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Post by rmz19 on Jul 5, 2015 10:21:09 GMT
Economic development is all very nice and all but the environmental impact will be devastating. Global warming and the like is a very serious issue and something needs to be done. I'm sure other things can be done to help the economy that don't have as much of an effect as increasing plane journeys. With regards to increasing plane journeys, expanding Heathrow will have a positive impact on air traffic. At the moment, two runways are insufficient for such a major international airport as planes have to circulate London several times in order to queue up for Landing, this consequently increases journey time, increases fuel consumption, and causes delays. A third runway will diminish these factors and enable for a smoother traffic flow.
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 5, 2015 9:56:01 GMT
UPDATE:- Following public outcry over 'appalling' conditions on the LT's due to lack of airflow, TfL have agreed to rectify the airflow issues in a handful of buses as a trial. LT151's experimental cooling system is put thru it's paces on Route 10 earlier (photo courtesy of FB group) Oh dear, just as things couldn't get any worse for the LTs this time of year...To be fair LT151 looks like a breeze to ride now!
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 2, 2015 15:27:18 GMT
Or better yet, if air con is such an impossibility, have air cooling units that actually work and blow out cool air on the upper and lower deck, and no windows at all so the cool air circulates properly. Yesterday I was on an E40D, the right side of the bus was somewhat cool but the left was not probably due to the open windows, having said that the air was not cool enough, but by no means hot air like most of the LTs disastrously blow out. What could be wrong with them that's so hard to get right? Thermostat not regulating the temperature properly? Refrigerant not cooling the air adequately? Maybe they're both the same thing I don't know...something along those lines Sigh No one has said air con is impossible. What it does do, on a double deck bus, is add a lot of weight and increase fuel consumption. In the context of wider Mayoral initiatives like reducing costs and emissions air con on buses doesn't sit very comfortably. The buses in HK are like travelling in a fridge which is lovely when it's warm and humid outside. However it has taken a very long time to achieve fully air con equipped fleets even with the relatively high vehicle investment levels they have in HK although they do ensure buses have a 17-18 year service life so vehicles are worked pretty hard. HK also has the benefit of a nearly all tri-axle double deck fleet which allows high carrying capacities within the axle loading constraints. London has opted to take a different tack because dwell times are considered more important than cramming 100+ people into a bus. Buses do stand still for minutes at a time in HK when loading at busy stops and you get massive queues of vehicles waiting to pull on to a stop because drivers are forbidden to drive round a stop. When you have routes with peak headways of every 3-4 minutes you can easily get 3 or 4 buses on one route in the queue for a stop. I'm not entirely convinced that's the best answer when you consider they're belching out fumes. I think the answer is to get air cooling working properly. I suspect it's close to impossible to achieve it on a NB4L. On other types it would be helpful if TfL put up notices or a message on I-Bus to advise people to keep windows closed to get the max benefit from the air cooling system (where fitted). If you don't tell people how are they supposed to know? I also wish TfL would contemplate speccing the easiest solution which is vents at the front of the bus that will pull in air as the bus moves. I wonder what people would say if the Mayor said "you can have air con on London's buses over the next few years. However we have to double the increase in fares (so 10p instead of 5p) each year to fund the improvements." I wonder if people would agree to spend the extra money? I doubt it. I know...you've already justified your reasons in the discussion we had in the ranting thread it was just a figure of speech! You've echoed what I said, just get the air cooling systems working properly on all buses, SDs included. On a side note, how much weight would be added if air con systems are fitted? Surely added weight wouldn't be an issue given DDs are decreasing in weight these days, the Gemini 3 for example which is at around 11300 KGs, a siginificant decrease from previous models.
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 2, 2015 11:21:43 GMT
Personally, I'd remove air cooling from all buses and just have sliding windows - it's a much better way of regulating temperature and would solve the issue that NBfL's currently have. The other problem with air cooling is the mechanism of how it works - until last year, I never knew you had to close all the windows for it to work to its full effectiveness and that's the problem entirely - very few passengers know this which is why you see all windows open instead. Or better yet, if air con is such an impossibility, have air cooling units that actually work and blow out cool air on the upper and lower deck, and no windows at all so the cool air circulates properly. Yesterday I was on an E40D, the right side of the bus was somewhat cool but the left was not probably due to the open windows, having said that the air was not cool enough, but by no means hot air like most of the LTs disastrously blow out. What could be wrong with them that's so hard to get right? Thermostat not regulating the temperature properly? Refrigerant not cooling the air adequately? Maybe they're both the same thing I don't know...something along those lines
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 1, 2015 20:44:31 GMT
I can never fathom how in the modern society we can't even get something as fundamental as air con working in London buses, a few cool Gemini 2s and 3s/MMCs/Enviros aren't enough, forget the useless air cooling crap, what's so hard about investing in proper air con systems in all London buses?! And even the deep tube lines for that matter...except we have to deal with pathetic excuses like 'heat dissipation issues' and 'power efficiency'...a load of rubbish if you ask me, baring in mind the vast number of innovations that are taking place at present. The most embarrasing thing is, being part Egyptian, in Cairo there are a few bus routes which have proper working air con, routes 356/370/702/796 for those interested (I forgot the rest) and even a metro line with full air con, Line 3 which is a deep line and the third out of three lines, the future three proposed lines 4/5/6 will also have air con, baring in mind Cairo is less developed in comparison. Heck even the NT4L won't have air con! We'll see how this air cooling pans out in future summers...for now It's quite embarrassing that London is undoubtedly amongst the world's most developed cities, yet we all have to deal with this horrible experience using most modes of London's public transport. Let's be rational for a moment. We get warm weather but very high temperatures are rare. We are lucky if we get a 7 days of real warm weather in a row simply because we get thunderstorms that reduce the temperatures / are usually associated with cold weather fronts moving across. Air con on double deckers increases weight which means reduced capacity or replacing thousands of buses with new tri-axles. They also use more fuel and will create more emissions which are completely contrary to current policies and EU rulings. Hong Kong is vastly different because their climate justifies the provision of air conditioning given high heat and high humidity. However they have not cracked the emissions issue and air quality can be appalling. London is in a policy bind. The problem we have is that the air cooling that has been provided either does not work properly or it does but people don't realise it's best not to open windows. I travelled upstairs on one of the 212's new Volvos last week on a warm day. It was lovely and cool upstairs and only one window was open. To be fair the bus was lightly loaded so there was little heat generation from people which reduced the load on the vehicle's systems. Rationally TfL made the right choice to install air cooling, white roofs and dark windows on new buses. Most operators don't specify those features. Where it was wrong and remains wrong is to keep trying to say air cooling works on the NB4L when it quite clearly does not on a regular basis. There is a defence of the indefensible going on because it would mean massive embarrassment for the Mayor to actually admit there is a problem. That stupidity is a fault in having a politicised transport system (and that is regardless of the politician or party so before anyone accuses me of "bashing" a particular person I am NOT doing that). I must also take issue with your view that heat issues underground are "a load of rubbish" and that air con on the deep tube is easy to do. It quite simply is not true. There are huge issues about heat absorption into the tunnels over many years. Most lines are inadequately ventilated because it wasn't designed in when built as it would be these days. Fitting vent shafts and fans is nearly impossible in Central London. Repairing the old ones is possible and is being done and that's good. Trains do throw out a lot of heat as do all the bodies travelling underground. I've felt the heat thrown out by the air con EMUs on the Hong Kong MTR and it's immense. However the vents, fans and stations are designed to get the heat away. Even with newer technology LU faces huge challenges to get the deep tube lines cooler. I've not used the Vic Line regularly for a long while now or in recent hot weather but there's no doubt that post upgrade conditions are nicer than they were. However that took a holistic approach to the total system of infrastructure and rolling stock on the line to bring about the difference. That is equally true on the other deep tube routes. I understand the rationale behind the constraints in implementing air con in the deep tube lines, it's just the excusive attitude surrounding this particular topic of London's transport system which I despise. It's true that it's not always hot in London, but that shouldn't rule out having air con in general, when it is hot in London that is when the whole infrastucture suffers, it only takes something natural like heat to send the whole system into meltdown expressively and literally..."Minor delays due to a speed restriction" I mean seriously?! How can this be sensibly justified? A head-scratching moment right there. Also, there were quite a few delays on a number of lines today which can't be a pure coincidence. Surely it's not rocket science to find out a solution for making it feasible to provide air con on the deep tube lines and buses. Innovation is a key term that every major city around the world adhere to, without it a city simply can not be perceived as modern and world class. Buses would be a great place to start, nothing is physically restricting the provision of air con, any constraints regarding the policy imposed on London's buses could be easily solved by intelligence and innovation. This excusive behaviour surrounding the issues and difficulties are what prevent London from moving forward, if funding was not wasted on less important projects then finding a solution would not be so problematic, after all what could be more important than passenger comfort regarding London's public transport? This takes into account health and safety aspects too which is something TFL already stringently prioritise...strangely ironic.
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Post by rmz19 on Jul 1, 2015 15:56:04 GMT
I can never fathom how in the modern society we can't even get something as fundamental as air con working in London buses, a few cool Gemini 2s and 3s/MMCs/Enviros aren't enough, forget the useless air cooling crap, what's so hard about investing in proper air con systems in all London buses?! And even the deep tube lines for that matter...except we have to deal with pathetic excuses like 'heat dissipation issues' and 'power efficiency'...a load of rubbish if you ask me, baring in mind the vast number of innovations that are taking place at present. The most embarrasing thing is, being part Egyptian, in Cairo there are a few bus routes which have proper working air con, routes 356/370/702/796 for those interested (I forgot the rest) and even a metro line with full air con, Line 3 which is a deep line and the third out of three lines, the future three proposed lines 4/5/6 will also have air con, baring in mind Cairo is less developed in comparison. Heck even the NT4L won't have air con! We'll see how this air cooling pans out in future summers...for now It's quite embarrassing that London is undoubtedly amongst the world's most developed cities, yet we all have to deal with this horrible experience using most modes of London's public transport.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 30, 2015 16:19:10 GMT
Don't forget that Metroline may receive a MCV Volvo B5TL to trial and judging by the looks of it which are fantastic, I'd love for them to order a bucket load if the B5LH chassis is available with it. MCV are indeed working on a B5LH version of the Evoseti. They are indeed! It's mentioned here, third paragraph down Really hope they make a regular appearance in London soon.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 30, 2015 16:00:46 GMT
It would be less confusing if TFL propose to re-route the 30 and 74 along either Baker Street or Gloucester Place in both directions instead of their proposed one way systems respectively. Ideally I would run the 13/30/139/189 along Baker Street, and the 2/113/74/82/274 along Gloucester Place.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 30, 2015 10:45:00 GMT
I think cycle improvement works are definitely a good thing. If cycling is safer then more people will be encouraged to cycle thus reducing the number of motorists and public transport passengers. In the long term traffic levels will go down as more people start cycling. I'm disappointed that it's taken this long but at least it's finally happening. No, I don't think cycling will replace public transport/cars to the extent you think it will. I'd rather do my daily Welling to Harrow journey in nice air-conditioned buses and trains thanks. I don't think it's possible to cycle up Shooter's Hill anyway. I fail to take cycling seriously as means of getting around the city; cycling for recreational reasons is different. I agree, London is not a city where cycling should be taken seriously to the extent that it would even remotely be presented as an alternative means of transport, it's hardly Amsterdam. Apart from the obvious 'around the corner' trip, leisure and recreational reasons, London is hardly built for such an activity and I find the insistence in encouraging more to cycle ridiculous given the potential 'dangers' imposed on cyclists which they always seem to have an excuse about.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 29, 2015 15:16:30 GMT
The first bit of good news for a long time
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 29, 2015 15:09:44 GMT
DW220 looks like it's been repainted, it looked clean and tidy from a distance at St. Paul's today.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 29, 2015 10:45:12 GMT
Now this would make London a much better place if these are in production Don't MCV already have a London spec Decker available on B5LH chassis? I believe MCVs were available with the B9TL chassis in London as demonstrators a while back, it's also available with the B5TL at present but I'm not sure whether London will get them or not. Hopefully they will be produced with the E40H chassis, or dare I say it even the B5LH chassis As long as the MCVs are back again gracing the streets of London.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 29, 2015 0:35:24 GMT
Now, if only Scania/MCV/Optare could consider producing London-spec hybrid double deckers ;D - ADL and Wrights becomes boring rather quickly. Now this would make London a much better place if these are in production
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 28, 2015 21:31:13 GMT
You forgot the Gemini 2/B5LH bus And seriously...why do people like the MMC so much? It's ugly, and the integral hybrid version of the bus is WAY too loud for my liking. This poll concerns new/latest Hybrid DDs hence why I didn't include the Gemini 2 B5LH. I guess this is a subjective matter, but I personally like the look of the E40H MMC, it's much more appealing than the predecessor and I like the way ADL futureproofed the design.
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Post by rmz19 on Jun 28, 2015 16:28:54 GMT
Hi all! Which of these latest Hybrid Double Deckers do you personally prefer? Feel free to list your choices in order and justify them My personal choice is the ADL MMC E40H. It's my favourite out of all because of that epic exhaust noise when accelerating at full power, I find its design visually appealing and ergonomic. The absence of that hideous rear overhang which plagues the B5LHs enables for a symmetrical exterior and it has a quick pace. The ADL MMC E40H pretty much possesses all the aspects I like. At second place is the ADL Euro 6 E40H. Again that epic exhaust noise, all round symmetrical design and quick pace. Also, its slightly extended wheelbase further compliments its appeal despite the arguably outdated design in general. It was difficult to decide between the Wright Gemini 3 B5LH and the ADL MMC B5LH for the third spot, but it's taken by the former. Sorry for sounding like a broken record here...but that rear overhang I'm not fond of the mismatched windows either. On the other hand, its design is sleek and very appealing, especially the London United variant with the slightly redesigned black surrounds at the rear. It has the best ride of all, but that's not to say the others don't as they're also great. However, it's conventional sibling and the StreetDeck (before the redesign) look perfect IMO. In contrast to the E40H, the gearing system ruins its otherwise quick pace, its sound is nothing special either. Fourth place is the ADL MMC B5LH. All of the negative points mentioned above apply to this. I never expected a B5LH variant of the MMC, but when it was recently released I was slightly let down, I guess it's safe to say that I somewhat dislike the B5LH chassis. It's a shame as I'm really fond of its general aesthetic appearance, what would be perfect is a Wright Gemini 3 with an E40H chassis!
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