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Post by rmz19 on Feb 27, 2020 2:36:21 GMT
It's good to see more Citys coming into operation. Personally it would be great if there are more Citys, MetroDeckers and StreetDecks alongside the current MMCs, Gemini 3s and EvoSetis to add more variety in London. The 'icing on the cake' would be EvoSetis on the Integral Chassis, but I'm probably dreaming Correct me if I'm wrong, but the Evoseti doesn't have an integral chassis. It's only available on a Volvo B5TL, B5LH or B8L chassis Indeed. Yes I'm aware the EvoSeti does not exist on the Integral chassis, was merely stating that I wish it does
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 26, 2020 20:52:52 GMT
It's good to see more Citys coming into operation. Personally it would be great if there are more Citys, MetroDeckers and StreetDecks alongside the current MMCs, Gemini 3s and EvoSetis to add more variety in London. The 'icing on the cake' would be EvoSetis on the Integral Chassis, but I'm probably dreaming
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 20, 2020 17:05:17 GMT
Does anyone know why the 234 is restricted to short SDs? I've looked at the route and there doesn't seem to be a physical restriction preventing DDs let alone longer length SDs. For a route that mostly traverses main roads, with the exception of a few, the 234 should be converted to DDs. I've also seen it get pretty busy but I'm not that familiar with the route.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 19, 2020 19:52:46 GMT
I guessing the destination of Oxford Circus is more familiar for the public than Acton Green. Also it’s probably a PR thing showing an electric bus in Central London where the mayor could say another diesel bus gone from Central London All in vain though if the 94 gets cut back to Marble Arch ... 🤷🏻♂️ (I have to say I think the 94 getting cut to Marble Arch is looking ever more unlikely but that’s a different topic up for discussion lol) <- not saying it won’t happen btw, I just think it looks unlikely. Certainly hope so! As It would be foolish to cut the 94 being among the busiest routes along Oxford Street. If four routes 'must' remain along Oxford Street then the 94 should be one of them.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 19, 2020 4:48:38 GMT
Some positive feedback from passengers on the BYDs on the 94 TFL mention both termini of the 94 yet they use a pic of a BCE doing a short working...not a big deal but it's not hard for TFL to use a pic of a BCE doing the full route
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 15, 2020 20:17:36 GMT
New FANTASY route ideas: 374: Dagenham CEME - Purfleet via Dagenham CEME Beam Park Station (National Rail) Rainham, Tesco Rainham Station (National Rail) Wennington Purfleet Industrial Park Purfleet Station (National Rail) These are feasible ideas so they're certainly not fantasies. I like your 374 idea in particular, it's actually similar to one of my ideas I proposed a while back, a new route between Romford and Purfleet via Upminster and Aveley
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 15, 2020 19:57:17 GMT
Really sad to see them abandoned like this These Tempos aren't even that old, they were great buses. I really liked their 'boxy' and modern design. I agree the Tempo is one of the best designs Optare ever made. After the Spectra of course. Indeed the Spectra was another well designed bus, very modern at its time. Optare know how to design their buses
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 15, 2020 19:52:45 GMT
Ah right, wasn't aware it was DDs only. Shame the 232 isn't operated by DDs as it's a route that definitely should be converted. Not sure if there's a low bridge along the route?
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 14, 2020 16:18:50 GMT
Would also add 372, 498, 96, 492 to the list The 123 as well for the stretch on the north circular (when not gridlocked!) along with the 112 Forgot the 34 and 102 as well for the north circular And the 232
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 13, 2020 2:57:30 GMT
Really sad to see them abandoned like this These Tempos aren't even that old, they were great buses. I really liked their 'boxy' and modern design.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 12, 2020 12:53:43 GMT
They have indeed received new branding for the X140 Here's what they look like (not my pictures) Is that it? I don't suppose most people will even notice it. TfL really need to look at some of the attractive route branding elsewhere in the UK. While branding elsewhere in the UK can be attractive, sometimes simple is better. Because of the all-red design, it's difficult to get elaborate branding without clashing. In this case, I think it looks all right as it's neat and to the point. I'm generally against branding, but liveries should be brought back to London buses. Nothing too fancy, but distinctive enough to make an impression, like the buses in Hong Kong
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 11, 2020 1:23:08 GMT
Yet another MEC from the 358 is VOR. (MEC52) I heard somewhere it got into a collision. This means there are multiple MECs now off road: MEC51 - Collision MEC52 - Collision? MEC53 - Last seen January 2020. MEC54 - Orpington Fire MEC56 - Orpington Fire. MEC60 - Orpington Fire. MEC62 - Last seen December 2019. Obviously the 3 from the Orpington Fire have the 3 Scania replacing them however this still means the 358 is short of 4 buses. The 358 does seem to be a route that always has accidents related to it, can’t help but wonder if the MECs are too long. What is wrong with the MECs on the 358? It's such a shame that a lot of these vehicles have been involved in many incidents as they are the only examples of the type in London, and they're brilliant. Quite sad to see this happen to a bus type that's relatively rare. It would be great if electric variants of the MEC can be commissioned for use in London, and more full size electric SDs too.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 9, 2020 1:53:47 GMT
Personally I'm all for building more Plazas in London with cafes, restaurants and shops for the public to bask in. However if it means affecting the local bus network negatively like it potentially would in this instance then I'm against it. Cutting bus routes just to facilitate the creation of this project would be ridiculous. The scheme could still go ahead and Terminus Place could still remain only for routes 13/16/38/52/390/507 to alight along there. However the main issue would be finding stand space for the 38/390/507. Perhaps Hudson's Place could be transformed into a terminus for all three routes to stand there.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 9, 2020 1:25:57 GMT
Used the Piccadilly line from South Kensington to Green Park around 6:30pm. It was very packed, even when entering the station where the entrance was reduced due to overcrowding. On the platform, had to wait for 3 trains before there was space, and I barely made that train. Knightsbridge, the next stop, was even more packed, yet almost no one on the trains in front, nor on our train got off there. This made me think, why can't London Underground run extras on the Piccadilly Line or maybe some other solution to solve the overcrowding when the the District/Circle is down from South Kensington? That is the worst line in London. Often gaps of +10 mins. The Piccadilly Line just needs to be more consistent in its frequency. There tends to be irregular gaps between trains, the Piccadilly Line is so volatile that it only takes a small gap between already crowded trains which leads to overcrowding on the platforms and platform entrances having to be shut to control overcrowding. If there are more even gaps between trains then things would be smoother.
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Post by rmz19 on Feb 7, 2020 1:53:40 GMT
Equally, you can sit at Lea Valley Campsite and wait for a 215 back, generally doesn't stand longer than 10 minutes from experience. The 375 terminates there as it's the first place to turn around after serving the small settlements along the road, also doesn't take much stand time here. In fact, the one I did up pretty much went straight back out - enough time to cross the road to catch it whilst it negotiated the roundabout. An extension to Epping would be nice but it won't happen due to TfL's non appetite for cross border routes both new & existing - of course, happy enough to run Underground, Overground & TfL Rail across the border though! I think 375 also passes through one of the highest points in London, doesn’t it (havering atte bower)? Out of curiosity, which bus route gets to the maximum elevation in London? 246 should also be a close contender Conversely lowest should be 108 (Blackwall tunnel!!) Regarding elevation, the elevation of Havering-Atte-Bower is around 350 ft, so that part of the 375 route is quite high, but there are several routes that traverse areas of higher elevation. You're right about the 246, the route climbs to a staggering 825 ft around Westerham Heights, possibly the route with the highest elevation in London. The 403 reaches as high as 600 ft at Warlingham. At Caterham-on-the-Hill the 404 and 466 are at around 620 ft. The 166 and S1 traverse through Banstead at a height of 535 ft. The 142 and 258 reach a height of 515 ft through Bushey Heath. The R5/R10 climb to 765 ft as they pass through Knockholt. The 464 reaches 750 ft at Tatsfield. The 246/320/464/R2/R8 are at 635 ft through Biggin Hill. There are possibly more routes that are contenders in this respect.
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