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Post by ServerKing on Oct 14, 2024 18:21:25 GMT
I think so. Even McKenna want to move away from them, as they have their own LED blinds now, the process of making them is very time consuming and there's a long queue for those wanting inserts or new sets. There's a video somewhere of the whole process on YouTube. Was a surprise when some Stagecoach Electroliners at TL and NS came with SmartBlinds when even Arriva, late to the LED party is now retrofitting LED's down in Norwood. Would you say McKenna wanted to move away or were they forced to adapt to the "times". I recall a member on here saying someone high up at McKenna advocated the smart blinds over the LEDs I'd say they also had their own LED product (they are even doing a colour version now on their site) and want to move away from being the face of outdated London tech. A bit like how Matt Le Blanc wanted to shake off the "Joey from Friends" tag when he fronted Top Gear a few years ago. (could also draw parallels with Sir David Jason and Del Boy)  Even Leon Daniels experimented with E-Paper on TE1224 at Metroline around 2015 which was the forerunner to what we have now. When you've been on a bus with torn blinds or faded ones, you'll appreciate LED's. Granted, some fail (see the 276 and W7 batch) but overall, it's crisp and easy to see. The buses on the 204 are far superior to the regulars on Wembley High Road, for instance  I think the first LED's that Stagecoach had on the Smarts were good, although initially the destinations were a little large but it all looks good now |
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Post by DT 11 on Oct 14, 2024 18:42:49 GMT
Overall it’s a shame the 66 103 & 370 are not getting the same refurbishments as N, would save the need for ordering more Smart blind sets. I don’t think it’s worth the energy to refurbish buses to that specification for 3 year contracts though. As a whole it is what is specified in the contracts, some other routes in other firms may also receive these kind of refurbishments. Those routes aren't 3 year contracts. You misinterpreted my post. |
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Post by SILENCED on Oct 14, 2024 18:51:43 GMT
Would you say McKenna wanted to move away or were they forced to adapt to the "times". I recall a member on here saying someone high up at McKenna advocated the smart blinds over the LEDs I'd say they also had their own LED product (they are even doing a colour version now on their site) and want to move away from being the face of outdated London tech. A bit like how Matt Le Blanc wanted to shake off the "Joey from Friends" tag when he fronted Top Gear a few years ago. (could also draw parallels with Sir David Jason and Del Boy) Even Leon Daniels experimented with E-Paper on TE1224 at Metroline around 2015 which was the forerunner to what we have now. When you've been on a bus with torn blinds or faded ones, you'll appreciate LED's. Granted, some fail (see the 276 and W7 batch) but overall, it's crisp and easy to see. The buses on the 204 are far superior to the regulars on Wembley High Road, for instance I think the first LED's that Stagecoach had on the Smarts were good, although initially the destinations were a little large but it all looks good now I'm also not aware of any posts saying they could not be read in sunlight ... a big argument against them repeatedly used on here. |
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Post by lj61nwc on Oct 14, 2024 18:54:00 GMT
Would you say McKenna wanted to move away or were they forced to adapt to the "times". I recall a member on here saying someone high up at McKenna advocated the smart blinds over the LEDs Smart blinds are significantly cheaper over the London life of a bus IF a maintenance contract is taken out. This covers updates and repairs. Unfortunately most operators have chosen not to take out the contract and McKenna has been forced to reduce the number of maintenance crews which has impacted the service. Lack of foresight by TfL in that case, if they're mandating smart blinds, they should've mandated the maintenance contract as well. If it's optional, little or no operators would opt for it as they need to ensure their bids are as competitive as possible |
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Post by DT 11 on Oct 14, 2024 18:58:57 GMT
Would you say McKenna wanted to move away or were they forced to adapt to the "times". I recall a member on here saying someone high up at McKenna advocated the smart blinds over the LEDs I'd say they also had their own LED product (they are even doing a colour version now on their site) and want to move away from being the face of outdated London tech. A bit like how Matt Le Blanc wanted to shake off the "Joey from Friends" tag when he fronted Top Gear a few years ago. (could also draw parallels with Sir David Jason and Del Boy) Even Leon Daniels experimented with E-Paper on TE1224 at Metroline around 2015 which was the forerunner to what we have now. When you've been on a bus with torn blinds or faded ones, you'll appreciate LED's. Granted, some fail (see the 276 and W7 batch) but overall, it's crisp and easy to see. The buses on the 204 are far superior to the regulars on Wembley High Road, for instance I think the first LED's that Stagecoach had on the Smarts were good, although initially the destinations were a little large but it all looks good now Faded Smart blinds look dreadful. The 486s Es were the worst offenders some of the buses on the 118 as well. Example when driving today two buses were chasing each other down Norwood Road the one with LEDs I could see what route it was from a distance the smart blind bus I could not until it was closer. Phasing LEDs in slowly is a good move as these will also come with regular maintenance required so Hanover & McKennas will be regularly visiting garages. Overall LEDs should have been introduced a long time ago… |
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Post by WH241 on Oct 14, 2024 19:11:40 GMT
Would you say McKenna wanted to move away or were they forced to adapt to the "times". I recall a member on here saying someone high up at McKenna advocated the smart blinds over the LEDs Smart blinds are significantly cheaper over the London life of a bus IF a maintenance contract is taken out. This covers updates and repairs. Unfortunately most operators have chosen not to take out the contract and McKenna has been forced to reduce the number of maintenance crews which has impacted the service. But in reality how often does a bus stay at one garage for its entire London life? Yes bus blinds can be left in bus when they move and have inserts added (Like they did with the SL2 at DX) but the reality buses need frequent blind updates.
I do struggle to see how blinds can work out cheaper but will have to take your word on this.
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Post by DT 11 on Oct 14, 2024 19:16:49 GMT
Smart blinds are significantly cheaper over the London life of a bus IF a maintenance contract is taken out. This covers updates and repairs. Unfortunately most operators have chosen not to take out the contract and McKenna has been forced to reduce the number of maintenance crews which has impacted the service. But in reality how often does a bus stay at one garage for its entire London life? Yes bus blinds can be left in bus when they move and have inserts added (Like they did with the SL2 at DX) but the reality buses need frequent blind updates.
I do struggle to see how blinds can work out cheaper but will have to take your word on this.
In addition the amount of specification changes TFL have made over the years forcing operators to buy new blinds. Removal of via Points was big and this destroyed the side blinds for MBs E200s 179-188, 740-762 Destination changes same place different name… I’ve lost count I cannot remember the most foolish one was 124 & 126 to Eltham removing Southend Cresent & High Street… then they were put back. Some changes were good such as Catford to Catford Bridge. |
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Post by WH241 on Oct 14, 2024 19:18:55 GMT
Noticed a reduction of E400s being used at LI since the 58 went electric with any shortfall on the 97 seems to made up by 17reg 13xxx hybrids.
Have most of the E400s transferred out of LI?
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Post by busoccultation on Oct 14, 2024 20:04:17 GMT
Noticed a reduction of E400s being used at LI since the 58 went electric with any shortfall on the 97 seems to made up by 17reg 13xxx hybrids.
Have most of the E400s transferred out of LI?
Yes all of the Stagecoach spec E400's used on the 97 at LI all moved out to PD and back to WH. 19872/873 are the the two that is still at LI. |
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Post by ServerKing on Oct 14, 2024 21:01:54 GMT
I'd say they also had their own LED product (they are even doing a colour version now on their site) and want to move away from being the face of outdated London tech. A bit like how Matt Le Blanc wanted to shake off the "Joey from Friends" tag when he fronted Top Gear a few years ago. (could also draw parallels with Sir David Jason and Del Boy) Even Leon Daniels experimented with E-Paper on TE1224 at Metroline around 2015 which was the forerunner to what we have now. When you've been on a bus with torn blinds or faded ones, you'll appreciate LED's. Granted, some fail (see the 276 and W7 batch) but overall, it's crisp and easy to see. The buses on the 204 are far superior to the regulars on Wembley High Road, for instance I think the first LED's that Stagecoach had on the Smarts were good, although initially the destinations were a little large but it all looks good now Faded Smart blinds look dreadful. The 486s Es were the worst offenders some of the buses on the 118 as well. Example when driving today two buses were chasing each other down Norwood Road the one with LEDs I could see what route it was from a distance the smart blind bus I could not until it was closer. Phasing LEDs in slowly is a good move as these will also come with regular maintenance required so Hanover & McKennas will be regularly visiting garages. Overall LEDs should have been introduced a long time ago… Now the technology is so good the blind resembles a traditional one, it should stop the traditionalist gatekeepers who hated the thought of London buses having something similar to the matrix type LEDs everywhere else. It's been proven that London spec is equivalent to the worst car trim level ever... it will still be an age before smart leather seating and WiFi. Had we gone to LED earlier, the Sullivans Flounce wouldn't have been so pronounced as Arriva scrabbled for buses for the 217... |
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Post by yunus on Oct 14, 2024 21:35:43 GMT
What buses are due for the W12?
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Post by atb123 on Oct 14, 2024 21:37:36 GMT
What buses are due for the W12? E100EVs |
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Post by WH241 on Oct 14, 2024 21:45:22 GMT
Noticed a reduction of E400s being used at LI since the 58 went electric with any shortfall on the 97 seems to made up by 17reg 13xxx hybrids.
Have most of the E400s transferred out of LI?
Yes all of the Stagecoach spec E400's used on the 97 at LI all moved out to PD and back to WH. 19872/873 are the the two that is still at LI. Thanks for confirming. I knew some E400s had moved out but didn’t realise the whole lot apart from the TT transit ones had moved.. |
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Post by yunus on Oct 14, 2024 21:56:37 GMT
What buses are due for the W12? E100EVs Interesting as that will reduce space due to the length of the vehicle. Got no idea how busy or quiet the new W12 route is so cannot comment on how it is likely to work out. |
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Post by sam97 on Oct 15, 2024 4:22:47 GMT
Interesting as that will reduce space due to the length of the vehicle. Got no idea how busy or quiet the new W12 route is so cannot comment on how it is likely to work out. I have been on the new W12 once in the morning and honestly it should get longer buses, it’s very busy in around the Leytonstone-South Woodford area. I think they should’ve got the current 9.6m length buses or maybe 10.2m |
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