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Post by jamaal on Feb 6, 2011 18:50:16 GMT
Firstly, the Solo cannot accomodate a rear window, remember reading it's something to do with the engine but cannot comfirm that. The Solo+ was dreadful looking and was met with a poor reception from operators and enthusiasts alike when unveiled at the show. They actually couldn't believe they were going to replace the lovely original with the + version. The only reason a Solo is cheaper than an Enviro 200 is they are a different class of vehicle. Solos are classed as Mini Buses whereas Enviro 200's are classed as Midi Buses. Plus, shouldn't the guy be worrying which vehicles are best for the job, not which one will make him turn in his grave. Its the height of the engine in comparison to the height of the Bus, it covers the whole rear of the Solo. That's the reason there is no rear window. I think ADL can price the E200 higher than Optare can for the Solo just purely for the fact of who ADL are in the Bus industry and the pure fact that they will always gain more customers.
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Post by vjaska on Feb 7, 2011 1:50:21 GMT
Firstly, the Solo cannot accomodate a rear window, remember reading it's something to do with the engine but cannot comfirm that. The Solo+ was dreadful looking and was met with a poor reception from operators and enthusiasts alike when unveiled at the show. They actually couldn't believe they were going to replace the lovely original with the + version. The only reason a Solo is cheaper than an Enviro 200 is they are a different class of vehicle. Solos are classed as Mini Buses whereas Enviro 200's are classed as Midi Buses. Plus, shouldn't the guy be worrying which vehicles are best for the job, not which one will make him turn in his grave. Its the height of the engine in comparison to the height of the Bus, it covers the whole rear of the Solo. That's the reason there is no rear window. I think ADL can price the E200 higher than Optare can for the Solo just purely for the fact of who ADL are in the Bus industry and the pure fact that they will always gain more customers. Redgarding your first point, thanks for confirming my hunch However, on your second point, Solo's and other Minibuses such as the excellent Plaxton Beaver range are usually cheaper than Midi Buses such as Darts and Versas. It has nothing to do with ADL setting the price because of their reputation. Optare are just as well known so that's pretty irrelevant.
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Post by Swadbus on Feb 7, 2011 7:32:09 GMT
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Post by Swadbus on Feb 7, 2011 13:01:10 GMT
First day of weekday operation on the W5. Not a good day for them either. Several passengers complainin that they couldn't get on buses between 0730 and 0830 this morning due to heavy loadings with the school kids. At Harringay Sainsburys, 3 (three) W5's on the stand together: OS13 with a giant crack in the windscreen across the whole length of the screen (obviously gone mechanical). OS2: short wheelbases solo. DAS1: enviro200 (first time obs on this route!) According to one of the drivers i was speaking to, this is the second windscreen to "pop" for no apparent reason on one of the new 60 reg Solos this week! Manufacturing defect perhaps? From what I saw it hadn't been hit, it was literally cracked from the seal on both sides.
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Post by Volvo on Feb 7, 2011 14:04:49 GMT
That's what the managers at CT Plus get for going cheap! lol, no seriously that is just too bad that it has happened to two buses. I know normally operators order just one spare bus for a route wit a pvr of say 3 - 16 but I say two spares should be the minimum as anything can happen to a bus in first day of service etc and unless you have loads of spares from other routes things can get messy.
I ust did the W5 from Archway to Harringey approx between 11.30 and 12pm was a very pleasant ride, they are so fast and comfortable and tackle all the hills with ease, due to weighing only 6, 600kgs and if i am right they have 154bhp engines which is 14more than in the similar length e200. The drivers like them for speed and comfort but they agree with myself that they are ugly, yes i know many like them just incase anyone wants to continue that debate. Also they say the main problem they have with the solo's is they cant lower the bus unless the doors are open and by the time they open the doors and lower the bus people cant wait so they just board infront of elderly people.
As for obs I saw OS2 at Archway, a joke really it is too small for the route but with two buses out I can understand. DAS1 has now spent its second day on the W5, I was also told a DCS was on the W5 yesterday aswell, so looks like the W5 has seen action from different types of small buses at HK, all that are missing are the pointers DPS1/2 lol.
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Post by snowman on Jun 17, 2011 16:07:29 GMT
According to BusandCoach week CT Plus will be operating Park & Ride services in Bristol with ex-London Citaro artics
Further to this story I gather 27 buses will be needed and Tender called for min Euro4 Didn't they have some on Olympic construction contracts, but presumably will need more. What Engine are they (Euro3 ?), although Arriva rebuilyt the engines on Malta buses to Euro5 so upgrades are possible
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Post by john on Jun 17, 2011 16:56:22 GMT
According to BusandCoach week CT Plus will be operating Park & Ride services in Bristol with ex-London Citaro artics Further to this story I gather 27 buses will be needed and Tender called for min Euro4 Didn't they have some on Olympic construction contracts, but presumably will need more. What Engine are they (Euro3 ?), although Arriva rebuilyt the engines on Malta buses to Euro5 so upgrades are possible I believe they are ex 453 from PD so would be EuroIII. Seeing as they will be in London around January, I'd presume they'll be upgraded anyway? If not as you say, they could be retrofitted
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Post by john on Jul 13, 2011 16:26:03 GMT
Just noticed on London Bus Routes that CT Plus are taking over the former Walthamstow Stadium site? Sorry if I've brought something up that's already been mentioned, but was interesting to read
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Post by Deleted on Jul 13, 2011 17:41:19 GMT
Just noticed on London Bus Routes that CT Plus are taking over the former Walthamstow Stadium site? Sorry if I've brought something up that's already been mentioned, but was interesting to read Yes, its been planned for quite a while now, and has been talked about in the local press. They are building it on the former car park of the Walthamstow Stadium, and i think it should be open soon. The Stadium is still standing, but developers want to demolish it and build even more housing. I'm looking forward to the new garage opening as it will be the closest bus depot to me. It will also help CT Plus cut down on dead mileage, which must be quite high for routes such as the 212, 385, W13 etc (although other garages have routes with much higher dead mileage of course).
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Post by Volvo on Jul 13, 2011 22:49:29 GMT
When are Ct plus going to actually start using this garage.
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Post by john on Jul 13, 2011 22:56:43 GMT
When are Ct plus going to actually start using this garage. This year. Can't remember the actual date but LBR has routes 212, 385 and W13 as moving into it. Think it's been coded AW
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Post by Volvo on Jul 13, 2011 23:10:15 GMT
Well I know all of the above just wanted to know if there was a precise date.
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Post by john on Jul 13, 2011 23:13:15 GMT
Well I know all of the above just wanted to know if there was a precise date. Well I'm not a mind reader so would've been nice to be informed that you knew, or be told in a nicer manner. As it happens there is no date listed as yet
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Post by Volvo on Jul 13, 2011 23:18:30 GMT
Also reason I asked is because the 254 will need to move into AE sooner than September 3rd date given on LBR as SF do not have room for all 57 of the 73's buses to fit inside the garage with the buses from the 253/4 in there aswell. Unless some of the DW's are going to be stored at LV or AE for a while before moving to SF.
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Post by Volvo on Jul 13, 2011 23:29:04 GMT
Well I know all of the above just wanted to know if there was a precise date. Well I'm not a mind reader so would've been nice to be informed that you knew, or be told in a nicer manner. As it happens there is no date listed as yet I didn't see anything wrong with what I said for you to get upset about. So sorry I thought it was obvious that I meant what date this year the garage was going to be opened.
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