Ex London Bendy Buses find a new home...

[gingerheid]

The unloved bendy buses from London that become Malta's unloved bendy buses have a new home: Sudan.

http://www.timesofmalta.com/article...es-will-finally-leave-malta-next-month.514723

Bendy buses will finally leave Malta next month

The 80 unwanted bendy buses will finally leave the island by May 9 after the company that bought them missed the deadline and was given a fresh extension, The Sunday Times of Malta has learnt.


The controversial articulated buses should have been exported to Sudan nearly a month ago, but Times of Malta revealed that they remain parked in Floriana’s Horns Works ditch.


A promise of sale agreement had been originally been signed between the Transport Ministry and the owners of Calypso Garage on February 18 for €601,200.

 

[gordonthemoron]

do the sudanese drive on the left?

 

[gingerheid]

:? Sudan drives on the right of the road in left hand drive cars.

http://www.driverabroad.com/countries/driving-in-africa/sudan/

Err... so... hmm. Interesting!

 

[jon0844]

They drive on the left in the Bahamas, but also usually in left hand drive cars because they're cheaper to bring over from the US.

Driving on the right in a left hand drive car isn't that odd.

 

[martinsh]

I understand they are to be broken up for spare parts.

 

[starrymarkb]

That wouldn't surprise me. There is probably a lot of parts that are common to the right hand drive models (which are very common across Europe) so parting the vehicles out is probably going to be more profitable then finding new Right hand drive homes.

The same is happening in the aviation industry where relatively new A32x/737NGs are worth more as used parts then as a complete aircraft. Especially the unpopular A318 and 737-600 models (and increasingly A319/737-700 models), a 737-700 was recently scrapped at 5 years old

 

[gordonthemoron]

in Northern Cyprus (Kyrenia) they drive on the left with right hand drive vehicles. I saw there a former Munich single decker left hand drive with front door on the right and central door on the left

 

[northwichcat]

:? Sudan drives on the right of the road in left hand drive cars.

http://www.driverabroad.com/countries/driving-in-africa/sudan/

Err... so... hmm. Interesting!

So does Burma but they use right hand drive vehicles (including buses) as well.

 

[westcoaster]

I read a few years ago citaro's can be easily changed from right hand to left hand drive easily.

 

[gordonthemoron]

I read a few years ago citaro's can be easily changed from right hand to left hand drive easily.

whilst in motion?

 

[Robertj21a]

I read a few years ago citaro's can be easily changed from right hand to left hand drive easily.

Why bother ? -there's thousands of Citaros all over the world that won't need any changes. Anyway, these are going for spare parts.

Robert

 

[nottinghamcity]

Are Citaros that common as standard buses, I tend to associate them mainly with airport shuttles and such like. There is a small local operator with a few and I have seen a small number Arriva ones in Birmingham. They always look a bit basic and outdated to me.

 

[northwichcat]

What's Malta getting as replacement?

 

[Robertj21a]

Are Citaros that common as standard buses, I tend to associate them mainly with airport shuttles and such like. There is a small local operator with a few and I have seen a small number Arriva ones in Birmingham. They always look a bit basic and outdated to me.

Citaros have been produced in greater numbers than any other European bus. Presumably, you've never travelled in Europe - you'd struggle to avoid them in many countries.

Robert

 

[starrymarkb]

Are Citaros that common as standard buses, I tend to associate them mainly with airport shuttles and such like. There is a small local operator with a few and I have seen a small number Arriva ones in Birmingham. They always look a bit basic and outdated to me.

I believe the Citaro is the most common citybus worldwide now. Many continental cities have large fleets (ie Geneva has about 300!). Batches are also appearing in Asia and there were plans for a North American launch. The UK seems to be the exception in Europe with our Double Deck fleets and a preference for lightweight singles like the E300, Versa and Streetlite. The Citaro is heavier and a more expensive premium option.

 

[MCR247]

Yes you know a company wants show off a route when it's buying citaros....

 

[radamfi]

The UK seems to be the exception in Europe with our Double Deck fleets and a preference for lightweight singles like the E300, Versa and Streetlite. The Citaro is heavier and a more expensive premium option.

In other words, the UK generally isn't prepared to pay for quality and mostly buys cheap rubbish instead.

It is noteworthy that the new version of the Citaro artic will not be available in right hand drive - a direct result of the stigma now attached to bendy buses in the UK.

 

[nottinghamcity]

I believe the Citaro is the most common citybus worldwide now. Many continental cities have large fleets (ie Geneva has about 300!). Batches are also appearing in Asia and there were plans for a North American launch. The UK seems to be the exception in Europe with our Double Deck fleets and a preference for lightweight singles like the E300, Versa and Streetlite. The Citaro is heavier and a more expensive premium option.

I never imagined this. I thought they were the cheap option. You live and learn! I still don't like them though.

 

[causton]

They are probably my favourite bus for comfort, Uno's ones we have here are so quiet, comfortable, soft lighting etc. Compare it to a ride on the E200s we have which rattle like anything and are not comfortable to ride on at all!

 

[GaryMcEwan]

The ex First ones that McGill's got originally were absolutely rotten and the seats were absolutely brick hard. The interior was in pretty poor shape as well...

The ones they got for the 204X which have ended up on the 38 are much better seeing as they have leather seats and are much more tidier looking.

 

[WestCoast]

In my opinion Citaros just feel more solid, they don't usually have the rattles I notice on other single deckers.

 

[Deerfold]

In other words, the UK generally isn't prepared to pay for quality and mostly buys cheap rubbish instead.

It is noteworthy that the new version of the Citaro artic will not be available in right hand drive - a direct result of the stigma now attached to bendy buses in the UK.

Is there a stigma in the UK (outside London)?

I've never seen any volume of complaints about them in other cities - and they've been in Sheffield / Bradford / Leeds for long enough.

 

[Robertj21a]

Is there a stigma in the UK (outside London)?

I've never seen any volume of complaints about them in other cities - and they've been in Sheffield / Bradford / Leeds for long enough.

Add Nottingham, Glasgow, Gateshead, Leicester, Bath etc.

The 'stigma' is largely London only, due to Boris deciding that they had killed off some of his fellow cyclists - they never did, but why let the facts get in the way.

Robert

 

[gordonthemoron]

In other words, the UK generally isn't prepared to pay for quality and mostly buys cheap rubbish instead.

apart from the expensive Borismaster?

 

[Deerfold]

apart from the expensive Borismaster?

Ok, sometimes expensive rubbish.

 

[Robertj21a]

apart from the expensive Borismaster?

That's Boris spending taxes raised from Londoners. The rest of the UK wouldn't be interested in funding such buses (and I'm not sure there's much real benefit for Londoners either).

Robert

 

[nottinghamcity]

Add Nottingham, Glasgow, Gateshead, Leicester, Bath etc.

The 'stigma' is largely London only, due to Boris deciding that they had killed off some of his fellow cyclists - they never did, but why let the facts get in the way.

Robert

I haven't seen the wright artics in Nottingham for a while now - and in fairness NCT struggled to find a route for them since they prefer frequency and double deckers. They are still going strong on the 67 in Birmingham though

 

[Deerfold]

That's Boris spending taxes raised from Londoners. The rest of the UK wouldn't be interested in funding such buses (and I'm not sure there's much real benefit for Londoners either).

Robert

Local taxes, fares, and, oh, the grant from central government - looks like the rest of the UK are funding them.

 

[BestWestern]

That wouldn't surprise me. There is probably a lot of parts that are common to the right hand drive models (which are very common across Europe) so parting the vehicles out is probably going to be more profitable then finding new Right hand drive homes.

The same is happening in the aviation industry where relatively new A32x/737NGs are worth more as used parts then as a complete aircraft. Especially the unpopular A318 and 737-600 models (and increasingly A319/737-700 models), a 737-700 was recently scrapped at 5 years old

Wow, five years old! Why was that, and whose was it?!

 

[Robertj21a]

I haven't seen the wright artics in Nottingham for a while now - and in fairness NCT struggled to find a route for them since they prefer frequency and double deckers. They are still going strong on the 67 in Birmingham though

By coincidence, the artics are being finally withdrawn from Nottingham this week. Not sure why you haven't seen them as they've been on the Uni 4 for many years now.

Robert