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Transdev Blazefield
- Thread starter RustySpoons
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I took a trip up to Leeds two weekends ago to take a trip on the new Enviro 400EVs running on the 36 route so that I could film a few videos. Knowing that only the one was running that day (SK74 AYP) I kept a keen eye on bustimes.org and managed to catch it between Leeds and Harewood.
Overall, I thought this bus was pretty swish although not without it's faults. I've done a video on my YouTube channel here (here) but the tldr of it is:
Good stuff:
* The drivetrain sounds lovely accelerating on the faster parts of the route.
* Whilst the roads coming out of Leeds are fairly atrocious the bus feels like it's gliding over the potholes without being too crashy.
* Atmosphere on the bus is nice. The interior looks smart.
* Seat comfort is on par with the previous buses, whilst it's not leather the seats are great and you've got that awesome 2+1 layout and reclining seats upstairs.
* USB C at every seat alongside USB A and Qi.
* Phone holders are awesome for watching a bit of YouTube.
* Navaho info screens looks sharp, good resolution on them. Love that there's a backward facing display for the disabled bay - only seen that on TfL buses before this.
* LED strip lighting along the window frame looks nice as does the glazed staircase with more LED lighting. Also, them '36' branded tabs on the seats, brilliant.
* Front destination display looks super high-res.
The 'not so great' stuff:
* Upstairs at the back there is a RATTLY panel that is so noisy it'll give you a headache and ruins the fact that the bus is quiet. This is the biggest issue for me. Ruins what is otherwise a quiet bus. Downstairs feels much more put together.
* We've lost Harry, for obvious reasons. But out has gone the character of the onboard announcements and in comes just what the next stop is.
* Wireless charging is awfully slow. Must be a low power charger.
* Advertising banners along the roof, who chose the colour/font combo - it's so hard to read.
Overall, a good step up from the previous buses which were becoming a little tired, but definitely some kinks to iron out. It's such a shame that the rattly panel really lets it down - you can hear it in my video above, it's constant.
Overall, I thought this bus was pretty swish although not without it's faults. I've done a video on my YouTube channel here (here) but the tldr of it is:
Good stuff:
* The drivetrain sounds lovely accelerating on the faster parts of the route.
* Whilst the roads coming out of Leeds are fairly atrocious the bus feels like it's gliding over the potholes without being too crashy.
* Atmosphere on the bus is nice. The interior looks smart.
* Seat comfort is on par with the previous buses, whilst it's not leather the seats are great and you've got that awesome 2+1 layout and reclining seats upstairs.
* USB C at every seat alongside USB A and Qi.
* Phone holders are awesome for watching a bit of YouTube.
* Navaho info screens looks sharp, good resolution on them. Love that there's a backward facing display for the disabled bay - only seen that on TfL buses before this.
* LED strip lighting along the window frame looks nice as does the glazed staircase with more LED lighting. Also, them '36' branded tabs on the seats, brilliant.
* Front destination display looks super high-res.
The 'not so great' stuff:
* Upstairs at the back there is a RATTLY panel that is so noisy it'll give you a headache and ruins the fact that the bus is quiet. This is the biggest issue for me. Ruins what is otherwise a quiet bus. Downstairs feels much more put together.
* We've lost Harry, for obvious reasons. But out has gone the character of the onboard announcements and in comes just what the next stop is.
* Wireless charging is awfully slow. Must be a low power charger.
* Advertising banners along the roof, who chose the colour/font combo - it's so hard to read.
Overall, a good step up from the previous buses which were becoming a little tired, but definitely some kinks to iron out. It's such a shame that the rattly panel really lets it down - you can hear it in my video above, it's constant.
Russel
Established Member
Sorry if it's been covered already, but what is the plan for the Geminis that will be displaced from the 36 by the new ADLs?
They are going to Keighley for the Aireline 60 & Dalesway 66 services
Though to be fair, that may be an issue on just that specific vehicle.
Judging by the amount of loose trim and panel gaps evident on the member of the batch ADL themselves exhibited at the NEC, I wouldn’t hold my breath!
Suppose the issue is how do they pick up a rattling panel especially upstairs unless a passenger reports it to them. I had a journey on a Gemini 3 which had something making a loud clanging grating noise. Send them a message and got a thank you repsonse saying they would look at the matter.
northernchris
Established Member
- Joined
- 24 Jul 2011
- Messages
- 1,527
You were lucky to get a reply! If you search X for any of the operations you can see there's many ignored comments.
Statto
Established Member
Is their any plans to replace the Coastliner fleet, as i note the newest vehicles are on a 68 plate, with most on 66 plates, before Covid, buses initially allocated to the Coastliner routes because of the nature of the routes were replaced every 3 years, with the vehicles cascaded elsewhere in the Transdev fleet, Covid put a stop to that?
Russel
Established Member
Hopefully Coastliner can keep the Gemini's going for as long as possible, you don't want an ADL shaking it's self to pieces on a 2hour + route!
Leedsbusman
Member
I don’t think a three year replacement was a thing, more like a 7/8 year one. The 66 reg bus replaced 08 reg ones, 68 reg replaced 11 reg ones for example.
It might have been a thing decades ago when it was just a case of replacing an Olympian with a newer Olympian
More recently since the pure diesel B9TL stopped being made the concept of a heavy weight double deck has become increasingly scarce and now there would probably be pressure on the next fleet being electric which would add all kinds of complications
Realistically though I expect the next decker fleet that Transdev buy would be for coastliner but it might be a while
More recently since the pure diesel B9TL stopped being made the concept of a heavy weight double deck has become increasingly scarce and now there would probably be pressure on the next fleet being electric which would add all kinds of complications
Realistically though I expect the next decker fleet that Transdev buy would be for coastliner but it might be a while
EnviroExplorer
Member
Although Transdev don’t currently have any Wright StreetDeck integrals in their fleet, I wonder if the new Cummins/Voith 7-speed variant of the Ultroliner would be ideal for Coastliner?
Never not had a response - could depend on the tone and language used whether a message gets binned withut reply.
Will the current diesel buses ever cascade from the 36? There are 15 buses on the 36 currently, of which one is a 55 plate, and only 4 are the new battery buses, which were announced and shown to the public outside the Yorkshire Hotel, 7 months ago. When they introduced the new diesel fleet for the 36, they were all in service quickly and together.
YorkRailFan
Established Member
I was more wondering that if the York-Leeds shorts continue to be busy, will Transdev allocate ex-Reliance deckers on the route and use the ex-Harrogate B7s on the ex-Reliance routes to boost capacity on Coastliner?
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Surely they need the deckers on their existing routes (for schools traffic)?
YorkRailFan
Established Member
Looking at tracking this week so far, Transdev has allocated their smaller E200MMCs on services to/from York College and on school contracts out of Easingwold. The 30SE has consistently been a decker this week though.
Tracking links:
E200MMCs on college services to/from York, and school contracts out of Easingwold:
Vehicles – 30SE – bustimes.org
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Russel
Established Member
Would electric be suitable for the Coastliner services, given the length and terrain covered on the Whitby services?
Maybe a double deck, Oxford Tube style coach could be used? Just a thought.
Russel
Established Member
Hydrogen is clearly a good option, but the fuelling system needs a lot of work... Look at NXWM and how much success they've had, or not!
The main problem is getting a reliable supply of hydrogen. Apparently, there isn't enough capacity in the UK to make it at the moment.
RustySpoons
Member
- Joined
- 5 Apr 2019
- Messages
- 819
Very much so. It's due to be withdrawn on the 6th February when it's MOT expires as long as it doesn't fail beforehand, so unfortunately it's days are very much numbered now.This little fella is doing impressively well to still be earning a living!
View attachment 173306
(Image is a screenshot from bustimes.org showing today’s allocation for Blackburn’s final remaining Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown, 1103, PN02 HVK).
Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure it was the last one delivered to Blazefield back in the day for the 152 Burnley - Preston service. It was also based out of Queensgate for the first few months of it's life as they ran the 152 for a short time and was stolen one night and found badly damaged off the Fence bypass.
YorkRailFan
Established Member
The Oxford Tube is a limited stop service, unlike Coastliner so dwell times would be longer. Would a coach even be able to get into Goathland?
Would some sort of refuelling infrastructure be needed at Malton Bus Station?
Only six Reliance vehicles have been in use this week. Doubt its because all others have gone for repainting as the ex First London Gemini, now 2411, was shown being vinyled for York and Country biut has not yet tracked.
GWVillager
Member
It's really quite remarkable - I'd feel a bit ripped off if I went on the farewell tour 7 months ago!This little fella is doing impressively well to still be earning a living!
(Image is a screenshot from bustimes.org showing today’s allocation for Blackburn’s final remaining Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown, 1103, PN02 HVK).
As for the Coastliner fleet, could Enviro 400 MMCs, similar to the ones on Witchway and (formerly) CityZap, work? They're getting pretty intensive use and seem to be coping fine mechanically, and I get the impression that Transdev was quite impressed with them, no doubt influencing the choice of EVs for Harrogate (though whether the quality is still present in those remains to be seen!).
It’s heartwarming to see such a fine motor still on the road, even if only for a matter of weeks longer - this is ‘golden age’ stuff right here I tell you!
stevieinselby
Member
There are three spaces in the village car park marked "COACHES ONLY" – I can't see why there would be any problems getting into the village, although whether they would be able to turn at Mallyan Spout as easily I'm not sure.
But yes, dwell times and lack of low-floor easy-access would cause problems.
Over the years I've had far more questions ignored than answered with none of them being insulting.