Ember: Electric coach service

[overthewater]

To be fair, that late night run shouldn't even be operating since the current covid rules means the customers base are not going to be around.

 

[route101]

To be fair, that late night run shouldn't even be operating since the current covid rules means the customers base are not going to be around.

I noticedit was showing as cancelled yesterday when i checked their website.

 

[Deerfold]

To be fair, that late night run shouldn't even be operating since the current covid rules means the customers base are not going to be around.

People's work shifts start/end at all sorts of times. Though unlikely to be many around that time.

For a pub in Dundee that closes at 2200, it'd be the next bus the staff could catch.

 

[Journeyman]

People's work shifts start/end at all sorts of times. Though unlikely to be many around that time.

For a pub in Dundee that closes at 2200, it'd be the next bus the staff could catch.

Why would anyone who works in a pub in Dundee regularly need to travel to Edinburgh after work?

 

[overthewater]

Exactly.

It seems a comperise has appeared, One of the coaches has ended up at Ionity charging station in Perth, AKA Inveralmond Roundabout.

 

[Deerfold]

Why would anyone who works in a pub in Dundee regularly need to travel to Edinburgh after work?

It does call at other places on the way. The 13 minute, £2 journey to Inchture, for example.

 

[overthewater]

Then they will catch the earlier 23:11 service NOT 00.30

 

[Journeyman]

It does call at other places on the way. The 13 minute, £2 journey to Inchture, for example.

Fair enough. How does that compare to other bus services in the area? Do you think there's much scope for local journeys?

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Then they will catch the earlier 23:11 service NOT 00.30

The 2311 run only operates on a Sunday.

 

[route101]

Fair enough. How does that compare to other bus services in the area? Do you think there's much scope for local journeys?

X7 and 16 are the other services in the area.

Thinking of using this tomorrow. Not seen any advertising for it .

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Thinking of using this tomorrow. Not seen any advertising for it .

I'd give it a few days, they're having issues with one of the Yutongs and have a coach on loan from a local coach hire company.

 

[route101]

I'd give it a few days, they're having issues with one of the Yutongs and have a coach on loan from a local coach hire company.

Too late im booked for tomorrow.

 

[Deerfold]

X7 and 16 are the other services in the area.

Thinking of using this tomorrow. Not seen any advertising for it .

They are. The X7 gives up at 2000. They might get the last 16, depending how long it takes to clean up after closing at 2200.

 

[route101]

You're determined that no-one would possibly want this bus, aren't you? The X7 gives up at 2000. They might get the last 16, depending how long it takes to clean up after closing at 2200.

Never said that. I will report back tomorrow.

 

[Deerfold]

Fair enough. How does that compare to other bus services in the area? Do you think there's much scope for local journeys?

Stagecoach charge £2.70 for a single, £5,20 for a return, so £2 is competitive, even if the times only work one way.

Never said that. I will report back tomorrow.

I've edited. Have fun.

 

[route101]

I used the service yesterday.

There was two Yutong coaches at the greemarket stop in Dundee. One was getting tended too by Yutong mechanics. A small group if ladies and another guy, so the loading 5 from Dundee to Edinburgh. No one got off or on in between. The Walnut grove stop was a circle around the junction, didnt see any bus stop there.

Coaches internally were very similar to the plaxtons used by Lothian Country.Free bar of choc was handed out by the driver. Price was £7.50 which is decent compared to train.

 

[RomeoCharlie71]

Yeah, YD70 CHY was having a few technical (or electrical? ) difficulties yesterday when I wandered down for a photo:

Scottish Blue were providing the replacement vehicle today.

 

[overthewater]

It's not that surprisingly since its a brand new service and Concept. Hopefully they are picking up alot of useful information, allowing them to move forward. Until you put the service into full operation your never find all the bugs.

 

[Jordan Adam]

Just came across this video of one now, seems very rattly for a brand new coach. Even the battered Profiles at Stagecoach are not anywhere near as bad.

5:47 for example.

 

[GusB]

Just came across this video of one now, seems very rattly for a brand new coach. Even the battered Profiles at Stagecoach are not anywhere near as bad.

5:47 for example.

If that's how squeaky and rattly they are, it's one service that I won't be rushing to try out. That would have me clamouring to get off at the earliest opportunity!

 

[overthewater]

Mind you that is Edinburgh and the road are truly awful for a major city.

 

[MotCO]

I can't see Yutong using that clip as part of their advertising blurb!

 

[Stan Drews]

Just came across this video of one now, seems very rattly for a brand new coach. Even the battered Profiles at Stagecoach are not anywhere near as bad.

5:47 for example.

That’s one of the problems with electric buses and coaches. Without any engine noise every little squeak and rattle around the interior becomes much more noticeable, and the state of our roads helps to make it even more intrusive.

 

[Boo_]

I can see Citylink going in partnership if they can get it to work or will just rip off their model.

 

[GusB]

Mind you that is Edinburgh and the road are truly awful for a major city.

Nah, even with the state of the roads in Edinburgh, that's a totally unacceptable amount of noise within the cabin. It's not as if the vehicles are old either. I've been on some seriously elderly Volvos on Citylink routes in my time, and I don't ever recall any of them rattling as much as that.

That’s one of the problems with electric buses and coaches. Without any engine noise every little squeak and rattle around the interior becomes much more noticeable, and the state of our roads helps to make it even more intrusive.

From that video, they don't seem to be overly quiet (ignoring the rattles for a moment, even if that is impossible!)

Is it just a cheap specification, or is this a common problem with Yutongs?

 

[MotCO]

Is it just a cheap specification, or is this a common problem with Yutongs?

I wonder if it is just loose seats - if there were passengers on them, they may not rattle.

 

[route101]

If that's how squeaky and rattly they are, it's one service that I won't be rushing to try out. That would have me clamouring to get off at the earliest opportunity!

I never noticed much squeaking on the bus i was on, was fairly quiet. Feels like an automatic car.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That’s one of the problems with electric buses and coaches. Without any engine noise every little squeak and rattle around the interior becomes much more noticeable, and the state of our roads helps to make it even more intrusive.

The upside would be, though, that you don't have the engine vibration shaking it to bits. Compare a Class 150 with a Class 319 for rattles, say.

I can see Citylink going in partnership if they can get it to work or will just rip off their model.

"Buy some electric coaches", you mean? There isn't really much more of a model than that!

 

[Journeyman]

I'm currently on board the 10.13 out of Edinburgh. Pretty impressed so far, and normally I wouldn't touch coach travel with a barge pole. The seats are very comfortable, and the motor noise is nowhere near as irritating as I find the rumble of engines on diesel coaches. Something is indeed a bit rattly, which isn't great, but I hope this succeeds. They've picked an awful time to launch - me and my son are the only passengers.

 

[CN04NRJ]

Mind you that is Edinburgh and the road are truly awful for a major city.

For once we can agree on something, the roads, even in more upmarket parts, of Edinburgh are probably the worst I've seen anywhere in the UK.