BestWestern
Established Member
- Joined
- 6 Feb 2011
- Messages
- 6,736
Just recently had my first experience of these new beasties, having ridden on several of First's rapidly appearing new fleets of them. They're attractive looking little things, with their 'smilie' front end and the latest version of Barbie's soft pastel interior (not convinced about this leather seat business, but that's a different matter). I have to say though, my lasting impression was that the smooth looks and stylish interior are overshadowed by the horrendous racket from the engine; it seemed to be incredibly intrusive in the saloon. Aside from the engine itself, the noise seems to be accompanied almost constantly by a rather harsh 'grating' sound, which sounds like somebody has driven an industrial lawnmower into the back end and ceases only briefly when the unloader valve dumps. It certainly didn't sound like any air compressor I've knowingly heard before, but I presumed that was what it was? Although I think these things have all got 'Micro Hybrid' tech in them or somesuch, so it could be any number of bizarre gadgets I suppose!
Anyhow, a shame new vehicles now are hindered by the need for pokey, noisy little engines and a good few tons of other clobber which even a few years ago we managed without! With lightness now being the priority, decent larger vehicles are being replaced with lightweight kit which just doesn't do the job as well on many longer, busier corridors, because operators just can't afford the fuel bills of the 'heavies' any more. I also rode on a couple of my personal favourite 'Barbies', the always superb Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown, and what a difference. Even after all those years of abuse and appalling maintenance, they are almost without exception silky smooth, both in engine and transmission - that distinctive gearchange sound would entertain me all day! Such a shame they'll all be gone in a few years, and that even their directly equivalent replacements are nowhere near as pleasant to travel on. Oxford Bus Co did some superb refurbs on their fleet, how unfortunate that First haven't considered doing the same, with so many of these still running.
Anyway, just a few rambling thoughts!
Anyhow, a shame new vehicles now are hindered by the need for pokey, noisy little engines and a good few tons of other clobber which even a few years ago we managed without! With lightness now being the priority, decent larger vehicles are being replaced with lightweight kit which just doesn't do the job as well on many longer, busier corridors, because operators just can't afford the fuel bills of the 'heavies' any more. I also rode on a couple of my personal favourite 'Barbies', the always superb Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown, and what a difference. Even after all those years of abuse and appalling maintenance, they are almost without exception silky smooth, both in engine and transmission - that distinctive gearchange sound would entertain me all day! Such a shame they'll all be gone in a few years, and that even their directly equivalent replacements are nowhere near as pleasant to travel on. Oxford Bus Co did some superb refurbs on their fleet, how unfortunate that First haven't considered doing the same, with so many of these still running.
Anyway, just a few rambling thoughts!