PTA Backflip UQB-599

[Renault599]

Today i was informed that the PTA has ordered that bus 599 be repaired and once again see regular service. First words from the insurance assessor was that 599 was written off which led to number plates, 2 way radio and the wayfarer ticketing machines all to be removed. Repairs are likely to start early in 2012 by Midvale body shop.

[tbc1983]

I wouldn't call it a backflip, but a reprieve!

Thanks, PTA for saving a wonderful bus!


Cheers!

[Bus Fanatic]

The Bus is being repaired due to the shortage of vehicles in the fleet that will be required for the Kilometer injection into the system in early 2012.

[ADX666]

Wow, maybe we will see 463 back in revenue service after all seeing as though they are repairing another 1980's bus in 599

[Mr OC Benz]

463 is listed on the Freo Contract list so wouldn't count that one out just yet.

[laptop15]

the Kilometer injection into the system in early 2012.

[I love the old buses]

its about time they finally repaired a damaged old bus

Gassies blow up... they get replaced
Mercs NH crash.... get repaired and a refurb

Renaults, Mercs 0305, 0305G, 0405....... they go to the scrapping yard or get used for parts

[Jasper]

Is she back on the road yet or still being repaired? Who would pay for the repairs swan or PTA?

[UQB444]

Gassies blow up... they get replaced

1854 hasn't been replaced they should be converted to diesel

[Jasper]

I thought that 1854 was already been replaced?

[Mr OC Benz]

I don't remember a replacement for 1854 (perhaps it was because its warranty period had finished???), but I know that the other OC (1610) which (didn't blow up) caught fire and was beyond repairable was replaced.

its about time they finally repaired a damaged old bus

Gassies blow up... they get replaced
Mercs NH crash.... get repaired and a refurb

Renaults, Mercs 0305, 0305G, 0405....... they go to the scrapping yard or get used for parts

There's a fairly good reason with that, why would they spend money on fixing something which is almost at the end of its life as oppose to something which still has the potential of another 10-15years in urban service? Besides they have been repairing Reno's and older Mercs if they have been needed to do so in the past.

Any bus has an accident, there have been a number of Volvo's which have already been involved in accidents and they're not even 1 year old yet. They're not going to scrap them or get rid of them if they can avoid it.

And btw, for a quick clarification, the CNG OC's didn't blow up, they caught fire. It seems to be a Mercedes Benz issue that they still haven't quite solved.

[I love the old buses]

well when the fire gets to the tank that when they blow... and btw is 599 still getting repaired because other threads said it wasn't

[UQB444]

nah 1854 was never replaced. Same with 669 (when it caught fire back in 1996), 487, one of the 1100 CNG buses plus most renaults which get damaged and the govt/ PTA cbf paying for damages.

In my opinion if a bus gets damaged then it should be fixed. If it cant be fixed for whatever reason then replace it with a brand new bus thanks to the govt and Volgren.

[I love the old buses]

when did 1610 catch fire?

[Mr OC Benz]

Come to think of it, the majority of those buses that were withdrawn earlier than expected due to an accident or whatever would've been replaced, the replacement contract (Mercedes-Benz 1999-2011) and (Volvo 2011-2016) updates and replaces ageing vehicles anyway, so if a bus does have an accident and needs to be replaced, a simple switch with the replacement plan with new deliveries means it'll get replaced, not necessarily immediately, but within a given time frame. Of course it has been a different story with artics (remember the period between 93-99 where we got no new buses, they obviously couldn't replace artics that were withdrawn). The past decade, there may have been a 1:1.5 ratio with artics being replaced. I'm not 100% sure. Here's hoping that the Volvo contract will deliver more artics than needing replacement.

2014 was sent to the Morley Contract (as oppose to being destined for the Marmion Contract) to replace 1099. The Mercedes-Benz contract would've replaced those Reno's and other buses which were deemed repairable, they can't just keep on losing buses without replacing, it'll cause a logistical problem.

Btw, the gas tanks have never exploded on any of our CNG OC buses, like I said earlier, the engine bay may catch fire, but due to safety measures and etc. it would be difficult for a CNG tank to explode, those incidents involving about 4 or 5 buses over the past few years had nothing to do with the CNG tanks and never caused such thing to 'blow up' as you say. But more related to the running components (i.e. engine), something which has happened around the world with Mercedes-Benz buses and is not an entire issue relating to CNG. Because diesel buses have caught fire too!

Re: 1610, I don't remember exactly, but I think it was in 2008/09? Herbert should be able to clarify its withdrawal date.

Re: 599, at this stage, unless there is a change to the buses expected for delivery before July, then I'd assume 599 will still be going ahead with repairs. I also recall this bus being withdrawn about 2 years ago aswell, but was placed back in service not long after.

[I love the old buses]

ok well i'll take ya word for it.

[renaultartic]

No need to just take his word for it "I love the old buses". There's alot of knowledge here and just be thankful you have access to such information these days.

[I love the old buses]

true^

[TP1854]

nah 1854 was never replaced. Same with 669 (when it caught fire back in 1996), 487, one of the 1100 CNG buses plus most renaults which get damaged and the govt/ PTA cbf paying for damages.

In my opinion if a bus gets damaged then it should be fixed. If it cant be fixed for whatever reason then replace it with a brand new bus thanks to the govt and Volgren.

I'm quite sure that 1854 was replaced by 2011 but could be wrong.
Good to see 599 is being fixed can't wait to see it back in service.

[I love the old buses]

im probably gonna sound like a complete idiot but 2011: year or bus?
my guess would be bus... but as i said im probably a complete idiot asking that...

[High Floor Bus]

I'm quite sure that 1854 was replaced by 2011 but could be wrong.

I must be hanging around buses too long , for to remember little things like this.
IIRC 2011 was just the next delivery due around Morley depot at the time of the TP1854 incident.
Morleys OC500 allocation was only up to 2012 & with the diversion of one of Karrinyups OC500s 2013, to morley for Commissioning for replacement for 1854.
Not sure if 2014 came straight to morley , but 2015 ,16,17ect came to morley via Karrinyup depot.
2013,14,15,16 ect as you all know went back to Karrinyup 1st may 2011 in the great bus reshuffle.

[Herbert]

It's perhaps best to see the withdrawal / replacement thing as a sliding scale: there's a program to retire older buses and replace them with new buses. When the untoward occurs, the scale slides so that the next bus to be retired stays in service longer to maintain the required fleet strength. Other factors also come into play, for example none of us foresaw PATH losing two thirds of its contacts. This required 16 additional buses which effectively meant the next 16 Renaults slated for withdrawal had to be retained.

I am surprised, however, that 599 is being repaired whilst 4 SCT Renaults have been withdrawn & sent to auction.

[Jasper]

I agree they should of left 599 for spare parts and sent one of those 4 that are sitting at Midland to Midvale.

[Renault599]

599 has been repaired and is back in regular service

[I love the old buses]

that is good to hear!