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Post by ServerKing on Jul 6, 2013 19:25:23 GMT
I think that this is going to be the case the majority of the time. Point is that the bus pulls up at the stop as a conventional opo bus would, where everyone is waiting. There are very few people that are going to be running for the bus, and so not many people will board at the rear. Additionally, with the conductor or what ever they are called blocking the rear platform, there is not much incentive to attempt to get off at the back. As I have said before, I like the look of the bus a lot, and I think that it is a lovely ride. However, not a lot of thought has been given to it operationally. I would keep the front and centre doors closed when in crew mode (to be opened for wheelchairs and buggys only. Let the conductor do a proper job of collecting fares and keep the back door locked shut and operate it as a conventional bus when in opo mode. But I guess this would be too confusing. At least just let the conductor do a proper job, and stick some windows on it. On the 38's I noticed how hot it was even on an average day.......now we finally have some decent weather, the complaints are coming in (see todays standard) The decent weather will last till at least Wednesday, 26°C on average. With all the tall buildings, traffic exhaust and body heat that will mean at least 30-35°C upstairs in those LTs. That will be lovely crawling down Whitehall toward Trafalgar Square then - esp. with the din the 'air-con' makes as well   |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2013 16:45:08 GMT
This is the response from TFL regarding about the prototypes on the 38...
So its a "for now" basis that the 38 will be fully one person operated.
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Post by snoggle on Jul 9, 2013 17:53:18 GMT
This is the response from TFL regarding about the prototypes on the 38... So its a "for now" basis that the 38 will be fully one person operated. I didn't expect you to be running a "spin" campaign but I don't understand how you can say it's a "for now" operation. Clearly the trial has ended and the conductors have gone and they are not coming back. They say there are no plans to withdraw the prototypes but their participation on the route has more than halved. Previously 6 or 7 buses were scheduled but so far this week there have been 3 NB4Ls a day in service and only 2 at weekends. Let's face it - TfL should simply withdraw the prototypes as they are an anachronism on route 38. Sell them to Arriva Sightseeing and have the roofs ripped off for sightseeing work. I suspect an open top NB4L version with middle and rear doors, twin stairs and dual wheelchair space downstairs might actually be a good idea. The better environmental performance and quiet, smooth ride would work well for sightseeing work and no moans about ventilation with no roof.  |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 10, 2013 23:41:12 GMT
I didn't expect you to be running a "spin" campaign but I don't understand how you can say it's a "for now" operation. Clearly the trial has ended and the conductors have gone and they are not coming back. They say there are no plans to withdraw the prototypes but their participation on the route has more than halved. Previously 6 or 7 buses were scheduled but so far this week there have been 3 NB4Ls a day in service and only 2 at weekends. Let's face it - TfL should simply withdraw the prototypes as they are an anachronism on route 38. Sell them to Arriva Sightseeing and have the roofs ripped off for sightseeing work. I suspect an open top NB4L version with middle and rear doors, twin stairs and dual wheelchair space downstairs might actually be a good idea. The better environmental performance and quiet, smooth ride would work well for sightseeing work and no moans about ventilation with no roof. I think they are currently operating as freemasters because of the oyster readers located at the middle doors and the rear. But are people encouraged themselves to use the front door to touch in by the driver? Well its worth a try since their air cooling system fails, So i think its best to make the NBFL's open top buses. I bet the rear will look like the LGOC B-type and the AEC NS-type if they drop the curve rear. I think its best to do it by modifying one of the LT's to make the rear look like AEC NS-type and LGOC B-type.  |
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Post by Connor on Jul 10, 2013 23:52:50 GMT
Well its worth a try since their air cooling system fails, So i think its best to make the NBFL's open top buses. I bet the rear will look like the LGOC B-type and the AEC NS-type if they drop the curve rear. I think its best to do it by modifying one of the LT's to make the rear look like AEC NS-type and LGOC B-type. Still in cuckoo land, are we?!  |
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Post by westhamgeezer on Jul 11, 2013 11:38:50 GMT
I dont really know why the LT's are continuing on the 38 anyway (especially that they are now OPO) Why dont they transfer them across to the 24 - they can then be used as spares whilst opening windows are fitted on the fleet (if only!!!) As snoggle says they are an anachronism on the 38 and it is pretty pointless to keep them there in OPO mode.
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Post by COBO on Jul 11, 2013 13:07:32 GMT
I think that the LT prototypes that are on the 38 should be withdrawn and go to London General for the 11. The LTs should be replaced by standard hybrids like HVs.
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Post by M1104 on Jul 11, 2013 13:38:06 GMT
I think that the LT prototypes that are on the 38 should be withdrawn and go to London General for the 11. The LTs should be replaced by standard hybrids like HVs. Won't the LTs on the 11 be catered for in their own upcoming orders? Maybe the route 38 examples will be utilised on another Arriva operated route that is yet to be nominated. |
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Post by snoggle on Jul 11, 2013 16:55:10 GMT
I dont really know why the LT's are continuing on the 38 anyway (especially that they are now OPO) Why dont they transfer them across to the 24 - they can then be used as spares whilst opening windows are fitted on the fleet (if only!!!) As snoggle says they are an anachronism on the 38 and it is pretty pointless to keep them there in OPO mode. The fact that TfL are happy to have half the prototype fleet off the road or doing other things shows they are not that important. My guess is that TfL will quietly let them disappear from service once a couple of "normal" routes are fully converted to NB4L operation. Let's be honest most normal people won't notice that they've gone from the 38 when they are pulled off service. I don't see the point in moving them to the 24 or the 11. It is not clear yet what, if any, differences there are between them and production vehicles but if there are differences no operator will want to deal with a mixed fleet if they can avoid it. The allocation on the 24 is very generous relative to the PVR and I suspect that if Holloway gain extra NB4L work that the 24's "extra" float will be pooled with whatever extra route(s) is taken on. |
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Post by COBO on Jul 11, 2013 17:38:19 GMT
I think that the LT prototypes that are on the 38 should be withdrawn and go to London General for the 11. The LTs should be replaced by standard hybrids like HVs. Won't the LTs on the 11 be catered for in their own upcoming orders? Maybe the route 38 examples will be utilised on another Arriva operated route that is yet to be nominated. I didn't think about that. Maybe they can be transferred to London Transport Museum and be put on display or maybe they can go to The Original Tour, to have there roof removed and used for sight seeing but because they are different to the LT that are currently in production I can't see them being used for another route. |
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Post by ServerKing on Jul 11, 2013 17:46:17 GMT
Perhaps the 8 LT's can be used to shift the last 8 DLA's from the 243  |
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Post by COBO on Jul 11, 2013 18:02:48 GMT
Perhaps the 8 LT's can be used to shift the last 8 DLA's from the 243 Good idea but theres only 6 prototypes, LT 1 & 2 are currently on tour. |
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Post by snoggle on Jul 11, 2013 18:10:15 GMT
Perhaps the 8 LT's can be used to shift the last 8 DLA's from the 243 Knowing Tottenham that would mean they'd end up on the 123 given how their allocators work. However I would not be at all surprised if one or two NB4Ls end up on the 76 when Tottenham celebrate the garage's centenary and that of route 76 in a week's time. Arriva aren't owning up to a NB4L turning up - just Heritage Fleet buses. |
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Post by snowman on Jul 11, 2013 19:19:18 GMT
I dont really know why the LT's are continuing on the 38 anyway (especially that they are now OPO) Why dont they transfer them across to the 24 - they can then be used as spares whilst opening windows are fitted on the fleet (if only!!!) As snoggle says they are an anachronism on the 38 and it is pretty pointless to keep them there in OPO mode. The fact that TfL are happy to have half the prototype fleet off the road or doing other things shows they are not that important. My guess is that TfL will quietly let them disappear from service once a couple of "normal" routes are fully converted to NB4L operation. Let's be honest most normal people won't notice that they've gone from the 38 when they are pulled off service. I don't see the point in moving them to the 24 or the 11. It is not clear yet what, if any, differences there are between them and production vehicles but if there are differences no operator will want to deal with a mixed fleet if they can avoid it. The allocation on the 24 is very generous relative to the PVR and I suspect that if Holloway gain extra NB4L work that the 24's "extra" float will be pooled with whatever extra route(s) is taken on. With a couple away on a world tour, I'm guessing the others will gradually go back for standardisation modifications which leaves a very small fleet, in fact there is even less available for 38, as its common for one to be out on trial somewhere, testing other routes/stops or on display to another potential Operator. Therefore I agree they will quietly fade out from route 38 in the Autumn. The logical thing to do would be to give third route to Arriva (whatever route is chosen) and add LT1-8 to the fleet for that route. Alternatively, wasn't there talk of an order for five new revised style bodywork Gemini's on Euro6 Volvo chassis this Autumn, they would be an obvious replacement |
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