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Post by busoccultation on Aug 9, 2022 19:34:11 GMT
Is there any operator that *hasn't* got a big recruitment drive on? Huge shortages out there I get that but was odd to see so many trainers in a confined area from one operator when I don’t see that in my own area Stagecoach do all of their PCV tests out of WH including for those who are joining the Selkent garages and I would imagine they are driving all of the trainees around Stratford area to familiarise the potential test routes ready for their test.
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Post by DT 11 on Aug 9, 2022 19:38:01 GMT
Is there any operator that *hasn't* got a big recruitment drive on? Huge shortages out there I get that but was odd to see so many trainers in a confined area from one operator when I don’t see that in my own area Agreed, that is definitely unusual.
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Post by WH241 on Aug 9, 2022 19:59:03 GMT
I get that but was odd to see so many trainers in a confined area from one operator when I don’t see that in my own area Agreed, that is definitely unusual. Its not odd for Stagecoach from my experiences in east London! They also head for the nearest garage for meal relief so could explain Stratford as close to WH.
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Post by VPL630 on Aug 10, 2022 16:00:51 GMT
Is there any operator that *hasn't* got a big recruitment drive on? Huge shortages out there I get that but was odd to see so many trainers in a confined area from one operator when I don’t see that in my own area When I did my training around 7 years ago, you had test routes to go over but as they wanted you to get around 40 hours driving and to actually be comfortable driving, they would take you anywhere and everywhere, plus tell me a trainee that doesn’t want to go up town, the thing I remember was if you displayed dislike of something, EG going over Dartford Crossing or tight work, you’d suddenly find yourself doing lots of said work, there is a loop we did many a time around Harold Hill, and when training I remember messing up this corner so many times but eventually got the hang of it, even to this day if I’m ever in the area doing something for Ensignbus or anyone else, I’ll specifically go that way just to reassure myself that I know what I’m doing and how far I’ve come because I remember clipping that d*mn kerb so many times trying to avoid the traffic island, if we hadn’t done loops of it, I know It would have taken me a lot longer to be comfortable taking similar terms, and I’ll take that experienced drivers will think the turn is easy and even I think it’s easy now compared to some of the ridiculous turns I’ve had to do while on E Rail and other things but at the time I was new found it a challenge until I worked at it, if you’re wondering it’s the left turn from Gooshays Dr into Petersfield Ave if you want a laugh, yes I know it looks massive on the map but make the turn thinking that will soon find you hitting the kerb, anyway, my point is that the instructors have complete freedom to take their trainees where ever they feel like it as long as they are back by their finish time, I spent a lot of time around Epping and the nice parts of Essex but also drove down Oxford Street and spent a lot of time in the city, when you have 3 trainees it does take some time to get your 40 hours driving in but you also get to watch the others handle different situations. Instructor’s also know certain places/routes that are challenging and these maybe miles away from West Ham, but they’ll incorporate test routes into them when running back to WH or leaving in the mornings, there are times you take your break back at the yard as well. At the end of the day they want to make sure you can drive, not just pass a test, where as I’ve just done my Cat C+E and my training provider pretty much just taught me how to pass the test which at the end of the day that’s what I paid them for but it was a completely different experience
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Post by SN17MSO on Aug 10, 2022 20:06:36 GMT
10192 was on 246 again today. This time blinded but not with new blinds.
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Post by lb99 on Aug 10, 2022 21:42:08 GMT
10192 was on 246 again today. This time blinded but not with new blinds. Must of been inserts.. Wonder if they received the 684 aswell no buses have seem to have turned up for the route.
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Post by Paul on Aug 11, 2022 13:26:08 GMT
10192 was on 246 again today. This time blinded but not with new blinds. Must of been inserts.. Wonder if they received the 684 aswell no buses have seem to have turned up for the route. As far as I’m aware the 110** and 101** series of buses have all received 684 and 246 blinds. I don’t know about the 19*** series
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Post by DT 11 on Aug 11, 2022 14:20:36 GMT
10192 was on 246 again today. This time blinded but not with new blinds. There is a picture of 10192 on the 246 here. The font is definitely older style. The original blinds for 10139-10154 that did not have 261 I am sure they had 246 fitted however they were Yellow blinds I believe.
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Post by SILENCED on Aug 17, 2022 18:37:13 GMT
What is it with Stagecoach and manky looking grab poles? Been a long time complainer of the grab rails on the TL classic E400s, and the B5TL I was on this evening seems to be going the same way. Does not appear to be a problem with Arriva or Abellio.
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Post by WH241 on Aug 17, 2022 19:04:22 GMT
What is it with Stagecoach and manky looking grab poles? Been a long time complainer of the grab rails on the TL classic E400s, and the B5TL I was on this evening seems to be going the same way. Does not appear to be a problem with Arriva or Abellio. Not noticed a issue in east London but my local garage has lots of new Smart Hybrids so could be why.
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Post by ADH45258 on Aug 17, 2022 19:04:43 GMT
What is it with Stagecoach and manky looking grab poles? Been a long time complainer of the grab rails on the TL classic E400s, and the B5TL I was on this evening seems to be going the same way. Does not appear to be a problem with Arriva or Abellio. Can be an issue with RATP too. Many of the MMC ADHs have badly chipped handrails despite being relatively new.
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Post by SILENCED on Aug 17, 2022 22:43:09 GMT
What is it with Stagecoach and manky looking grab poles? Been a long time complainer of the grab rails on the TL classic E400s, and the B5TL I was on this evening seems to be going the same way. Does not appear to be a problem with Arriva or Abellio. Not noticed a issue in east London but my local garage has lots of new Smart Hybrids so could be why. My usual bus journey is either a 75 or 157. But do do others. On my outward journey I had the pleasure of 13090, for a bus this young, the standard of grab rails was beyond something I would expect from a vehicle of such an age. By chance got another B5LH on way home,13096, these were better, but showing signs they were not far behind. Norwood Ts on the 157 have immaculate grab poles, even the ones from DX, although maybe the seating leaves a little to be desired.
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Post by vjaska on Aug 18, 2022 3:28:56 GMT
Not noticed a issue in east London but my local garage has lots of new Smart Hybrids so could be why. My usual bus journey is either a 75 or 157. But do do others. On my outward journey I had the pleasure of 13090, for a bus this young, the standard of grab rails was beyond something I would expect from a vehicle of such an age. By chance got another B5LH on way home,13096, these were better, but showing signs they were not far behind. Norwood Ts on the 157 have immaculate grab poles, even the ones from DX, although maybe the seating leaves a little to be desired. We all know N is one of the best garages around so I'd be shocked if their buses wern't in great condition. Haven't noticed any issues with Abellio or Go-Ahead down my way
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Post by Eastlondoner62 on Aug 18, 2022 8:41:55 GMT
What is it with Stagecoach and manky looking grab poles? Been a long time complainer of the grab rails on the TL classic E400s, and the B5TL I was on this evening seems to be going the same way. Does not appear to be a problem with Arriva or Abellio. I haven't noticed it much but its certainly the case on some buses, especially the refurbished ones. I wonder if its a different type of paint. It is however a lot more prominent at Arriva on the 368 and 175s buses where the handrail is more rusty brown than cream. But again these buses have been refurbished. I imagine once again its a paint issue
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Post by abellion on Aug 18, 2022 11:57:54 GMT
My usual bus journey is either a 75 or 157. But do do others. On my outward journey I had the pleasure of 13090, for a bus this young, the standard of grab rails was beyond something I would expect from a vehicle of such an age. By chance got another B5LH on way home,13096, these were better, but showing signs they were not far behind. Norwood Ts on the 157 have immaculate grab poles, even the ones from DX, although maybe the seating leaves a little to be desired. We all know N is one of the best garages around so I'd be shocked if their buses wern't in great condition. Haven't noticed any issues with Abellio or Go-Ahead down my way For Go-Ahead the DOEs are quite worn out, some SELs also when they existed. No surprise, 53/54 have survived well over a decade and the only withdrawal was because of fire.
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