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I also would say that not all these B5s are actually unreliable as some are actually better than others, yeah some are quite sluggish at setting off but I use these B5s regular on my commute to/from work and some of them are remarkably quite quick once they actually get going and have a decent driver driving them.
Not to sure how reliable the former Oxford ones at Queens Road are especially now they've mostly come off Freebus work and are now back on revenue earning service even seeing service on 67s.
I also would say that not all these B5s are actually unreliable as some are actually better than others, yeah some are quite sluggish at setting off but I use these B5s regular on my commute to/from work and some of them are remarkably quite quick once they actually get going and have a decent driver driving them.
Not to sure how reliable the former Oxford ones at Queens Road are especially now they've mostly come off Freebus work and are now back on revenue earning service even seeing service on 67s.
Hang on…
They are getting painted as half of the batch have already been done.
While I agree they are unreliable TFGM bought them for the vehicle pool NOT as stop gaps like the B9’s and Scania’s so don’t bet on them being withdrawn anytime soon!
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Because they were hoodwinked into believing they were decent buses along with the B9’s and Scania’s.
If they were ‘hoodwinked’ then heads should roll. They are a multi-million pound local authority agency. Due diligence should be part of any such major expenditure!
If they were ‘hoodwinked’ then heads should roll. They are a multi-million pound local authority agency. Due diligence should be part of any such major expenditure!
About two weeks after Metroline took over there were a number of B9s out of service at the back of Hyde Road. They couldn't all be identified but VW560/2 were definitely there believed to be ex16807/11. That leaves 16809 which was stored at Failsworth Territorial Army base and never got renumbered but was potentially destined to be VW561, 16827 which was at Sharston garage for ages (out of use)but was not renumbered; it probably should have been VW571, and 16838 which succumbed the previous November and was to be cannibalised for spares. I have always hoped someone would be able to supplement my personal observations with some additional facts.
The latest addition to the BorderBus fleet is this former Bee Network (Stagecoach Manchester) Scania N230UD OmniCity double decker. Newly painted in the BorderBus livery is YT59 RYM which has been given fleet number 220.
1> Does anybody know what's happening with MMC400 11512 since the incident with Barton Bridge is it being repaired or hasn't a decision been made yet on what's happening with it?
2> After the incident that Evora 21424 was involved in in Eccles yesterday will this leave Queens Road short or have they got enough vehicles to cover the route and also considering the recent route change how likely is it a decker might temporary cover one of the 52 boards?
Looking at the damage to 21424 it's actually hard to say how long it will be off the road for as from pictures on MEN website its hard to tell how bad the damage to it actually is.
Ex GNW Optare Solo SR NK12 HCE has arrived at Denton from Go North East, returning to the North West for first time since March 2024 to provide cover for long term accident damage Strata 5302.
1> Does anybody know what's happening with MMC400 11512 since the incident with Barton Bridge is it being repaired or hasn't a decision been made yet on what's happening with it?
2> After the incident that Evora 21424 was involved in in Eccles yesterday will this leave Queens Road short or have they got enough vehicles to cover the route and also considering the recent route change how likely is it a decker might temporary cover one of the 52 boards?
Looking at the damage to 21424 it's actually hard to say how long it will be off the road for as from pictures on MEN website it’s hard to tell how bad the damage to it actually is.
11512 is getting the upper rear body off of a Scania MMC from Kent that was fire damaged years ago - the rest of the roof came clean off so can be refitted (in other words it’ll be back).
11512 is getting the upper rear body off of a Scania MMC from Kent that was fire damaged years ago - the rest of the roof came clean off so can be refitted (in other words it’ll be back).
I'm pretty confident it won't be getting its original roof back, the very tops are in one complete piece so won't be reusuable. Add that to the stresses to the aluminium from the force of hitting the bridge... They may salvage some bits but it'll be a new roof.
1> Does anybody know what's happening with MMC400 11512 since the incident with Barton Bridge is it being repaired or hasn't a decision been made yet on what's happening with it?
11512 is getting the upper rear body off of a Scania MMC from Kent that was fire damaged years ago - the rest of the roof came clean off so can be refitted (in other words it’ll be back).
I heard conflicting stories regarding 11512
I was under the impression it had been deemed as uneconomical to repair and had passed to ensign.
However on our ‘low bridge course’ a couple of weeks ago it was still impounded because the CPS were still deciding what to charge the driver with.
The course instructor went on to say that it’s in the same storage facility as the citaro that went into the shops in Piccadilly gardens some years ago - don’t know whether it’s true or not though.
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2> After the incident that Evora 21424 was involved in in Eccles yesterday will this leave Queens Road short or have they got enough vehicles to cover the route and also considering the recent route change how likely is it a decker might temporary cover one of the 52 boards?
Yes!
Queens road always seem to struggle with singles, and depending how many E300’s are off the road it could cause issues.
I believe a Mellor was used on Friday night - I bet that was fun.
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Ex GNW Optare Solo SR NK12 HCE has arrived at Denton from Go North East, returning to the North West for first time since March 2024 to provide cover for long term accident damage Strata 5302.
Interesting that it’s returned in the GNW livery too. Won’t look too out of place with a couple of bee Network stickers on it.
That being said both the Solo SR’s that originally came to Queens road for the 90 service proved to be very unreliable spending the majority of their life in Manchester off the road it will be interesting to see if she’s any better now.
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