Arriva Leicester electric buses still not in service.

[Andy Pacer]

Yep, seen 6 out so far this morning 8001-6 on routes 47,48,50 and 51, which was their intended usage. Still got their 73 plate registrations.

Will be using 6 out of 7 available this week.

 

[1D54]

Currently sitting on the 10:25 Leicester - Narborough service which is one of the new electric buses (8004)

8006 is also out on the same route.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Currently sitting on the 10:25 Leicester - Narborough service which is one of the new electric buses (8004)

8006 is also out on the same route.

We'd planned for 3 on 47/48 and 3 on 50/51 to spread them about, should be staying on the same workings all week.

 

[SSmith2009]

Of the two I've been on today they are a lot smoother than their single decker counterparts with first

Weird having the stop buttons on the back of seats though

 

[1D54]

A totally new experience for me as this was the first electric bus i have been on and it was a most enjoyable trip and i look forward to more of them being rolled out in the area.

 

[joieman]

8019 is now tracking on Bustimes

 

[Andy Pacer]

8019 is now tracking on Bustimes

Yes, 8019 in use following 8004 unfortunately being vandalised.

 

[joieman]

Yes, 8019 in use following 8004 unfortunately being vandalised.

How awful!

 

[1D54]

Yes, 8019 in use following 8004 unfortunately being vandalised.

Vandalised in what way?

 

[Andy Pacer]

Vandalised in what way?

Bricks/stones through windows.

 

[1D54]

So sad to hear that, was going to ask where abouts it happened but it makes no difference. Hope it is back out earning revenue soon.

 

[Andy Pacer]

So sad to hear that, was going to ask where abouts it happened but it makes no difference. Hope it is back out earning revenue soon.

Only 6 planned to be used each day, so at least with 8019 available it wasn't detrimental.

 

[busesrusuk]

Only 6 planned to be used each day, so at least with 8019 available it wasn't detrimental.

Do you know if they will be out at the weekend?? May make a trip up if they are...


TIA

 

[Andy Pacer]

Do you know if they will be out at the weekend?? May make a trip up if they are...


TIA

Yes, should be 6 out on Saturday, not certain about what the plans are for Sunday at the moment.

 

[busesrusuk]

Yes, should be 6 out on Saturday, not certain about what the plans are for Sunday at the moment.

Thank you...

 

[1D54]

Problems with 8005 atm. Supposed to have done the 09:55 number 51 but has a maintenance man looking at it.

Problems with 8005 atm. Supposed to have done the 09:55 number 51 but has a maintenance man looking at it.

Happy to say it is now on its way.

8005 has failed on the 10:25 to Narborough and is sitting at St Nicholas Circle.

Power has dropped from 80% to 62% and we are awaiting a specialist engineer.

 

[Qwerty133]

Unsurprisingly these have already found their way onto the depot favourite 31 and 84 today despite being purchased with council money for other routes which are being run with diesels. I give it 3 months before they are seen more regularly on these routes than the ones they are actually meant to be on.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Unsurprisingly these have already found their way onto the depot favourite 31 and 84 today despite being purchased with council money for other routes which are being ran with diesels. I give it 3 months before they are seen more regularly on these routes than the ones they are actually meant to be on.

Sunday workings planned on other routes as the buses work different routes during their day. You'll find that each vehicle will have predominantly been on 47/48 or 50/51.

 

[Mikw]

Unsurprisingly these have already found their way onto the depot favourite 31 and 84 today despite being purchased with council money for other routes which are being run with diesels. I give it 3 months before they are seen more regularly on these routes than the ones they are actually meant to be on.

Why does the 31 always get the new buses - but the 127 all the old ones? It hasn't had a new allocation since the lowlanders in 2002.

 

[Trainman40083]

Why does the 31 always get the new buses - but the 127 all the old ones? It hasn't had a new allocation since the lowlanders in 2002.

Maybe the more profitable routes always get the investment

 

[Mikw]

Maybe the more profitable routes always get the investment

I expect that's the case, as the 127 has been reduced in frequency a fair bit in recent years. I use it a lot and it's a bit dispiriting to be banging over all the speed humps on 15 year old second hand vehicles.
Actually, part of me thinks it would be stupid to put the new hardware on this route as it always feels like a suspension killer with all the speed humps.

 

[joieman]

I expect that's the case, as the 127 has been reduced in frequency a fair bit in recent years. I use it a lot and it's a bit dispiriting to be banging over all the speed humps on 15 year old second hand vehicles.
Actually, part of me thinks it would be stupid to put the new hardware on this route as it always feels like a suspension killer with all the speed humps.

I agree, as I said elsewhere, Arriva's bus services around Loughborough have become a shadow of their former selves compared with a mere decade ago.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Although, of course, service 127 will see new buses as part of the successful ZEBRA 2 bid.

Successful bid for £8m ‘green’ bus funding is just the ticket | Leicestershire County Council

Greener, cleaner journeys on key bus routes in Leicestershire will now be in the offing following a successful county council and bus operators’ bid for Government funding. The £8.1m slice of a £129m Government cash pot will help buy electric buses and chargers, cutting carbon emissions.

www.leicestershire.gov.uk

"

Greener, cleaner journeys on key bus routes in Leicestershire will now be in the offing following a successful county council and bus operators’ bid for Government funding.

The £8.1m slice of a £129m Government cash pot will help buy electric buses and chargers, cutting carbon emissions.

Bus operators Kinchbus and Arriva have worked with the county council on the proposal, emphasising the role of the Leicestershire Enhanced Bus Partnership, which fosters stronger links between the local authority and bus operators.

The emission-free buses will run on several routes focused on Loughborough, including Kinchbus 2, 5, 9, 11, 12, sprint and the campus shuttle as well as Arriva’s 127 service to Shepshed and Leicester. Elsewhere, similar buses would also feature on Arriva routes 5/5A to Melton Mowbray."

 

[joieman]

8000 is now tracking on Bustimes.

 

[1D54]

Currently on it. Service 50.

 

[Deerfold]

Maybe the more profitable routes always get the investment

If it's one of the more profitable routes, that's worrying. With the frequency having been cut by half, ending an hour earlier Mon-Sat and more than 3 hours earlier on a Sunday. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try them out on Saturday as I'm expecting to do 3 trips on the 31/31A.

 

[Andy Pacer]

if it's one of the more profitable routes. that's worrying, with the frequency having been cut by half, ending an hour earlier Mon-Sat and more than 3 hours earlier on a Sunday. Hopefully I'll get the chance to try them out on Saturday as I'm expecting to do 3 trips on the 31/31A.

They won't be electric on a Saturday.

 

[1D54]

Nice to see 8004 back in service after being vandalised on first day.

 

[joieman]

8007-10 have entered service

 

[Wiggy49]

Roll out is progressing nicely.

They appear have raised the number of rosters from 6 to 10 this week, with 8000-10/9 seen out in service in April, and 11 buses out in service today.

Also, not seen any after dark in the evening, after 9pm, not sure if thats a policy or just coincidence.