Both would be too big for the harbour, believe even a OTS Strata just about squeezed inMaybe Optare Solo SR or midi e200 MMCs.
Both would be too big for the harbour, believe even a OTS Strata just about squeezed inMaybe Optare Solo SR or midi e200 MMCs.
The Solo SR is the same length as the current Solos, 7.8m, according to Optare.Both would be too big for the harbour, believe even a OTS Strata just about squeezed in
Solo SR won't fit down onto the harbour side. They have already been tested down there.The Solo SR is the same length as the current Solos, 7.8m, according to Optare.
But anyway it would have to be secondhand Solos as Optare is currently building its very last diesel buses.
Presumably it's something to do with the rear overhang clearance on the Old Post Office Corner, given that the SR sits lower at the rear than the original Solos. The footprint is the same size as the current Solos.Solo SR won't fit down onto the harbour side. They have already been tested down there.
What about the ones that (I think) First Glasgow have or used to have that were on hire from SPT (correct me on that if I’m wrong)? Think they were 13/63 plates. Would they fit?The Solo SR is the same length as the current Solos, 7.8m, according to Optare.
But anyway it would have to be secondhand Solos as Optare is currently building its very last diesel buses.
The Islesbus i-city was trialled in March 2021 and managed to get down there no problem.Solo SR won't fit down onto the harbour side. They have already been tested down there.
Are there any photos?Great seeing 53865 in its new livery
But does it provide sufficient capacity? Listed as 17 seated plus 9 standing, or 20 seated and 7 standing so less than a 7.8m Solo which I think is around 35 in total.The Islesbus i-city was trialled in March 2021 and managed to get down there no problem.
I thought it was smaller so that would be a consideration when deciding a replacement bus.But does it provide sufficient capacity? Listed as 17 seated plus 9 standing, or 20 seated and 7 standing so less than a 7.8m Solo which I think is around 35 in total.
What is smaller?I thought it was smaller so that would be a consideration when deciding a replacement bus.
It got in the village so clearly it fits so that's a moot point. My point was does it provide sufficient passenger capacity? That's far more important than the absolute size of the vehicle.The Islesbus I-city looked shorter / narrower than a Solo although I didn’t see the two side by side.
It got in the village so clearly it fits so that's a moot point. My point was does it provide sufficient passenger capacity? That's far more important than the absolute size of the vehicle.
This is very true. All we know is that the Ilesbus iCity and an original style 7.8m both fit. Any van-based bus with holes cut for windows is going to fit. It's when you get to the altogether more bulbous Strata with bus bodywork that there are problems.Probably not at certain times of the year but what else is there that fits into the harbour and provides adequate capacity? If something was available and met that criteria I expect it would have been trialled or ordered.
The frequency was every 30 mins in the winter and every 20 mins during the summer. If they have a 20 min year round frequency, supplemented by a well ventilated ABB Solo, might that provide the required capacity?It got in the village so clearly it fits so that's a moot point. My point was does it provide sufficient passenger capacity? That's far more important than the absolute size of the vehicle.
The frequency stayed at 3bph through last winter. However, during the traditional peaks it's 2bph. I think the biggest pinch point is the 0800 to 0900 period when the service is still 2bph.The frequency was every 30 mins in the winter and every 20 mins during the summer. If they have a 20 min year round frequency, supplemented by a well ventilated ABB Solo, might that provide the required capacity?
TfC's decision to divert the 5 route away from the Newlyn Bridge stops has caused a lot of problems for The Mousehole passengers. In my opinion, what is needed is an hourly circular service during the day up Market Jew Street, down Alexandra Road, then Newlyn Bridge and along the Coombe to the estate, then round it and back to Penzance via the same route. Ordinary size single deckers per the 5 would be best, and TfC should consider subsidising it. Then the 5 could have a choice of routes into Penzance from Newlyn, maybe via Mount Pleasant, and, if so, The Mousehole could probably revert to half hourly during the winter.The frequency stayed at 3bph through last winter. However, during the traditional peaks it's 2bph. I think the biggest pinch point is the 0800 to 0900 period when the service is still 2bph.
It did but before that, it was 2 bph in the winter IIRC.The frequency stayed at 3bph through last winter. However, during the traditional peaks it's 2bph. I think the biggest pinch point is the 0800 to 0900 period when the service is still 2bph.
This is very true. All we know is that the Ilesbus iCity and an original style 7.8m both fit. Any van-based bus with holes cut for windows is going to fit. It's when you get to the altogether more bulbous Strata with bus bodywork that there are problems.
As I know from some vast experience route tests can be highly subjective. Where one driver might struggle another might sail through.
Do we know if the driver who tested the Strata was both experienced with the bus type and the route? I say that because just about every driver struggles with the corners at Mousehole on first attempt. There's a definite knack to them. There were severe struggles when the Marshall LHSs and MB 811s were first introduced.
It’s the front and rear overhang not the overall length that needs to be considered. A 7.8m solo might fit, but a 7.8m e200 no chance due to the front over hang from the steering wheelsAny van-based bus with holes cut for windows is going to fit.
It’s the front and rear overhang not the overall length that needs to be considered. A 7.8m solo might fit, but a 7.8m e200 no chance due to the front over hang from the steering wheels
Personally I don’t think testing with the driver with most experience of that corner is the best practice. How easy will it be in that vehicle for a inexperienced driver if they work that route. Worse case scenarios need to be considered too.Do we know if the driver who tested the Strata was both experienced with the bus type and the route? I say that because just about every driver struggles with the corners at Mousehole on first attempt.
Potentially Controversial choice (given Wright's build quality) but, is the Nu-Track Nu-Vibe still in production, and could something of theirs fit? It does after all offer a similar wheelbase layout to the Optare Solo, but could one be built within a similar footprint to that of the current solos?
And yes, I know those are as unlikely as the next suggestion!
Edit, looking at Google, it appears Nu-Track seem to be mostly concentrating on Mellor style Van conversions and, somewhat surprisingly, Equestrian work instead!
It's a difficult one. A lot of drivers have problems at first on those corners but quickly get used to them. If initial experiences with the LHSs and MB811s were taken at face value then they'd have probably deemed to have been unsuitable.Personally I don’t think testing with the driver with most experience of that corner is the best practice. How easy will it be in that vehicle for a inexperienced driver if they work that route. Worse case scenarios need to be considered too.
I know one driver in particular seems to have made the route his own, but is there a separate rota for it?It's a difficult one. A lot of drivers have problems at first on those corners but quickly get used to them. If initial experiences with the LHSs and MB811s were taken at face value then they'd have probably deemed to have been unsuitable.