TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[Leyland Bus]

NMGH ?

North Manchester General Hospital

 

[mbonwick]

Nope 19428 was the only one going yellow - 19500 was due to receive the livery that 19470 got in the end. The other two were just collateral damage.

There were 4 buses from memory but one of them was the original Greater Manchester Transport repaint!

the buses where 19294 19347 19428 and 19500

Thanks all, makes sense now.

Even if it's just 2 Bee E400s that have gone, it's still not good statistically when you think of all the hundreds of corporate E400s in Manchester!
(Not for a minute suggesting that the colour of the paint had anything to do with it)

 

[stan claire]

It's probably somewhere deep inside the thread but what are GNW's permanent fleet plans? I saw a video online of a 24 plate MMC with 37 (GNW route) on the display but it was most likely still in the factory and unsure if it will go to GNW or someone else. 6233 isn't showing any tracking at all on bustimes, and my main interest is about what is happening to the BF62 and BD64 citaros as there haven't been any in service since the 24th? With the state of the Diamond citaros (and I also do regularly use them) the only thing you can rely on really is the seats being absolutely filled with dust. I've also heard somewhere (I think a GNW list?) that the BJ10 citaros (ex GNE) will be staying but they are actually tolerable as they have leather (I think) seats and USB chargers

Basically I'll be happy if the Diamond citaros decide to go bye bye (and maybe if they put better buses on the 520 because I'm surprised an MMC hasn't had a brick through it in Johnson Fold yet and I don't understand why the same 5 routes always get the new buses)

 

[M60lad]

1> Regarding yesterdays fire has Middleton Depot got enough resilience in the fleet to cope with losing 19410 or will something be found in the short/long term to replace it?

2> Did 19429 at Queens road replace 19428 which was planned to go Yellow?

3> Regarding where yesterday's fire occurred in the grounds of North Manchester Hospital what happens to services when this sort of thing happens, I mean where do vehicles that normally call or terminate there turn round>

 

[Leedsbusman]

There were 4 buses from memory but one of them was the original Greater Manchester Transport repaint!

What happened to cause the damage?

 

[xitz2012@gmail]

1> Regarding yesterdays fire has Middleton Depot got enough resilience in the fleet to cope with losing 19410 or will something be found in the short/long term to replace it?

2> Did 19429 at Queens road replace 19428 which was planned to go Yellow?

3> Regarding where yesterday's fire occurred in the grounds of North Manchester Hospital what happens to services when this sort of thing happens, I mean where do vehicles that normally call or terminate there turn round>

19429 was already at Queens Road, been there since tranche 2 launch day

 

[W176 XMA]

1> Regarding yesterdays fire has Middleton Depot got enough resilience in the fleet to cope with losing 19410 or will something be found in the short/long term to replace it?

2> Did 19429 at Queens road replace 19428 which was planned to go Yellow?

3> Regarding where yesterday's fire occurred in the grounds of North Manchester Hospital what happens to services when this sort of thing happens, I mean where do vehicles that normally call or terminate there turn round>

11844 moved from queens road to replace it

 

[Leyland Bus]

What happened to cause the damage?

An electric golf buggy of all things...

 

[Kianlewis48]

1> Regarding yesterdays fire has Middleton Depot got enough resilience in the fleet to cope with losing 19410 or will something be found in the short/long term to replace it?

2> Did 19429 at Queens road replace 19428 which was planned to go Yellow?

3> Regarding where yesterday's fire occurred in the grounds of North Manchester Hospital what happens to services when this sort of thing happens, I mean where do vehicles that normally call or terminate there turn round>

The 156 was turning around at the bottom of the road just did a U-Turn in the road. 118 was cut to Charlestown. 52/149 had to reverse into the road and pick up across the road from NMGH.

 

[StagecoachBus1]

The 156 was turning around at the bottom of the road just did a U-Turn in the road. 118 was cut to Charlestown. 52/149 had to reverse into the road and pick up across the road from NMGH.

Service 41 diverted to miss out any stops on Ash Tree Lane, to avoid the turning area.

 

[Ace Of Pacer]

Are the 5 ex First Berkshire E200s staying and planning to get a full refurb? If not what new vehicles are they waiting for?

They are Reserve fleet but currently seeing active use due to volume of refurbs and other fleet works. They are likely to leave Bolton/Wigan early in the New Year for another project.

 

[CJ1]

They are Reserve fleet but currently seeing active use due to volume of refurbs and other fleet works. They are likely to leave Bolton/Wigan early in the New Year for another project.

Are they going to leave Manchester all together or go to another BN operator? So no new vehicles are planned to replace these?

 

[mayneway]

11844 moved from queens road to replace it

11844 has been loaned to Middleton for a few days until replacements from elsewhere can be sourced. It’s expected to be back at Queens by the end of the week in readiness for the new school term!

 

[M60lad]

Regarding Schools going back next week will there be any change in vehicle allocations? I only ask as at the moment during the School Holidays most 181/182s are booked E300s and while these have been ideal during the holidays I know that with the Schools going back some deckers will be needed on some of the duties as they pass by a number of Schools on the routes and the singles will struggle to cope especially at School starting and finishing times.

 

[Ace Of Pacer]

Are they going to leave Manchester all together or go to another BN operator? So no new vehicles are planned to replace these?

They’ll remain with Go North West for a different project, and won’t be replaced at Bolton or Wigan. The 19 new electrics will replace a different batch of vehicles for cascade / disposal.

 

[Class 466]

11844 has been loaned to Middleton for a few days until replacements from elsewhere can be sourced. It’s expected to be back at Queens by the end of the week in readiness for the new school term!

Weren’t all the 24 plates meant to have left Queens Road over the summer? Am sure I read that further up.

 

[CJ1]

They’ll remain with Go North West for a different project, and won’t be replaced at Bolton or Wigan. The 19 new electrics will replace a different batch of vehicles for cascade / disposal.

So, do you mean they will still be in service but on different routes? Also are the 19 new vehicles the Streetdeck Electroliners? Sorry if I sound like an idiot lol!

 

[Leyland Bus]

So, do you mean they will still be in service but on different routes? Also are the 19 new vehicles the Streetdeck Electroliners? Sorry if I sound like an idiot lol!

Yes, the 19 are Electroliners.

 

[CJ1]

Yes, the 19 are Electroliners.

Do you know what these Electroliners are going to replace? My guess is the ex London B9TLs or the B7RLEs??

 

[mayneway]

Weren’t all the 24 plates meant to have left Queens Road over the summer? Am sure I read that further up.

They are still supposedly going and are still listed officially as ‘loaned’ vehicles but with several B9’s still off the road I can’t see them going yet.

11850 along with one of the Evora’s are currently in Birkenhead being repainted after accidents.

 

[Class 466]

They are still supposedly going and are still listed officially as ‘loaned’ vehicles but with several B9’s still off the road I can’t see them going yet.

11850 along with one of the Evora’s are currently in Birkenhead being repainted after accidents.

16825 (MX58DXH) had a very minor thermal incident a few weeks back, got repaired - broke down yesterday morning on the 41, came back out and broke down on the 93 in the afternoon - then came out this morning and broke down again on the 135. They’re becoming increasingly unreliable so the sooner they can be replaced the better now.

 

[gka472l]

They are still supposedly going and are still listed officially as ‘loaned’ vehicles but with several B9’s still off the road I can’t see them going yet.

11850 along with one of the Evora’s are currently in Birkenhead being repainted after accidents.

The Evora at Birkenhead is 21419, although neither were visible when I passed that depot earlier today

 

[StagecoachBus1]

Regarding Schools going back next week will there be any change in vehicle allocations? I only ask as at the moment during the School Holidays most 181/182s are booked E300s and while these have been ideal during the holidays I know that with the Schools going back some deckers will be needed on some of the duties as they pass by a number of Schools on the routes and the singles will struggle to cope especially at School starting and finishing times.

Doesn't look like it - for the 181/182 prior to the summer holidays the E300s were still the main vehicles, with the odd MMC or B5LH covering a few duties. Capacity is an issue on those routes, especially, as you say, with numerous schools on the route, and both services being only hourly, whilst also running into the city centre.

 

[py_megapixel]

16825 (MX58DXH) had a very minor thermal incident a few weeks back, got repaired - broke down yesterday morning on the 41, came back out and broke down on the 93 in the afternoon - then came out this morning and broke down again on the 135. They’re becoming increasingly unreliable so the sooner they can be replaced the better now.

Shame to hear that really as I think with a bit of work inside and they could be very nice vehicles.

How are the ADLs of similar age doing for reliability? I've mentioned before that these always seem to me as a passenger much more worn out than the Wrights.

 

[StagecoachBus1]

Shame to hear that really as I think with a bit of work inside and they could be very nice vehicles.

How are the ADLs of similar age doing for reliability? I've mentioned before that these always seem to me as a passenger much more worn out than the Wrights.

The ADLs (08-59) are in very bad condition. From a driver's point of view, the ADLs are very tired, some are very loud (58s) and they break down even more frequently than the B9s. Stagecoach constantly are swapping them in the middle of duties, to try and prevent them from breaking down.

From a passengers point of view, the B9s are also far better. Many of them were given an interior refurb with GNW (Go North West), and look much smarter inside, as well as being much brighter and airier than the E400s, which have broken lighting and incredibly worn seating having been on Magic Bus routes for 5+ years.

 

[py_megapixel]

The ADLs (08-59) are in very bad condition. From a driver's point of view, the ADLs are very tired, some are very loud (58s) and they break down even more frequently than the B9s. Stagecoach constantly are swapping them in the middle of duties, to try and prevent them from breaking down.

From a passengers point of view, the B9s are also far better. Many of them were given an interior refurb with GNW (Go North West), and look much smarter inside, as well as being much brighter and airier than the E400s, which have broken lighting and incredibly worn seating having been on Magic Bus routes for 5+ years.

I have to say that tallies with my experience as well. Despite them being the same age, I'd much rather be on a B9 than an ADL. Not experienced either failing in service but I can certainly believe it's happening. A major replacement programme would very welcome.

 

[CJ1]

Yes, the 19 are Electroliners.

Also, when are these due to be delivered/enter service with GA?

 

[WWH44L]

Also, when are these due to be delivered/enter service with GA?

You’ve already asked this question a few weeks ago and it was answered.

Delivered Autumn/Winter ahead of entry into service in January. Just doubles, no singles.

 

[cnjb8]

They’ll remain with Go North West for a different project, and won’t be replaced at Bolton or Wigan. The 19 new electrics will replace a different batch of vehicles for cascade / disposal.

Is the 'different project' Denton depot for Tranche 3?

 

[jeffery9098]

Looks likely that a number of Enviro 400 Hybrids will transfer to Metroline from Stagecoach along with the 32 EVs at Sharston.

BZLs will initially enter service at Middleton now that Electrification there is underway in comparison to Stockport where nothing has been started yet.

wouldn't that cause a bit of a pickle with Stagecoach in the future after finding out they can send the remaining BZL from the factory, and having that some are already in service at Middleton... wouldn't it make more sense for Stagecoach to keep those BZL left at MCV Factory and await till stockpot electrification until completion. Then with Metroline not yet discussing if they have enough/have plenty of vehicles to operate from 5th January it seems very unlikely that metroline would obtain those E40H