2023 SA Transport observations

[Merc1107]

The engines on these older K-series buses tend to wear out much faster than K280 or K360 equivalents as the engine is straining to provide full power at all times.

I wonder how this compares to high-floor buses, or even the older L94s, which had lower power specifications than some of the current generation? At least in Perth, I can remember discussion about O405NHs going to auction with over 1mil kilometres, whose engines had never needed an overhaul.

[Swift]

At least in Perth, I can remember discussion about O405NHs going to auction with over 1mil kilometres, whose engines had never needed an overhaul.

Only lightly turbocharged for emissions sake. Best bus engines ever made. Don't sound as grunty as the N/A forebears but I have a lot of respect for them.
One instance where I prefer the sound of a ZF transmission over a Voith though the latter worked really well with them.

[Merc1107]

Even the heavily-maligned OC500LE gassies in Perth seem to be going over a million kilometres before needing an engine overhaul, from what I understand. I will be intrigued to see how the Volvos fare as they come towards their retirement.

One thing you do notice on newer buses is the amount of heat shielding that seems designed to lock heat into the engine bay (presumably for emissions or the sake of economy). Can't imagine all that trapped heat does anything for longevity, especially on today's small-displacement engines that are boosted very hard to make the power spec.

[Eurostar]

The Volvo B8RLE i.e. 2451 is what should had been chosen for the Adelaide Hills and Southern suburbs not the Scanias especially when you have steep inclines such as South Eastern Freeway and Southern Expressway. 2451 doesn't struggle as much as the Scanias.

[Crispy!]

The Volvo B8RLE i.e. 2451 is what should had been chosen for the Adelaide Hills and Southern suburbs not the Scanias especially when you have steep inclines such as South Eastern Freeway and Southern Expressway. 2451 doesn't struggle as much as the Scanias.

But has 2451 ever been up the SE Freeway?

[Swift]

Labouring a bit isn't struggling. You can't expect every bus to climb hills like they're not there. That seems to be Volvo's party trick.

[Merc1107]

You can't expect every bus to climb hills like they're not there. That seems to be Volvo's party trick.

I'm sure all that power being extracted from their small-displacement engines does wonders for their longevity, too...

Instead of HP wars, perhaps specifying a more appropriate gearing for buses would be better, to save needing such vast amounts of power?

[Darwin bus lover]

Southlink 3221 has a new validator fitted. The first of the hills buses I’ve seen with the new style machine.

[Lt. Commander Data]

The Volvo B8RLE i.e. 2451 is what should had been chosen for the Adelaide Hills and Southern suburbs not the Scanias especially when you have steep inclines such as South Eastern Freeway and Southern Expressway. 2451 doesn't struggle as much as the Scanias.

Source? Just doing a simple wiki search suggests that the engine in the Volvo B8RLE has the same HP, but less torque than the equivalent Scania. No hill in Adelaide really compares to the freeway, and considering Lonsdale buses are generally specced differently to Aldgate ones I’d say this is mainly based in fantasy.

Southlink 3221 has a new validator fitted. The first of the hills buses I’ve seen with the new style machine.

I saw one on a Southlink bus on Thursday or Friday last week (can’t remember which). I think most (if not all) are done now.

[Route 506]

Random query here but can anyone confirm if 1385 is still in service? I know it’s getting close to the 25 years as are 1301-1306 excluding 1303 & 1305 who are already withdrawn. Just have not seen 1385 for ages now.
Also in a recent discussion someone said to me that they had seen two withdrawn Iveco buses a while ago. Is this 1374 and 1376 and are they actually withdrawn?
Finally just checking 1319 is still out and about. Haven’t seen it in ages and a mate suggested it may be withdrawn with other gassies?
Cheers for any updates/info

[Lt. Commander Data]

Random query here but can anyone confirm if 1385 is still in service? I know it’s getting close to the 25 years as are 1301-1306 excluding 1303 & 1305 who are already withdrawn. Just have not seen 1385 for ages now.
Also in a recent discussion someone said to me that they had seen two withdrawn Iveco buses a while ago. Is this 1374 and 1376 and are they actually withdrawn?
Finally just checking 1319 is still out and about. Haven’t seen it in ages and a mate suggested it may be withdrawn with other gassies?
Cheers for any updates/info

I have been told that 1385 was retired after a relatively minor fault which was deemed unviable to repair.

[TT]

1385 was withdrawn about 4 months ago, mechanical issues, a cracked windscreen and 25 year expiry looming. It sat at Port depot unused for about a month before going to the government yard at the back of Morphettville depot, even though not a government owned bus.

[Eagle Eye]

1319 is having some work done on it at the moment.

[Crispy!]

1319 is having some work done on it at the moment.

Be glad to see it when it comes back, it's one of my favourite buses.

[Route 506]

Saw Iveco Bus 1376 back on the road tonight. Haven’t seen it out for a long time. Does anyone know if 1374 will be back or is that withdrawn?

[Lt. Commander Data]

“Movember” has been supported by DIT again this year. I read on their Facebook page that 60 buses, 22 trains, and 10 trams have received moustaches. 60 buses and 3 contractors, it might be reasonable to assume 20 per contractor, or even down to a % of fleet per region. But both of those suppositions seems to be incorrect, as I have observed 23 Hills buses with them (so far!):
- 3200
- 3203
- 3205
- 3208
- 3214
- 3217
- 3223
- 3224
- 3228
- 3231
- 3236
- 3269
- 3271
- 3272
- 3277
- 3350
- 3355
- 3354
- 3371
- 3374
- 3375
- 3378
- 3502

That is 28% of the Southlink fleet. To put into context, 37 buses at Busways and a staggering 229 buses at Torrens would need to have moustaches to achieve the same percentage. Not good or bad, just an interesting statistic I thought.

[Lt. Commander Data]

Scania / Bustech artic 3381 entered service out of Aldgate depot on Wednesday 22/11

[Swift]

Any piccie wiccie woosers?

[Lt. Commander Data]

Any piccie wiccie woosers?

None that I can post publicly at this stage, and to be honest I didn’t think there was any interest taken in the SA section anymore!

[aussiewirraway]

Scania / Bustech artic 3381 entered service out of Aldgate depot on Wednesday 22/11

The gives all 9 of the original bustech artic order from DIT I believe?

[Merc1107]

Only 9? I thought they had quite a few on order?

[loungeman76]

Scania / Bustech artic 3381 entered service out of Aldgate depot on Wednesday 22/11

Do you know if this is an addition to the fleet or a replacement?

[Lt. Commander Data]

Do you know if this is an addition to the fleet or a replacement?

There have been no retirements at this point

[Eurostar]

To setup depots with EV charging stations will take time too

[Darwin bus lover]

5801 is out today doing 99A.