NBfL...New Bus for LEEDS

[ECML180]

First have proposed using a variant of the Borismaster instead of the public sector backed trolleybus system. (Coach & Bus Week 1125)

First says that the scheme will be much cheaper and deliver more benefit, in essence.

My thoughts...simply put the NBfL will be a good looking bus, passengers will get the wow factor but it won't be the step change to higher perception associated with electric vehicles(e.g. Tram>Trolleybus>Bus) and also the vehicle in it's current design would not be suitable. I'd expect the rear staircase and centre door removing and still I feel like the capacity would be too low. The clincher for me is the infrastructure improvements associated with building a trolleybus system, it would be hard for First to deliver them seeing as they don't own the roads...even if their drivers think they do!

Your thoughts?

 

[mbonwick]

I don't think they've said they'd use a Borismaster variant, just that it's a similar concept.

I can see where they're coming from - trolleybus operations are rather limited in that you need wires everywhere.

 

[Bayum]

My thoughts...simply put the NBfL will be a good looking bus, passengers will get the wow factor but it won't be the step change to higher perception associated with electric vehicles(e.g. Tram>Trolleybus>Bus) and also the vehicle in it's current design would not be suitable. I'd expect the rear staircase and centre door removing and still I feel like the capacity would be too low.
Your thoughts?

First have stated that they would like the bus to have multi-door boarding and exiting. So though we may not end with three doors, we may end up with more than one set of doors as a lot of the stock has at present.

How closely the bus resembles the Borismaster, and what will be brought forward will remain to be seen.

I hope to God that they don't introduce them in the green they provided the YEP with...

 

[WatcherZero]

Considering how well First last attempt worked out:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTR_(bus)

Still, was better than the Boris bus

 

[34D]

If we get all the stop enhancements without electric wires, then it won't be bad. Just not as good as the trolleybus.

Remember First stand to loose a lot of money if a tram/trolleybus goes ahead on Otley Road.

 

[Masbroughlad]

Stil think Leeds a tram.

 

[ess]

I'm pretty sure about 30 years ago there were green Metrobus in Leeds with two sets of doors.

 

[Harpers Tate]

There's little doubt in my mind (and it will remain to be seen) that a tram will attract far more people out of their cars than any bus (whether electric or not) will.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'm pretty sure about 30 years ago there were green Metrobus in Leeds with two sets of doors.

Don't remember that. This was one of the first http://m.flickr.com/#/photos/dansbusphotos/10016058375/

In fact, think the last dual doored machines were Roe bodied Atlanteans ordered by LCT but in course of delivery when PTE formed in 1974

 

[HSTEd]

Sounds like First desperately attempting to scotch the Trolleybus project before it can gut one of its primary routes.

 

[starrymarkb]

It doesn't look good when Public Transport companies are fighting against improving Public Transport.

 

[34D]

I'm pretty sure about 30 years ago there were green Metrobus in Leeds with two sets of doors.

I think he means jumbo atlanteans and fleetlines in MetroBus (wypte) verona green and cream.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

It doesn't look good when Public Transport companies are fighting against improving Public Transport.

Yes, but that pre-supposes that trams or trolleybuses would be an improvement or, perhaps more pertinently, is it the best and most appropriate use of money? I'm not saying it is or isn't....it's a moot point.

This has been done before. Recall 20 years ago when Cleveland CC wanted a tram line and Caldaire effectively killed it, muddying the waters with a guided bus proposal.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I think he means jumbo atlanteans and fleetlines in MetroBus (wypte) verona green and cream.

Ahhh, I see what you mean. The trading identity of WYPTE, rather than the MCW product!! Of course, it was the formation of the PTE that signalled the purchase of single door vehicles exclusively

With London aside, not many places have dual doors (though Go Ahead got some for Southampton recently - most odd). In my childhood in the 1970s, we had the local NBC firm who had virtually no dual doored vehicles, plus the local municipality who had nothing but except a few open platform half cabs

 

[Deerfold]

Stil think Leeds a tram.

But as the DfT has told Metro it won't get one what do you think they should do? Continue with the trolleybus system they've been told they can have or sulk?

I don't think they've said they'd use a Borismaster variant, just that it's a similar concept.

I can see where they're coming from - trolleybus operations are rather limited in that you need wires everywhere.

The publicity shots are a photoshopped NBfL...

http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co....ernative-to-leeds-trolleybus-scheme-1-6430110

 

[simple simon]

Sounds like First desperately attempting to scotch the Trolleybus project before it can gut one of its primary routes.

Indeed so... what would be better would be for First to try and win the right to operate the trolleybus service!

Then they will stand to benefit.

Historically, but for a minibus spoiler company in Bradford in 1986, First would have found themselves operating trolleybuses in Bradford and by now this could have extended to Leeds and well! (This is because a bus comapny which eventually became part of First Group was poised to introduce trolleybuses in bradford, but this proposal wa scuppered when the minibus service by a different companyw a sregsitered to operate at the busy times of day, thereby ruining the economics of the planned new service).

I thought that during the 1980's West Yorkshire PTE was able to get enabling legislation through Parliament to allow it to introduce trolleybuses anywhere within the county, without further legislative shenanigans.

Simon

 

[Carlisle]

I'm pretty sure about 30 years ago there were green Metrobus in Leeds with two sets of doors.

And it must be getting on for 20 or more years since I first heard on the news about plans to re introduce trolley busses in that region :roll: