Recent content by KX03HZY

No, the vehicle themselves have too. But the top deck wouldn't be used if they do get pressed into use.

This Times article mentions that Mobico have put National Express West Midlands up for sale - or rather “plan to monetise its assets” - given franchising is just round the corner that just sounds like a fancy way of flogging the buses and depots to the Combined Authority...

I’ve just been sent these photos so apologies for lack of credit - it’ll be branded Weaver Network and use a green livery.

This batch were never meant for the 273, on paper or otherwise - they were bought by Surrey CC for Surrey based routes, for the deckers, the 420/460/480/820. A further batch of hydrogen buses, funded by ZEBRA2 should see service on the 273 route.

Seen in this rather interesting Times article about a separate topic (Alex Hynes running GBR - https://www.thetimes.com/article/5eaaca76-7de3-4593-9e4d-ad33697e5e87) is this snippet towards the bottom about Ian Yeowart planning a new open-access service between London and Southampton and...

It's been suggested on another group that these are part of a smaller, separately-funded order for the Shuttle route and that an order has not yet been placed for the 27 ZEBRA vehicles, which it's also been suggested will all be long single deckers....so the B12 would no doubt be a good shout...

Bath is part of the WECA area so will likely get repainted vehicles - Weston and Wells aren't.

Two proposals out to consultation announced today on consolidating routes in inner South London: 45/59/118 - https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/45-59-118-proposals 14/414 - https://haveyoursay.tfl.gov.uk/14-414-proposals

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/proposed-closure-of-aylesbury-and-high-wycombe-depots In not altogether surprising news, Arriva is proposing to close Aylesbury and Wycombe depots.

The 21 is getting a full allocation of EVs via the Levelling Up fund. The fact the X46 is rural is the whole point of it being included in the bid, there was £25-40 million ringfenced for rural bids, the rural definition based off a number of factors.

I've been going through the ZEBRA2 winners and finding out a bit more details about what the bids involve: North West Liverpool City Region Combined Authority - £9.4m in ZEBRA grant and £22m of authority funding for 58 double deck EVs for routes 14, 17, 19 and 20/21 - to be based at Gillmoss...

It's also designed to pump prime private investment into ZEBs and bring them to scale. Hopefully, we are closer to having commercially-funded ZEBs on a more widespread basis as ZEBRA can't go on for ever, as good a scheme it is. I expect there will be a round 3 and then the curtain will be called.

Wouldn't those 58 be the double deck ones being directly bought by Liverpool City Region for Gillmoss? And in the meantime (until franchising) operated by Stagecoach

https://www.rotala.uk/news/rotala-plans-significant-investment-in-carbon-reduction-technologies.html A bit more detail about the bids Rotala are involved in, including the previously unmentioned Staffordshire bid:

Comfort Delgro springs to mind. They've had people working on a TfGM bid. Their TfL services are run to a good standard I've always found, so if so it bodes well for the people of South GM.