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Post by BusesInLondon on Aug 16, 2022 19:43:25 GMT
Has it been confirmed what the reason is for the 226/295 going to X rather than RP and S respectively? Presumably RP's future redevelopment is preventing the site from being electrified now? S not being able to house additional chargers for the 295 easily.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Aug 9, 2022 19:35:46 GMT
Soooo....do we all think it would be the most amazing idea to name BCE47042 ‘Gregg Wallace’? 😂 Was impressed by the show! Also saw the chassis for BCE47100 being driven off the low loader at the start of the programme. Least RATP got some free promotion!
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Post by BusesInLondon on May 4, 2022 20:35:33 GMT
Looks like Westbourne Park will begin its second phase of electrification later on in the year.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Apr 26, 2022 6:28:07 GMT
First BME electric on the H18 this morning
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Post by BusesInLondon on Apr 25, 2022 20:20:28 GMT
I do think following these losses AV will soon be mothballed as being a bus operator is about profits not keeping something due to sentimental value. RATP has plenty of space in V especially as the H91 was lost. As the E1 moves to HH so does the night allocation on 105. Especially with the Osterly extension looming, it is very possible RATP may call it quits with the ADH's (and sell them off) once they have spare VH's or could even by some.; if only they could have SP's but Tfl wouldn't allow that... The 110 is could easily operate from both HH and V, but as V has more space and the route literally passes the garage I think it would go there. Route 117 would also go to HH as would the 203, H22, H37 and H98. The 419 would go to V. Now I just realised HH obviously isn't elastic. The transfers to V could still happen but perhaps HH is a better mothball option than AV due to AV's larger size but due to HH's chargers that is problematic. Or could some of these routes could ultimately go to V, if someone could mention which exactly. But the point is it is definitely possible. Metroline gets a gain in a shroud of losses and Abellio's grin just widens; RATP is like that overachiever at school who just recently got a bad result in an important exam. I could see something like this happen, but only if the trend continues. By the time routes such as the H32 and H98 are lost, a lot more routes in the area would have had tender results announced. The first of which are due in June - if RATP are successful with some of the E route, this could start to fill some of the space. There's then a tranche in the Kingston area due in July. If anything significant is lost or won, this could require a reshuffle involving other garages. Then also the 72 and 203 in September, as well as a lot of routes in North West London. If this rumour of RATP being banned from bidding is true, a lot will of course depend on how long that lasts for. Will be interesting to see when the number of bidders is announced for the last few sets of tender results. RATP is in much better shape than it was a few months ago in terms of staffing, they are still short of drivers (like most bus operators), but this has reduced massively from its peak
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Post by BusesInLondon on Apr 16, 2022 9:54:31 GMT
Two buses have entered the paintshop to celebrate the queen's platinum jubilee.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Mar 15, 2022 19:32:28 GMT
BCE47112 has gained the new RATP Dev logos.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 27, 2022 20:28:13 GMT
Of the BEs for 290 and 371, there are 2 still to enter service, and 2 on loan at S (whilst it’s older BEs get mods). The chargers at WK aren’t ready yet for 235, but 12 of them have entered service at FW are are working 33 in meantime. (In practice working all 3 routes at FW). When chargers are ready at WK the 235 BEs will swap with DLEs for 33. This temporary use is allowing DEs to be withdrawn faster. Regarding BCEs, just 2 to enter service of 65, 281, 371, 49 batches All but 6 of 125 batch in service at FW (BT chargers not ready) None of 183 batch (47111-37) in service, now expected to get 22 registration plates, in meantime it is using buses from other routes batches. Regarding SPs, a few have moved to AV, which in turn has released some LTs (believed to have gone for refurb), but about 50 SPs seem to have been taken out of use during February. The 183’s BCE’s have indeed now got 22 plates, seen a picture of BCE47115 at LI Have they got the green stripe on the number plate?
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 25, 2022 22:46:33 GMT
I'm surprised the blinds weren't checked before they left the factory that they were in good working order in the first place, the amount of BCE's and BE's going around with blank destination blinds is ridiculous. Who to say they weren't. Maybe it is having them stored doing nothing in damp conditions that affects them. Let's give RATP a few more weeks. Good on them for ordering this new tech in the masses, even with the higher upfront cost.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 24, 2022 19:04:35 GMT
A picture of SEe165 in Scarbados has emerged on Flickr flic.kr/p/2n2LUrpLooks like the W15’s batch will have LED blinds! More 'Blinds don't look good' comments incoming...
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 19, 2022 15:16:28 GMT
On LVF, all three are registered as 71regs though. Those are the plates they've been allocated, they haven't been registered though. If you don't believe me, run their registrations through the Government vehicle tax check tool! Are the BCE reg's from the 183 batch (LB71***) registered?
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 13, 2022 9:16:48 GMT
VH45149 today on the X140. Is it due driver shortage? BT/CP run 2x X140 rotas on Saturday
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Post by BusesInLondon on Feb 5, 2022 17:16:58 GMT
This means that the whole X140 batch of BCEs is now in service. I wonder if BCE47084-47099 is destined for the 183? I recall that this batch was supposed to go for the 49 but it seems like all barring the ones on the 148 are starting their new life at SO. Does anyone have any confirmation whether the allocations are now changed and maybe the 183 is allocated that batch along with a few BCEs after BCE47110? The LB71 batch has yet to be delivered. The following LG71 batch have started to be delivered.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Jan 16, 2022 13:23:59 GMT
On the BME's, each route and its turns are lumped together. So to go from 398 Wood End to 398 Rayners Lane, its just one button to change between the destinations. I have yet to play about with the BCE blinds though. An example of a BME Blind Change I have done: youtu.be/Hhhsg6bS4hEOr very simply, select route number first, the a 2nd menu with that routes termini, turning points. It seems a very simple change for the supplier to make. Has any operator provided any feedback? You cant do this with the current mobitec units on the BME's. This was the previous set up for roller blinds.
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Post by BusesInLondon on Jan 16, 2022 9:25:52 GMT
Seems odd modern the RAPT LED blinds are so restricted and cumbersome. You would think modern tech was just as easy or easier than current smart blinds. I don't understand the restricted part. However London sovereign have alot of routes and SDs are blinded for all the SD routes and DDs are blinded for all the DD routes plus the 288, 303, H18/19. For example let's take the 125 On the current smart blinds you will have 125 Colindale Station 125 Winchmore Hill 125 Hendon Quadrant 125 Finchley Central 125 North Finchley 125 Totteridge & Whetstone Station 125 Hampden Square 125 Southgate Station say you are heading towards Winchmore Hill and then you get a turn at Southgate Station. You press 1 button to keep the route locked to 125 then another button to scroll through only the 125s destinations to find Southgate Station. On the LED blinds you have this for example. 79 Edgware Station 79 Alperton Sainsbury's 125 Colindale Station 125 Winchmore Hill 142 Brent Cross 142 Watford Junction 183 Golders Green 183 Pinner 288 Queensbury Morrisons 288 Broadfields 303 Edgware 303 Kingsbury Circle H12 Stanmore Station H12 South Harrow H14 Northwick Park Hospital H14 Hatch End H18 Harrow H19 Harrow X140 Heathrow Airport X140 Harrow Bus Station 79 Wembley Central 125 Hendon Quadrant 142 West Hendon Broadway 183 Harrow ..... So you then have to scroll through so many routes and destinations before you get to 125 Southgate Station, you get the idea. On the BME's, each route and its turns are lumped together. So to go from 398 Wood End to 398 Rayners Lane, its just one button to change between the destinations. I have yet to play about with the BCE blinds though. An example of a BME Blind Change I have done: youtu.be/Hhhsg6bS4hE
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