order being made, and members of Go North East staff were out from early morning runs to late evening runs in August when single deckers (the Euro 6 Mercedes Citaro and "Drifter" branded Streetlite) to monitor and record loadings. This is on top of the extra Saturday bus being provided by a red Versa (when not required to cover for a branded vehicle on the "Citylink" 58 service) from November 2013 onwards.
According to drivers on the X66 service, Go North East does not expect to see market growth as a result of the new vehicles entering service. The new vehicles will see lower running costs (Streetlites are far more fuel-efficient than articulated Mercedes Citaros and there is no increased rate of pay any more) and hence increased profits, so there was no need to revolve a business case around increased patronage.
It's highly unlikely that the Streetlites would last 15 years on the 8/78 services, but I doubt Go North East intend to use them on said services for 15 years anyway... Sadly, I think it's quite likely that most bus operators will look to purchase light-weight vehicles and cascading them to lesser roles quicker than they ordinarily would have done with a heavy-weight vehicle. DaveyBowyer has told us plenty of times about how there is so little on offer for a heavy-weight double decker now, and that's because the majority of the market has been in favour of light-weight double deckers instead so that they can reap the rewards (lower running costs) in doing so. I think it's quite likely that the same will end up happening with single deckers, too.
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(22 Mar 2015, 8:17 pm)Dan I agree with Robert. Go North East is able to monitor how many passengers get on a bus and which tickets/passes have been issued or used for passengers to board using one of its very many systems. This data was used prior to an order being made, and members of Go North East staff were out from early morning runs to late evening runs in August when single deckers (the Euro 6 Mercedes Citaro and "Drifter" branded Streetlite) to monitor and record loadings. This is on top of the extra Saturday bus being provided by a red Versa (when not required to cover for a branded vehicle on the "Citylink" 58 service) from November 2013 onwards.
According to drivers on the X66 service, Go North East does not expect to see market growth as a result of the new vehicles entering service. The new vehicles will see lower running costs (Streetlites are far more fuel-efficient than articulated Mercedes Citaros and there is no increased rate of pay any more) and hence increased profits, so there was no need to revolve a business case around increased patronage.
It's highly unlikely that the Streetlites would last 15 years on the 8/78 services, but I doubt Go North East intend to use them on said services for 15 years anyway... Sadly, I think it's quite likely that most bus operators will look to purchase light-weight vehicles and cascading them to lesser roles quicker than they ordinarily would have done with a heavy-weight vehicle. DaveyBowyer has told us plenty of times about how there is so little on offer for a heavy-weight double decker now, and that's because the majority of the market has been in favour of light-weight double deckers instead so that they can reap the rewards (lower running costs) in doing so. I think it's quite likely that the same will end up happening with single deckers, too.
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
Today I actually asked one of the drivers I know from Washington depot about the 82 hoo-har and he said that the service was losing money hands down before the changes and still is. Also he said that he has had no problem driving a Solar around Birtley on it before, in fact he said the first bus to do that run (test run) was a Scania Solar! Also the 82 route WILL be changing next month.... No investment is planned though as it is not classed as an 'important' route
(22 Mar 2015, 8:53 pm)leestransportphotos Today I actually asked one of the drivers I know from Washington depot about the 82 hoo-har and he said that the service was losing money hands down before the changes and still is. Also he said that he has had no problem driving a Solar around Birtley on it before, in fact he said the first bus to do that run (test run) was a Scania Solar! Also the 82 route WILL be changing next month.... No investment is planned though as it is not classed as an 'important' route
(22 Mar 2015, 8:53 pm)leestransportphotos Today I actually asked one of the drivers I know from Washington depot about the 82 hoo-har and he said that the service was losing money hands down before the changes and still is. Also he said that he has had no problem driving a Solar around Birtley on it before, in fact he said the first bus to do that run (test run) was a Scania Solar! Also the 82 route WILL be changing next month.... No investment is planned though as it is not classed as an 'important' route
(22 Mar 2015, 8:59 pm)leestransportphotos He said it definitely will be changing: I'm not talking about major changes,.. I'm talking about its getting re-routed around Birtley. He said it will no longer be turning left back up onto Harras Bank
(22 Mar 2015, 8:59 pm)leestransportphotos He said it definitely will be changing: I'm not talking about major changes,.. I'm talking about its getting re-routed around Birtley. He said it will no longer be turning left back up onto Harras Bank
(22 Mar 2015, 8:59 pm)leestransportphotos He said it definitely will be changing: I'm not talking about major changes,.. I'm talking about its getting re-routed around Birtley. He said it will no longer be turning left back up onto Harras Bank
(22 Mar 2015, 8:59 pm)leestransportphotos He said it definitely will be changing: I'm not talking about major changes,.. I'm talking about its getting re-routed around Birtley. He said it will no longer be turning left back up onto Harras Bank
(22 Mar 2015, 8:59 pm)leestransportphotos He said it definitely will be changing: I'm not talking about major changes,.. I'm talking about its getting re-routed around Birtley. He said it will no longer be turning left back up onto Harras Bank
(22 Mar 2015, 9:04 pm)leestransportphotos I have at no point said anything about VOSA! All I'm doing is saying what the driver said... It doesn't need to turn into some massive technical debate
(22 Mar 2015, 9:04 pm)leestransportphotos I have at no point said anything about VOSA! All I'm doing is saying what the driver said... It doesn't need to turn into some massive technical debate