|
Post by ServerKing on Jun 3, 2020 15:45:24 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts?
|
|
|
Post by Danny on Jun 3, 2020 15:49:35 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? I notice Leon Daniels commented on that post that the LED units, cost twice as much as smart blind units and a lifetime of new blind-sets. I'm guessing this is part of the reason that operators aren't rushing to introduce them.
|
|
|
Post by SILENCED on Jun 3, 2020 16:04:28 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? I notice Leon Daniels commented on that post that the LED units, cost twice as much as smart blind units and a lifetime of new blind-sets. I'm guessing this is part of the reason that operators aren't rushing to introduce them. London did decide to pick the Rolls Royce of LED blinds, so it is only to be expected. Other cheaper models are available, to match the rest of the TfL London spec.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2020 16:13:19 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? I was wondering the other day what happened about the trial of LED blinds. The sooner buses move to this technology the better! Will be so much easier to update when routes are won or buses move garages. Surely if these tough times these blinds would work out cheaper in the long run? Interesting to note the 25 has been added to the blinds. I wonder if the 25 and 425 will be added to any future blind sets at WH to allow for flexibility it the future for rail extras or if the routes every move garages.
|
|
|
Post by Eastlondoner62 on Jun 3, 2020 16:33:32 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? I was wondering the other day what happened about the trial of LED blinds. The sooner buses move to this technology the better! Will be so much easier to update when routes are won or buses move garages. Surely if these tough times these blinds would work out cheaper in the long run? Interesting to note the 25 has been added to the blinds. I wonder if the 25 and 425 will be added to any future blind sets at WH to allow for flexibility it the future for rail extras or if the routes every move garages. I know enviroPB did report the other day he saw a 277 MMC with the back blind on the 425, and 12425 was on the 25 yesterday presumably blinded. As the buses should be moving to WH soon I'd be surprised if they were fitted with 25 and 425 blinds only for a new WH set to be put in a few months later. So I would imagine they already have WH sets in them now, but also have all the BW routes on them. As for LEDs, I don't see it happening for a while until the costs come down. The pricing cannot be justified if it's as high as Leon Daniels has said it is, but then costs will only come down when people buy them in mass so it's a vicious circle.
|
|
|
Post by MoEnviro on Jun 3, 2020 17:09:28 GMT
I wonder if part of the issue is the specific LED display that TfL are requesting. And not the widely use general white or orange LED displays used across the whole country.
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Jun 3, 2020 17:29:43 GMT
I’m probably in a minority here but I’m quite glad TfL stayed away from LED’s and other systems for so long - they briefly dabbled in Dot Matrix which I believe was unreliable across the UK and many LED blinds weren’t much better running into multiple problems over the years. The latest white LED’s seem to be doing well outside London as are the London ones though the spacing elements and different sizes on some blinds and even for some particular numbers needs to be resolved as it looks quite untidy - power blinds have got better over the years though with far less being reported for issues and LCD displays have had a proper look in so far.
|
|
|
Post by ilovelondonbuses on Jun 3, 2020 18:19:56 GMT
I’m probably in a minority here but I’m quite glad TfL stayed away from LED’s and other systems for so long - they briefly dabbled in Dot Matrix which I believe was unreliable across the UK and many LED blinds weren’t much better running into multiple problems over the years. The latest white LED’s seem to be doing well outside London as are the London ones though the spacing elements and different sizes on some blinds and even for some particular numbers needs to be resolved as it looks quite untidy - power blinds have got better over the years though with far less being reported for issues and LCD displays have had a proper look in so far. You definitely not alone. Power blinds are great and do the job more effectively than LEDs. Hope TfL stick to them for as long as possible. Wouldn’t mind LCDs being explored though.
|
|
|
Post by greenboy on Jun 3, 2020 18:38:33 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? And how much better that looks than bits of board stuck in the windscreen..... are there any other bus operators anywhere outside of TfL land still using blinds? They're as outdated as video recorders, fax machines and pagers.
|
|
|
Post by ServerKing on Jun 3, 2020 18:58:09 GMT
Kim Rennie (Facebook, Londoner) posted a picture of Stagecoach's 11034 on the 25, able to display a "Bus Full" sign in it's Hanover LED blindset. ... TfL, 2 years ago (quietly) said operators could fit / retrofit such blinds with their permission. I was curious as to why no one has really taken up this opportunity, or why TfL has chosen USB Ports over something I think could benefit operators and passengers alike. Operators won't have to faff about with changing smart-blinds if a bus moves garage, and additional messages could be displayed to passengers, such as Via points, or as pictured above. I know the topic has been done to death, but I would have thought it would be more appropriate now Thoughts? And how much better that looks than bits of board stuck in the windscreen..... are there any other bus operators anywhere still using blinds? They're as outdated as video recorders, fax machines and pagers. I think Leon Daniels' dislike of the early blinds such as on MBK1, probably set a precedent that his successor Gareth Powell just stuck to and never gave any thought. I guess with TfL in freefall as profits and passenger numbers plummet, anything like investing in blinds was never thought of. Nice little earner for McKenna, the only blind company in London still making these old skool blinds. It has gone the way of video recorders and pagers as you say. The quality is good enough, having seen Abellio Caetano's on the P5, I know they couldn't accommodate regular blinds like the H2 Solo's, so TfL reluctantly accept their use. I hope anything is done to improve the lot of bus travel in London, even the 20 passengers for a whole decker is setting operators up to fail. The "Bus Full" bits of card on the dash is too fussy, and any commuters will tire of letting buses go in the hope of an empty one arriving. Interesting times...
|
|
|
Post by enviroPB on Jun 3, 2020 19:11:48 GMT
I was wondering the other day what happened about the trial of LED blinds. The sooner buses move to this technology the better! Will be so much easier to update when routes are won or buses move garages. Surely if these tough times these blinds would work out cheaper in the long run? Interesting to note the 25 has been added to the blinds. I wonder if the 25 and 425 will be added to any future blind sets at WH to allow for flexibility it the future for rail extras or if the routes every move garages. I know enviroPB did report the other day he saw a 277 MMC with the back blind on the 425, and 12425 was on the 25 yesterday presumably blinded. As the buses should be moving to WH soon I'd be surprised if they were fitted with 25 and 425 blinds only for a new WH set to be put in a few months later. So I would imagine they already have WH sets in them now, but also have all the BW routes on them. As for LEDs, I don't see it happening for a while until the costs come down. The pricing cannot be justified if it's as high as Leon Daniels has said it is, but then costs will only come down when people buy them in mass so it's a vicious circle. Sorry to say that it was actually E40H 12320 almost a month ago spotted on the 277 with the 425 blind on the back of it. Seeing as I'm here, it's wounded dog time to admit that the LED trial on Stagecoach's MMC Smart Hybrids (11033-11038) have been a quiet success in my opinion. Sure it doesn't look great up close with a migraine feeling if you look at it for too long close up, but the electronic blinds are easily readable from a distance and on particularly sunny days I have confused them for normal roller blinds! So Eastlondoner62, I am in total agreement with you that LED blinds are not going to be financially viable unless pretty much every operator buys them en masse.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2020 19:15:49 GMT
I remember reading here I think that blinds are extremely expensive, I think several hundred per set? so surprised LEDs would be too expensive especially how quick some blinds need changing.
|
|
|
Post by greenboy on Jun 3, 2020 19:56:45 GMT
And how much better that looks than bits of board stuck in the windscreen..... are there any other bus operators anywhere still using blinds? They're as outdated as video recorders, fax machines and pagers. I think Leon Daniels' dislike of the early blinds such as on MBK1, probably set a precedent that his successor Gareth Powell just stuck to and never gave any thought. I guess with TfL in freefall as profits and passenger numbers plummet, anything like investing in blinds was never thought of. Nice little earner for McKenna, the only blind company in London still making these old skool blinds. It has gone the way of video recorders and pagers as you say. The quality is good enough, having seen Abellio Caetano's on the P5, I know they couldn't accommodate regular blinds like the H2 Solo's, so TfL reluctantly accept their use. I hope anything is done to improve the lot of bus travel in London, even the 20 passengers for a whole decker is setting operators up to fail. The "Bus Full" bits of card on the dash is too fussy, and any commuters will tire of letting buses go in the hope of an empty one arriving. Interesting times... Yes the quality is fine on the P5 and has been for years now elsewhere...... quite ironic that most London buses that are sold for further use elsewhere are converted to electronic display.
|
|
|
Post by Pilot on Jun 3, 2020 20:04:32 GMT
I am sorry but LED is not the way, rolling blinds are best blinds, you take that away from London buses and it obviously damages it's image slightly and next thing you know in 5 years buses are in green.
|
|
|
Post by foxhat on Jun 3, 2020 20:09:41 GMT
I think Leon Daniels' dislike of the early blinds such as on MBK1, probably set a precedent that his successor Gareth Powell just stuck to and never gave any thought. I guess with TfL in freefall as profits and passenger numbers plummet, anything like investing in blinds was never thought of. Nice little earner for McKenna, the only blind company in London still making these old skool blinds. It has gone the way of video recorders and pagers as you say. The quality is good enough, having seen Abellio Caetano's on the P5, I know they couldn't accommodate regular blinds like the H2 Solo's, so TfL reluctantly accept their use. I hope anything is done to improve the lot of bus travel in London, even the 20 passengers for a whole decker is setting operators up to fail. The "Bus Full" bits of card on the dash is too fussy, and any commuters will tire of letting buses go in the hope of an empty one arriving. Interesting times... Yes the quality is fine on the P5 and has been for years now elsewhere...... quite ironic that most London buses that are sold for further use elsewhere are converted to electronic display. Yet those LED screens are much smaller and cheaper than what is on offer here. London unlike anywhere else prides itself on its roots and one of the biggest roots is the almost universal use of the Johnston font. A font which is difficult to fully replicate on a smaller resolution LED screen. Other thing is outside of London in commercial routes have a tendency to change far more quicker than in London
|
|