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Post by LK65EBO on Jan 27, 2023 21:47:07 GMT
Out of all your buses you have owned which one was the most fuel efficient would you say?
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 28, 2023 5:59:05 GMT
Out of all your buses you have owned which one was the most fuel efficient would you say? The 12m Citaros achieve the highest MPG and the artics have the lowest.
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 30, 2023 18:09:43 GMT
Some updates.
I'm in the market for acquiring more buses. I've been considering the economics of a new vehicle purchase but largely drawing a blank. Depreciation means you take the hit on the purchase price when you sell so it really hinges on having a sufficiently lucrative workstream to make it make sense. The only justification I can see is if the work requires the buses to be new or have particular specs. I spoke with a vehicle manufacturer with a view to acquiring a new custom made vehicle but at this time can't make a case for it.
Replacement Bus Hire is back in town this weekend with trippers to Newbury Park and Hampton Court though your guess is as good as mine as to which vehicle(s) will appear as there's nothing in the area at present.
Fleet updates
23065 - Further work required to prep for MOT, currently looking at options. At the moment the quote for putting an MOT on it and downgrading from Euro 4 to Euro 3 is £28k+ which makes it uneconomical.
SPV1 - heading to the workshop later this week for an early PMI and minor repairs. It will have its shift pattern change to lessen the aggressiveness after I pressed down the pedal in 6th last night to tackle one mini mountain and it kicked down four times in one go to 2nd gear. It can cope with the terrain but my concern is the maintenance costs will skyrocket if it's constantly having to work hard.
SPV2 - exhaustive work has been carried out to remedy faults it had when purchased. The Hanover display has been repaired, with the troublesome colour pad removed and replaced with a standard orange one. Hoping to have it on the road imminently.
TA23 - engine to be assessed imminently and quote obtained for repairs. As there is water ingress in the engine block it won't be cheap even if it is possible to repair.
VLA170 and VLA176 are both on hire to other operators. Both are working and have functional, but tired engines which are in need of replacement. Swapping the current engine with a factory renovated one is quoted at £23k. Refurbishing the current engine is quoted at £21k+.
VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition with the above costs applicable to repair it.
That's all for now.
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Post by M1199 on Jan 30, 2023 18:47:09 GMT
Thank you for sharing these updates and posting info regarding costs etc. It shows you just how deep your pockets have to be in this industry.
I hope something can be done with TA23, you’ve done a wonderful job on it.
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Post by allentc on Jan 31, 2023 8:15:27 GMT
VLA170 and VLA176 are both on hire to other operators. Both are working and have functional, but tired engines which are in need of replacement. Swapping the current engine with a factory renovated one is quoted at £23k. Refurbishing the current engine is quoted at £21k+. How about a used engine, is supply and fit much cheaper? Although it is a bit of a lottery since you don't know if the used engine has much more life in it than what it is replacing. The only way is if you are lucky to find a scraper that has had a recent engine or refurbed engine fitted with low miles.
What sort of buses are you looking out for? As a half way house between brand new and 14+ year old London buses, how about something that is say 5 or 6 years old? They'll have quite a bit of life left and won't be anywhere as expensive as new. I'm thinking of ex-lease buses say from the likes of Mistral. Being ex-lease they'll have to be returned in a fairly decent condition.
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Post by 6HP502C on Jan 31, 2023 10:09:15 GMT
I don't suppose you have any specifics about anything used you're looking to acquire? If you'd like I'll keep my eyes peeled for anything that may pop up Citaros at the moment!
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Post by 6HP502C on Feb 18, 2023 2:13:48 GMT
Fleet updates
23065 - withdrawn.
SPV1 - in the workshop having work carried out following its PMI.
SPV2 - serviceable. Awaiting delivery of its repaired Hanover sign.
TA23 - in the workshop having major repairs carried out.
VLA170 - on loan to another operator
VLA176 - will be out on Newbury Park to Ingatestone today. There is no further work booked for it after this as it is to be withdrawn, for good this time unless a good engine can be found for it. It is in working order and all 250 horses will be drawn on before it bows out of service.
VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition.
That's all for now.
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Post by 6HP502C on Feb 18, 2023 2:30:13 GMT
Thanks for those. What I like about the Citaro is more than just the engine, it's also the bodywork and ride quality. The SPVs are perfect for the type of work they do. Admittedly I don't know much about Tempos and there aren't many around to sample but I'd want something that at least equals Citaros in all those aspects. With respect to C2s, I've carried out some research on them. Cardiff Bus and McGills have a load of them and seem to get on well with them. There are also loads running on the continent. Presumably they have a maintenance programme which gets the best out of them. I spoke to Cardiff Bus and they're very happy with them. Operators who are getting rid, given the age of this bus type, it’s worth establishing why as the reason could impact the viability going forward.
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tts
Conductor
![*](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/stars/star.png)
Wished he got all Tridents driven like how he got TN33186 driven!
Posts: 91
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Post by tts on Feb 18, 2023 19:28:10 GMT
Some updates. I'm in the market for acquiring more buses. I've been considering the economics of a new vehicle purchase but largely drawing a blank. Depreciation means you take the hit on the purchase price when you sell so it really hinges on having a sufficiently lucrative workstream to make it make sense. The only justification I can see is if the work requires the buses to be new or have particular specs. I spoke with a vehicle manufacturer with a view to acquiring a new custom made vehicle but at this time can't make a case for it. Replacement Bus Hire is back in town this weekend with trippers to Newbury Park and Hampton Court though your guess is as good as mine as to which vehicle(s) will appear as there's nothing in the area at present. Fleet updates23065 - Further work required to prep for MOT, currently looking at options. At the moment the quote for putting an MOT on it and downgrading from Euro 4 to Euro 3 is £28k+ which makes it uneconomical. SPV1 - heading to the workshop later this week for an early PMI and minor repairs. It will have its shift pattern change to lessen the aggressiveness after I pressed down the pedal in 6th last night to tackle one mini mountain and it kicked down four times in one go to 2nd gear. It can cope with the terrain but my concern is the maintenance costs will skyrocket if it's constantly having to work hard. SPV2 - exhaustive work has been carried out to remedy faults it had when purchased. The Hanover display has been repaired, with the troublesome colour pad removed and replaced with a standard orange one. Hoping to have it on the road imminently. TA23 - engine to be assessed imminently and quote obtained for repairs. As there is water ingress in the engine block it won't be cheap even if it is possible to repair. VLA170 and VLA176 are both on hire to other operators. Both are working and have functional, but tired engines which are in need of replacement. Swapping the current engine with a factory renovated one is quoted at £23k. Refurbishing the current engine is quoted at £21k+. VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition with the above costs applicable to repair it. That's all for now. Would this €3 ZF B7RLE be suitable for what you're looking for? www.ebay.co.uk/itm/195608231668?hash=item2d8b28bef4:g:vdsAAOSwNQ9j8O~d&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAoBnsCIByVpNNcPOGGmnk%2B9r2EvL0OnUNRqiE0vpwhzt81UbAKeJrKQRdw1ufvn3rdIMmuSsWG5Bo6BWFybF31XD3XS%2F6REgFyJp5dxPSxYGvpKspzwCMBLoqXwCqypy9b5VUGVvgATR8OmHysbyNpRnzAE6JWGy%2FVGATKae5o5VasA0ZUIQVDr9oyh0yKYMV17pDPTWdKbcDJiF%2BRr8ZjSY%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR8if8t_MYQ
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Post by SILENCED on Feb 18, 2023 20:12:18 GMT
Thanks for those. What I like about the Citaro is more than just the engine, it's also the bodywork and ride quality. The SPVs are perfect for the type of work they do. Admittedly I don't know much about Tempos and there aren't many around to sample but I'd want something that at least equals Citaros in all those aspects. With respect to C2s, I've carried out some research on them. Cardiff Bus and McGills have a load of them and seem to get on well with them. There are also loads running on the continent. Presumably they have a maintenance programme which gets the best out of them. I spoke to Cardiff Bus and they're very happy with them. Operators who are getting rid, given the age of this bus type, it’s worth establishing why as the reason could impact the viability going forward. Aren't Blackpool moving to all electric, maybe just virtually all?
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Post by vjaska on Feb 18, 2023 20:50:20 GMT
Thanks for those. What I like about the Citaro is more than just the engine, it's also the bodywork and ride quality. The SPVs are perfect for the type of work they do. Admittedly I don't know much about Tempos and there aren't many around to sample but I'd want something that at least equals Citaros in all those aspects. With respect to C2s, I've carried out some research on them. Cardiff Bus and McGills have a load of them and seem to get on well with them. There are also loads running on the continent. Presumably they have a maintenance programme which gets the best out of them. I spoke to Cardiff Bus and they're very happy with them. Operators who are getting rid, given the age of this bus type, it’s worth establishing why as the reason could impact the viability going forward. Not sure how helpful this is but keeping an eye on the 203 MCL’s might be a good idea
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Post by richard on Feb 18, 2023 21:01:57 GMT
Fleet updates23065 - withdrawn. SPV1 - in the workshop having work carried out following its PMI. SPV2 - serviceable. Awaiting delivery of its repaired Hanover sign. TA23 - in the workshop having major repairs carried out. VLA170 - on loan to another operator VLA176 - will be out on Newbury Park to Ingatestone today. There is no further work booked for it after this as it is to be withdrawn, for good this time unless a good engine can be found for it. It is in working order and all 250 horses will be drawn on before it bows out of service. VNW32423 - VOR with engine in terminal condition. That's all for now. Dose that mean VLA176 will be heading to the scraper?
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Post by 6HP502C on Feb 19, 2023 0:35:51 GMT
Dose that mean VLA176 will be heading to the scraper? No plans to scrap it, but it will be taken off the maintenance planner for now and taken out of service, leaving nothing active in the London fleet at the moment.
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Post by 6HP502C on Feb 24, 2023 20:46:59 GMT
Not sure how helpful this is but keeping an eye on the 203 MCL’s might be a good idea I could possibly find a use for a London spec Citaro, but from an operational perspective, fold out ramps are a lot less hassle. I would like to know what happened to all of the fleet's electric mirrors though!
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Post by 6HP502C on Feb 24, 2023 20:50:03 GMT
Well, it ticks enough boxes to fit into the SPV pool ![8-)](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/cool.png)
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