old buses in London

[Deerfold]

I was under the impression that London United had bought some two door models?

There was a demonstration model in LU livery but I think only Sovereign have bought some so far.

http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/son-routemaster/

 

[westcoaster]

As I pass by tulse Hill , the arriva number 2 has some real old tridents on them, not so long ago there were v reg buses being used.

 

[Robertj21a]

As I pass by tulse Hill , the arriva number 2 has some real old tridents on them, not so long ago there were v reg buses being used.

I can't think of any Tridents on the 2. Do you mean the ALX-bodied Volvos that are still on the route, alongside the newer Geminis ?

 

[westcoaster]

I can't think of any Tridents on the 2. Do you mean the ALX-bodied Volvos that are still on the route, alongside the newer Geminis ?

That's the ones, . My knowledge of shapes and chassis in not quite up to par lol.

 

[Mikey C]

There was a demonstration model in LU livery but I think only Sovereign have bought some so far.

http://www.busandcoachbuyer.com/son-routemaster/

That's not a Borismaster, but rather a lookalike body by Wrights, but on conventional Volvo B5 hybrid chassis, hence it has no rear entrance, and the engine is in the normal place, but it gets the funky staircase.

There is also a shorter version of the Borismaster, I think it's a one off?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That's not a Borismaster, but rather a lookalike body by Wrights, but on conventional Volvo B5 hybrid chassis, hence it has no rear entrance, and the engine is in the normal place, but it gets the funky staircase.

There is also a shorter version of the Borismaster, I think it's a one off?

So have any operators outside of TfL actually bought or ordered a proper Borismaster?

 

[TRAX]

The SRM (Short Routemaster) was going to be series-produced but this is now unlikely as Sadiq Khan has announced no more New Routemasters will be ordered.

 

[Busaholic]

So have any operators outside of TfL actually bought or ordered a proper Borismaster?

One word answer - no.

 

[Robertj21a]

One word answer - no.

Nor was it ever very likely.

 

[Busaholic]

Nor was it ever very likely.

First in West Yorkshire pretended they MIGHT be interested in purchasing some as an alternative to the then-mooted trolleybus scheme for Leeds, but, like the trolleybuses, it never came to anything.

 

[Mikey C]

The SRM (Short Routemaster) was going to be series-produced but this is now unlikely as Sadiq Khan has announced no more New Routemasters will be ordered.

No more "New Routemasters" will be ordered.

However, the SRM (which is an unoffical Wrights code for Son of Routemaster) in my top photo will be ordered, as it's not a Routemaster but rather an alternative body for conventional chassis.

In a similar vein, ADL offer the E400H City, which is an E400, but with changes to the bodywork and interior to make it look a bit like the New Routemaster

So to the public, a lot of the new buses in London will look like the NRM, even if they aren't
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

So have any operators outside of TfL actually bought or ordered a proper Borismaster?

No, but then realistically it was most unlikely they ever would. Seeing that most double deckers outside London are single doored, a 3 door, 2 staircase bus would be unlikely to appeal!

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

No more "New Routemasters" will be ordered.

However, the SRM (which is an unoffical Wrights code for Son of Routemaster) in my top photo will be ordered, as it's not a Routemaster but rather an alternative body for conventional chassis.

In a similar vein, ADL offer the E400H City, which is an E400, but with changes to the bodywork and interior to make it look a bit like the New Routemaster

So to the public, a lot of the new buses in London will look like the NRM, even if they aren't
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


No, but then realistically it was most unlikely they ever would. Seeing that most double deckers outside London are single doored, a 3 door, 2 staircase bus would be unlikely to appeal!

Despite Owen Patterson (then NI Secretary) saying it was “a fantastic, long-term export opportunity.”

Our new Foreign Secretary said "We have stimulated the very best of British technology, creating jobs in this country, and yes, we are now looking to potential export markets”.

So that went well!

 

[Robertj21a]

Despite Owen Patterson (then NI Secretary) saying it was “a fantastic, long-term export opportunity.”

Our new Foreign Secretary said "We have stimulated the very best of British technology, creating jobs in this country, and yes, we are now looking to potential export markets”.

So that went well!

Good old Boris [some say.....]

To be fair, at least some very big attempts were made to show off 'Borismasters' right around the world, so we certainly can't suggest that they didn't try. The fact that nobody wanted such a vehicle is only confirmation of what many of us thought all along. Alexander Dennis is showing what the rest of the world will buy when they want double deckers.

 

[Antman]

Despite Owen Patterson (then NI Secretary) saying it was “a fantastic, long-term export opportunity.”

Our new Foreign Secretary said "We have stimulated the very best of British technology, creating jobs in this country, and yes, we are now looking to potential export markets”.

So that went well!

Yes it went reasonably well although your negativity is entirely predictable.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Yes it went reasonably well although your negativity is entirely predictable.

Reasonably well? Sales delegation to sell the NB4L. None sold!

I've actually been complimentary about some aspects of the design but ultimately, it's a failure in design concept and a commercial failure as well. That's not negativity - that's the reality.

 

[Antman]

Reasonably well? Sales delegation to sell the NB4L. None sold!

I've actually been complimentary about some aspects of the design but ultimately, it's a failure in design concept and a commercial failure as well. That's not negativity - that's the reality.

No it isn't reality, they have been well received by both passengers and staff.

 

[Deerfold]

No it isn't reality, they have been well received by both passengers and staff.

Some passengers and staff, perhaps.

I know several people who'll et one go past to catch a parallel route.

I've pointed out before how few of the seats can be accessed without a step up -a step backwards for accessibility.

Even if they have been well received, The GrandWaroo is not wrong in saying none have been sold to anyone other than TfL.

 

[Antman]

Some passengers and staff, perhaps.

I know several people who'll et one go past to catch a parallel route.

I've pointed out before how few of the seats can be accessed without a step up -a step backwards for accessibility.

Even if they have been well received, The GrandWaroo is not wrong in saying none have been sold to anyone other than TfL.

Yes but the same problems apply to many other low floor buses. I've heard people saying online they wouldn't travel on an LT (normally because they don't like Boris Johnson) and that's up to them but they really are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

The LT was specifically designed for London so perhaps not surprisingly that nobody else has purchased any yet. Presumably they would have to wait until TfL's order was completed anyway?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The LT was specifically designed for London so perhaps not surprisingly that nobody else has purchased any yet. Presumably they would have to wait until TfL's order was completed anyway?

Which is doubtless why Owen Patterson made those comments? And Boris made those comments as well?

Those were comments from 2011 and 2013 including “Hong Kong and other major Chinese cities could buy hundreds of new Routemaster buses, Boris Johnson said today” - reported in the ES

So, you're saying it was designed for London and not suitable for use elsewhere.

Boris and Owen were saying it was a "fantastic export opportunity".

Two totally opposite views that are mutually exclusive. One of you has to be wrong.

 

[Deerfold]

Yes but the same problems apply to many other low floor buses.

The fact other buses have this flaw doesn't stop it being a flaw. This was supposed to be a revolutionary new design.

I've heard people saying online they wouldn't travel on an LT (normally because they don't like Boris Johnson) and that's up to them but they really are cutting off their nose to spite their face.

The people I've known found them uncomfortable to sit on (which I'd agree with, but I'd only let one pass if I could see the next) or uncomfortably hot. None of them said they'd not catch them because Boris ordered them.

The LT was specifically designed for London so perhaps not surprisingly that nobody else has purchased any yet. Presumably they would have to wait until TfL's order was completed anyway?

So why all the time and expense on taking them around the world to promote them?

 

[Antman]

The fact other buses have this flaw doesn't stop it being a flaw. This was supposed to be a revolutionary new design.



The people I've known found them uncomfortable to sit on (which I'd agree with, but I'd only let one pass if I could see the next) or uncomfortably hot. None of them said they'd not catch them because Boris ordered them.



So why all the time and expense on taking them around the world to promote them?

Well yes I'm sure they can be uncomfortably hot but so can any other bus. Not fitting opening windows wasn't the best idea but they are being retro fitted now. If you want uncomfortable to sit on try one of the new MHV's at Camberwell.

 

[the101]

Yes it went reasonably well although your negativity is entirely predictable.

Just as predictable as your inability to read and understand the original point, which concerned the export 'success' of the New RM and not how well it has been accepted in London.

A plea: If you simply don't understand something, please don't comment on it. It is becoming very tiresome to continually read threads that are blighted by your posts that bear no relevance to the point you're answering.

 

[Antman]

Just as predictable as your inability to read and understand the original point, which concerned the export 'success' of the New RM and not how well it has been accepted in London.

A plea: If you simply don't understand something, please don't comment on it. It is becoming very tiresome to continually read threads that are blighted by your posts that bear no relevance to the point you're answering.

It's you that hasn't grasped it:roll:

The bus was built for London, whether there will be any exports when the London order is complete remains to be seen. Got it now?:roll:

 

[Robertj21a]

It's you that hasn't grasped it:roll:

The bus was built for London, whether there will be any exports when the London order is complete remains to be seen. Got it now?:roll:

Given that there will be no further orders for London, have you heard of *any* serious interest from foreign operators ?

 

[Antman]

Given that there will be no further orders for London, have you heard of *any* serious interest from foreign operators ?

There are more buses still being built for London.

Even if there are no orders from elsewhere it doesn't mean the bus hasn't been a success as some have tried to suggest.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There are more buses still being built for London.

Even if there are no orders from elsewhere it doesn't mean the bus hasn't been a success as some have tried to suggest.

In what way has it been a success? No export orders despite the optimistic pronouncements of Boris and Patterson. Not one in the five years. Not one. Not even close.

Now the main raisin d'etre of the open platform is being made redundant (as per the customer assistants) because of the cost. They're more expensive to buy. They've had to be retrofitted with opening windows (at TfLs expense) because of excessive interior heat. They don't meet BoJo's own emissions standards.

Hardly an unqualified success?

However, you're being the optimist. I'll wager £100 that not one new Borismaster is delivered to an export customer. You win - I'll donate it to UKIP Think my cash is safe!

 

[Antman]

In what way has it been a success? No export orders despite the optimistic pronouncements of Boris and Patterson. Not one in the five years. Not one. Not even close.

Now the main raisin d'etre of the open platform is being made redundant (as per the customer assistants) because of the cost. They're more expensive to buy. They've had to be retrofitted with opening windows (at TfLs expense) because of excessive interior heat. They don't meet BoJo's own emissions standards.

Hardly an unqualified success?

However, you're being the optimist. I'll wager £100 that not one new Borismaster is delivered to an export customer. You win - I'll donate it to UKIP Think my cash is safe!

They've been a success in London and it isn't Boris getting rid of conductors, I dread to think what outcry there would be if it was

 

[TRAX]

Given that there will be no further orders for London, have you heard of *any* serious interest from foreign operators ?

Apart from Asia and perhaps North America, traditional British buses don't answer any other markets at all, so let alone New Routemasters.

 

[Robertj21a]

There are more buses still being built for London.

Even if there are no orders from elsewhere it doesn't mean the bus hasn't been a success as some have tried to suggest.

Don't twist my words. I said there will be no further orders from London, of course there are some still being built at present.

I also asked if you had heard of any serious interest from foreign operators. The answer could have easily been just Yes or No - you chose to try to avoid the question and waffle on about whether the bus has been a success. In another words you don't know of any serious interest. Why not just say so ?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

They've been a success in London and it isn't Boris getting rid of conductors, I dread to think what outcry there would be if it was

Did I say Boris was getting rid of CAs? No. More Antman wiffle sadly.

Like I say, despite what Boris and Owen said and the trade mission, not a single sale outside Boris's own control.

Surely if it was so successful, someone else would buy it? It's the Amstrad Emailer of the bus world.