First Greater Glasgow

[Gingerbus1991]

There's none other than the Citaro G, however if a decent order was proposed i'm sure Wright would put the Eclipse body on the B8RLEA chassis. As i think is well known at this point ADL flat out refuse to build Artics.

I can understand that when they already have extensive use of 6x2 deckers world wide, brit operators favour deckers as well.

I honestly don't see First Aberdeen buying into Citaro.

 

[alangla]

I honestly don't see First Aberdeen buying into Citaro.

Were GRT not one of the first UK Mercedes artic operators? Actually, do they still have that bus? There were loads of Merc singles in the GRT/First Midland fleet as well, so it’s not exactly a new marque for them

 

[alangla]

GWR road and the windy run through town is what kills the 6 running to time (other routes too)

6A is quite well used to Drumchapel from Town . The 6 i think is link from Clydebank /Yoker to the Gartnavel .

Would love to know what the cross-town numbers are on the 6, I’ve thought for a long time that it should be split into maybe Anniesland or Renfrew Street to EK and Caledonia Depot to Clydebank.

 

[Swanny200]

I don't even know many places in the UK that have the Citaro G even on a standard chassis, I know Go Ahead North East have been trialling the demonstrator round here recently, I don't know how much Wright want to get back into the artic game after the whole ftr debacle although as you said if an operator or two came in with a decent amount of orders, I know they won't want to put their new factory to waste.

 

[Swanny200]

Were GRT not one of the first UK Mercedes artic operators? Actually, do they still have that bus? There were loads of Merc singles in the GRT/First Midland fleet as well, so it’s not exactly a new marque for them

They still have the Alexander Cityranger one on a Mercedes chassis at the Aberdeen Transport Museum, technically it was the precursor to the Citaro in this country at least, I know Wrights and optare did the bodywork on the rest of the Merc chassis stuff.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Is there a reason why First Glasgow have pretty much completely moved away from Wright in recent years? Except for the Streetlites - Glasgow seems to be completely focused on ADL products.

Surely Wright have and are capable of providing eco friendly buses the same as ADL? Is it cost? The B8RLEs are nice buses and the Gemini’s, something First ordered for a long time but suddenly just moved away from. The B8RLEA would be a nice addition to Glasgow’s fleet if ever made but I doubt First seem that keen with artics.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I can understand that when they already have extensive use of 6x2 deckers world wide, brit operators favour deckers as well.

I honestly don't see First Aberdeen buying into Citaro.

None of us are saying they were, merely just that Artics were and still are far better suited on the 1/2 than deckers.

Were GRT not one of the first UK Mercedes artic operators? Actually, do they still have that bus? There were loads of Merc singles in the GRT/First Midland fleet as well, so it’s not exactly a new marque for them

Indeed, the one off K1GRT is now in the care of Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust.

You can find an album of photos i got of her last July here...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jordanadam44/albums/72157669064092717

I don't even know many places in the UK that have the Citaro G even on a standard chassis, I know Go Ahead North East have been trialling the demonstrator round here recently, I don't know how much Wright want to get back into the artic game after the whole ftr debacle although as you said if an operator or two came in with a decent amount of orders, I know they won't want to put their new factory to waste.

The FTR should not be compared with "normal Artics" as it's something totally different. If i'm not mistaken Bristol Airport have a few of the new style Citaro G's, the main reason none have been bought is because most of the existing Artics in the UK are yet to be up for replacement.

They still have the Alexander Cityranger one on a Mercedes chassis at the Aberdeen Transport Museum, technically it was the precursor to the Citaro in this country at least, I know Wrights and optare did the bodywork on the rest of the Merc chassis stuff.

K1GRT was the only RHD O405G built, the rest were on the low floor O405GN chassis. So technically speaking the O405GN was the predecessor rather than the O405G (K1GRT).

Is there a reason why First Glasgow have pretty much completely moved away from Wright in recent years? Except for the Streetlites - Glasgow seems to be completely focused on ADL products.

Surely Wright have and are capable of providing eco friendly buses the same as ADL? Is it cost? The B8RLEs are nice buses and the Gemini’s, something First ordered for a long time but suddenly just moved away from. The B8RLEA would be a nice addition to Glasgow’s fleet if ever made but I doubt First seem that keen with artics.

Have you seen the built quality on Wrights of late?... I say no more!

 

[route101]

Would love to know what the cross-town numbers are on the 6, I’ve thought for a long time that it should be split into maybe Anniesland or Renfrew Street to EK and Caledonia Depot to Clydebank.

I think it will get split eventually .Certainly get people doing SOuthside to GWR road/Byres road/GARTNAVEL

18 and 20 got split .

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Is there a reason why First Glasgow have pretty much completely moved away from Wright in recent years? Except for the Streetlites - Glasgow seems to be completely focused on ADL products.

Surely Wright have and are capable of providing eco friendly buses the same as ADL? Is it cost? The B8RLEs are nice buses and the Gemini’s, something First ordered for a long time but suddenly just moved away from. The B8RLEA would be a nice addition to Glasgow’s fleet if ever made but I doubt First seem that keen with artics.

As Jordan has said, there have been some concerns about build quality with Wright. However, the other thing is that ADL have also upped their game. Comparing a Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini with an ADL e400 and the Wright product seemed superior. Even when comparing an old e200 with a early Streetlite, there wasn't that much in it - both lightweight, both a bit rattly. Both parties have since revised their ranges and it seems ADL is the superior product, whilst the price/running cost is also much more competitive.

Also, when talking about the B8RLE, that's a heavyweight chassis and the entire UK industry really has moved en masse to lightweight models so a long e200mmc is much more preferable to a B8RLE in terms of both capital cost and ongoing fuel economy.

I would doubt if artics will make a return to the new order book of First.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Probably unpopular opinion but I miss the days of a heavyweight chassis. I get the environmental factor and low running costs but I just don’t feel like buses are built like they used to be - particular single deck stock.

The Wright B7RLEs are proper sturdy buses. Compare that with something of ADL’s E300. They are far more flimsy and the build quality feels off. They rattle a lot more and you feel every bump (mainly because of the small wheels). They are also pretty noisy throughout and sound more like a dart.

Sometimes I think E300s are impractical for huge routes like the 1 and 2 which sees masses of passengers. Sometimes there can be standing. In those cases I think a heavyweight bus is required. I would even say the E300s on the one are looking tired after about 6/7 years of being battered up and down the expressway. Sometimes something sturderier seems more practical. But that’s just my opinion.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Probably unpopular opinion but I miss the days of a heavyweight chassis. I get the environmental factor and low running costs but I just don’t feel like buses are built like they used to be - particular single deck stock.

The Wright B7RLEs are proper sturdy buses. Compare that with something of ADL’s E300. They are far more flimsy and the build quality feels off. They rattle a lot more and you feel every bump (mainly because of the small wheels). They are also pretty noisy throughout and sound more like a dart.

Sometimes I think E300s are impractical for huge routes like the 1 and 2 which sees masses of passengers. Sometimes there can be standing. In those cases I think a heavyweight bus is required. I would even say the E300s on the one are looking tired after about 6/7 years of being battered up and down the expressway. Sometimes something sturderier seems more practical. But that’s just my opinion.

The market has moved fundamentally. According to BLOTW, just 126 B8RLEs delivered across the UK in over 4 years tells a tale, and that includes the Fife coaches!

The e300s will look tired after 6/7 years of work - that's only to be expected but the e200mmc is a better bus than the e300. Yes, B7RLEs (as were B10BLEs before and B8RLEs subsequently) are more durable but they cost more to buy and more to run, both in terms of fuel and parts.

 

[laststop@96]

I am scottish so would rather first bought adl products to keep people in central scotland in jobs people are maybe on a bus 30-40 min going to from work if it rattles who cares most people have earphones in using the wifi .

 

[JumpinTrainz]

I am scottish so would rather first bought adl products to keep people in central scotland in jobs people are maybe on a bus 30-40 min going to from work if it rattles who cares most people have earphones in using the wifi .

In that case why invest in fleet at all then? If it’s only a 30-40 min journey?

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I am scottish so would rather first bought adl products to keep people in central scotland in jobs people are maybe on a bus 30-40 min going to from work if it rattles who cares most people have earphones in using the wifi .

Not all of ADL is built in Scotland. A lot have came from Scarborough. If I'm on a bus for 30-40 minutes, I want to be at least in some sort of comfort and not needing the use of a chiropractor or taking painkillers for a bus journey.

 

[Stan Drews]

There's none other than the Citaro G, however if a decent order was proposed i'm sure Wright would put the Eclipse body on the B8RLEA chassis. As i think is well known at this point ADL flat out refuse to build Artics.

The electric Irizar ie is also available in an 18m length.
https://www.irizar.com/en/autobuses-y-autocares/autobuses/irizar-i2e-18m/

 

[Jordan Adam]

The electric Irizar ie is also available in an 18m length.
https://www.irizar.com/en/autobuses-y-autocares/autobuses/irizar-i2e-18m/

The post was in regards to the UK market, currently the Citaro G is the only standard Artic offered.

 

[Stan Drews]

The post was in regards to the UK market, currently the Citaro G is the only standard Artic offered.

The Irizar can be produced for the UK market too, albeit only with electric traction.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

The electric Irizar ie is also available in an 18m length.
https://www.irizar.com/en/autobuses-y-autocares/autobuses/irizar-i2e-18m/

That looks like the type of bus you'd see on airport runways.

First Glasgow did use Irizar coaches for about 2 years in the late 90s in response to Stagecoach after they started running from Glasgow to Cumbernauld.

 

[Jordan Adam]

The Irizar can be produced for the UK market too, albeit only with electric traction.

Any source for that? While the rigid version is offered to the UK market i don't believe the articulated version is.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Reading back at some the comments I'm glad First are buying Alexander again and I think MMCs are the best buses to have run in Glasgow for a long time. I remember the Scania/Wrights when they were brand new in 1996/97 and they were of their time featuring easy access and improved leg room which compromised seating capacity, but the Volvo B10M/Alexander PS which were slightly older seemed a much more solid bus compared to the Wrights. One other thing about Wrights is they are bad for water leaking into the interior.

 

[Stan Drews]

Any source for that? While the rigid version is offered to the UK market i don't believe the articulated version is.

Yes there is a source. A recent meeting with Irizar.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Yes there is a source. A recent meeting with Irizar.

I'll await an official source then...

 

[Bluebirdscot66]

Electric irizar....Sounds like a shaver .

 

[Aidan1]

Reading back at some the comments I'm glad First are buying Alexander again and I think MMCs are the best buses to have run in Glasgow for a long time. I remember the Scania/Wrights when they were brand new in 1996/97 and they were of their time featuring easy access and improved leg room which compromised seating capacity, but the Volvo B10M/Alexander PS which were slightly older seemed a much more solid bus compared to the Wrights. One other thing about Wrights is they are bad for water leaking into the interior.

MMC’s are actually not bad. However the 65 plates are starting to get quite unreliable. EML’S are often coming on and then the thing goes into limp mode. I actually quite like driving the single deck ones however the stop-start on the 400’s is a pain. They’re always warm, the dimmer switch for the interior lights is a god send at night time and the greenroad on most are easy to keep on green.

 

[Gingerbus1991]

MMC’s are actually not bad. However the 65 plates are starting to get quite unreliable. EML’S are often coming on and then the thing goes into limp mode. I actually quite like driving the single deck ones however the stop-start on the 400’s is a pain. They’re always warm, the dimmer switch for the interior lights is a god send at night time and the greenroad on most are easy to keep on green.

EML's?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

EML's?

Engine Management Light?

 

[Stan Drews]

I'll await an official source then...

I’m intrigued. What source would you consider more official than Irizar themselves?

 

[GaryMcEwan]

I’m intrigued. What source would you consider more official than Irizar themselves?

That's not good enough for Jordan though...Maybe he wants the CEO to go to his house and confirm it in person?

 

[Gingerbus1991]

That's not good enough for Jordan though...Maybe he wants the CEO to go to his house and confirm it in person?

A little bit sceptical yself here, yet given we do have Irizar coaches in the UK it is conceivable.

 

[Jordan Adam]

I’m intrigued. What source would you consider more official than Irizar themselves?

I'm not saying you're wrong, however there's no source stating it's offered in the UK other than your own word of mouth. As i say i'm not doubting that Irizar have said that to you, however there's no concrete evidence.