WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

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Enviro 500
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

From what I heard from a Beckenham bus captain, her company has apparently too much on their plate and may not retain the contract for her assigned route (206) once it expires. I'd say it's a similar scenario as 2011-12 when Swan Transit gained Marmion from Path Transit leaving the door open for the latter to wrest Kalamunda later.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by PoweredByCNG »

Can we please refrain from starting rumours and posting hearsay? This is getting ridiculous.

Thanks.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

No contractor is meant to operate a majority (50% or more, something along those lines) of the network.

What happens in the future is anyone's guess; this round displayed preference to what is the long-standing incumbent for one reason or another, whereas in past retenders we have seen the contractor's share of the pie vary.

Either way it seems the preference tends towards "the devil you know" versus an operator unproven in the Perth context. I have to wonder what sort of long-term consequences could arise from retaining the same three operators repeatedly - particularly whether it creates an environment favourable to a lack of innovation, or increasing top-heaviness.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

Merc1107 wrote: Tue Jul 12, 2022 9:53 pm I have to wonder what sort of long-term consequences could arise from retaining the same three operators repeatedly - particularly whether it creates an environment favourable to a lack of innovation, or increasing top-heaviness.
Even SA has opted for fresh blood as seen from Busways winning one of the AdMet contracts, albeit at the expense of Southlink aka Path Transit. Personally, I was hoping to see them expand westwards.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Tp2323 »

Can anyone tell me the difference between a zfecomat and a zfecolife
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Bus Suggestions »

Not entirely sure why you'd need to ask here, but nonetheless - the ZF Ecomat was an automatic transmission for buses and trucks, manufactured from 1985 until 2016 in 3 generations - Ecomat I, Ecomat II, and Ecomat IV. Notably, the Ecomat was also used in the British Rail Class 172 diesel multiple units.

The ZF Ecolife is also an automatic transmission for buses and trucks, and is the Ecomat's spiritual successor. The first generation Ecolife was produced from 2008 until 2019, and the second generation from 2019 onwards. The main difference is in the design of the planetary gear set, which is well beyond my knowledge.

The following Transperth/Transregional buses use the following ZF transmissions:
  • Mercedes OC500LE CNG: ZF Ecomat 6HP502
  • Mercedes OC500LE Diesel (early deliveries): ZF Ecomat 6HP592C
  • Mercedes OC500LE Diesel (later deliveries): ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
  • Scania L94UA CNG: ZF Ecomat 5HP592C
  • MAN NG313F CNG: ZF Ecomat 6HP594C
  • Irisbus Citelis 18 CNG: ZF Ecomat 6HP504
  • Volvo B7RLE (1662, 2244, 2314, and most Optimus bodies): ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
  • Volvo B8RLE (all except some Voith demonstrators): ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
  • Volvo B8RLEA: ZF Ecolife 6AP1400B
FOOTNOTE: I don't see why you couldn't have searched this all up???
I'd post any important, bus-related links I had, but they're outdated anyways.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Traklink »

Looking at the archived Midland Line timetable on the MetroBus site I see that trains to Perth were shown running express past Mt Lawley, and the A pattern also skipped Claisebrook in this direction (but not to Midland). Does anyone know why that was?

Looks as if it's been factored into the running times as well so it seems deliberate rather than just an error.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

What happened to 1861-63? We're they involved in a crash? DOT records say these 3 vehicles still have another 6 months of rego on them.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Assuming you're looking at perthbus.info, I'd take what is there literally - a bus doesn't have to be accident-damaged to be withdrawn or used for spares. We're now in a phase where this type will vanish over the next few years, those three were some of the older examples in PATH's fleet.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

Merc1107 wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:53 pm Assuming you're looking at perthbus.info, I'd take what is there literally - a bus doesn't have to be accident-damaged to be withdrawn or used for spares. We're now in a phase where this type will vanish over the next few years, those three were some of the older examples in PATH's fleet.
But 1279-1909 are very much active despite being the oldest.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Enviro 500 wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 11:05 pmBut 1279-1909 are very much active despite being the oldest.
According to the fleet lists in the tenders 1279-1909 were meant to be withdrawn by commencement of the new contract (although that may well have changed for one reason or another). Some 1600s at Swan have also been withdrawn, and they too are newer than those 1200s.

It's just how it works. Withdrawals don't necessarily follow a direct oldest to newest sequence - if you have an older bus that's had a lot of work done later in life, it can make sense to keep it handy and withdraw a newer bus that's had a significant failure.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Woolies_truck »

Enviro 500 wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 11:05 pm
Merc1107 wrote: Thu Sep 22, 2022 9:53 pm Assuming you're looking at perthbus.info, I'd take what is there literally - a bus doesn't have to be accident-damaged to be withdrawn or used for spares. We're now in a phase where this type will vanish over the next few years, those three were some of the older examples in PATH's fleet.
But 1279-1909 are very much active despite being the oldest.
Up to 1285 at least, have been withdrawn in recent times. I believe 1286 > are still active due to some later ones being parked up early .
:D
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

1921-4 have apparently been retired with 2794/6/8 possibly replacing them. That seems quite unusual.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Yes it is. Although with all the swaps going on, and big network changes come Monday I guess there could be any number of reasons.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Bus Suggestions »

Charter bus company Horizons West has been acquired by Kelsian Group (formerly Sealink, parent company of Transit Systems).
Australasian Bus and Coach wrote:KELSIAN EXPANDS IN THE EDUCATION TRANSPORT SECTOR THROUGH HORIZONS WEST ACQUISITION
Date: 28.10.2022

Kelsian Group has continued its WA expansion through its latest acquisition.

Australian multi-modal transport operator Kelsian Group has announced it will acquire Horizons West Bus and Coachlines (Horizons West).

Established in 1985, Horizons West, with its highly visible brand, is well recognised in the Perth metro area for bus hire and coach charter services provided to the education sector.

The Horizons West business specialises in serving schools, universities and government with approximately 157 employees operating a bus fleet of 138 buses from two depots. Horizons West currently operates 21 contracts for the WA government and provides services to a university and more than 400 schools.

Kelsian Group CEO Clint Feuerherdt says Horizons West provides Kelsian with a platform to grow in the large and fragmented education transport market and will complement and enhance Kelsian’s existing WA businesses.

"We are delighted to announce we are acquiring the highly regarded and well-known Horizons West," Feuerherdt says.

"This transaction is in line with Kelsian’s strategy adding to our growing contracted bus fleet and establishes an excellent platform for additional organic growth in the education transport sector.

"Horizons West is highly complementary to our existing operations and provides the Group with the opportunity offer customers an "Airport to Hotel to Island’ transfer package – demonstrating the depth of our capabilities in delivering world-class customer-centric transport solutions."

On completion, this acquisition will follow the acquisition of resources-focused transport business Go West Tours in July 2021 and further enhance Kelsian as a diversified leader in Western Australian bus and coach services.

Following the acquisition, Kelsian will operate a portfolio of 1,367 buses and employ 1,982 people in Western Australia through the operating businesses of Swan Transit, Go West and Horizons West.

Kelsian’s intention is to continue to work with and focus on maintaining existing levels of service for Horizons West clients, as well as welcoming employees of Horizons West into the Kelsian Group.

In addition to the acquisition of Horizons West, Kelsian will also purchase two strategically located depots, one in Welshpool and another in Landsdale, which will provide a base for high quality bus maintenance and the ability to efficiently service the Perth metropolitan area.
I'd post any important, bus-related links I had, but they're outdated anyways.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

Didn't Horizons West buy out Westwide a few years ago?
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Perth CBD parking levy fund almost tops $200 million as squabble breaks out over how to spend it

Here's a thought, maybe spend that money on improving public transport around the CBD?
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Traklink »

Not sure where to post this, but the Airport Line will be running EXPRESS Redcliffe to Perth to Fremantle on Sunday 7 May, presumably as 6-car sets to support the High Voltage event.

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Servic ... ails/15845
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by TP1462 »

Traklink wrote:Not sure where to post this, but the Airport Line will be running EXPRESS Redcliffe to Perth to Fremantle on Sunday 7 May, presumably as 6-car sets to support the High Voltage event.

https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Servic ... ails/15845
Yep 6car Bs


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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Bus Suggestions »

I thought I might just put this in here as network maps don't particularly fit into the current context of service changes or observations: but in a twist to the whole outdated network map shenanigans, the Network Maps page has been completely removed (or, at least, locked behind admin permissions). Accessing the old URL (https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Journe ... twork-Maps) requests a MyAccount login, and once that's done, it returns an "Access Denied" message. The URLs for the maps themselves work (https://www.transperth.wa.gov.au/Portal ... s/Map6.pdf, change "6" to any number corresponding to a map number), but still display the outdated versions. Are we just not getting new maps anytime soon?
I'd post any important, bus-related links I had, but they're outdated anyways.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

Why did 1699 have to replace 1434? Couldn't one of the 21** Optimus B7s at Gosnells be moved over in exchange? Does Midland have excess vehicles?
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Off The Rails »

I think you'll find 1699 hasn't been at Midland for a very long time. You even replied in the Depot Listing thread after a recent update, so clearly still unable to read.

I believe the reasoning for 1434 going to SR is to balance out the average age of the fleet there (being the highest in Perth) - the 16xx OC's, while in good condition, are a couple of years older than the 14xx's.

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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Enviro 500 wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 2:01 amWhy did 1699 have to replace 1434? Couldn't one of the 21** Optimus B7s at Gosnells be moved over in exchange?
In reality it 'could' be anything - but if the operators in question have anything to say about the process, they'd be looking to move on the oldest buses or buses with hefty maintenance expenditure looming first. There's certainly been conjecture about that when swaps have occurred in the distant past...
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Enviro 500 »

Off The Rails wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:36 am I think you'll find 1699 hasn't been at Midland for a very long time. You even replied in the Depot Listing thread after a recent update, so clearly still unable to read.

I believe the reasoning for 1434 going to SR is to balance out the average age of the fleet there (being the highest in Perth) - the 16xx OC's, while in good condition, are a couple of years older than the 14xx's.

Cheers! :wink:
I was going by what was written on PB Info. But then again, that page hasn't been properly updated. It hasn't even mentioned 2305 on the disposal section even though it was the first B7 written off.
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Re: WA Transport General Discussion & Questions

Post by Merc1107 »

Enviro 500 wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 4:26 pm
Off The Rails wrote: Tue Oct 10, 2023 6:36 am I think you'll find 1699 hasn't been at Midland for a very long time. You even replied in the Depot Listing thread after a recent update, so clearly still unable to read.

I believe the reasoning for 1434 going to SR is to balance out the average age of the fleet there (being the highest in Perth) - the 16xx OC's, while in good condition, are a couple of years older than the 14xx's.

Cheers! :wink:
I was going by what was written on PB Info. But then again, that page hasn't been properly updated. It hasn't even mentioned 2305 on the disposal section even though it was the first B7 written off.
It's shown on 2305's listing... https://www.perthbus.info/report.php?vid=TP2305

AFAIK the bus has not been "disposed of" yet.
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