Tasmanian Bus Observations October 2012

[yoda]

I think it's the lack of seating for them (and everyone).
Imagine if they actually had to use their bikes as bikes

[Tas Bus Nut]

Message over the two-way yesterday mentioned seating WILL be installed @ the temporay stops, by Clarence CC. WHEN is another Q, hopefully B4 the works are finished.

[ScaniaL94UB]

It certainly is one of the best ideas Metro had since Australia's first new low-floor bus #200. The little sh#ts know to behave because the police station is closer than they think, Bahahahaha now once again we won!

[ScaniaL94UB]

I heard that, was just warming #241 up with the radio going, Yeah.
In other news. #313 has been in the workshops since 4 Oct. Turbo stuffed waiting for a new part being shipped from Adelaide.

[VolvoDriver]

Dreaded #313. That thing was soooooo slow. I think what they've figured out is that they forgot to put a turbo in the first place!

[Tas Bus Nut]

#202 (I think) blew a turbo the other day near the Tasman Bridge and had to be towed back to Springfield. All repaired O/N and ready to roll next day.

[yoda]

#202 (I think) blew a turbo the other day near the Tasman Bridge and had to be towed back to Springfield. All repaired O/N and ready to roll next day.

203.

[Tas Bus Nut]

I knew it was a 14.5, just couldn't remember the #

[danielb]

Random question, if Metro are going to retire a bunch of artics, does that mean we might be getting some shiny new ones sometime next year? What type would they be if the cb60 is no longer produced? Articulated cb80? :

[ScaniaL94UB]

Okay now I am not sure but I will have a go.. The CB60 by memory would still be in process of manufacturing at Custom Coaches Adelaide. That's where Metro gets them from, That would be certainly right I will put a picture below of someone elses pic from the Adelaide forum. They prob will be the same just with Metro livery.

[Tas Bus Nut]

Random question, if Metro are going to retire a bunch of artics, does that mean we might be getting some shiny new ones sometime next year? What type would they be if the cb60 is no longer produced? Articulated cb80? :

5 artics will be retired mid 2013 when NEW K360UA/CB80 artics arrive (identical to Adelaide/Canberra). 4 ordered (I believe) but they are going to get 5, to replace the last of the Mk.I B10Ms (706 - 14 - 710 - 712 & 713) The Mk.IIs will be getting refurbished. CB60 no longer available, so they HAVE to "upgrade" to the later model. Apparently (not sure) the bus order goes to TENDER after that time, so maybe we may end up getting something other than Scania New artics are not IN BUILD until February and not arriving until JUNE 2013.

[danielb]

Yeah cool, I thought they might be cb80s, but wasnt sure if they even made a articulated cb80. Good to see them getting the big banger engine for them too lol. This time when you lot race one against a 30 year old artic up the outlet, the new artic might actually keep up

[Tas Bus Nut]

I did a poor job of Photoshopping on an Adelaide CB80.
THIS is identical to what OUR CB80 artics will look like.

CB80 Artic.jpg (25.76 KiB) Viewed 1633 times

[danielb]

Except ours will have shitting sign writting lol. They look good. Pitty they dont make a articulated ncbc...... I think they would look quite cool!

[Tas Bus Nut]

Don't think Metro will EVER buy another Northcoast

[yoda]

Don't think Metro will EVER buy another Northcoast

Hooray!

[danielb]

Have they had a few dramas with them?

[Tas Bus Nut]

Have they had a few dramas with them?

All the bodies have had to be reinforced/braced.

BTW - Below is a better picture of Metro's NEW artics (due mid 2013) Photoshop job still sh#t
Thx to The Inspector for use of his pic.

aTT_1171_ScaniaK320UA_GrenfellSt_(21_3_12).jpg (170.89 KiB) Viewed 1612 times

[stevegj52]

As far as body work goes if goes to tender there are really only two major players Volgren/Marco Polo or Custom/ADL, unless Express or BusTech put in a bid as well, some how I bet it will be Custom/Adl. As for chassis I would love Volvo of couse to be successful or MAN but please not Scania or Merc Just me thoughts.

[ScaniaL94UB]

I did a crap version too on Windows7 Paint it looks a bit better thn Neil's though no offence. I will do some others if want me to.

[Daniel]

As far as body work goes if goes to tender there are really only two major players Volgren/Marco Polo or Custom/ADL, unless Express or BusTech put in a bid as well, some how I bet it will be Custom/Adl. As for chassis I would love Volvo of couse to be successful or MAN but please not Scania or Merc Just me thoughts.

Express and Bustech don't produce articulated bodywork so you can discount those. Merc don't offer an articulated chassis full stop and Volvo have discontinued the B12 artic, leaving them with nothing at the moment. If you want the B9 artic, you need to order 18 as a minimum for Volvo to bring them. So potential would be: Scania, MAN, Custom, King Long, Volgren.

[Tas Bus Nut]

Express and Bustech don't produce articulated bodywork so you can discount those. Merc don't offer an articulated chassis full stop and Volvo have discontinued the B12 artic, leaving them with nothing at the moment. If you want the B9 artic, you need to order 18 as a minimum for Volvo to bring them. So potential would be: Scania, MAN, Custom, King Long, Volgren.

Gee, thanks for the sombering news Daniel. In other words, we'll CONTINUE to get Scania/Customs in the foreseeable future Bloody GREAT

[stevegj52]

I knew the B12 has been discontinued and the B9 Artic is the replacement but didnt realise that you had to order a certain amount for the B9 to be bought into Australia, but then again I can see Volvo's point as nobody orders artics except the lager city operators both gov and private but Know doubt we will see some in Australia at some point. Weren't Merc looking at reintroducing a artic chassi to their product line up? MAN is another contender but I think Neil is right could end up being Scania/Custom a case of the devil you know but we could be supprised.As for body work I was speaking generally not just for Artic Bodies but rigids as well ,should have made that clearer

[sharp77]

Knocked off work this afternoon and spotted #311 with a yellow "PLEASE SIGNAL DRIVER" sign mounted on the window inside, under where the fleet number is. Is this common? Because I have never seen this before.

[Tas Bus Nut]

Knocked off work this afternoon and spotted #311 with a yellow "PLEASE SIGNAL DRIVER" sign mounted on the window inside, under where the fleet number is. Is this common? Because I have never seen this before.

UNDER fleet number Don't you mean above, as the window is ABOVE the number As for common, I'd say this is NEW, cause I've neve seen one with it. Good catch Matt.