B10BLE wrote:[b]I have noticed on the fleetlists that Moorabbin have lost quite a few buses to Dandenong (514, 517, 529, 581, 604) and one to Croydon (546). I'm guessing these will be replaced by K310s that are pending delivery? Has Volvo stopped manufacturing the B7 or have Ventura stopped ordering in favor of Scania?
#546 was replaced at Moorabbin Depot by #1282 over a year ago (after the batch of new Mercs arrived at Dandenong, causing a cascade of some of the newer B7RLEs) and it got sent to Croydon, joining the depot's charter fleet I believe, being air-conditioned unlike the majority of the rail fleet (#185 ex Pakenham Depot with AC ended up in the rail fleet before #179 which still makes rare appearances in the outer south-east in red & cream).
New rosters were implemented on December 2 for Moorabbin & Dandenong drivers. Almost all Moorabbin routes along with about two-thirds of Dandenong routes are now shared between both depots, much like the extreme examples of multi-routing rosters of Nationalbus and now Transdev across Thomastown, North Fitzroy and Doncaster depots. Previously only Routes 811, 812 & 828 were shared between the two depots.
It appears Dandenong has increased the overall number of trips it now does hence the reallocation of several Moorabbin buses across. It seems odd that some O405NHs transferred, when a Volvo-only transfer might have been more seamless for the workshop and drivers.
As for new Ventura deliveries, it was announced recently that Ventura had signed a four-year agreement for at least 21 new Volgren track buses each year for the next four years, double the length of the usual arrangements previously entered into. It has been stated these will be primarily Scanias, however at least one Volvo B8RLE is about to be delivered too (#1358).
Full article from ABC magazine -
https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-new ... -extensionAnother tid-bit those not on the Facebook groups might have missed is that the last of the O405 ultras ex National (#490, #492 & #114) have sadly been withdrawn after being in storage for some months pending their fate. It was suggested to me their Vicroads permit for their length had to be renewed. I was lucky enough to ride one of them on three Transdev routes last year during the height of their fleet crisis.
Those keenly watching the fleet lists will also note as more buses enter the rail fleet, Scania L113CRLs are slowly being scrapped altogether, no doubt until Ventura can reach a fully AC fleet. #800, #803, #1160 (ex #815), #1161 (ex #816), #1162 (ex #817) have all bitten the dust now. The end of the two-tone blue is nigh.
Kind Regards
Craig
