TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[gka472l]

There is some muddling going on here. You have WDE and just DE.

My initial thought was that WDE700 is an Electroliner and DE673 is an E200MMC...

Exact same fleet codes are used by Metroline in London.....

 

[Leyland Bus]

Exact same fleet codes are used by Metroline in London.....

You're kidding??

The message was about the gap between fleetnumbers and gave two different codes (two different types of buses)... Basically, that Electroliners would follow on E200MMC...

 

[aswilliamsuk]

You're kidding??

The message was about the gap between fleetnumbers and gave two different codes (two different types of buses)... Basically, that Electroliners would follow on E200MMC...

But that's the thing - in Metroline fleets (both London and Manchester), the fleetnumbers are in one sequence regardless of type. So if 673 is the next number available, that's where the batch will start. The Metroline Manchester fleet began at 100 (TEH100) and has worked upward from there.

Metroline London began at 1 with TP1 in 1999, basically, and they settled on a similar scheme - they are currently up to 33xx!

 

[Leyland Bus]

But that's the thing - in Metroline fleets (both London and Manchester), the fleetnumbers are in one sequence regardless of type. So if 673 is the next number available, that's where the batch will start. The Metroline Manchester fleet began at 100 (TEH100) and has worked upward from there.

Metroline London began at 1 with TP1 in 1999, basically, and they settled on a similar scheme - they are currently up to 33xx!

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever..! And I didn't know that, so okay, I get it in that sense but still, barmy...

 

[aswilliamsuk]

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever..! And I didn't know that, so okay, I get it in that sense but still, barmy...

It's certainly unusual. I suspect the use of class codes becomes vital (in London, they've now begun using four-letter codes - such as VMSL and VMSS for different lengths of Volvo BZL single deck...).

 

[Leyland Bus]

It's certainly unusual. I suspect the use of class codes becomes vital (in London, they've now begun using four-letter codes - such as VMSL and VMSS for different lengths of Volvo BZL single deck...).

I don't think i've ever come across such an illogical system in my life. So they're adding extra letters rather than going to 4 digits (or just numbering the fleet like normal folk would!!)??

 

[Andyh82]

I don't think i've ever come across such an illogical system in my life. So they're adding extra letters rather than going to 4 digits (or just numbering the fleet like normal folk would!!)??

They will go 4 digits in Manchester. When they get to ABC999 it will be followed by ABC1000 (where ABC is a class code)

 

[aswilliamsuk]

I don't think i've ever come across such an illogical system in my life. So they're adding extra letters rather than going to 4 digits (or just numbering the fleet like normal folk would!!)??

That's the thing - the VMSS and VMSL are in the 28xx and 29xx series! So for example, one batch of the former are VMSS2834-VMSS2843!

 

[Leyland Bus]

They will go 4 digits in Manchester. When they get to ABC999 it will be followed by ABC1000 (where ABC is a class code)

I thought they'd do sth really off the wall and go back to 1

 

[mayneway]

That makes absolutely no sense whatsoever..! And I didn't know that, so okay, I get it in that sense but still, barmy...

It makes perfect sense because internally only the number tends to be used not the full letters then number, so having two buses in a fleet as ‘100’ wouldn’t work.

 

[py_megapixel]

I quite like the class letters at the start, purely for the reason that it means I can see at glance from bustimes.org what type of vehicle it is!

If it starts "VW", I know to pick a different service...

 

[mattyharding]

I quite like the class letters at the start, purely for the reason that it means I can see at glance from bustimes.org what type of vehicle it is!

If it starts "VW", I know to pick a different service...

I'm surprised there isn't more operators doing it in Manchester

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Bit of a random one here. Bus Lists On The Web has had new records added. Now this includes WDE700-714, which isnt random. However, an unexpected 82543-51 have appeared for Stagecoach Manchester. Is there another order on top of the 55 StreetDeck Electroliners entering service and the 25 Electroliners (16 Kites, 9 Decks) that we didn't know about?

Edit: There are 9 of these, so they are most likely part of the 25 for Oldham. It didnt click as I was expecting them to be directly after the 55. That means there is going to be more StreetDeck Electroliners on the Stagecoach network.

 

[mattyharding]

Bit of a random one here. Bus Lists On The Web has had new records added. Now this includes WDE700-714, which isnt random. However, an unexpected 82543-51 have appeared for Stagecoach Manchester. Is there another order on top of the 55 StreetDeck Electroliners entering service and the 25 Electroliners (16 Kites, 9 Decks) that we didn't know about?

Edit: There are 9 of these, so they are most likely part of the 25 for Oldham. It didnt click as I was expecting them to be directly after the 55. That means there is going to be more StreetDeck Electroliners on the Stagecoach network.

I wonder if these will be lower height ones or normal height

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

Metroline WDE700 (MF76 DZO) and WDE703 (MF76 DZS) are in the yard at the back of Hyde Road garage, visible from passing trains

 

[Scotrail88]

Metroline WDE700 (MF76 DZO) and WDE703 (MF76 DZS) are in the yard at the back of Hyde Road garage, visible from passing trains

Knows it’s quick but any type training needed or straight out into service?

 

[JasonL]

Knows it’s quick but any type training needed or straight out into service?

So how many WDE's are due?

 

[MCRTransitYT]

So how many WDE's are due?

100

 

[rosscolley64]

13171/72/81/84 all withdrawn from Oldham. 13171/72 are in Barnsley and 13181 is now with SMT, Sheffield.

VW594/606 withdrawn at Metroline and both are in Barnsley afaik.

 

[mayneway]

Knows it’s quick but any type training needed or straight out into service?

Yes but there’s been a hick up so they are doing it again.

Due to a bus being stolen by an enthusiast a couple of months ago additional inhibitors and external master isolators are being added which has slightly delayed the order. Hyde road we’re using a bus from elsewhere (presumably GNW or Stagecoach Oldham) but the start procedure is different on the batch being delivered to Hyde road so drivers will undergo additional training.

I believe they are earmarked to start entering service at the end of the month with the hope by the end of October most are in use with B9’s slowly being withdrawn.

 

[mattyharding]

13171/72/81/84 all withdrawn from Oldham. 13171/72 are in Barnsley and 13181 is now with SMT, Sheffield.

VW594/606 withdrawn at Metroline and both are in Barnsley afaik.

The B5LHs don't have long left in Manchester (G2s at least), maybe October will see the last one leave

 

[Leyland Bus]

An enthusiast

Yes but there’s been a hick up so they are doing it again.

Due to a bus being stolen by an enthusiast a couple of months ago additional inhibitors and external master isolators are being added which has slightly delayed the order. Hyde road we’re using a bus from elsewhere (presumably GNW or Stagecoach Oldham) but the start procedure is different on the batch being delivered to Hyde road so drivers will undergo additional training.

I believe they are earmarked to start entering service at the end of the month with the hope by the end of October most are in use with B9’s slowly being withdrawn.

An enthusiast stole a bus?! Christ, I missed that one!!!!

 

[mayneway]

An enthusiast

An enthusiast stole a bus?! Christ, I missed that one!!!!

Yeah I think it was back in July as we started getting messages and official bee network memos about closing down the bus in the bus stations and isolating and locking cab etc until they can retro fit inhibitors etc.
Apparently this person boarded a bus, started it and drove it into a stand at a bus station causing some damage. When he was quizzed he claimed he’d been shown how to start the bus by a driver