Nottingham 'Bus War'

[trentside]

Broken, or just not showing correctly on the photo? Mind you... they are Optares!

 

[MCR247]

http://a6.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/156257_3279384075708_1415930077_n.jpg

Well that is the same bus sooo I presume it has broken

 

[WillPS]

Another bus war in nottingham the last one was nottingham ct and nottingham omnibus wasnt it

And Trent/Delta immediate after!

 

[MCR247]

Seems Tempo SRs aren't doing to good?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattburley0/7303011822/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/66635108@N08/7297742634/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mattburley0/7288583322/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/57425719@N08/7287496422/

 

[Heinz57]

Either they havn't yet received all the vehcles from the order or they're breaking down already.

We'll know they've cocked up big time when they have to put a couple of the remaining Rainbow 4 liveried scanias back out on the route!

I can't understand why trent barton keep opting to buy Optares, they're blatently proving to be unreliable because they keep breaking down all the time.

On a similar note. Looking through that photo stream you linked, there is a coach liveried in 'Club Class' what is this route? I've never seen it before and its got the new livery so it must be new, quite new at that because as I understand the i4 was (supposed to be) the first carrying the new logo livery? It isn't the Comuter Express receiving yet another re-brand is it?

 

[WillPS]

Either they havn't yet received all the vehcles from the order or they're breaking down already.

We'll know they've cocked up big time when they have to put a couple of the remaining Rainbow 4 liveried scanias back out on the route!

I can't understand why trent barton keep opting to buy Optares, they're blatently proving to be unreliable because they keep breaking down all the time.

On a similar note. Looking through that photo stream you linked, there is a coach liveried in 'Club Class' what is this route? I've never seen it before and its got the new livery so it must be new, quite new at that because as I understand the i4 was (supposed to be) the first carrying the new logo livery? It isn't the Comuter Express receiving yet another re-brand is it?

It is yeah - it's always been branded in unison with Rainbow 4 - the original Commuter Express followed the then current branding, changed to Commuter Xprss with the c.2005 rebrand so it makes sense to change it again with R4 becoming i4.

Every time Trent try something other than Optare they end up going back, there must be something good about them!

 

[Ginga]

Trent Barton Skylink Promo Prices end on Sunday.

It will be £1.65 with Mango, £3.30 two trip with Mango and £4.40 cash two trip.
The 10 trip tickets for £10 end. Prices are for Nottingham - Long Eaton.

Premiere are doing "Diamond Discount" promo for next two weeks. On all routes.

More Volvo Gemini 2's are coming in September for the Uni Hopper Services.

 

[MCR247]

Either they havn't yet received all the vehcles from the order or they're breaking down already.

We'll know they've cocked up big time when they have to put a couple of the remaining Rainbow 4 liveried scanias back out on the route!

I can't understand why trent barton keep opting to buy Optares, they're blatently proving to be unreliable because they keep breaking down all the time.

On a similar note. Looking through that photo stream you linked, there is a coach liveried in 'Club Class' what is this route? I've never seen it before and its got the new livery so it must be new, quite new at that because as I understand the i4 was (supposed to be) the first carrying the new logo livery? It isn't the Comuter Express receiving yet another re-brand is it?

I think they've got them all. 13 Tempo SRs for a PVR of 13. That was never going to work with Optare now was it?

So on Monday there was 2 Tempo SRs not out going by those pictures! Second day of service

They've had to put R4 liveried solars back out? hahaha

 

[tbone]

Trent Barton Skylink Promo Prices end on Sunday.

It will be £1.65 with Mango, £3.30 two trip with Mango and £4.40 cash two trip.
The 10 trip tickets for £10 end. Prices are for Nottingham - Long Eaton.

Premiere are doing "Diamond Discount" promo for next two weeks. On all routes.

More Volvo Gemini 2's are coming in September for the Uni Hopper Services.

The skylink prices were only introductory and passengers can stock up on them if they wish. Trent Barton are also having special discounts for the Jubilee, Zigzag group only £10 (was £12) unlimited travel on the network (excluding Pronto) for 5 people

 

[Heinz57]

It is yeah - it's always been branded in unison with Rainbow 4 - the original Commuter Express followed the then current branding, changed to Commuter Xprss with the c.2005 rebrand so it makes sense to change it again with R4 becoming i4.

Every time Trent try something other than Optare they end up going back, there must be something good about them!

I see, so the commuter express is like a sister route to the r4/i4?

They've had to put R4 liveried solars back out? hahaha

Well not yet but its only a matter of time

 

[Jordeh]

Any idea what's going to happen with the old Rainbow 4 Solar's? Surely there's quite a surplus of buses for the moment?

 

[Deerfold]

I'm beginning to wonder if Trentbarton are beginning to overdo it with the branding. Mightn't they be stating to confuse some customers with the constant rebranding? I don't mean the new colour schemes and buses, but changing the names on some routes so regularly I would think might confuse irregular passengers.

I've a feeling the i4 may start to look a bit dated if the fashion for i-things (iPhones etc) moves on.

They compared their rotues to chocolate bars and said customers wouldn't ask for chocoalte bar type r57s. But neither do cumstomers expect the name of their favourite chocolate bar to change all the time - was anyone impressd when marathon became snickers or opal fruits became starburst?

 

[MCR247]

I'm beginning to wonder if Trentbarton are beginning to overdo it with the branding. Mightn't they be stating to confuse some customers with the constant rebranding? I don't mean the new colour schemes and buses, but changing the names on some routes so regularly I would think might confuse irregular passengers.

I've a feeling the i4 may start to look a bit dated if the fashion for i-things (iPhones etc) moves on.

They compared their rotues to chocolate bars and said customers wouldn't ask for chocoalte bar type r57s. But neither do cumstomers expect the name of their favourite chocolate bar to change all the time - was anyone impressd when marathon became snickers or opal fruits became starburst?

I wouldn't say its constant. And its always pretty well publicised. Rainbow 4 has been around for at least 11 years

 

[Deerfold]

I wouldn't say its constant. And its always pretty well publicised. Rainbow 4 has been around for at least 11 years

Not constant on any one route, but there always seems to be some rebranding somewhere on the network.

 

[Heinz57]

Bit of an update,

Two i4s did have minor problems. One of them was very minor that it was going again shortly after. Optare have also apparently been out to them.

The Rainbow 4 solars are all in the garage atm, I think some are in Langley Mill, the others are I think between Nottingham and Derby, the decals have been removed from the outsides but still of course wear the blueygreeny colour. Its unknown whos having them yet.

Next up for re-branding is I think the R3. There is also something in the pipeline for The Alestree.

Felix 56 is in Langley Mill. Not sure if its for a repaint or some repairs, but they were rubbing the sides down which suggests repaint. Colours are unkown, if its going to be black like the black cat; blue white and green or even skylink yellow. 56 was also re-fitted with an electronic destination board about a month or so back. The same as 08's

Having said that about the repaint, its surprising that they have that in now because they've still got 14 odd ex-Lothian double deckers new to Notts and Derby, that like to break down that need seeing too first (They bought about 14, drivers went up to Edinburgh to collect them. About 4 or 5 of them broke down on the way back)

On a similar note, Felix 03 was also in Langley Mill this week for some minor repairs, not sure what it was but all is well now and its back out on the run.

The Centro N+D had from TM Travel (no 700?) is a load of rubish. As soon as N+D had it they had to do work on it, the body work all needed straightening out apparently.

EDIT - Its Centro not Vario! When am I going to get that right?!

 

[tbone]

Perhaps the Centros are now being done as the OFT cleared the sale in the week, they were perhaps reluctant to repaint buses if they were going to have to sell them on.

i4s have been having some problems, these are apparently being sorted out by Opatre, not sure if this is being done at Leeds or Langley Mill. Last year's Versas and solos have been quite reliable, perhaps it's got something to do with the fact the tempos were made at Blackburn? Seeing as they were the last buses they would ever make there, in the knowledge they would lose their jobs, was there full motivation?

Trent Barton have also repainted Volvo 727 into a new version of te mango livery. It had been said that no bus would go into the new style of livery without the new style interior, perhaps this was rushed out due to problems with i4?
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, Ruddington connection will get its new buses at some point in June. Allestree will be after that with Rainbow 3 getting new buses with the new timetable on the 22nd July

 

[Pe251lz]

It's always nice when new buses come & replace the previous ones, even when the older ones weren't that old. But what's really surprised me here though is when the older ones have more technology than the new!
Rainbow4 featured onboard next stop LED displays with audio announcements from the BBC's news reader Ann Davis.*
From what I experienced i4 doesn't. (Unless its planned at a later date).
So my whole perception of what the 'i' brand was originally going to be all about is totally wrong.
'i' imagined the 'i' represented information technology. Information technology in the shape of a mobile app, onboard visual displays & realtime website with live bus mapping. Or maybe the latter going a little far, watching your bus moving towards you on a mobile map screen, but the way technology is moving, that might not be that far away!
NCT have invested massively in realtime equipment recently. Onboard t.v screens featuring a basic stick map & next stop information have been installed as standard on newer vehicles & LED next stop displays on the remainder. Audio announcements are also currently being rolled out across the network too.*
A mobile app was also launched last year, with most NCT routes now covered by realtime arrivals.
Wonder why it seems trentbarton are taking a step backwards in the next stop technology department with the 'i'4 brand?
So this is where the surprise of the new 'i' brand is for me:-*
Instead of the 'i' standing for information technology, 'i' stands for.........
Intriguing!
'i' feel Intrigued why it's taken sooo long to launch the brand (7 months), intrigued with the modern technology aspect, intrigued with the new logo, intrigued moving from allover leather to fabric seating with leather headrests plus should blue & green be seen.......?
However, after taking a short trip on Monday (total of 4 buses off the road) btw), 'i' will say it was a most pleasant, comfortable & enjoyable journey, basically a very nice bus & yes, very intriguing, very intriguing indeed.

 

[MCR247]

Wow. I'm on my phone but I'll try to reply the best that I can.

First of all NCTs TV screens and LED screens are shocking. The latter are the worst. They always scroll, even at somewhere where the names easily fit on, and for the bus stop at Trent bridge, the screens display: Trent Br. Vic. Embkt. It looks terrible. Nobody even likes the announcements and I'm sorry but the 11 year old boy that does it just p***** everyone off, and you really can see why. The app is pretty bad. Hardly ever works for me and is pretty much never accurate.

I believe TB are planning on making an app where you can top up your mango and see when the bus is due. There have been a lot of requests on the TBL FB page and they've said one is in the works.

I'll hopefully answer the rest later

 

[bb21]

It's always nice when new buses come & replace the previous ones, even when the older ones weren't that old. But what's really surprised me here though is when the older ones have more technology than the new!
Rainbow4 featured onboard next stop LED displays with audio announcements from the BBC's news reader Ann Davis.*

I believe R4 uses the older version of Star Trak which was switched off so the equipment has been redundant anyway.

 

[gordonthemoron]

on the contrary, NCT displays are excellent

 

[MCR247]

on the contrary, NCT displays are excellent

Are they?!

 

[Heinz57]

i4s have been having some problems, these are apparently being sorted out by Opatre, not sure if this is being done at Leeds or Langley Mill.

The problems were sorted by Optare, but I beleive they came out and the works completed at Langley Mill

 

[MCR247]

When I was on i4 on Saturday I saw 4 spares and I think I saw most buses as I did a return trip! I'll post my 'review' tomorrow, but let me just say the return was a lot better on the Volvo than the outward on a Tempo SR

 

[Heinz57]

Yeah Tempos arn't a very good ride at all. Uncomfortable and shakey, the busses rattle like they are about to fall apart. I try to avoid using the Trent Black Cat and Trent Ilkeston Flyer (with the tempo) as much as possible because of the Tempos. Its the Felix Solars and VDLs or nothing!

I'm assuming the new i4 Tempos have a similar ride to those on the BC?

 

[MCR247]

The Ilkeston Flyer tempo isn't used on it anymore its a TB spare now, recently found on indigo and skylink I believe./

I'm assuming the new i4 Tempos have a similar ride to those on the BC?

Aha! This leads me to my first point of my review of i4!

You can add 'sr' to the name. Its still a tempo.
You can give it a new s*** front and back. Its still a tempo.

It is a tempo! From the inside it is literally just a tempo You couldn't tell that you are on a tempo 'SR'. EVERYTHING is exactly the same, they've just given it a new front and back. And this is pretty much what I don't like about them, I mean you are really pretty much just sat on an Excel! Nothing much has changed. And thats fine when you are sat on some x reg Excel because you're expecting, but on a 12 reg brand new bus, its not upto standard with competitors.

The next point is the noise. They are really loud buses! Especially compared to TBs volvos. Like I said, nothing has changed since the excel 2 really.

The interior was really rattly, especially as we gained speed heading into Sandiacre

For more i4 specific points:
- The tempo 'sr' I was on stunk of p***
- The interior was really dirty, a lot of panels were going brown, like you'd expect from 6 years in heavy service, not 6 days (and it probably wasn't out on all of them!)


So in conclusion, I'd rather travel by Indigo and I'll be pretty much avoiding the i4

 

[Jordeh]

The Ilkeston Flyer tempo isn't used on it anymore its a TB spare now, recently found on indigo and skylink I believe./



Aha! This leads me to my first point of my review of i4!

You can add 'sr' to the name. Its still a tempo.
You can give it a new s*** front and back. Its still a tempo.

It is a tempo! From the inside it is literally just a tempo You couldn't tell that you are on a tempo 'SR'. EVERYTHING is exactly the same, they've just given it a new front and back. And this is pretty much what I don't like about them, I mean you are really pretty much just sat on an Excel! Nothing much has changed. And thats fine when you are sat on some x reg Excel because you're expecting, but on a 12 reg brand new bus, its not upto standard with competitors.

The next point is the noise. They are really loud buses! Especially compared to TBs volvos. Like I said, nothing has changed since the excel 2 really.

The interior was really rattly, especially as we gained speed heading into Sandiacre

For more i4 specific points:
- The tempo 'sr' I was on stunk of p***
- The interior was really dirty, a lot of panels were going brown, like you'd expect from 6 years in heavy service, not 6 days (and it probably wasn't out on all of them!)


So in conclusion, I'd rather travel by Indigo and I'll be pretty much avoiding the i4

I have to agree with all of what's been said, I prefer the R4 Solars but neither are close to Indigo's volvos. TB have made a right fuss over a bus very similar to other tempos and in many ways inferior to the Indigo. Indigo for instance has all leather seats, air conditioning, doesn't rattle as much and is much quieter. The simpler seating plan is much more effective too and the colour scheme is nice (Unlike the bright green of the i4).

As has been previously pointed out, there's no justification of the 'i' in 'i4' yet either, it could at least have Wifi or something. Yet now it doesn't even have bus stop displays.

That's not to say the Tempo SRs are bad, but they're amongst the worst in TBs fleet and really nothing to shout about.

 

[Heinz57]

TrentBarton have realy messed up again big time.

They should have gone with something like the Eclipses that are on the Mickalover (and the Indigo?)

The unfortinate thing is, the next route to get brand new buses will probably end up with a load of Opatres too

 

[bb21]

EVERYTHING

I guess you're not happy?

So in conclusion, I'd rather travel by Indigo and I'll be pretty much avoiding the i4

I doubt TB care that much though, after all they're still pocketing your fare.

Threaten them that you will travel with Premiere instead.

 

[MCR247]

I guess you're not happy?

You guess correctly


And even if I threaten to travel with Premiere, what are they going to do? Order some new eclipses first thing Wednesday? If only

 

[bb21]

And even if I threaten to travel with Premiere, what are they going to do? Order some new eclipses first thing Wednesday? If only

They could maybe send the Tempos to Derby and swap for some of the buses from there, just an idea.