STA Observations - January to June 2018

[Swift]

Often it appears to be plain laziness, or 'why should we bother'.

Now there is a reason. Private contracting of services looming large as a reality.

[Fleet Lists]

A more likely reason is that region 6 is already being isolated to stop any transfer of certain buses to other regions to stop the any reduction of age and capacity of buses pending the privatisation of region 6.

[Frosty]

I had noticed 2237 going down Elizabeth St then later onto Botany Rd was limping back to depot only going about 20km/h with the hazard lights on. Don’t know what type of mechanical issue it was but I did hear a bit of air leaking out.

[Ray]

A more likely reason is that region 6 is already being isolated to stop any transfer of certain buses to other regions to stop the any reduction of age and capacity of buses pending the privatisation of region 6.

Yes, I was surprised that K managed to off-load a few of the old Scanias last year for this reason.

[Linto63]

With no reported disposals of most of the 30 or so Scanias withdrawn to date (other than the odd scrapping for parts), are these being held for reinstatement when the Chatswood-Epping closure starts later this year? IIRC, this will require a fleet of 100ish buses.

[Frosty]

This maybe going off topic I doubt STA would operate the ECRL rail replacement it would be left to the privates like Transdev & Hillsbus.

[boronia]

Those private operators would be scratching to find 100 buses from their existing fleets.

Finding extra drivers might also be a problem, as there seems to be perpetual shortages already.

[Swift]

Why would you give the gig to them when it sits smack in the middle of M and Y territory. Really, they could just increase their existing runs to do the job.

[Fleet Lists]

Once school is back STA wont have the resources either.

[Stu]

3460 is now at K - ex M.

[Tonymercury]

See-

https://tenders.nsw.gov.au/?event=publi ... E93C3BE283

[Daniel]

Unfortunately that does not appear to capture the full picture though. A partnership has been struck between CDC and Transdev to operate a fleet of 62 brand new buses each on the ECRL replacement services. This may be supplemented by other operators and vehicles, so we will have to wait and see what transpires.

[Tonymercury]

Yes, and this had already been reported here before, but the lazybones began making posts without doing any research.

I really wasn't interested in finding the full news reports again.

[Linto63]

Thanks to those who posted positively, $354k isn't going to go very far.

[iamthouth]

That figure appears to be missing a zero based on the earlier public reports and as discussed on this forum.

[boronia]

That's $5,700 per bus. Not even one month's wages.

I wonder if it is the "management fee" only.

[Richard290]

https://transportnsw.info/document/2625 ... -01-18.pdf
Map of the diversions to some CBD services for Australia Day road closures around Circular Quay.

[Swift]

Pleasantly surprised to see a 14.5m 3435 on the 400 today. Pictured on Barker St outside UNSW.
Was also surprised at how slow it crawled up the hill ahead. I could hear it roaring away in the distance for ages, so turned around to have a look and it was crawling up there!! Did they fit an old ZF 2 speed busmatic to the blinkin thing?!?
I also watched a Volvo B12 with Voith go up there no probs but a different story when an 0500 gasipid bus tried it's luck. Poor thing lol!!

[Tonymercury]

Barker St appears to be just a little too much for out of condition gassies.

[Frosty]

Agreed gassies are no go zone for Barker St I even said once on here that one broke down on Barker St. Gees doesn’t make sense why we have gas buses that can’t deal with Sydney’s hilly terrain. They’re not even good on the flat just saw 1213 on Friday break down on Todman Ave & Anzac Parade.

[Stonesourscotty]

How's this

[Jurassic_Joke]

How's this

I'd love to make the trip on that one day.

On the other hand, had two varying levels of extreme temperatures on State Transit last night and this morning. Last night on a Scania K280UB CC CB80, the aircon was so extremely overpowered so the condensation fog was really obscuring all the windows. And this morning on an 0405NH Gassie towards North Sydney on route 286 the aircon was completely broken......Not fun, would definitely rather have the former in the future.

[boronia]

How's this

How many people got on the bus?

[Swift]

I don't think it could make the round trip to Palm Beach from LaPerouse on a tank of gas.

[OKO]

I don't think it could make the round trip to Palm Beach from LaPerouse on a tank of gas.

They are good for 14 hours ish.