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Post by redexpress on Sept 10, 2020 20:26:37 GMT
If they propose vehicles upto 12.4m why are TfL and their operating companies unable to do so! TfL considered longer buses in the past, but concluded that any passenger number over 99 causes boarding and alighting delays. From memory this was when cash was still accepted as it was at least 10 years ago. I assume no one has reviewed it since. TfL bus tenders have a set of sizes for various capacities, in a table, currently TfL do not issue tenders for buses over 87 passengers (and if you think that is weird number it dates back to some obsolete spec about 30 years ago, but how it became permanent and still used today is something that I haven’t a clue. TfL bus specs (size is table 6.1 on page 37) The 87-passenger number came about when TfL issued new bus specs around 2006. They wanted DDs to carry 90 passengers, but Scania were unable to produce a compliant DD that also met TfL's revised specs on internal height (remember the saga of early EuroIV Scanias failing their tilt test), so this figure was reduced to 87, which seemed to be the best Scania could manage.
At the time the only other option for TfL-spec DDs was the Enviro400; Volvos had been banned and Wrights hadn't yet developed their integral Gemini2. This probably explains why TfL felt obliged to alter their specs - if they hadn't, they'd have been forcing everyone to buy E400s.
I agree it's high time TfL had another look at their DD requirements. A lot has changed since these specs were issued.
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Post by rif153 on Sept 10, 2020 22:10:41 GMT
With a number of RATP routes up for tender soon, this could allow a large number of older vehicles to be withdrawn once new contracts commence, following Metroline's recent mass withdrawals of older TEs and DEs. I think the 371 will likely convert to fully DD on retender, given the number of recent DD conversions. The small number of 10reg DEs on the 371 could move to make the 419 fully 10reg, then withdrawing the 09reg examples. The H9/H10 will likely need new electrics if retained, the part allocation of 11reg DEs could be redeployed. The 398 is also up for tender, but could possibly use existing if retained due to the small PVR. Given the 318 was recently retained using 57reg, the 398 could probably use 3-4 11reg DEs. The remaining 11reg DEs from the H9/H10 could move to FW to replace some older DEs on the 33 - these being introduced after the PVR increase due to Hammersmith Bridge - the 33 would then be only allocated 60reg and 11reg DEs. The H98's 60reg DLEs are currently split between different garages, mostly as covid extras or to release shorter DEs elsewhere. These could perhaps eventually be allocated to the 72 at S, to increase capacity on this route and withdraw the older 58/59reg DEs. The 72 could then even swap its 11reg DEs to SO, giving a fully 60reg DLE allocation - with the H11 reverting to the contracted 11reg DEs. Another possibility could be to swap the 203/H37 allocations. The only purpose of this would be to reduce the number of types. The 203 & H37 would have a common fleet of DXEs, with 2x 60reg DLEs to complete the 203. EB would then become the only RATP garage to have non-ADL SDs (MCLs/WSs/OMs). The 216's HH working could perhaps be allocated the single 64reg DLE, if this would fit on the 698, or the crosslink could be removed with the 698 being fully DD (and this working moved to FW). There is also 1 surplus DLE at TV from the 265's batch, this could be allocated to the 665 if it fits along the route. This show allow all SDs older than 10reg to be withdrawn. The DD fleet is less predictable, but should allow a large number of SPs to be withdrawn. I could potentially see the 398 get electrics since if it's retained, it in theory may end up back at SO. However that's dependent on the building works as well! Could potentially be a deferred electric conversion with view to buying some new BEs once the route moves back into SO if its retained. I understand space at UX is quite tight since the N207 left but not sure if they could either move something out or squeeze the 398 in given it only has a small PVR.
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Post by ADH45258 on Sept 10, 2020 22:55:11 GMT
I could potentially see the 398 get electrics since if it's retained, it in theory may end up back at SO. However that's dependent on the building works as well! Could potentially be a deferred electric conversion with view to buying some new BEs once the route moves back into SO if its retained. I understand space at UX is quite tight since the N207 left but not sure if they could either move something out or squeeze the 398 in given it only has a small PVR. The 398 could easily run from G or PA instead if won by Metroline.
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Post by Lewis J.N. on Sept 13, 2020 20:34:27 GMT
Then you got the weird position of every double decker using the SWB spec, absolutely barmy The fact the only LWB B5LHs are the ones on Kingston Uni shuttles is crazy. There are so many routes (140/X140 come to mind) that could do with those. I do agree that B8Ls should be trialled in London, be that the 13.4m ADLs or the 12m MCVs. Any capacity upgrade is a good thing - where they'll fit, use them! I wonder if a tri-axle hybrid will ever come about... Speaking of hybrids, there are B5LH MCV Evoras now in use in Singapore, they'd be a good fit for some services in London like the 358 (assuming they'd go under the bridges).
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Post by paulo on Sept 14, 2020 6:06:49 GMT
Looks like further revisions to routes for the school peaks.
SP40002 makes it a first DD appearance on the 110 for 3 years. DLE30065 has seemingly transferred to TV for an extra on the 465.
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Post by busdryver on Sept 14, 2020 7:45:34 GMT
Looks like further revisions to routes for the school peaks. SP40002 makes it a first DD appearance on the 110 for 3 years. DLE30065 has seemingly transferred to TV for an extra on the 465. The V465 is running from Fulwell, as Tolworth is full (V265 is running from Shepherd’s Bush)
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Post by LK65EBO on Sept 17, 2020 15:08:48 GMT
SP20 and SP21 (Bedfont Lakes buses) are being used on the 293.
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Post by redexpress on Sept 17, 2020 20:48:10 GMT
SP20 and SP21 (Bedfont Lakes buses) are being used on the 293. Anyone know if the Bedfont Lakes services are running a reduced service, or not at all? I asked in another thread without success but was just wondering if anyone in this thread knew.
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Post by kmkcheng on Sept 17, 2020 20:54:08 GMT
SP20 and SP21 (Bedfont Lakes buses) are being used on the 293. Anyone know if the Bedfont Lakes services are running a reduced service, or not at all? I asked in another thread without success but was just wondering if anyone in this thread knew. The latest LOTS TLB says there is a limited 2-bus service on BL2 between Hatton Cross and Feltham running every 30 minutes in the AM and PM peaks only
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Post by paulo on Sept 17, 2020 21:37:01 GMT
Anyone know if the Bedfont Lakes services are running a reduced service, or not at all? I asked in another thread without success but was just wondering if anyone in this thread knew. The latest LOTS TLB says there is a limited 2-bus service on BL2 between Hatton Cross and Feltham running every 30 minutes in the AM and PM peaks only Both appear to have had their Bedfont Lakes branding removed so you would think it’s unlikely they will return to those duties. They were repainted all white so they could return in dealer stock condition to Scania. The plan was to replace them with new VHs but I think that order was cancelled due to the Wright receivership issues.
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Post by busdryver on Sept 18, 2020 6:00:55 GMT
The latest LOTS TLB says there is a limited 2-bus service on BL2 between Hatton Cross and Feltham running every 30 minutes in the AM and PM peaks only Both appear to have had their Bedfont Lakes branding removed so you would think it’s unlikely they will return to those duties. They were repainted all white so they could return in dealer stock condition to Scania. The plan was to replace them with new VHs but I think that order was cancelled due to the Wright receivership issues. They were repainted white as this is the colour that Bedfont Lakes requested. The VH plan was never off the ground as far as I know. The branding was removed, but will be replaced if Bedfont Lakes services increase again. For now, they are staying on the 293 UFN.
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Post by deppy42 on Sept 18, 2020 17:13:48 GMT
Both appear to have had their Bedfont Lakes branding removed so you would think it’s unlikely they will return to those duties. They were repainted all white so they could return in dealer stock condition to Scania. The plan was to replace them with new VHs but I think that order was cancelled due to the Wright receivership issues. They were repainted white as this is the colour that Bedfont Lakes requested. The VH plan was never off the ground as far as I know. The branding was removed, but will be replaced if Bedfont Lakes services increase again. For now, they are staying on the 293 UFN. The plan was to get new VH's if the tender was successful. Unfortunately the service company for the Bedfont Lakes estate lost the contract with the new service company taking over, the bus service continued as a temporary arrangement until the new service company got round to the contract renewing process for the bus service. Then Covid hit which leaves us where we are today. The dedicated Bedfont Lakes drivers do 2 week BL/2 weeks LT between them.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 18, 2020 22:34:46 GMT
They were repainted white as this is the colour that Bedfont Lakes requested. The VH plan was never off the ground as far as I know. The branding was removed, but will be replaced if Bedfont Lakes services increase again. For now, they are staying on the 293 UFN. The plan was to get new VH's if the tender was successful. Unfortunately the service company for the Bedfont Lakes estate lost the contract with the new service company taking over, the bus service continued as a temporary arrangement until the new service company got round to the contract renewing process for the bus service. Then Covid hit which leaves us where we are today. The dedicated Bedfont Lakes drivers do 2 week BL/2 weeks LT between them. So is the contract for the bus link in limbo?
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Post by busdryver on Sept 19, 2020 6:46:11 GMT
The plan was to get new VH's if the tender was successful. Unfortunately the service company for the Bedfont Lakes estate lost the contract with the new service company taking over, the bus service continued as a temporary arrangement until the new service company got round to the contract renewing process for the bus service. Then Covid hit which leaves us where we are today. The dedicated Bedfont Lakes drivers do 2 week BL/2 weeks LT between them. So is the contract for the bus link in limbo? I think everything that involves offices is in limbo due to Covid-19... if people are not travelling to offices, then you don’t need the buses to get them there!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 19, 2020 9:47:04 GMT
So is the contract for the bus link in limbo? I think everything that involves offices is in limbo due to Covid-19... if people are not travelling to offices, then you don’t need the buses to get them there! Bizarre state of affairs, luckily I work in a building that still has opening windows.
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