First Aberdeen

[Jordan Adam]

I have to disagree about the 18, given the distance it isn't that slow and it does pretty much take the most direct route. With that said there probably is scope to tighten up the timetable in a few places especially inbound along Great Northern Road, it would also help if there was proper bus priority around Berryden/Kittybrewster as this tends to be a bottle neck.

There probably was demand in the past for a limited stop express service to Dyce, but with the improvements in the rail service there isn't really any more.

 

[Deltic1961]

Yeah sorely miss the 21x. Used to use it and had no issues with timings.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Yeah sorely miss the 21x. Used to use it and had no issues with timings.

From Victoria Street to Broad Street the current 18 takes the same amount of time as the pre-2008 X18 and is 5-10 minutes faster than the 21.

 

[lachlan]

I have to disagree about the 18, given the distance it isn't that slow and it does pretty much take the most direct route. With that said there probably is scope to tighten up the timetable in a few places especially inbound along Great Northern Road, it would also help if there was proper bus priority around Berryden/Kittybrewster as this tends to be a bottle neck.

There probably was demand in the past for a limited stop express service to Dyce, but with the improvements in the rail service there isn't really any more.

I took the 18 this morning out to Dyce station and we stopped at least twice for three or four minutes so seems to be some slack in the timetable. I'd probably have been quicker taking the bus into town and catching the train from Aberdeen, but fancied trying a new bus route.

Of course if Kittybrewster station was still here my 50 minute journey could have been done in 20 minutes...

 

[Deltic1961]

Update from Davy Shanks on Twitter re. First Aberdeen Hydrogen fleet

Quote: "Manufacturers Wrightbus say the initial problem identified is taking longer than expected to fix. They now expect the buses to return "later this month" Initially the problem with a mounting bracket was expected to be fixed in days, but it's now been over a month"

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 7 Mar 2022 ==

Of course if Kittybrewster station was still here my 50 minute journey could have been done in 20 minutes

Ah, the old Crossrail project. Another fantastic idea kicked in to the long grass.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

At least if they fix this problem the Streetdecks will return along with more new Streetdecks for the 17/18.

 

[Furry_comrade]

I must say that the buses that are on loan from Glasgow are quite nice, I almost mistook one for a hydrogen bus when I was getting on at RGU!

 

[Jordan Adam]

I must say that the buses that are on loan from Glasgow are quite nice, I almost mistook one for a hydrogen bus when I was getting on at RGU!

I agree, it's just a shame one of them is constantly breakdown down!

 

[lachlan]

I'm on the 9U today from the library to ARI, only one other passenger on board.

Would certainly be more useful if the service was open to the public and had some intermediate stops!

Edit: Scratch that, a bunch of folks have boarded beside Biomedical Science, a stop that doesn't appear in the First app...

 

[Jordan Adam]

The King Coaches section of the First website has been updated with new photos showing some of the vehicles in the fleet along with links to dedicated social media pages. Certainly seems the coach hire side is finally being steered in the right direction, the Tourismos in particular are some of the smartest coaches i've seen!

Our Vehicles

Travel in luxury and style! Our high quality and safety extend to our fleet of vehicles. We have a wide range of coaches at our disposal, and all are driven by our dedicated team of professional, highly trained and friendly drivers. From standard coaches to executive coaches, we have a range of...

www.firstbus.co.uk

They have also been in the process of filming an advert over the past week. - https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca1YJZTq7U5/

 

[Deltic1961]

Good that the coach hire side is finally getting focus.

 

[JumpinTrainz]

Have any of the E400MMCs been returned to Glasgow from Aberdeen? Just passed a 38 branded one on the M73 heading towards Caley. Quite unusual to see buses use this road unless they are coming from/going up North.

 

[Volvodart]

All 10 were out until teatime or later yesterday.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Have any of the E400MMCs been returned to Glasgow from Aberdeen? Just passed a 38 branded one on the M73 heading towards Caley. Quite unusual to see buses use this road unless they are coming from/going up North.

Only 34386 is not out today which is one of the 38 branded ones, it has broken down quite a few times while here and each time i've seen it i wouldn't exactly say it was sounding healthy.

 

[Deltic1961]

What's the scoop with the repair work at Wrightbus on the Streetdecks?

Not exactly saving the planet sitting in a factory somewhere.

 

[Volvodart]

Only 34386 is not out today which is one of the 38 branded ones, it has broken down quite a few times while here and each time i've seen it i wouldn't exactly say it was sounding healthy.

It is out now on the 1.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Mar 2022 ==

What's the scoop with the repair work at Wrightbus on the Streetdecks?

Not exactly saving the planet sitting in a factory somewhere.

They have to be stripped down to get to the defective welding.

 

[Trnsprt4Sctlnd]

It is out now on the 1.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Mar 2022 ==



They have to be stripped down to get to the defective welding.

Oddly enough Dennis have had problems with the rear suspension components on E300s as well as chassis issues with First Glasgow 65-plate E400s.

Now Wrightbus with this.

There’s a general feeling that they aren’t building buses quite so well anymore, no where near the way Aberdeens B9s on the 19s were or any other B7/9 for that matter.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Oddly enough Dennis have had problems with the rear suspension components on E300s as well as chassis issues with First Glasgow 65-plate E400s.

Now Wrightbus with this.

There’s a general feeling that they aren’t building buses quite so well anymore, no where near the way Aberdeens B9s on the 19s were or any other B7/9 for that matter.

To be fair aside from the bracket issues the Streetdecks are well built. I don't really think the build quality of buses as a whole has got poorer, people just like to think everything was rosier in the past and worse now. The B7s and B9s weren't immune to issues, the B9TLs in particular were some of the most frequently towed in vehicles by Norscot over the years and the D9B engine is known to be prone to fuel injector and head gasket failures. Similarly the B7RLEs although the most reliable buses in the fleet now did have some minor issues in their first few years. It is quite amusing how every generation says x bus will never last as long as x, yet the majority of the time it does. I doubt people would've expected Optare Solos to still be in service well past the age of 20, yet quite a number are...

 

[JumpinTrainz]

To be fair aside from the bracket issues the Streetdecks are well built. I don't really think the build quality of buses as a whole has got poorer, people just like to think everything was rosier in the past and worse now. The B7s and B9s weren't immune to issues, the B9TLs in particular were some of the most frequently towed in vehicles by Norscot over the years and the D9B engine is known to be prone to fuel injector and head gasket failures. Similarly the B7RLEs although the most reliable buses in the fleet now did have some minor issues in their first few years. It is quite amusing how every generation says x bus will never last as long as x, yet the majority of the time it does. I doubt people would've expected Optare Solos to still be in service well past the age of 20, yet quite a number are...

I certainly was very cynical about the E300s when they first entered service back in 2012. They seemed so much more flimsy and light compared with the more sturdy Wright stock, however I’ve been very pleasantly surprised by them. The oldest ones are now approaching 10 years old and they are in pretty good condition. With a refurb they could be as good as new.

I recall the B7Ls being some of the worst buses I’ve ever travelled on. They were so loud inside and out, smelly and they rattled every bone in your body. The build quality for them was awful.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

We all have differing opinions but I honestly could never describe the Wright Eclipse range or any of the Wrightbus products as sturdy. A number of Geminis and Urbans (or whatever other name they give single decks) that I've experienced have been prone to water ingress in the driver's cab and the saloon. I remember one occasion on a typical Scottish day when which seemed like a wee river stream was flowing along the floor. Personally, only the Panoramic Leyland Atlanteans which ran in Glasgow (I think Edinburgh's were a wee bit better) could compete with Wrights with it's offer of a free bath to both drivers and passengers.

 

[Jordan Adam]

We all have differing opinions but I honestly could never describe the Wright Eclipse range or any of the Wrightbus products as sturdy. A number of Geminis and Urbans (or whatever other name they give single decks) that I've experienced have been prone to water ingress in the driver's cab and the saloon. I remember one occasion on a typical Scottish day when which seemed like a wee river stream was flowing along the floor. Personally, only the Panoramic Leyland Atlanteans which ran in Glasgow (I think Edinburgh's were a wee bit better) could compete with Wrights with it's offer of a free bath to both drivers and passengers.

Aberdeen's 69126 is commonly referred to as "the sieve" by drivers. The water ingress on them comes from the vents for the heat boxes, there's two either side of the saloon about half way up and one above the cab. For some reason Wright decided to use a sealant on them which corrodes over time and thus lets in water, because of the design it's a nightmare to sort. The rear most vent on the Wright Renown's had the same issue and as such on many of Aberdeen's examples they just removed the vent and panelled it over.

Streetlites are also really bad for water ingress at the point where the fibreglass mouldings meet the roof. One operator even went as far as putting orange tape over the join!

W60JLS

Wright Streetlite seen here @ the Viking bus station about to head to Toft on the 23. Ironically this is the first time of the year the bus has been in service since last week although Volvo B10BLE V258 who seems to have quickly picked up a defective radiator which has taken it off again taking...

www.flickr.com

Leasks W60JLS

Wright Streetlite seen here at the Viking bus station waiting to do the 1030 to Sumburgh

www.flickr.com

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Aberdeen's 69126 is commonly referred to as "the sieve" by drivers. The water ingress on them comes from the vents for the heat boxes, there's two either side of the saloon about half way up and one above the cab. For some reason Wright decided to use a sealant on them which corrodes over time and thus lets in water, because of the design it's a nightmare to sort. The rear most vent on the Wright Renown's had the same issue and as such on many of Aberdeen's examples they just removed the vent and panelled it over.

Streetlites are also really bad for water ingress at the point where the fibreglass mouldings meet the roof. One operator even went as far as putting orange tape over the join!

W60JLS

Wright Streetlite seen here @ the Viking bus station about to head to Toft on the 23. Ironically this is the first time of the year the bus has been in service since last week although Volvo B10BLE V258 who seems to have quickly picked up a defective radiator which has taken it off again taking...

www.flickr.com

Leasks W60JLS

Wright Streetlite seen here at the Viking bus station waiting to do the 1030 to Sumburgh

www.flickr.com

I can't say I'm all that impressed with the Streetlite but that's a very well presented vehicle and a nice livery.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I can't say I'm all that impressed with the Streetlite but that's a very well presented vehicle and a nice livery.

Curiously, have just travelled on the same vehicle in the last few days. Actually, a very decent bus

 

[Bus Lightyear]

Curiously, have just travelled on the same vehicle in the last few days. Actually, a very decent bus

It has a very old fashioned style of livery but the vehicle wears it well.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Having done a search on the government website vehicles that are confirmed to have now had Euro 6 conversions (as of 06/04/2022) are:

20831/51/52
24051-57
37635/36/43/44
63193-218
67783-803
69125-34
69254/58/63/65/66/67/82/83/84

Vehicles that already complied to Euro 6 / LEZ from new:

24201/2
26001-3
39701-25
67084-90

As such vehicles in the fleet which do not comply to LEZ are as follows:

11106/08-15*
20613
20806/07/12
38203-05/07/09-24*
67804
62169
69123/124/138/150
69290/294
69351-57

*All E500s and Citaros are shown as not complying to LEZ standards, however given 11108 and 38212 are confirmed to have went down to Eminox for conversion this is perhaps an "admin error".

This would align with the reports that 67804, 69290/94 & 69351-57 are to transfer away when the new Streetdeck-FCEVs for the 17/18 finally arrive.

 

[Deltic1961]

Well with the E500 doing about 9 miles to the gallon it's not really a surprise. Enviro in the name was a play with words. Enviro compared to a space shuttle maybe .....

 

[stevenedin]

I’m still surprised that these Enviro500s moved to Aberdeen in the first place. They are probably better for busier routes due to the extra length. Does anyone know why they left Glasgow?

 

[Deltic1961]

I'm assuming it was just for the extra capacity required on the 1/2 during term time for RGU before Covid hit.

 

[83G/84D]

@Jordan Adam - Is there any news of the return of the Streetdecks? I will be back in Scotland in 4-6 weeks and was wondering if it was worth going to Aberdeen?

 

[Jordan Adam]

I’m still surprised that these Enviro500s moved to Aberdeen in the first place. They are probably better for busier routes due to the extra length. Does anyone know why they left Glasgow?

Until recently the 1/2 used to operate up to every 2 minutes at peak times and often buses would run full. Even off peak from 2012 to 2018 there was a 3/4 minute frequency off peak between RGU and Castle Street. With that being said Artics work far better on the 1/2 than deckers, especially along the King Street corridor.

Well with the E500 doing about 9 miles to the gallon it's not really a surprise. Enviro in the name was a play with words.

The Enviro500s are being converted though, as mentioned in the previous post it's likely just an administrative error as 38212 was the first vehicle in the fleet to be done, both it and Citaro 11108 went down to Eminox in Gainsborough in December/January to be converted, tested and certified since they are the first of their types to be done.

@Jordan Adam - Is there any news of the return of the Streetdecks? I will be back in Scotland in 4-6 weeks and was wondering if it was worth going to Aberdeen?

Yes, i was just about to post about this. The first of the new examples for the 17/18 has just been delivered this afternoon, it had been reported previously that the new examples (39716-25) would be delivered first followed by 39701-15.

Bus Lists On The Web now has these as being:
39716 SV22VXC
39717 SV22VXD
39718 SV22VXE
39719 SV22VXF
39720 SV22VXG
39721 SV22VXH
39722 SV22VXJ
39723 SV22VXK
39724 SV22UZA
39725 SV22UZB