Think they are going to western commercial in bellshill although don’t quote me on that.
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First Aberdeen
- Thread starter Jordan Adam
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Jordan Adam
Established Member
That would make sense.
JumpinTrainz
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These buses are already 12 years old it seems odd they’d be putting so much effort into older buses. Hopefully they invest in the new Wright bendies once these are up as they seem like the only suitable option for Aberdeen.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
They're actually quite late 58 plates being new in 2009 so are only 11, they'll still likely have another 6 years of life. Aberdeen has a LEZ zone coming in force in just over 2 years so the conversion is compulsory, it's better to do it now while they're still eligible for funding. They're still newer than many of the Geminis already done in Glasgow.
The B7LAs could easily go a few more years but the main issue is they're not eligible for LEZ conversion and the younger Citaros that are eligible have now became available.
That said i wouldn't be shocked if a few B7LAs were retained, especially given that quite a bit of money was spent reinstated 10158/70 last year.
Other than a few threadbare seats, they are in very good condition anyway.
Will be interesting to see what they emerge like.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Agree, i'm interested to see how the livery will sit as i can't see how the Aberdeen Urban scheme will work on a Citaro given the position of the rear door.
Busman84
Member
Could be Bustec up at Righead Estate doing the refurbishments. They done a number of ex London Trident a few B7TLs back in 2009/10.
AndrewTaylor95
Member
Could always tell if Bustec done work on a First Bus with the way they painted them, quite unique.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Technically only 3 years as Aberdeen had some Tourismo's on lease from 2015 to 2017.
Striped Tourismo (24101/2)
Having been pushed into service in allover white for Offshore Europe 2015, both of the Mercedes Tourismo coaches have now had their coach livery stripes applied. 24102 leads its sister at King Street Depot.
www.flickr.com
Aberdeen has also operated an Optare bodied Mercedes O814D since 2005, along with various Cheetah's over the years.
24/7 Travel (56501)
The U1 overnight service has returned for the student study season at RGU whilst the library is open 24 hours and is designed to bridge the gap between the 2 finishing and starting. In previous seasons it has been registered as a commercial service along the old 1A route but this season it is...
www.flickr.com
Cheetah's awaiting their escape... (56005/7/8)
Seen here are a trio of withdrawn Mercedes 814D Plaxton Cheatah's, left to right 56005, 56008, 56007. Sat at the rear of First Aberdeen's King Street Depot. Allegedly these have now been sold so i'd suspect they're awaiting collection. Photo date: 12/05/2018 ©Jordan Adam Do not use this photo...
www.flickr.com
Putting those aside and only counting buses it's been 11-12 years. Mercedes O405G K1GRT was withdrawn in late 2008 and left the fleet for preservation in early 2009.
GRAMPIAN 10046 K1GRT ABERDEEN 070508
Explore David Beardmore's 163082 photos on Flickr!
www.flickr.com
Grampian Regional Transport K1GRT & E131DRS (22nd June 2019)
Seen here is Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust's preserved Grampian Regional Transport (Ex-First Aberdeen) Mercedes O405G Alexander CityRanger 1 (Ex-10046) K1GRT sitting on display in Castle Gate in Aberdeen during a First Group Heritage Trust "showcase" event - displaying a...
www.flickr.com
Citaro's 11106/8/9/15 should all be in Glasgow now.
cnjb8
Established Member
I'm sure they've operated YX05 AVV all this time, a Mercedes-Benz Vario.Technically only 3 years as Aberdeen had some Tourismo's on lease from 2015 to 2017.
Striped Tourismo (24101/2)
Having been pushed into service in allover white for Offshore Europe 2015, both of the Mercedes Tourismo coaches have now had their coach livery stripes applied. 24102 leads its sister at King Street Depot.
Aberdeen has also operated an Optare bodied Mercedes O814D since 2005, along with various Cheetah's over the years.
24/7 Travel (56501)
The U1 overnight service has returned for the student study season at RGU whilst the library is open 24 hours and is designed to bridge the gap between the 2 finishing and starting. In previous seasons it has been registered as a commercial service along the old 1A route but this season it is...Cheetah's awaiting their escape... (56005/7/8)
Seen here are a trio of withdrawn Mercedes 814D Plaxton Cheatah's, left to right 56005, 56008, 56007. Sat at the rear of First Aberdeen's King Street Depot. Allegedly these have now been sold so i'd suspect they're awaiting collection. Photo date: 12/05/2018 ©Jordan Adam Do not use this photo...
Putting those aside and only counting buses it's been 11-12 years. Mercedes O405G K1GRT was withdrawn in late 2008 and left the fleet for preservation in early 2009.
GRAMPIAN 10046 K1GRT ABERDEEN 070508
Explore David Beardmore's 163082 photos on Flickr!Grampian Regional Transport K1GRT & E131DRS (22nd June 2019)
Seen here is Aberdeen & District Transport Preservation Trust's preserved Grampian Regional Transport (Ex-First Aberdeen) Mercedes O405G Alexander CityRanger 1 (Ex-10046) K1GRT sitting on display in Castle Gate in Aberdeen during a First Group Heritage Trust "showcase" event - displaying a...
Citaro's 11106/8/9/15 should all be in Glasgow now.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Yes indeed, YX05AVV is 56501. It's been in constant use since 2005.
That's what I had originally thought, not being to close to it, thinking back to the GRT era 0405's. Always thought they were very smart.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Agree, all of the rigid O405s were displaced by the 100+ B10BLEs that joined the fleet in early 2001.
Some changes from Monday (14th September 2020).
Service 1B: 1 Peak Journey from Woolmanhill to RGU reinstated.
Service 8: Service reinstated on pre-March timetable.
Service 20: Increased to Half Hourly.
Service X27: Reinstated offpeak/Saturdays on a hourly frequency.
Timetables are not yet on the First website but can be viewed on bustimes.org
Recently withdrawn B10BLEs 62167 (left) and 62178 (centre) are now operating with Aldermaston Coach Lines in Reading.
Aldermaston Coach Lines
Southern Coach Lines now have three Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns in their fleet, all repainted in blue. Ex First Aberdeen B10 BHD and B10 BHE and ex Squarepeg B10 BHF are lined up in order at the depot on 9th September, 2020.
www.flickr.com
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overthewater
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- 8,162
Nice to see the buses never went to the crusher. Has anything else been sold off?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Yes, a number of Profiles have been sold, the same company have purchased 20370 presumably as part of the same sale.
Farncombe
Ten past six this morning, 12th September, 2020, and I was already on my second trip of the day with Aldermaston Coach Lines Volvo B7R Plaxton Profile P12 VAR - new to First as CV55 AGY. Today's route took me from Guildford via Farncombe, Godalming, Milford, Witley, Haslemere, Liphook and Liss...
www.flickr.com
Prior to Covid the plans were for a number of newer coaches to join the fleet replacing the lift fitted Profiles and all 4 Levantes. I'm not sure where those plans currently stand.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Any idea what one? 23501/4 were meant to be leaving the fleet but the latter is still in use.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
10163/64/65/66/70/71 are out on the 1 today, this marks the first time since March that B7LAs have been on service work (excluding Lochside Schools). Presumable since schools are off today, they should be on the 1 on Monday too.
JumpinTrainz
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Any idea when the Mercs are planned to enter service? I understand they’re getting a refurb right now but wonder how long they’re anticipating it’ll be before they enter service.
It would be nice to see new Wright B8RLEAs eventually ordered for the 1 services. They seem like the only suitable replacement for this route.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
I believe the Citaros are expected to hit the road next month as they'll need to do some training with them first.
**** Separate post
****Artics 10161/63/64/65/66/70/71/72 have now been reinstated.
The first of the new Hydrogen powered Wright Streetdeck FCEVs has now been delivered.
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JumpinTrainz
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- Messages
- 1,658
I believe the Citaros are expected to hit the road next month as they'll need to do some training with them first.
**** Separate post
Artics 10161/63/64/65/66/70/71/72 have now been reinstated.
The first of the new Hydrogen powered Wright Streetdeck FCEVs has now been delivered.
Wow any idea if they’re in the new Aberdeen livery or a special livery for Hydrogen?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
They're in full Aberdeen colours. I'd expect a small number will have turquoise front wedges for the 19. They'll likely see use on other routes too as the 19 only requires 10 buses.
They're doing a photoshoot with it on Tuesday/Wednesday, so there will likely be a press release later in the week. I might head past the depot in the morning to see if i can spot it, although i suspect it's parked inside.
At least one Citaro has now been fully refurbished. Shouldn't be too long now before they're up. Hopefully they're branded for the 1/2 and they debrand a few E500s.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Prisma Aberdeen on Flickr has posted an image of the new Streetdeck, as expected still unbranded.
www.flickr.com
The fleet numbers are reported to be 39701-15, the interior is to First specification but with Civic V2s (presumably due to type approval). The example delivered last night has now been branded.
First StreetDeck (39701)
After delay due to the pandemic and the collapse of Wright, the first hydrogen powered Wright StreetDeck has niw been delivered to King Street Depot today. Currently unumbered and unregistered. Note it carries standard fleet colours rather than any hydrogen livery although branding has yet to be...
www.flickr.com
The fleet numbers are reported to be 39701-15, the interior is to First specification but with Civic V2s (presumably due to type approval). The example delivered last night has now been branded.
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Jordan Adam
Established Member
Indeed it is true, as per posts #683 and #685 at least 6 of them are in Glasgow being refurbished with at least one complete. 9 are due in total (11106/8-15)
Not the best photo but managed to catch 39701 in daylight while passing King Street Depot around an hour ago.
First Aberdeen 39701 SV70BWK (5th October 2020)
Seen here recently delivered at King Street Depot is Hydrogen powered Wright Streetdeck-FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) 39701 SV70BWK. 39701 is one of 15 Wright Streetdeck-FCEVs numbered 39701-15 due to be delivered to Aberdeen for the Service 19 between Culter and Tillydrone replacing the...
www.flickr.com
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TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Been such a long time in coming but there's 15 of these Streetdecks are due? With the ex York bendis, what's leaving the fleet? I'm sure it's been mentioned but I forget!Indeed it is true, as per posts #683 and #685 at least 6 of them are in Glasgow being refurbished with at least one complete. 9 are due in total (11106/8-15)
Not the best photo but managed to catch 39701 in daylight while passing King Street Depot around an hour ago.
First Aberdeen 39701 SV70BWK (5th October 2020)
Seen here recently delivered at King Street Depot is Hydrogen powered Wright Streetdeck-FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) 39701 SV70BWK. 39701 is one of 15 Wright Streetdeck-FCEVs numbered 39701-15 due to be delivered to Aberdeen for the Service 19 between Culter and Tillydrone replacing the...
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Indeed, glad to see progress for a change! 20 Streetdecks are due in total, this batch of 15 initially then 5 more at a later date.
Plans were for the B7LAs and 7 of the 12 Geminis to leave the fleet. The 5 retained Geminis would make up for there only being 9 Citaros to replace 14 B7LAs. This may have changed due to Covid.
The Vanhool A330s are still due to be joining the First fleet again at some point soon with the last two stored at King Street being collected by the council last week for overhaul. That said i don't think they'll replace anything, certainly nothing has been confirmed.