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Arriva Midlands
- Thread starter joieman
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SSmith2009
Member
Over the coming months Thurmaston are set to have a large number of electric vehicles.
Hopefully Derby and Tamworth get some of what will be released even as stop gaps.
Trainman40083
Established Member
There was a suggestion of some for Derby..17 plate Enviro 400s?
I think it's safe to say the idea of electric buses for Tamworth is dead in the water.
citybus2500
Member
Is it?
Well it was announced in early 2024, and I’ve not seen any indication of electrical infrastructure being installed nearly two years later…
As BusLink61 says above, it was announced almost two years ago and there has been nothing since the initial announcement to suggest it's actually going to happen.
Zakaria Fadel
Member
3906 - GN07 AVC noted in full Arriva Journey Mark livery.
citybus2500
Member
I wasn't aware the lack of a running commentry meant it wasn't happening . . . .
Oh, so it is happening?
No one expects a running commentary, or constant updates, but since the initial, vague announcement almost two years ago, there has been nothing at all to suggest it's going ahead, no sign of buses being ordered, no sign of any electrification work at the depot...
So, forgive me for being somewhat sceptical, if you know something, do enlighten us.
Trainman40083
Established Member
At this rate, they really will need newer buses.
Pulsar right?
These seem to be failing at quite a rate with corrosion recently, given they make up a big part of Arrivas single deck fleet, it could be concerning...
Lightweight chassis, things wear over time & considering the age (09 plate so 16 years old) daily use in Liverpool for years & then used on the X38 most days on arrival to Derby its hardly a surprise, even newer vehicles have a tendency to be rotten (i heard of a few 67 plate MMCs local to derby that were quite bad). Overall though I find Pulsars decent motors, do miss the scanias though.
Trainman40083
Established Member
Maybe the reported 15 EvoRas due in March, will arrive just in time.
I agree and you're right, but my point is that Pulsars make up a large part of the single deck fleet across the Arriva empire and the difference between the oldest and newest probably averages to about 5 years, if chassis rot starts to become widespread, it could cause some major problems..
I've said it before in this thread, but moving Pulsars around isn't a long term fleet plan, they won't last for ever... I'm no convinced the current sporadic rate of Evoras coming into the fleet is anywhere near enough.
That is almost certainly right but if Arriva don't sell buses to Merseyside or West Yorkshire, then in the not to near future they will have plenty of buses to cascade. Many will be 8-14 years old. That is nowhere near the retirement age for most buses. Looking at the procurement demands of the franchises for fleets, Arriva would struggle to meet the criteria of them and of course have themselves bought dozens of mid life buses from Diamond and others in the last 12 months. Would seem strange to sell them on so quickly- but if the price is right....
I think the answer is we don't really know. There has been no further activity but there has also been no official announcement that it isn't happening. When Arriva handed back funding for electric buses in Milton Keynes etc. then it was widely reported.
Either way, something will need to happen with the fleet in the not too distant future, it's disgraceful.
Confirmation on bus times now that only two of the Ex Yorkshire YJ58 E400’s remain at Derby (4416 and 4420 are left). The most recent ones to be withdrawn are 4419 and 4421.
I think more newer E400’s from Leicester will hopefully be able to fill in their place at Derby when the 10 electroliners enter service and allow for more fleet movements.
I think more newer E400’s from Leicester will hopefully be able to fill in their place at Derby when the 10 electroliners enter service and allow for more fleet movements.
SSmith2009
Member
While it would be nice to have them go to Derby and join their Uni E400mmcs, I have a feeling they will release the older stuff to Luton/MK like the older E400s
joieman
Member
Maybe 4400 and 4401 could return home to Derby?
Trainman40083
Established Member
I understand they were asked for when they came out from Aylesbury..
SSmith2009
Member
I wonder if the UniHoppers will get electrics at some point as they had the Yutong decker demo and its gone quiet on that front.
When this batch of 10 electroliners enter service in theory Thurmaston would have enough to see off the older E400s 4400/4401 & 4424-4430.
How long do they hold the contract for the uni services though as I would assume the only time they would consider electric is when the contract renews and it could become a requirement. I mean I may be wrong but I don't think arriva will willingly upgrade the uni fleet to electric personally till atleast derby has some electric buses itself to charge the uni buses up at unless it became viable to pay for themselves without bsip as part of a contract requirment
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Would assume though if they don't have electrics they will be replaced again soon or atleast in the next few years. Would of thought that may even be a contract requirement too to how old the buses they use on the hopper are or something
Trainman40083
Established Member
I thought I'd read something in the Derby Bus Service Improvement Plan about electric buses.
Yes there was I forgot about that I don't think it said specifically it was arriva though but I mean can't really be anyone else as trent routes are either too long or just been replaced (Mickleover) I mean allestree has 2017 buses but I don't think they would just make 1 route out the depot electric