You Wait Ages For A Bus

BIG N · Post by **BIG N** » Thu 16 Feb, 2012 9:15 pm

BLAKEY wrote: I never cease to be amazed at how the designers and certifying officers appear totally unaware of such issues, I'll let you into a little secret Blakey - our optare / Daf Spectra deckers ( 701 to 723 _ have to have the forward part of the screen removed before going for an M.O.T. because the test centre wont pass them with the screen in place as it restricts visability

trophy · Post by **trophy** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 7:25 pm

i am surprised nobody has mentioned the worst aspect of facing seats people putting their feet on them. with the result the back facing seats are threadbare and filthy.with regard to the five back facing seats behind the driver bristol lodekkas were like this.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 7:33 pm

How to go topless in Cumbria!Now that I have your attention...Or so it says on this website.http://www.focustransport.org.uk/xtopless1.aspxSlightly of topic, but I'm sure the bus enthusiasts will find it interesting.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 8:33 pm

Excellent presentation Phill - I blush yet again as an avid transport enthusiast because, until now, I hadn't realised that this magnificent vehicle (and it is) was a convertible one even though I've ridden on it more than once through this glorious and spectacular countryside.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 8:50 pm

Hi Blakey, it isn't my post, but I just thought it was an interesting article how they turned them into open toppers. It looks pretty easy and quick, and as you say there really isn't any evidence the bus looks much different to any other. Glad you found it interesting

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 8:57 pm

Phill_dvsn wrote: How to go topless in Cumbria!Now that I have your attention...Or so it says on this website.http://www.focustransport.org.uk/xtopless1.aspxSlightly of topic, but I'm sure the bus enthusiasts will find it interesting. Nice spot Phill.Getting back to Worst in Leeds, they've unveiled their latest master plan, tucked away in the pages of the YEP....They're going to switch the routes of the 4 and 16/16a between the Anglers Club and Compton Road - essentially, the 16/16a will now go along Beckett Street past St James's Hospital, whilst the 4 will go via Nippett Lane / Stoney Rock.This is apparently due to the ftr's not being suitable for the road lay out around Jimmy's and this causing problems, which won't be experienced by the "normal" buses used for the 16 . They've only been on the route since 2007, so I've no idea why it's taken 5 years to come up with this piece of wisdom...As part of these radical plans, the 4 will now terminate at Seacroft rather than going on to Whinmoor (no reason was given for this), however the 16/16a will be extended by the previous 4 route from Seacroft to Whinmoor...I presume the existing routes will remain the same through Seacroft, despite the fact this would mean the 16/16a doubling back on itself around the Tesco roundabout, but who knows?This is all on top of the much complained upheaval of the 4 route in West Leeds.I'm sure more complaints will be forthcoming from Sunday 4th March when these plans come into force.You really couldn't make it up.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 9:09 pm

Talking of Arriva buses I wish I had my camera with me today (February 17 2012). Just before 13:00 I saw a broken down double decker Arriva bus in the area in front of the Yorkshire Information centre at the small bus terminus at Leeds City train station. The Arriva bus was slightly raised up being connected to a huge-sized breakdown lorry. It was a very photogenic scene. I happened also to see the lorry driving the bus away in City Square shortly after. Oh, and heard it as well as the lorry was hooting loud!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 10:48 pm

Leodian wrote: Talking of Arriva buses I wish I had my camera with me today (February 17 2012). Just before 13:00 I saw a broken down double decker Arriva bus in the area in front of the Yorkshire Information centre at the small bus terminus at Leeds City train station. The Arriva bus was slightly raised up being connected to a huge-sized breakdown lorry. It was a very photogenic scene. I happened also to see the lorry driving the bus away in City Square shortly after. Oh, and heard it as well as the lorry was hooting loud! I saw it too Leodian - I was entering the Station at 1220 and the "hitch up" was partly accomplished. The hired breakdown lorry was indeed a magnificent looking beast (American I imagine ??) and very impressive. The bus was Optare/Daf number 641 and I think I'm right in saying that they have been very reliable since their introduction in 1999 - I used to love driving them, and riding in them. When new they were the latest vehicles for the prestigious "Track" - the famous 110 route from Leeds to Wakefield/Sandal/Kettlethorpe/Hall Green. They were among the first to have a small screen in the cab displaying an "HD" standard picture of the entire upper saloon, and much willpower was needed to resist watching the movies - and even a quick glance often revealed some real "X certficate" scenes.

Leodian · Post by **Leodian** » Fri 17 Feb, 2012 11:27 pm

Cheers Blakey. I particularly liked the hooting it was making when it was in City Square!

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sat 18 Feb, 2012 10:13 am

Leodian wrote: Cheers Blakey. I particularly liked the hooting it was making when it was in City Square! I'd love to have heard that too, and I wish I'd had my camera but I rarely take it with me now as I've so many hundreds (I suppose thousands actually) of photos already that saturation point has been reached and the time has come to enjoy the collections rather than add to them - except for anything really special known about in advance.By the time the procession moved off from the Station I shall have been on the 1240 TransPennine to Huddersfield. The days are long gone now since major bus operators had their own recovery vehicles, and it costs an enormous amount per call out from these specialist firms but I suppose, overall, it must be the best option financially.