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Post by onthebuses on Aug 12, 2012 11:56:00 GMT
Surely there is room to put the 66 back in at Barking garage now that the 275 and 462 have been lost? How can it be cost effective to keep running it from Grays? The dead runs from Leytonstone to Grays are huge I would have thought! It must also be closer for Barking garage to get vehicles to Romford than it is for Grays? Afterall, they already get buses into Romford for the 128 and Becontree for the 150. Equally, the change over point could be at the junction past Redbridge College/ King George Hospital on the A12, with drivers taking the 173 route directly back to the garage. The reason, I believe, that the 370 is still seeing single-deck operation is that buses are letting passengers off at Lakeside, and then returning 'dead' to the depot. If it takes 5 minutes to get between Lakeside and Grays depot, then thats at least 10 minutes there and back, and 5-10 to complete the change over at the depot. Therefore, the bus is off route for up to 20-minutes. This means that they are possibly using spare buses, double or single-decks, to send to Lakeside for the 370 before the bus it is replacing has returned to the depot save time. For example, I was waiting at Lakeside, where LJ05BKG came past after letting passengers off and just went out of the bus station and off to Grays. About 5 minutes later, LJ05BLX (I believe?) arrived with 'ROMFORD MARKET' displayed ready to go. This bus must have come in directly from Grays and the driver starting his shift. Had a double-deck not been available, this would have been a single-decker with the double-deck that should be on the route running dead. Interestingly, I have seen a couple more VLA's have been turned out on the 370 recently, with slight changes to the previous few that have been operating for the past month or so. Firstly, some of them do not have an Arriva logo, and the ones that do have it just below the windscreen whereas the earlier ones had it between the headlights. Secondly, the blinds are displaying 'Lakeside' and 'Romford Market', as opposed to 'LAKESIDE' and 'ROMFORD MARKET'. Perhaps new destination blinds are being produced now as an update? No need to re-print the numbers etc, as nothing has changed for these. Additionally, why have Go-Ahead not tried to purchase the old Stagecoach garage at Upton Park for their expanding services? This would be an ideal location for them, and they could help fund it by selling the Silverton depot, which is too small now. They could house all the silvertown routes, plus the 300 and 376, which would save all the dead running. It would also be better for the 276, as Newham General Hospital is just around the corner. the 474 wouldnt be much more inconvenienced, as change overs would be made like the 101 used to be at East Ham Town Hall. - Gareth. But Arriva DX is a London garage so might have different pay etc which might mean the route could be run at a loss if moved. Also I assume dead running is included in the tender price so it is TFL paying not Arriva. You make it sound like Arriva are losing money. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2012 12:39:53 GMT
Additionally, why have Go-Ahead not tried to purchase the old Stagecoach garage at Upton Park for their expanding services? This would be an ideal location for them, and they could help fund it by selling the Silverton depot, which is too small now. They could house all the silvertown routes, plus the 300 and 376, which would save all the dead running. It would also be better for the 276, as Newham General Hospital is just around the corner. the 474 wouldnt be much more inconvenienced, as change overs would be made like the 101 used to be at East Ham Town Hall. - Gareth. That might be because it is not being offered for sale? |
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Post by onthebuses on Aug 12, 2012 12:47:00 GMT
Additionally, why have Go-Ahead not tried to purchase the old Stagecoach garage at Upton Park for their expanding services? This would be an ideal location for them, and they could help fund it by selling the Silverton depot, which is too small now. They could house all the silvertown routes, plus the 300 and 376, which would save all the dead running. It would also be better for the 276, as Newham General Hospital is just around the corner. the 474 wouldnt be much more inconvenienced, as change overs would be made like the 101 used to be at East Ham Town Hall. - Gareth. That might be because it is not being offered for sale? Stagecoach keep the garage for the games. It could be sold now, there is no prospect of tender gains in the next 3 to 4 years so can't see it been left empty. |
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Post by eggmiester on Aug 12, 2012 13:36:09 GMT
IIRC part of the closure plan for U was that it would not be sold to another bus company and would either be sold for future re-development or held as an asset on stagecoach's books as a store facility.
I see it highly unlikely U will be sold to Go-ahead.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2012 16:15:10 GMT
IIRC part of the closure plan for U was that it would not be sold to another bus company and would either be sold for future re-development or held as an asset on stagecoach's books as a store facility. I see it highly unlikely U will be sold to Go-ahead. Giving Go-Ahead even more of a footing in the East London area really would be shooting themselves in the foot |
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Post by joefrombow on Aug 13, 2012 1:04:33 GMT
It would be more cost effective for GY to lose the dead runs and use a ferry vehicle. what is the average amount of miles a bus does before it gets refueled ? if a bus comes out at 5AM will it stay out until 5PM dependant on the route etc.?? |
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Post by VPL630 on Aug 13, 2012 9:05:38 GMT
It would be more cost effective for GY to lose the dead runs and use a ferry vehicle. what is the average amount of miles a bus does before it gets refueled ? if a bus comes out at 5AM will it stay out until 5PM dependant on the route etc.?? You would have to look at the duty cards but knowing volvo's they drink fuel but could easily do a bit more the 5AM to 5PM |
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Post by vjaska on Aug 13, 2012 18:17:03 GMT
Question:
Is the blindset on the former VLA's at GY a brand new one or has just inserts been slotted in. That might explain why there are some buses with capital letter destinations as when they were at N (and VLA122-128 when at BN), some had capital letter destination blinds as well.
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Post by greeny253 on Aug 13, 2012 19:37:33 GMT
Question: Is the blindset on the former VLA's at GY a brand new one or has just inserts been slotted in. That might explain why there are some buses with capital letter destinations as when they were at N (and VLA122-128 when at BN), some had capital letter destination blinds as well. The blinds in the VLA's at GY were simply transplanted from the DLA's as they came in. I am pleased to report though that I saw 2 today (6112 & 6114 I believe) with 'DDA' blinds. |
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Post by vjaska on Aug 13, 2012 21:31:52 GMT
Question: Is the blindset on the former VLA's at GY a brand new one or has just inserts been slotted in. That might explain why there are some buses with capital letter destinations as when they were at N (and VLA122-128 when at BN), some had capital letter destination blinds as well. The blinds in the VLA's at GY were simply transplanted from the DLA's as they came in. I am pleased to report though that I saw 2 today (6112 & 6114 I believe) with 'DDA' blinds. So that rules out my theroy that it may still include blinds such as the 415 & 432 or even 59 & 159 from it's N & BN days. Ta 'Greeny'  |
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Post by VPL630 on Aug 13, 2012 21:32:59 GMT
Question: Is the blindset on the former VLA's at GY a brand new one or has just inserts been slotted in. That might explain why there are some buses with capital letter destinations as when they were at N (and VLA122-128 when at BN), some had capital letter destination blinds as well. The blinds in the VLA's at GY were simply transplanted from the DLA's as they came in. I am pleased to report though that I saw 2 today (6112 & 6114 I believe) with 'DDA' blinds. Yep saw both of them and they do now have DDA Blinds |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 13, 2012 22:57:44 GMT
Will the vehicles currently displaying CAPITAL LETTER destinations have them replaced with lower case ones in the near future? The lower case versions fit in perfectly without seeing another desination above or below the one being displayed! - Gareth.
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Post by eggmiester on Aug 14, 2012 9:16:57 GMT
It would be more cost effective for GY to lose the dead runs and use a ferry vehicle. what is the average amount of miles a bus does before it gets refueled ? if a bus comes out at 5AM will it stay out until 5PM dependant on the route etc.?? I'll leave you to do the Maths but on a b7tl the tank on holds roughly 250 litres and the average consumption on a euro 3 / euro 4 b7tl is roughly 5mpg. If fitted with the upgrade pack the mpg is increased to about 6-7mpg. |
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Post by Hassaan on Aug 14, 2012 16:49:18 GMT
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Post by john on Aug 14, 2012 17:01:16 GMT
Will the vehicles currently displaying CAPITAL LETTER destinations have them replaced with lower case ones in the near future? The lower case versions fit in perfectly without seeing another desination above or below the one being displayed! - Gareth. Knowing GY, I wouldn't hold your breath on it happening any time soon..... As for the noisy 370's, they are. Think it was 6112 I heard and boy was it loud. Think 6118 was just as bad too. They really go hell for leather going through North Ockendon. Hurt my ears as they pass me driving ;D |
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