(07 Sep 2013, 5:50 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote My favourite Buses Are

MCW MetroBus

I had many a ride on these beautiful machines as a child on the Washington Based Xpress Services and I was rather guttered when they were withdrawn in 2006 I think it was. But in June at the Durham Howlands Park and Ride Bus Rally I got to relive some of those memories as I got Northern UTN 501Y back into Durham. Only bad thing was the Windows were sealed so you couldn't open them and the fact it was like a Furness, Hottest bus I have ever been on. Minus a Routemaster at Seaburn a few weeks back.

Dennis Dart MPD

Now I know everyone hates these Buses, Personally i'm not a Fan of the Batch GNE bought in 2000/2001, but the Batches they bought between 2002 and 2004 are simply a pleasure for to ride on everyday on the M2/M3 and it's amazing they are still going 10 Years on, and still sounding rather healthy, despite a select few suffering reliability issues lately, mainly rear suspension snapping.

But other than that I think they've been a great purchase by GNE I think and still have a good few years left in them despite incoming regulation requirements which will lead to there withdrawal from service which a great shame. I'll quite guttered in a few months when there replaced by Versas also. But overall a Superb little Bus in my opinion and if I had the Money, which I don't currently I would happily preserve one of them.

Other Favourites include Olympian Variations, Mercedes Citaro and Wright Gemini 2 to name a few.

My Dislikes I have to say are SPD's like everyone else, and I wasn't particular fan of any of the other Darts GNE had minus the one with the WrightBus Bodywork which I quite liked. I wasn't a fan of GNE's early batch of Optare Solo either which they bought at a similar period to the MPD's. I'm not a fan of those Smokey Joes also known as the Plaxton Prestiges either, sooner they are withdrawn the better also.