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by Merc1107
Tue Mar 26, 2024 10:50 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22080

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

Buses are always leased, purchasing outright is an efficient use of capital. The $30 million plus that would be needed to purchase these 60 buses outright is about what Kelsian pays out in dividends each year. First I've heard of leasing - the language I've seen used in press releases tends to expl...
by Merc1107
Tue Mar 26, 2024 7:28 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22080

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

Who is to say the buses are being leased rather than purchased outright? Transit Systems parent, Kelsian, own a number of charter operations across the country, and it isn't unreasonable to think these buses could subsequently be passed onto one of the many subsidiaries, some of which make regular u...
by Merc1107
Mon Mar 25, 2024 1:06 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22080

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

One wonders if this move on diesel buses won't open the door for further diesel acquisitions (e.g. high capacity buses) until a viable electric or hydrogen alternative becomes available. Interesting the Government is trying to distance themselves from the move (given the number of stored electrics),...
by Merc1107
Thu Mar 14, 2024 12:45 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Suspect that would only be found on coaches or buses that do long-distance work. I've certainly never encountered a route service bus equipped with such equipment (or if it is, it's deactivated).
by Merc1107
Mon Mar 11, 2024 1:52 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

It doesn't help when you've got drivers that really shouldn't be employed, driving the equipment hard. We need to bring the system in the UK where driving input is all monitored. Telematics and other aids like MobileEye can be found on buses in most of the public operations. They rolled it out in P...
by Merc1107
Mon Mar 11, 2024 3:13 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

In Region 9, the region with the most artics (91 at current count, out of 232 in service in Sydney), there is a desperate need for more artics and newer artics. Buses that are between 13 and 18 years old, in many cases running 24 hours a day, are getting very tired and could probably use some TLC. ...
by Merc1107
Sun Mar 10, 2024 2:11 am
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: American vs European buses
Replies: 3
Views: 213

Re: American vs European buses

The comment from a German in the comments that buses in Germany only have a life of 5-7 years is very interesting. That must be a mix of concern about emissions, perhaps patriotism to the local bus making scene, and no doubt the impact of adding salt to roads for extra flavour and texture in winter...
by Merc1107
Sat Mar 09, 2024 1:44 pm
Forum: Discussion - Brisbane / QLD
Topic: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024
Replies: 45
Views: 5815

Re: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024

Fair enough - although given the buses' age it probably wouldn't take too much of a hit to condemn it. Without any public commitment to new buses, though, it might put the pressure on to repair the bus. Another observation - 1493 returned to service some months ago, too. It stands out with a new (or...
by Merc1107
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:52 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Queensland government has recently made a very large purchase of diesels, doubtless recognising the reality of the time scale for building up an electric fleet. Although in the grand scheme of things, the order is a bit like a 10mins to midnight rushjob - perhaps they realise the "no diesels f...
by Merc1107
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:47 pm
Forum: Discussion - Brisbane / QLD
Topic: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024
Replies: 45
Views: 5815

Re: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024

What on earth makes you think it is a write-off?
by Merc1107
Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:26 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2023
Replies: 1405
Views: 138898

Re: Bus Observations 2023

Overlooked responding earlier, it seems... What really intrigues me - if the B7RLE is rated for 290hp, why is it that basically every operator selected the 320hp version of the B8RLE over the 290hp version? (not to mention the 330hp B8RLEs for the STA). One would think that an operator would choose ...
by Merc1107
Fri Mar 08, 2024 2:01 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Sydney has plenty of artics, perhaps too many given the keenness of the operators of the former State Transit regions to move them on. Given Sydney's artic fleet is somewhere between mid-life and nearly end-of-life (can anyone offer some further info on average fleet ages across the regions for tho...
by Merc1107
Thu Mar 07, 2024 1:35 am
Forum: Discussion - Perth / WA
Topic: WA Bus Observations 2024
Replies: 67
Views: 7560

Re: WA Bus Observations 2024

What seems to have happened was the rigid deliveries skipped the 31xx range altogether, and went straight into 32xx onwards. I imagine any additional artics (delivered in future) would be numbered in the remainder of the 31xx range.
by Merc1107
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:25 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Might be a better investment of $25m than continually "trialling" battery electrics... It's effectively proven technology.
by Merc1107
Wed Mar 06, 2024 1:25 am
Forum: Discussion - Perth / WA
Topic: WA Bus Observations 2024
Replies: 67
Views: 7560

Re: WA Bus Observations 2024

Volgren has announced the completion of the final artic in the last order of 50. A pity that more aren't being acquired, although if that were to happen, you'd certainly want to see some action as far as converting more routes to artic, or even banning artics from specific routes (i.e. feeders) to ...
by Merc1107
Tue Mar 05, 2024 12:15 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.
Replies: 73
Views: 6114

Re: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.

tonyp wrote: Mon Mar 04, 2024 10:40 pm Oops, just reminded that the thread title is "Abject Failure"! :lol:
C'mon, get in the spirit of things! :mrgreen:
by Merc1107
Mon Mar 04, 2024 4:42 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.
Replies: 73
Views: 6114

Re: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.

They surely haven't managed to out-do Perth's abominable work with signage, where you're not told which lane to be in, or even which lanes are the exit lanes until it's basically too late. Street signs, or lack thereof, are also a common bugbear of mine, and this seems to be a drama in every city an...
by Merc1107
Sun Mar 03, 2024 7:44 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161175

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Hydrogen is not exactly ideal either, if it should leak and an ignition source exist nearby...
by Merc1107
Sat Mar 02, 2024 11:36 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: State Transit / Transit Systems Ansair Orana Retirement
Replies: 344
Views: 120323

Re: State Transit / Transit Systems Ansair Orana Retirement

It may be the economics of the B12 don't stack up in terms of maintenance works to push them out to the age of those Oranas?
by Merc1107
Wed Feb 28, 2024 12:52 pm
Forum: News & Administration
Topic: RIP Fleet Lists
Replies: 6
Views: 725

Re: RIP Fleet Lists

May he Rest in Peace.

His contribution to the upkeep of the board has been appreciated by many.
by Merc1107
Sun Feb 25, 2024 2:05 pm
Forum: Discussion - Perth / WA
Topic: WA Bus Observations 2024
Replies: 67
Views: 7560

Re: WA Bus Observations 2024

Considering yesterday's photo updates page on Perthbus.info has photos of those buses, fully refurbished, at Morley depot... Think the answer is "yes".
by Merc1107
Sat Feb 24, 2024 12:12 pm
Forum: Discussion - Perth / WA
Topic: WA Bus Observations 2024
Replies: 67
Views: 7560

Re: WA Bus Observations 2024

I don't believe NHs are replacing anything - they are just making up for any shortage of buses relative to demand.
by Merc1107
Fri Feb 23, 2024 6:00 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22080

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

Another U-Go Mobility bus on fire. This time Scania K320UB CB80 (MO6690) from Kingsgrove on fire at Blakehurst. Was on 959. That's poor maintenance on U-GO's end if buses are cooking their engines to the point where the vehicle catches fire. I can understand 1 but you say another U-GO bus which say...
by Merc1107
Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:32 pm
Forum: News & Administration
Topic: Error message.
Replies: 128
Views: 53050

Re: Error message.

boronia wrote: Mon Feb 19, 2024 1:27 pm Seems there hasn't been any new posts since 2.44 pm Sunday?
Bit tricky to write responses when the board is inaccessible!
by Merc1107
Wed Feb 21, 2024 9:25 pm
Forum: Discussion - Brisbane / QLD
Topic: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024
Replies: 45
Views: 5815

Re: Transport for Brisbane Observations 2024

S1647 operating an outbound 150 run tonight. It would seem that one of the goals of having Sherwood run 150s would be to increase the volume of artics. I remember the messaging when the additional artics came being along the lines of "increasing capacity on busy trips", and the 130, 140 a...

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