First Buses

Jogon · Post by **Jogon** » Sun 26 Aug, 2012 2:14 pm

Canny sense of humour up here, buses called "Blaydon Racers"http://tyneandwear.sky.com/news/video/21639

String o' beads · Post by **String o' beads** » Tue 25 Sep, 2012 12:30 am

Illustration of the callous attitude of [some] First drivers:My 85 year old frail Dad went out in appalling weather today to get a bus into town. A bus was stuck at his stop in a massive jam. The driver wouldn't let him on when he knocked on the door. Just waved him away. I am well aware that had the bus not been at the stop then the driver would not be allowed to allow someone to get on, but this one was at the stop, and indeed was stuck there for another two minutes due to roadworks. I am absolutely appalled.

book · Post by **book** » Tue 25 Sep, 2012 9:38 am

Report it to the company and wait for a response.

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Wed 26 Sep, 2012 3:48 am

BLAKEY wrote: Leodian wrote: I use the hybrid buses fairly regularly and one worrying thing about them is that they are extremely slow moving off when going onto a roundabout after stopping, such that traffic then coming onto the roundabout have to slow right down with many near collisions with the bus. Spot on Leodian - that is indeed the scariest thing that my friends have mentioned, with frequent "near misses." Another obvious malfunction which you frequently hear even when walking in the street is that dreadful metallic clang somewhere in the machinery as the change from electric to diesel occurs - or should occur. As far as I can tell while on the pavement many of the buses are now setting off from a standstill entirely on the diesel engine, so there's obviously something very wrong. Friends have described to me that the failure to join roundabouts or leave junctions promptly occurs when the electronics "can't decide whether to use the electric motor or the diesel engine" and by the time the circuitry HAS decided the opportunity to move safely has been lost. This is a phenomenom that isn't just apparent in the hybrids, although I have heard similar tales from friends that work for First, along with stories that the batteries are already starting to fail, hence many now being used totally on diesel power only.We have some four year old deckers in our fleet that are terrible at pulling away from junctions and roundabouts, the problem is when you are in traffic and creeping steadily up to a junction etc. If you are moving slowly then see a suitable gap in the traffic and floor the accelerator to get out, the onboard electrical processors have a crisis of concience, can't decide wether to change down a gear, change up a gear or just apply the power as you are and accelerate away.Result is valuable lost seconds while some little bit of electric gizmo decides whats best for you and invariably gets it wrong.Thats fairly easy to deal with once you get used to the idea that your bus probably wont go when you most need it to, best option is to come to a full stop regardless of the traffic on the roundabout then the bus will select first and you know when you hit the gas it will go, time wasting but much safer.Something a little more worrying that has caught me out twice in recent days has come to light with our fleet of brand new deckers though.In certain situations on our routes there are locations where we come up fairly steep hills and have to make a sharp turn at the top such as a cross roads or T junction so, although you are about to turn, you still need to be applying some power to keep moving.Twice recently I have been making a hard left turn, foot still applying power to keep the bus moving and the onboard gizmo's have decided, mid turn, that its time to change up a gear - the result is you suddenly find yourself being propelled forward much faster than is comfortable for the manouver your making.The first time I was pushed part way across the wrong side of the road I was turning into, luckily there was no traffic in the way.The second time it happened my foot reflexively came off the gas and jabbed the brake - result, a very harsh and jerky bit of cornering.

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Wed 26 Sep, 2012 9:17 am

I'm thinking I must have dreamt about it now, but I'm sure I saw something on the local news recently about Metro taking back the control of buses from the likes of FirstLeeds and Arriva etc in West Yorkshire. Am I getting confused with some sort of belated April fools gag or what? I tried to do a search on the internet but I couldnt find anything, has anyone else heard of anything like this, or any proposals of something similar in the pipeline?

jonleeds · Post by **jonleeds** » Wed 26 Sep, 2012 9:18 am

Geordie-exile wrote: Illustration of the callous attitude of [some] First drivers:My 85 year old frail Dad went out in appalling weather today to get a bus into town. A bus was stuck at his stop in a massive jam. The driver wouldn't let him on when he knocked on the door. Just waved him away. I am well aware that had the bus not been at the stop then the driver would not be allowed to allow someone to get on, but this one was at the stop, and indeed was stuck there for another two minutes due to roadworks. I am absolutely appalled. 'angins too good for em!

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Wed 26 Sep, 2012 5:34 pm

jonleeds wrote: I'm thinking I must have dreamt about it now, but I'm sure I saw something on the local news recently about Metro taking back the control of buses from the likes of FirstLeeds and Arriva etc in West Yorkshire. Am I getting confused with some sort of belated April fools gag or what? I tried to do a search on the internet but I couldnt find anything, has anyone else heard of anything like this, or any proposals of something similar in the pipeline? I think you aren't dreaming but are referring to this Quality Bus Contract http://www.wymetro.com/news/releases/12-06-29QCs . It is however a fair way from METRO actually taking back control of the buses, they will jut be exercising more control, in theory, over the operators.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Wed 26 Sep, 2012 7:32 pm

I saw a purple slug, loaded on a low loader being transported onto the M621 at Elland Road heading towards the M1 on Monday teatime.Hopefully they're shipping them out of here too....

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Thu 27 Sep, 2012 12:39 pm

raveydavey wrote: I saw a purple slug, loaded on a low loader being transported onto the M621 at Elland Road heading towards the M1 on Monday teatime.Hopefully they're shipping them out of here too.... Sorry to disappoint, and horrify, you raveydavey but in October they are putting them on the 72 route from Leeds to Bradford - sorry if I've missed a lot on here but been on holiday for 10 days, but this lunatic scheme is almost certain to be the biggest pantomime since the Theatre Royal closed many decades ago - I can't wait as I need cheering up.Are you sure the one you saw hadn't "crash landed" - they are aircraft pilotted from a cockpit you know - and was being ferried to Crossroads Commercials the Volvo agents ??

dogduke · Post by **dogduke** » Thu 27 Sep, 2012 3:47 pm

It's nearly a month since the no.4 'host' said that the slugs would be off the route within 2 weeks.The appears to be fewer than usual in service together with singledeckersof various 'vintages' during the day.