One step at a time. All that has been reported is that there will be a three week swap, in order to trial streetdecks on routes around Weymouth. If successful, First Hants and Dorset (FHD) might look at bringing a batch in at some later stage.
Spot on the mark as always. I'm not familiar with the Jurassic coast route so can't comment on its gradients, but is something I would like to try at some point.
Agreed. Even Portland had a steep incline which will take it's toll on Streetdecks 5L engine and is far steeper than anything on the 376. Logic suggests Streetdecks to Norwich and 12 plate B9s to Dorset/Hengrove.
Possibly but a bit odd when they're busy branding the Streetlite Maxes for Portland? That said, they can be debranded as its standard Wessex livery with a vinyl.
I'd missed that they are branding the 631xx for Portland.
I hadn't heard anything about e400s on the JCs but suspected that they might not quite have the power for Abbotsbury but also for places like Chideock and Lyme (if not also some bits on the A35 near Martinstown) after the TLC of being in Bolton. Don't know what else is out there in First Group other than 2012 B9s (and they're 9 years old now) that would fit the bill, but think Streetdecks can be discounted. I guess the JCs won't stand the cost of new deckers but could do with an upgrade of a standard that will survive the battering; you could say the same (in some respects) for the North Somerset Excels.
Again pure speculation however could it be that First might take the Hinkley Point Streetdecks, when they come up for replacement. (I suspect they're on lease however First could get first refusal on them and there might not be as many new deckers kicking about as there used to be for a while).
I think some SPS (Somerset Passenger Solutions) E200s are licensed to First South West, but I don’t think the StreetDecks are.
72/72A looks now to be Streetdeck operated using the vehicles repatriated from Bath in the main. And so the circle is complete as those very vehicles were allocated to that route about 5 years ago!
They are, and it is mainly Metro bus vehicles, and a few green or red gas buses.
Could be interesting next week as they’re apparently providing vehicles for Boardmasters as well.
Driver Trainer 66728 has also now turned up with First Cymru.
I think this is news that we've been expecting for a little while. Here's to Alan enjoying a good retirement - he deserves it.
The R2 is also revised with new academic year.
Indeed the 349 service has been de-registered on Notices & Proceedings by Abus.
The 349A is actually what the service ran by Abus is run under as it is a contract service to First. The 349 is the First service so has the evening timetables whilst the daytime timetables by Abus are registered under 349A.
I did wonder if he might just keep the R2 to keep his hand in (but had thought retirement more likely).
Nothing is registered as the 349A, they are both service 349.
I wouldn't mind seeing the old single-decker (OAE954M?) out and about too: it has been a long time since I last saw it. I will keep my eyes open for the LDs though.
OAE954M is long gone. Now in late NBC/early Badgerline livery in Northamptonshire. Pictures on Flickr.
Thanks Carl. Glad it still survives but pity it is so far away: I always enjoyed seeing it out and about.