NSW Bus Observations 2022.

[Linto63]

An artic can go anywhere a 12 metre rigid can.

To a point, they tend to be kept away from places where a reversal may be required, hence I'm surprised they are being loose on the 380 where there are some single lane roads. Likewise route 200, this must have one of the lowest yields of all routes in the region and is quite often operated the SWB Scanias. Since the handover, Randwick have been using artics on route 339, something that STA didn't do.

[Merc1107]

Likewise route 200, this must have one of the lowest yields of all routes in the region and is quite often operated the SWB Scanias.

This point being something along the lines of why I posed my question, originally.

It speaks then to a scheduling efficiency, or worse yet, lousy scheduling (this almost sounds like something right out of Perth's "How to Roster an Artic in the Most Wasteful Manner" playbook - but without more observations on where these buses are winding up, hard to make the call) rather than any immediate capacity crisis, at least in this instance.

[tonyp]

It speaks then to a scheduling efficiency, or worse yet, lousy scheduling (this almost sounds like something right out of Perth's "How to Roster an Artic in the Most Wasteful Manner" playbook - but without more observations on where these buses are winding up, hard to make the call) rather than any immediate capacity crisis, at least in this instance.

To add to the mystery, 200 also duplicates a train route (with interchange at Town Hall). Wnen the metro opens, there won't be any part of its route not covered by train.

https://transportnsw.info/documents/tim ... 220502.pdf

Artics shouldn't need to be reversed in service.

[Merc1107]

Artics shouldn't need to be reversed in service.

As Linto rightly points out, though, if you have a single-lane road and come upon another motorist (especially another bus!), then it may have to occur, particularly if the other road user is unyielding to your artic. Unfortunately there's a bit too much "me first" in the industry, rather than cooperation between drivers to keep everything running smoothly.

[In Transit]

An artic can go anywhere a 12 metre rigid can.

To a point, they tend to be kept away from places where a reversal may be required, hence I'm surprised they are being loose on the 380 where there are some single lane roads. Likewise route 200, this must have one of the lowest yields of all routes in the region and is quite often operated the SWB Scanias. Since the handover, Randwick have been using artics on route 339, something that STA didn't do.

STA commenced using artics on the 339 earlier this year, before the handover. Work was already done to extend stop lengths for artics on the 339 as far back as 2018, however a shortage of artics meant it wasn’t immediately taken advantage of (more benefits elsewhere).

As for the 380, the 333 used to extend as far as Dover Heights (with artics), and this isn’t the first time artics have appeared on the 380 (never a regular occurrence though). There’s nowhere on the 380 unsuitable for an artic, single lane roads or not.

This seems more a case of finding Waverley routes which are physically suitable for artics, rather than allocation to meet demand - hence the inclusion of the 200. This allows some flexibility during a period of unavailability of some of the rigid fleet.

[Linto63]

To add to the mystery, 200 also duplicates a train route (with interchange at Town Hall).

On that basis you could argue that route 333 west of Bondi Junction is a duplication of a train route. While it parallels the Eastern Suburbs and North Shore line for much of its journey, route 200 serves places in the middle, admittedly most of which are also served by other routes. Its main source of patronage is Macquarie Street, being the only route to traverse this street.

Artics shouldn't need to be reversed in service.

Buses sometimes do need to reverse when two arrive at the opposite of a street that is only wide enough for one. Artics are prohibited from some of the ferry wharves where a lack of turning circle requires a reversal.

[Stu]

I haven’t seen it mentioned in this topic section or in the electric bus section, there was an electric bus that caught fire Paris, France on 4/4/2022.

Operator: RAPT (state owned).
Manufacturer: Bollore.
Model: Bluebus 5SE.

Maybe the electric buses at Waverley have been taken off the road for inspection as the equipment/parts may be the same.

This could be the reason why the artic buses Waverley may have been dispersed across to routes.

[tonyp]

Maybe the electric buses at Waverley have been taken off the road for inspection as the equipment/parts may be the same.

This.

[Bovways]

Maybe the electric buses at Waverley have been taken off the road for inspection as the equipment/parts may be the same.

I would suspect so. The Elements have a different model of battery to the Paris bus, but the same concept and from the same manufacturer.

[1whoknows]

Interestingly a demo Element is still running at Blanch's, Ballina - was in service Tuesday and yesterday.

[Swift]

Way to go Ballina. Any word oh the central coast trialling any?

[Merc1107]

Way to go Ballina.

Not if they're affected by that fault and burn...

[Swift]

Way to go Ballina.

Not if they're affected by that fault and burn...

Shhh don't tell Tartan!

[ScaniaGrenda]

Anyone know what's with Costal Liner getting some of the other ComfortDelGro buses transferred to them as of late? Fleet-lists reports this afternoon 7334 MO was transferred from Thornton to Warnervale. I was figuring they'd be the "Depot" that receives the close to end of life buses but 7334 is still a modern bus.

Not sure but observed it yesterday passing work at Tuggerah (Johnson Rd)

I saw 7334 MO back In Maitland on Tuesday afternoon doing school bus runs, still had the Hunter Valley Buses logo & Thornton accreditation if I remember correctly.

Must've just been on a charter or quick loan down there.

[Benny95]

Not sure but observed it yesterday passing work at Tuggerah (Johnson Rd)

I saw 7334 MO back In Maitland on Tuesday afternoon doing school bus runs, still had the Hunter Valley Buses logo & Thornton accreditation if I remember correctly.

Must've just been on a charter or quick loan down there.

My guess would be temporary loan to cover for 2624 MO as it was to be seen in the TFNSW Blue by myself in Tuggerah/Wyong Yesterday. Maybe they are starting to refurb the Coastal Liner Buses??

[Stu]

With the impending delivery of new electric buses to R6 Leichhardt Depot, there will be withdrawals and transfers as expected.

[Swift]

Why are Busways insisting on playing stupid FM radio stations through the tinny bus speakers on some of their bus services?
Totally ruins the experience of hearing the sounds the buses make. I got on 1202, a particularly nice sounding CB80 MAN only for it to be spoiled by pop songs though tiny speakers in the ceiling. So intrusive.
Way to wreck the hobby Busways!
I was so annoyed as I really wanted to do a sound recording of this bus.

[tonyp]

Why are Busways insisting on playing stupid FM radio stations through the bus speakers on some of their bus services?
Totally ruins the experience of hearing the sounds the buses make. I got on 1202, a particularly nice sounding CB80 MAN only for it to be spoiled by pop songs squeaking through these tiny speakers in the ceiling that sounded like a cheap transistor radio.
Way to wreck the hobby Busways!

There's a fine line between drivers relieving their boredom by having the radio on and passengers not liking the choice of station or even having the radio on at all! Operators should consider making a call on this.

[boronia]

It's bad enough when a driver has his personal radio in the cab up loud, without feeding it through the whole bus system.

I think it is illegal to use radio broadcasts in this manner without a licence.

[Merc1107]

Someone might want to get in touch with the Darwinbus contractors, as practically no public bus gets around the Top End without the FM radio blaring. If it keeps the captive passengers under control, though...

[Swift]

If it keeps the captive passengers under control, though...

That's what I suspect is the reasoning. Can't they confine it to nighttime on weekends though?
The previous bus didn't have it, but maybe the Bustech mark III haven't got it.
It was extra maddening because when the CB80 arrived I was looking forward to it as the route has hills and bends that put it through it's paces and bus 1202 made the best sound of any Busways MAN on the central coast I have ridden so far.

[boronia]

Someone might want to get in touch with the Darwinbus contractors, as practically no public bus gets around the Top End without the FM radio blaring. If it keeps the captive passengers under control, though...

Playing classical music, or Barry Manilow, usually keeps them under control.

[Merc1107]

Someone might want to get in touch with the Darwinbus contractors, as practically no public bus gets around the Top End without the FM radio blaring. If it keeps the captive passengers under control, though...

Playing classical music, or Barry Manilow, usually keeps them under control.

Yes it does!

[Fleet Lists]

Hopkinsons m/o 497 https://www.flickr.com/photos/193972346 ... 097681409/
"Hopkinsons Volvo B12BLE/Custom Coaches CB80 at Rosehill racecourse for the retirement expo 24/7/2015. It carries Kiama Coaches accreditation and is now in silver livery, previously recorded as the last bus with stripes livery,"
Saw this bus on rail this morning at Miranda.I mistimed the photo so deleted it before I realised that it was this bus in Premier livery and with Premier Sydney signage.

[Campbelltown busboy]

I've observed that a lot of drivers use the radio to drown out the chatter coming from the two way that doesn't help when the depot calls the driver on that two way to check how things are going