Uno bus planning to compete with premium buses

[class387]

I'm not sure it looks as premium as first told. A lot of branding (and I await the new uniform staff will wear) but not a massive improvement given what drivers were saying.

I wonder if someone cut back on the specs nearer build time to save money?

As I said, it definitely does not match the standards of the demonstrator and other companies' premium products (such as the Arriva bus I posted above). A bit disappointing, especially since the Enviro400City is a high-specification bus that can be used to deliver something really special. Uno, however, decided to fit it with a standard bus interior that is really no different to the refurbished Omnidekka's. That said, it is quite a smart interior, just not worth the hype and 'premium' tag that they have built up.

 

[jon0844]

A driver told me of leather seats, air conditioning and tables, a new smart uniform and unique livery. Apart from the Comet branding, the livery is still going to look the same to most people.

And wouldn't leather seats be easier to clean?

To be fair, having been on some late night Uno buses with students (not just UH but Oaklands College) I wonder if management suspected the leather seats would soon be torn to shreds?

The big test will be how comfortable it is bombing it along the A1(M)...

 

[Bungle965]

I spoke to an Uno driver on the 602 today, who had some information about the new buses. He told me that the buses will enter service next Tuesday, ahead of a formal launch on the 18th September as said on the Twitter feed. I did not ask where this launch will take place.

Meanwhile, I have found some pictures of the buses fully branded and of the interiors on Flickr (not mine):

Exterior and 'Comet' branding
Interior

Looks good, though my comments about them not being 'premium' enough still reside.

The interior seats to me look very bog standard and in no way do they scream 'premium'.
My basis of premium has to be coach type leather (or similar) seats, fast WiFi, sockets (USB or actual plugs) and tables (Which line up to the window!)
Obviously you could give or take a few of them and they could still be described as 'premium' however what Uno have can not be described as 'premium'.
Sam

 

[MCR247]

Are these the first/only E400Citys not to have the wrap around front for the top deck?

 

[class387]

A driver told me of leather seats, air conditioning and tables, a new smart uniform and unique livery. Apart from the Comet branding, the livery is still going to look the same to most people.

And wouldn't leather seats be easier to clean?

To be fair, having been on some late night Uno buses with students (not just UH but Oaklands College) I wonder if management suspected the leather seats would soon be torn to shreds?

The big test will be how comfortable it is bombing it along the A1(M)...

Quality e-leather will not be torn to shreds. The leather on the E200s that have it (501-503), is very thin and of poor quality.

 

[sk688]

The interior seats to me look very bog standard and in no way do they scream 'premium'.
My basis of premium has to be coach type leather (or similar) seats, fast WiFi, sockets (USB or actual plugs) and tables (Which line up to the window!)
Obviously you could give or take a few of them and they could still be described as 'premium' however what Uno have can not be described as 'premium'.
Sam

Tbf to UNO , they look way more comfortable than the other option for Edgware to Barnet , in the form of the 107

 

[jon0844]

I don't wish to sound like I'm slating Uno unnecessarily, as these will certainly be nice buses... but the whole branding bit seems OTT and a bit of a let down based on how the drivers were proudly promising big things.

This is what makes me think there were more grandiose plans that management 'sold' to drivers early on, as drivers wouldn't have all made up the same things!

I am sure they'll be fine and hopefully continue to look good for the time Uno will probably run them.

 

[class387]

Uno have now unveiled the buses and uniforms on their Twitter:

 

[Bletchleyite]

I really quite like the colour scheme, though they aren't really premium seats - that kind of interior should be standard on all buses as it's not as if choosing a different colour flooring and seat moquette really costs anything.

Much nicer than the chavvy blue lights and garish interior of Arriva Sapphire, though doesn't beat Stagecoach Gold's coach seats.

 

[jon0844]

The seats are nothing special (but, again, they're fine) but the flooring does make a big difference.

The 'enjoy your flight' bit is a bit worrying, as there are no seat belts for take off and landing!

 

[jon0844]

Deleted

 

[class387]

The seats are nothing special (but, again, they're fine) but the flooring does make a big difference.

The 'enjoy your flight' bit is a bit worrying, as there are no seat belts for take off and landing!

Agreed. They are very smart, maybe just a bit style-over-substance?

 

[Bletchleyite]

Agreed. They are very smart, maybe just a bit style-over-substance?

There's no harm in a bit of style, particularly style that in this case won't have cost very much at all. A bus doesn't have to look like a doctor's surgery.

The seats are nothing special (but, again, they're fine) but the flooring does make a big difference.

Agree massively. Why do all buses and trains seem to (unless they have carpet, which itself isn't ideal as it attracts muck) have that flecked lino you only get in hospitals and doctor's surgeries? Why isn't it the norm to choose something stylish? It's not like it's going to add lots to the cost, if anything. It's just a different coloured print on the same material.

 

[class387]

There's no harm in a bit of style, particularly style that in this case won't have cost very much at all. A bus doesn't have to look like a doctor's surgery.



Agree massively. Why do all buses and trains seem to (unless they have carpet, which itself isn't ideal as it attracts muck) have that flecked lino you only get in hospitals and doctor's surgeries? Why isn't it the norm to choose something stylish? It's not like it's going to add lots to the cost, if anything. It's just a different coloured print on the same material.

The style is brilliant. Underneath, however, not very different to a standard bus interior - not 'premium' as Uno suggested.

I don't think faux-wood flooring is anything new. One of Uno's E200s have it and I can think of many other companies that do (Reading, Yellow Buses etc.)

 

[Tetchytyke]

Low backed seats are not premium. It seems a strange choice; the high back version of the same seat can't cost that much more. Even Stagecoach have put high backed seats in their new E200 and E400s.

They look nice, though, certainly compared to anything you see in TfL land.

 

[johnw]

Design should come into consideration when specifying interiors and Best Impressions have again stepped up to the mark. I'm not a fan of low backed civic seats, though being 6'4 the high backed ones don't make a difference and I still think the MMC is a better looking body than the City version.

But when specifying their own cars would the directors of Ensignbus use Ensignbus worded moquette, or Peter Shipp specify sailing ship moquette or Brian Souter the garish orange and light blue e-leather (maybe he would!) or Giles Fearnley First's bright pink details? No.

It should be style AND substance.

 

[class387]

No Comets today. Won't enter service till the 18th now apparently.

 

[jon0844]

No Comets today. Won't enter service till the 18th now apparently.

Yeah, I went to try and see one this morning and saw it was the same old bus from before.

I did wonder if they had introduced some, but now you've confirmed I needn't hang around waiting for another!

 

[class387]

The Comet will be on display at The Galleria on Saturday:

https://twitter.com/unobus/status/908316059912097792

 

[Mutant Lemming]

The last Comet out of Hatfield was not a great success

Do UNO's red buses get a run out elsewhere on their network ?

 

[jon0844]

The last Comet out of Hatfield was not a great success

I hope they've fixed the windows by now!

Do UNO's red buses get a run out elsewhere on their network ?

Their TfL buses were frequently in use at certain times to form the 600 Hatfield Business Park to railway station shuttle (now discontinued). The buses had the 600 on the blind, but I don't know if it now operates on other routes.

The crazy thing is that you couldn't pay on it, so got to travel for free. So why Uno ran it I do not know.. presumably a shortage of buses.

 

[jon0844]

A driver said to me yesterday that the 610 is the next route to get new buses (single deckers).

IF they bring in more money, and the driver wasn't sure how a new bus would increase patronage, then they may seek to order more buses for other routes.

I assumed the 602 would be another one Uno might wish to 'improve' but apparently most buses in the day run near empty. Of course, that might be the perfect opportunity to see if snazzy new buses will increase usage.

Next September or so should see new ticket machines that, finally, will take contactless payments. No idea if this is down to Uno's initiative or that HCC is rolling out new machines to operators (Arriva likely still using their own).

The driver wasn't looking forward to the new uniform, and having to wear a waistcoat!

 

[jon0844]

Photos of the first bus. Son got loads of goodies (notepad, pen, bag etc) so very happy!

https://photos.app.goo.gl/rWoa6lgakzkFhUnd2

(link to Google Photos album)

 

[class387]

A driver said to me yesterday that the 610 is the next route to get new buses (single deckers).

IF they bring in more money, and the driver wasn't sure how a new bus would increase patronage, then they may seek to order more buses for other routes.

I assumed the 602 would be another one Uno might wish to 'improve' but apparently most buses in the day run near empty. Of course, that might be the perfect opportunity to see if snazzy new buses will increase usage.

Next September or so should see new ticket machines that, finally, will take contactless payments. No idea if this is down to Uno's initiative or that HCC is rolling out new machines to operators (Arriva likely still using their own).

The driver wasn't looking forward to the new uniform, and having to wear a waistcoat!

Are the 610 new buses confirmed? I'm guessing E200MMCs if they go ahead.

I went to see the Comet buses today. Generally impressed, though I still ahve my complaint about how premium they are. The MD of Uno said that there was no point having high-spec features (high backed seats etc.) on a route 'only' one hour long.

 

[Bungle965]

Are the 610 new buses confirmed? I'm guessing E200MMCs if they go ahead.

I went to see the Comet buses today. Generally impressed, though I still ahve my complaint about how premium they are. The MD of Uno said that there was no point having high-spec features (high backed seats etc.) on a route 'only' one hour long.

If you don't have high-spec features you cannot call them premium buses then surely!
Sam

 

[jon0844]

They're very nice. I was disappointed there's no air conditioning more than anything else though. Tables would have been rather pointless, and the all glass roof (they did have an option for that) would have meant even more issues with cooling.

As it is, the bus is very airy and light upstairs anyway and the floor makes a massive difference.

I look forward to trying it out on Monday.

 

[jon0844]

Are the 610 new buses confirmed? I'm guessing E200MMCs if they go ahead.

I went to see the Comet buses today. Generally impressed, though I still ahve my complaint about how premium they are. The MD of Uno said that there was no point having high-spec features (high backed seats etc.) on a route 'only' one hour long.

The new buses are confirmed, but not necessarily that route. Not sure how many they're getting.

The buses do seem like a bit of a vanity project, and as I said before the drivers aren't sure they'll actually increase usage (accepting contactless payment cards, or introducing smartcards, and stuff like that would more likely do that) but we'll have to wait and see.

There's an argument for introducing them on the less popular services if it's to gain custom, but the plan seems to be to put them on the most profitable routes. Easier to justify to accountants, but then makes you wonder if they were necessary over a 'normal' bus with a wood-look vinyl flooring.

 

[jon0844]

On the bus for its first day. WiFi connects but has no connectivity. And they put welcome letters on all the seats (A4 sheets) which are now all over the floor.

Bus is smooth though, even if the driver isn't!

 

[class387]

Went on two Comet buses today, 251 and 255. Credit where credit's due - they are really nice. The ride is good, they feel spacious and airy and the lighting makes a huge difference too (and they sound nice ). As said, welcome letters were placed on the seats and they were used more for making paper aeroplanes than actually being appreciated, so not the best decision. Eventually they were just piled on the floor at the back where no one could see them.

On a side note, we wondered how long it would take for them to put the wrong bus on the route. They did so on the first day as it turns out - an old Omnidekka was on the 1542 Queensbury to Hatfield!

 

[jon0844]

When I travelled, every bus we passed was a new one. Having gone from start to end, I saw all of them!

Wonder why they substituted one? And did Wi-Fi work for you?

https://youtu.be/pcAB3Uism60