Step entrance buses still in use

[Robertj21a]

First West Yorkshire are still inflicting knackered, filthy, leaky R/S/T reg Volvo Olympians on the people of Huddersfield.

Despite having donated the last example in Leeds to Keighley Bus Museum a year ago, it seems we're expected to put up with these museum pieces.

No reason why they shouldn't be using Olympians on public service until 31st December. After that, they can still be used for school runs etc.

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

No reason why they shouldn't be using Olympians on public service until 31st December. After that, they can still be used for school runs etc.

Low floors come

Low floors go

Olympians run forever

 

[90sWereBetter]

Hedingham still have almost 20 Olympians on their books, but only 3 or 4 of them carry ticket machines. Had two lovely journeys on R702DNH and R629MNU today between Colchester and Tollesbury, and then onto Witham. Both of them seemed far more robust than the T-reg Trident that was also running on Tollesbury services today.

Carters have pretty much ceased using Olympians in public service since they were bought by Ipswich Buses.

The last Olympians with First Eastern Counties came off the road in February, and they're being dispatched for scrap this weekend.

Not step entrance, but Ipswich Buses were still running two unrefurbished X-reg Darts in normal service up until the start of April. Wonder how they got away with that given those two weren't DDA-compliant. Also, a number of Scania single deckers with First Colchester are technically not DDA compliant as they don't have side destination displays. :P

 

[6Gman]

Indeed, but I was pointing out how it could pan out in the local press and the minds of local people if being forced to go DDA could result in the loss of the service altogether.

In any case I assume the minibuses in question have only 20 seats

It's already happened in Cheshire with the GHA-operated Middlewich - Chester withdrawn because of the need to upgrade.

Local press not impressed.

But rules is rules.

 

[Robertj21a]

It's already happened in Cheshire with the GHA-operated Middlewich - Chester withdrawn because of the need to upgrade.

Local press not impressed.

But rules is rules.

It has been known about for over 15 years !!

 

[Andyh82]

First West Yorkshire are still inflicting knackered, filthy, leaky R/S/T reg Volvo Olympians on the people of Huddersfield.

Despite having donated the last example in Leeds to Keighley Bus Museum a year ago, it seems we're expected to put up with these museum pieces.

A very small number are still operated in Huddersfield, mainly on schools. You won't see more than 3 or 4 in use on public services per day.

 

[northwichcat]

It's already happened in Cheshire with the GHA-operated Middlewich - Chester withdrawn because of the need to upgrade.

Local press not impressed.

But rules is rules.

According to the General Manager at GHA it was only viable to operate that service using a 'school contracts vehicle' which isn't compliant and passenger numbers weren't high enough to justify acquiring newer buses for the route.

If the route is important then Cheshire West council should have been approaching other operators asking them to consider taking on the route and if no-one was willing to take it on commercially then they should have put it out to tender.

 

[Tetchytyke]

First West Yorkshire are still inflicting knackered, filthy, leaky R/S/T reg Volvo Olympians on the people of Huddersfield.

Go North East are still running R-reg ex-London Olympians out in public service too, including on some of their flagship routes.

 

[northwichcat]

First West Yorkshire are still inflicting knackered, filthy, leaky R/S/T reg Volvo Olympians on the people of Huddersfield.

When Halifax gets some brand new buses you'll get whatever Halifax has currently.

 

[Bletchleyite]

No reason why they shouldn't be using Olympians on public service until 31st December. After that, they can still be used for school runs etc.

Will be interesting to see if that has an adverse unintended consequence, i.e. the withdrawal of "between two school runs" on-the-cheap local services, and the withdrawal of school services being open to the public?

Ideally it will mean school services switching to low-floor, but equally old step-entrance buses are high capacity, reliable workhorses...

Edit: sorry, upthread seems to confirm this *is* happening...
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It has been known about for over 15 years !!

It has, but low-floor buses with wheelchair space are very inefficient if all you need to move (most of the time) is able-bodied schoolkids (the disabled ones are likely to get a taxi provided instead).

Another unintended consequence is the use of low-capacity minibuses on routes to avoid the legislation, thus meaning a group turning up for a bus hasn't got a hope.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

It is a similar situation to the Section 19 community transport outfits that openly flout the law. It goes on, but there is not the means to tackle it.

The law on accessibility, or another law?

 

[Strathclyder]

First Scotland East/Midland Bluebird still have two Royale Olympians going. R636 HYG (30826) & S925 AKS (31656) still cling on in front-line service work, both operating out of Larbet depot. For how much longer is anyone's guess, though...

 

[the101]

The law on accessibility, or another law?

The law on the issue of Section 19 permits to these idiots, which clearly states that they may not undertake work on a commercial basis and nor can they make a profit from operating.

 

[Y961 XBU]

GHA Manager Stephen Bryce said on the Dartslf Forum this morning that some Olympians will remain after DDA date for closed contracts that done require DDA Buses

 

[Robertj21a]

GHA Manager Stephen Bryce said on the Dartslf Forum this morning that some Olympians will remain after DDA date for closed contracts that done require DDA Buses

Well, so will numerous other operators across the country after 31/12/16 - they're still being sold on to fresh operators for this very purpose. Even Stagecoach still has some Olympians running in normal service in Kent, and First has some in Cornwall, but why not - they're perfectly legal (and reliable).

It's only from 1/1/17 that they become restricted.

 

[Bletchleyite]

The law on the issue of Section 19 permits to these idiots, which clearly states that they may not undertake work on a commercial basis and nor can they make a profit from operating.

I'm not clear that they are breaching that. They are generally non-commercial, non-profit operations providing service to their members.

They *can* operate for hire and reward, though, which is precisely the reason for the Permits - without them a fare or membership fee could not be charged.

 

[randyrippley]

the Olympians in Morecambe need to go ASAP.......the local schoolkids call them the "Stagecoach Leakybuses" for a reason. All of them leak upstairs.

 

[the101]

I'm not clear that they are breaching that. They are generally non-commercial, non-profit operations providing service to their members.

They *can* operate for hire and reward, though, which is precisely the reason for the Permits - without them a fare or membership fee could not be charged.

A barrister in London who has been instructed by an operators' organisation disagrees with you.

All they can use income for is to cover their costs if running under a section 19 permit. It is clear that many overstep that by a large margin, hence the current investigation into one such outfit in Cambridgeshire.

 

[Bungle965]

the Olympians in Morecambe need to go ASAP.......the local schoolkids call them the "Stagecoach Leakybuses" for a reason. All of them leak upstairs.

It was the same for my school bus up until around 3 months ago, our operator Rosso had a few of them and almost all of them leaked somewhere.
They were still hellfire though.
Sam

 

[Busaholic]

Quoting from London Omnibus Transport Society current newsletter, under Arriva the Shires heading:-
'Dart 3489 is listed as withdrawn for disposal (and should indeed be as it is non-DDA) but was in service in Luton in March.'

 

[Y961 XBU]

Well, so will numerous other operators across the country after 31/12/16 - they're still being sold on to fresh operators for this very purpose. Even Stagecoach still has some Olympians running in normal service in Kent, and First has some in Cornwall, but why not - they're perfectly legal (and reliable).

It's only from 1/1/17 that they become restricted.

That is exactly what i have said..

 

[Tetchytyke]

Quoting from London Omnibus Transport Society current newsletter, under Arriva the Shires heading:-
'Dart 3489 is listed as withdrawn for disposal (and should indeed be as it is non-DDA) but was in service in Luton in March.'

There is an exemption which allows operators to use a non-DDA bus for twenty days in a year.

 

[Robertj21a]

That is exactly what i have said..

It sounded to me that you thought GHA was, in some way, different to other operators. What Stephen Bryce said was only what anyone in the industry has known for many years.

 

[backontrack]

They're common on Stagecoach in East Kent route 14 from Canterbury to Walmer via Littlebourne, Wingham, Staple, Ash, Sandwich, Eastry, Betteshanger, Northbourne, Great Mongeham and Deal.

 

[Bod]

When Halifax gets some brand new buses you'll get whatever Halifax has currently.

Is there a projected date when Halifax will get the new stuff in service?

 

[northwichcat]

Is there a projected date when Halifax will get the new stuff in service?

I don't know what the current situation is but when I lived in Huddersfield I know the First drivers frequently commented on their 'new' double deckers which had been cascaded from Halifax, when Halifax had got brand new ones.

 

[Bod]

I don't know what the current situation is but when I lived in Huddersfield I know the First drivers frequently commented on their 'new' double deckers which had been cascaded from Halifax, when Halifax had got brand new ones.

Ok thanks. I take that to mean it will be sometime between now and the kids school summer holidays.

 

[Dart34518]

Afternoon everyone, I am planning a trip next week and would like to find somewhere with volvo olympian northern counties buses still in use. Anywhere in the UK is good I just don't want it to be a wasted trip! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ant

 

[HMS Ark Royal]

Afternoon everyone, I am planning a trip next week and would like to find somewhere with volvo olympian northern counties buses still in use. Anywhere in the UK is good I just don't want it to be a wasted trip! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ant

Let me check with a few people in the know, Ant, and I will get back to you via PM

 

[Dart34518]

Cheers for that mate

 

[randyrippley]

Afternoon everyone, I am planning a trip next week and would like to find somewhere with volvo olympian northern counties buses still in use. Anywhere in the UK is good I just don't want it to be a wasted trip! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Ant

not sure....but isn't one of the Morecambe Olympians an NC body?