Is that the only survivor?
What is an FTR?
No, Go-Ahead operate one on the Luton Airport Parkway shuttle.
It was an ill fated project by First Group introducing what seemed to be rapid transit streetcars but what were really bendibuses with off bus ticketing. However, their design meant the vehicle capacity (seated) was no better than a standard B7RLE, and when the off bus ticketing machines proved unreliable, they then required a two person crew. So expensive to buy, expensive to operate in both staff and fuel, required a lot of road improvements in Swansea and York, and for no reason tangible benefit except it seemed exotic and modern. More here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTR_(bus)
It was an ill fated project by First Group introducing what seemed to be rapid transit streetcars but what were really bendibuses with off bus ticketing. However, their design meant the vehicle capacity (seated) was no better than a standard B7RLE, and when the off bus ticketing machines proved unreliable, they then required a two person crew. So expensive to buy, expensive to operate in both staff and fuel, required a lot of road improvements in Swansea and York, and for no reason tangible benefit except it seemed exotic and modern. More here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTR_(bus)
Replying to the quote in bold: The original ticket machines in York were on board the bus. The reason they stopped working was due to the ticket machines not being suitable for being bounced around all day, every day on York's Roman and Mediaeval road infrastructure.
It also ran in Leeds on service 4 before the Streetcars were transfered to the 72 and relaunched as Hyperlink in a two tone blue livery. As far as I know none of the Leeds based vehicles exist anymore.
Isn't it 19010 that was allegedly going to the Eden Project, never made it and ended up stored in Yeovil Depot for months on end?The one in Bruton is a former Leeds one, I believe.
Sorry - my mistake. I remember only when the conductors had appeared
Not a problem! On street ticket machines would last about 5 minutes at the Acomb end of the number 4 bus route. Possibly less if installed in the afternoon in winter!
Having conductors did result in quicker loading and a lower incidence of fare dodging, as they could just get a bus load on board and take fares en-route - especially handy at the University end of the route. With the on-board machines it was not unknown for an ftr to sit at the main University stop for 15 - 20 minutes loading as each person had to make 5 or 6 attempts to get the machine to accept their quid coins! On an 8 minute service frequency, this was somewhat disruptive. It was also quite easy to slip on board without paying if the driver was distracted, something which was much appreciated by the local scrotes at the Acomb end of the route.
Bit harsh on Acomb though, as my brother in law lives next door in Woodthorpe, I do know what you mean
Normally get on at the sunlit uplands of Eason View - about once or twice a year mind!I live in Acomb (Foxwood Lane) so I have first hand experience!
No, Go-Ahead operate one on the Luton Airport Parkway shuttle.
First Cymru still has eight that are rotting away - six at Llanelli depot and two at Maesteg.So that means one would need to go to Las Vegas to see any others? Sounds like as good an excuse as any...
Isn't it 19010 that was allegedly going to the Eden Project, never made it and ended up stored in Yeovil Depot for months on end?
19010 did make it to Eden but was never used.Isn't it 19010 that was allegedly going to the Eden Project, never made it and ended up stored in Yeovil Depot for months on end?
Sorry for dragging up an old thread. Have any of these buses been snapped up and moved on to other uses.