390 Media Launch (MAN 18.320 Euro V)

[Lemon]

At 1230pm today 390 was the centre of attention outside the Legislative Assembly as it was launched to the Media. Here is my pictures from the event.

Before the launch the Bus was parked on the road, about an hour before the actual event started the bus was moved up into Civic Square. This is the beginning of the move.

The bus is now seen from a rear angle while parked.

The front of the bus with the ACT coat of arms in the background, note the 'Climate Controlled' text.

A full length shot of the bus also with the ACT coat of arms.

The funky next stop display monitor on a test pattern. This technology is designed by Hanover and is operated using the desto hence why you see 312 on the desto.

The drivers console, basically the same as the 18.310s

Finally a front end angle.
Stay tuned, first service picture coming up ;D

[C130]

Nice pictures. Whats with the return to the Yellow Racks?

[DarrenH]

The probably went back to yellow because it is a more visible colour to see than silver?

[Lemon]

They actually went back to yellow racks because they brought all of Brisbane Transport's bike racks. They are still using the 'DL2?' model for accident damaged buses such as 330 which had just returned to service.

[C130]

So all of these new buses will be fitted with Hand Me down racks? Thanks for answering my question

[Lemon]

The bike racks have of course been re-painted

[ZIB-585]

(A) It's the Canberra City Coat of Arms, not the ACT. Have at look at this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coat_of_arms_of_Canberra

(B) There are two Sportworks bike rack models used by ACTION: DL2 is the all-metal 'farm gate' bike rack - as fitted to most Scania L94s (not 330), Renaults (except 969, 952, 962 and possibly others) and Bus 390; VeloPorter 2 is the bike rack with the plastic trays - as fitted to the Irisbus Agora Lines and MAN 18.310s.

[Ikarbus]

That is a really nice drivers interior cabin area, the best I've seen on any route bus so far. And overall a great looking bus too.

[Lemon]

(A) It's the Canberra City Coat of Arms, not the ACT. Have at look at this article:
(B) There are two Sportworks bike rack models used by ACTION: DL2 is the all-metal 'farm gate' bike rack - as fitted to most Scania L94s (not 330), Renaults (except 969, 952, 962 and possibly others) and Bus 390; VeloPorter 2 is the bike rack with the plastic trays - as fitted to the Irisbus Agora Lines and MAN 18.310s.

I have just gotten the two mixed up

[DarrenH]

They actually went back to yellow racks because they brought all of Brisbane Transport's bike racks. They are still using the 'DL2?' model for accident damaged buses such as 330 which had just returned to service.

That is interesting, I didn't even know Brisbane Transport had bike racks fitted to their fleet. If BT didn't have these bike racks that ACTION has just bought in storage it must be a cancelled order then.

[C130]

I think they had them on their Oranas for some City loop service. Obviously didn't work out.....

[ZIB-585]

That is interesting, I didn't even know Brisbane Transport had bike racks fitted to their fleet. If BT didn't have these bike racks that ACTION has just bought in storage it must be a cancelled order then.

What is it with this forum and bike racks? Or is it just DarrenH who has a fascination with bike racks?

Take a look at this discussion thread (features a photo of a Brisbane AP Orana with a DL2 bike rack) - there was a DarrenH asking if the BT bike racks were the same as the Canberra bike racks. Now DarrenH claims to be unaware of BT having bike racks.

[DarrenH]

Only one City loop bus up there in that photograph had a bike rack installed as far as I know and yes I didn't know of any BT buses in service that had bike racks fitted to them before.

[08 XDi]

Only one City loop bus up there in that photograph had a bike rack installed as far as I know and yes I didn't know of any BT buses in service that had bike racks fitted to them before.

Bike racks were fitted to Volvo B10M Metroliners, a number of Volvo B10L Oranas and some of the Scania L94UBs. These Scanias I believe all operated out of Carina depot while it still had gas, while diesels were allocated to Carina and Toowong.

Bike racks were only permitted to be used on the Great Circle Line and certain western suburbs routes (the 427/428/432 and 440/441), even if a bike rack fitted bus was used on another service. They weren't used for the City Loop.

After the 440/441 became the 444 BUZ, bike rack buses were still used but they no longer became dedicated to that route and the trial eventually faltered completely system-wide.

BT Buses' website will show which buses were fitted, although I don't know if there is a list function to show them all at once.

[Ryan]

For those who are interested, here is a list of all ACTION Buses fitted with Bike Racks.