New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

[MPTE1955]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales
Probably wave 16 darts goodbye, so marshalls & T-PNBs are the likely leavers from Bootle Depot. Of course we know that some Marshalls are now going to Southport or are at Southport.

[Phil]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales
Just out of interest, are Pulsars big enough for the 53/53A? I've noticed both Darts and Pulsars full to bursting on occasions.

[mathias]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

(24/09/2012 14:11)Phil Wrote:  Just out of interest, are Pulsars big enough for the 53/53A? I've noticed both Darts and Pulsars full to bursting on occasions.

These new Euro-spec Pulsars can carry 77 passengers (44 seated, 33 standees) so they carry slightly more than the standard (72 passengers) Pulsar.
It's not much more, but like a certain supermarket says; 'Every little helps'

[Phil]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

(24/09/2012 14:20)mathias Wrote:  

(24/09/2012 14:11)Phil Wrote:  Just out of interest, are Pulsars big enough for the 53/53A? I've noticed both Darts and Pulsars full to bursting on occasions.

These new Euro-spec Pulsars can carry 77 passengers (44 seated, 33 standees) so they carry slightly more than the standard (72 passengers) Pulsar.
It's not much more, but like a certain supermarket says; 'Every little helps'

More standing? Grrrrr. Should be more seated IMO!

[mathias]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales
I agree Phil.
You really don't need those nice new Gemini deckers at Speke do you?
Do you......?

[Phil]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

(24/09/2012 14:32)mathias Wrote:  I agree Phil.
You really don't need those nice new Gemini deckers at Speke do you?
Do you......?

Hands off! :p

I really don't understand these high frequency corridors. Why don't one of the big companies take a gamble and provide links off trunk routes like MTL used to do. It's all about big filthy profits!


Anyway, off-topic rant over. :p

[CX54 DKD (Moderator)]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales
Thanks for the confirmation regarding 3107-3122 Mathias/507009, much appreciated lads.

[M113 YKC]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

(24/09/2012 14:11)Phil Wrote:  Just out of interest, are Pulsars big enough for the 53/53A? I've noticed both Darts and Pulsars full to bursting on occasions.

I'd say so, yeah. The current frequency is sufficient enough for Pulsars/Pulsar 2s during the day, but, like most other services, space on-board is a problem during peak-hours.

(24/09/2012 14:20)mathias Wrote:  These new Euro-spec Pulsars can carry 77 passengers (44 seated, 33 standees) so they carry slightly more than the standard (72 passengers) Pulsar.
It's not much more, but like a certain supermarket says; 'Every little helps'

If we were to go by what Bootle have done in the past, these "new" Pulsar 2s will probably see little use on the 53/53A! New buses specifically for those services is an over-exaggeration - basically, once enough buses have arrived, the services will be booked as Pulsar/Pulsar 2-operated (like the 52/52A/55/55D/62/62A/62B/155).

[MPTE1955]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales

(24/09/2012 15:12)27701 Wrote:  

(24/09/2012 14:11)Phil Wrote:  Just out of interest, are Pulsars big enough for the 53/53A? I've noticed both Darts and Pulsars full to bursting on occasions.

I'd say so, yeah. The current frequency is sufficient enough for Pulsars/Pulsar 2s during the day, but, like most other services, space on-board is a problem during peak-hours.

(24/09/2012 14:20)mathias Wrote:  These new Euro-spec Pulsars can carry 77 passengers (44 seated, 33 standees) so they carry slightly more than the standard (72 passengers) Pulsar.
It's not much more, but like a certain supermarket says; 'Every little helps'

If we were to go by what Bootle have done in the past, these "new" Pulsar 2s will probably see little use on the 53/53A! New buses specifically for those services is an over-exaggeration - basically, once enough buses have arrived, the services will be booked as Pulsar/Pulsar 2-operated (like the 52/52A/55/55D/62/62A/62B/155).

I agree, the only time we will probably see an all pulsar 53/A is when the darts have gone AS pulsars have even made it on to the 54 lately when darts were on the 53/A so the attitude to the QBP is a joke. I am sure we will see over the next few weeks whether or not the new pulsars have an impact on the route that they allegedly have been bought for.

[M60lad]

RE: New Buses for Arriva North West and Wales
Just found the following on Manchester Evening News online website:

A new generation of buses powered by household waste are set to start carrying passengers on the streets of Greater Manchester.

Bosses at Arriva UK Bus have invested £2m in a fleet of 21 eco-friendly vehicles.

The MAN EcoCity gas-engine buses are powered by the gases produced by landfill sites.

Their introduction follows a successful trial of the technology in the region last year. The buses will hit the streets next year.

Arriva says the gas-engine vehicles are part of a £26.7m overall investment in new, environmentally-friendly buses. That includes Europe’s largest order of 153 diesel-electric hybrid buses – powered by both electricity and diesel.

Mike Cooper, managing director of Arriva UK Bus, said: “The buses have been specially designed for the British market and, as they run on bio-gas, provide a carbon-neutral solution to the environmental challenges we face as a transport provider in the 21st century.

“The 21 new gas buses and our order of 153 hybrid vehicles is only one element of our strategy for improving our environmental impact.
We have also invested in technological solutions to improve driver efficiency, training to raise awareness among staff and create and upgraded roll-out plan to improve the energy usage of our depots across the country.”

Arriva already uses gas-powered buses in Scandinavia and the Netherlands.

It says the gas will be provided by members the Gas Bus Alliance, which was set up to support vehicle makers, dealers and operators with advice on running low-emission vehicles. Bio-digesting plants run by the alliance extract and break down waste, such as farm and food waste, and extract the gas used to power the buses.

One of Arriva’s depots will have its own gas filling station to refuel the vehicles daily. The facility will also be available to refuel other gas propelled vehicles in the region.

The buses are fuelled using a secure fitting where the gas pipe is connected to the vehicle. They cannot be started or moved whilst refilling.

Mr Cooper added: “The improvements and investments Arriva is making now are just one step towards our overall objective of making bus travel as environmentally friendly as possible.

“The future will see further investment to reinforce our commitment to a greener future, as we look to continue to lead the way in this increasingly important issue for the bus industry.”


Now correct me if I'm wrong but aren't these MAN Eco-City buses supposed to be going to Runcorn Depot or is this a separate order that's sees another batch going to Wythenshawe Depot next year