key to start a bus?

[enviro400]

I was talking to a driver on the boris bus today and he joked about how I would need a key or something (i forgot the word he said because i've never heard of it?) to start up the bus if I'm ever to nick a new routemaster. he showed me a metal circle thing on his lanyard that i suppose that you put in to turn on the engine? i'm just curious what it is, because other bus forums say that buses don't have keys to start

[barrypotter]

Jun 23, 2022 15:34:51 GMT enviro400 said:

I was talking to a driver on the boris bus today and he joked about how I would need a key or something (i forgot the word he said because i've never heard of it?) to start up the bus if I'm ever to nick a new routemaster. he showed me a metal circle thing on his lanyard that i suppose that you put in to turn on the engine? i'm just curious what it is, because other bus forums say that buses don't have keys to start

Metroline requires drivers to use a GreenRoad key, part of a scheme which records such as braking and acceleration. Good results recorded allow for a cash reward, bad results mean a letter from the boss. Also, many older buses still require a three pronged plug, often known as a bomb, colloquially. Having said that, it is often bypassed if it doesn't work.

[enviro400]

neither of the things that you mentioned look like the thing the driver showed me. this was abellio by the way. the "key" sort of looked like those circle round batteries

[​galwhv69]

Presume you mean this?
images.app.goo.gl/W8vPjcgAhsZjB55AA
Bus has metal circle with 3 small prongs sticking out, and key is a cylinder with 3 prong shapes cut out so it fits in.
That's a bomb starter, configured so batteries and electrics can be turned on, but not the engine until that is inserted.
My bus has one of those, and it's located on the right side of the dashboard below the main panel (so sort of near where your knee goes when sitting in cab seat)

[vjaska]

I could be wrong but I believe Go-Ahead use some sort of key which relates to the beeping noise that goes off on some of their buses though doesn't effect driving the vehicle itself bar the annoying constant beeping.

[Frenzie]

Jun 23, 2022 15:34:51 GMT enviro400 said:

I was talking to a driver on the boris bus today and he joked about how I would need a key or something (i forgot the word he said because i've never heard of it?) to start up the bus if I'm ever to nick a new routemaster. he showed me a metal circle thing on his lanyard that i suppose that you put in to turn on the engine? i'm just curious what it is, because other bus forums say that buses don't have keys to start

RATP don’t have any keys. Each driver will have the “drive well” fob that will cause beeping while you drive if it’s not connected but nothing will stop anyone from pressing the right buttons in correct order to turn on a bus. Some buses don’t even have telematics like “drive well” so literally anyone could turn one on and drive it and not be tracked (though will be caught via CCTV etc).

[enviro400]

key fob looks right. thanks

[VPL630]

Stagecoach don’t have anything on the Boris bus, it will just start if you press the right buttons in the right way

Firstbus used to have actual keys on Darts which were needed to start them

Everything else I’ve driven or moved normally have a selections of buttons needed to be pressed to start, Abellio have this fob things, Arriva have a bomb/London key

Most ex London stuff has some sort of Fob/London key fitted which goes back to like RM days

Scanias have fixed keys locked into the ignition barrel

The only vehicle I’ve driven that’s needed an actual key is an American school bus

[6HP502C]

Jun 23, 2022 15:34:51 GMT enviro400 said:

I was talking to a driver on the boris bus today and he joked about how I would need a key or something (i forgot the word he said because i've never heard of it?) to start up the bus if I'm ever to nick a new routemaster. he showed me a metal circle thing on his lanyard that i suppose that you put in to turn on the engine? i'm just curious what it is, because other bus forums say that buses don't have keys to start

That key completes the ignition circuit and logs the driver into the performance monitoring system so their driving standards can be reviewed remotely.