[Nov 2011] SA Transport observations

[Eagle Eye]

Southlink's first CB80 artic has been numbered 2837 the second is yet to have its numbers applied

I don't think 2831-2836 will be transferred to LCB as suggested many times earlier. I seem to remember that SouthLink were always going to receive 6xK320 CB60s and I was surprised to see them receive 7. Then when 2830 became 1166 some thought that they would all be transferred, but I think they will now remain as is, with those 6 (2831-2836) to remain at SouthLink forever. The first CB80 artic being numbered 2837 backs up my thoughts.

[busrider]

1753 bus is now in AdMet livery

[Eagle Eye]

Not sure if there was a disruption to Mawson Lakes trains this morning, between 8.30 and 9am I saw at least two SouthLink buses heading towards the City on Churchill Rd, both packed full of commuters. A Merc O305 rigid showed 'Train Substitute TO ADELAIDE' and an SG280H showed 'Not In Service' but had a full standing load. It didn't help that Churchill Rd was at a bumper-to-bumper crawl from around stop 17 right through to Torrens Rd.

I'm not usually around Churchill Rd in the morning peak, but is this normal for some substitute services to run straight into the city? I noticed a 5-car poxbox set stationary on the Islington broad gauge siding which was sitting there for at least half an hour. Again, is this normal?

[Crispy!]

1753 is now in Admet Livery ex Adelaide Free.

[Leigh]

Not sure if there was a disruption to Mawson Lakes trains this morning, between 8.30 and 9am I saw at least two SouthLink buses heading towards the City on Churchill Rd, both packed full of commuters. A Merc O305 rigid showed 'Train Substitute TO ADELAIDE' and an SG280H showed 'Not In Service' but had a full standing load. It didn't help that Churchill Rd was at a bumper-to-bumper crawl from around stop 17 right through to Torrens Rd.

I'm not usually around Churchill Rd in the morning peak, but is this normal for some substitute services to run straight into the city? I noticed a 5-car poxbox set stationary on the Islington broad gauge siding which was sitting there for at least half an hour. Again, is this normal?

There was some sort of a problem this morning on the Gawler Line, not sure what though. I know Kanga provided some assistance.

[Willie]

Kanga supplied their B10B, Scania K113, A Rosa and Farnhams assisted with a LO812 and MAN 10.155!

I know I enjoyed driving the full standing load express from Mawson Lakes in the B10B!

[Andrew S]

Eagle Eye wrote

Not sure if there was a disruption to Mawson Lakes trains this morning, between 8.30 and 9am I saw at least two SouthLink buses heading towards the City on Churchill Rd, both packed full of commuters. A Merc O305 rigid showed 'Train Substitute TO ADELAIDE' and an SG280H showed 'Not In Service' but had a full standing load. It didn't help that Churchill Rd was at a bumper-to-bumper crawl from around stop 17 right through to Torrens Rd.

I'm not usually around Churchill Rd in the morning peak, but is this normal for some substitute services to run straight into the city? I noticed a 5-car poxbox set stationary on the Islington broad gauge siding which was sitting there for at least half an hour. Again, is this normal?

I was on the 0808hrs service to Mawson Lakes and just before we left Adelaide, the driver made an announcement that a railcar had broken down at Mawson Lakes. Concequently everyone had to find their own way out to Mawson Lakes and beyond.

[Tonsley213]

1753 bus is now in AdMet livery

Red or Yellow?

[busrider]

Yellow front...

[Tonsley213]

Good!

[marshall]

A few days ago saw a Volvo B58 travelling on the Anzac Highway in westerly direction it was painted in Adelaide Metro livery.

[Willie]

No you didn't.

[Greasyrhys]

Just spotted R522 stationary on Phillip Highway, having been rear-ended by a Mitsubishi sedan. A smaller car was spotted also with a banged-up front. Not sure what happened though. Hope those involved are ok.

[Crispy!]

If you want photos or rides of the ex Harris Park Merc O405NH's Torrens Transit 1320-1324 get them soon, they are going west....

[STA 1440]

A few days ago saw a Volvo B58 travelling on the Anzac Highway in westerly direction it was painted in Adelaide Metro livery.

More likely to be an ex-Admet SL200.

Either that, or you spotted ex-1445, the preserved Volvo B10M in STA Speed Stripes livery.

[Whyalla]

I recently saw #1259 and I noticed its bumper no longer has the Adelaide Metro website URL.
I also saw #1002 and noticed it no longer has the special 'Do not overtake turning vehicle' sticker with the articulated bus symbol beneath its rear window, which most of the MAN artics have.

[Eagle Eye]

I recently saw #1259 and I noticed its bumper no longer has the Adelaide Metro website URL.

It was most likely involved in a bingle recently and after having its bumper replaced and painted, hasn't had the website sticker replaced yet. Fairly common, 423 was sporting a yellow bumper for a couple of weeks shortly after LCB started operating, but now has a newer-style sticker from its previous version. One of the 1430-series Scanias was running around for 2-3 days with a yellow bumper after accident repairs when it was a Golden Grove bus.

[thedom]

1930hrs Wednesday November 30th 2011; SBS 1 - the worst place to be a "bus driver" could be worth a look folks.

[TA3001]

Anyone know where the term "Romeo" came from? I first heard it a week or so ago and thought it was some kind of joke, but it's used all the time when referring to the Merc 0305s via the Southlink radio channel.

2350 was still out and about today, albeit exhibiting some door troubles. Someone mentioned that it spent a long time out of service recently. Was this actually the case?

[nscaler69]

In CB / Radio use "Romeo" stands for the letter "R", i.e. R505 is Romeo 505. It's part of the phonetic alphabet to help spell out letters by the way of using words to avoid misinterpretation.

[Willie]

2837 ( SB 82 FC) has entered service, with a black fleet number on the front, which contrasts well with the red duco

BRU 38 is retired at CMV, Gepps Cross.

[busrider]

BRU 38 was recently for sale on eBay for $12,000, don't know if it's still on there or not...

[The Phonj]

Saw a new Mitsubishi Rosa 1314 headed into the City along Anzac Hwy during this morning's peak. Judging by the fleet number application I suspect it to be a Light-City unit. Was in Yellow AdMet livery with no overhead desto display - I did not see if there was any destination equipment installed onto the bus.

[TT]

In their second week of operation LCB had a Rosa on a 265 in morning peak and it was full before it got to King George Avenue by Marymount College. Haven't seen on on peak since though.

[Eagle Eye]

Saw a new Mitsubishi Rosa 1314 headed into the City along Anzac Hwy during this morning's peak. Judging by the fleet number application I suspect it to be a Light-City unit. Was in Yellow AdMet livery with no overhead desto display - I did not see if there was any destination equipment installed onto the bus.

1314 is a Mitsubishi Fuso (the newer version of the Rosa) and looks like a Rosa in every way. It's been in service for a few weeks and is sometimes used as a relief vehicle for drivers. It has a Hanover destination fitted into the front windscreen with a small control panel like those seen in Adelaide's 18.280s and O405s. The sign display is single-line, although I haven't seen it while in use so I'm not sure how it displays some of the more complicated route info!

It looks something like this: http://www.hanoverdisplays.com/index.ph ... 19&lang=en
Move the mouse over the 'True Curved LED' tab, it looks something like that but only takes up the near-side half of the windscreen.