Yes! That's what I saw. Thought it was a loan would make sense since it has appeared randomly. Doubt they have brought another coach since they just got the two interdecks.
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trentbarton discussion
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Trainman40083
Established Member
UK05 BCL went to Ensign in February 2024. Might be a nice fleet addition.
It really makes me wonder how much money Trentbarton spend on all these re-paints, Given that some are contracted out to specialist painters plus all the associated vinyls have to be designed, produced and applied, together with the consultancy fee, it must cost a small fortune.
I'm sure that a huge saving could be made if things were simplified somewhat, they certainly seem to have plenty of money to chuck away keeping up the image!
I'm sure that a huge saving could be made if things were simplified somewhat, they certainly seem to have plenty of money to chuck away keeping up the image!
Robertj21a
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Agreed. It's a shame that a once highly respected operator should have sunk quite so badly i recent times. Paint jobs don't maintain reliable services.
zakky1.0
Member
Are you aware that at least 90% of repaints are done inhouse ? Where Trent use in house designs & have the capability of making vinyls themselves ?
Trainman40083
Established Member
Some years ago, all the Trentbarton branding was done by Best Impressions (Ray Stemming). Remember the strapline, "creating desire"? Trentbarton decided that they could do that themselves. Whether it was as successful, I have no idea. In terms of Notts and Derby, I know they have struggled to find companies with capacity to paint, and that saw Solo 485 go to Stratford upon Avon (I was told) when that company could accommodate it. Some Trentbarton buses are painted in house, some at Bus and Coach World. Now you say they have plenty of money to chuck away keeping up the image. Maybe that is all they have, given the kicking they get about unreliable services. They push these apps. Such are excellent at telling you when your next bus is coming, but very soon, people seem where buses aren't (but should be). Okay, those buses might not be tracking, but for many, they will not walk to a bus stop for a bus that might not turn up
Yeah, you say about reliable services, Red Arrow currently have 4 busses tracking (1 coach, 3 busses) which is Sunday service level. The past few weeks you can just see the coach levels declining more and more again.
Just had a look at Hugo. Surprisingly, it's working for once, and from derby there isn't a bus for another 46 minutes on red arrow. Looking at bus times though and there's one sooner.
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One thing to look out for from today is the annual Download Festival and the duplicates/shuttle buses that trentbarton/Kinchbus/Notts & Derby offer.
For those less in the know trentbarton/Kinchbus will put out duplicates and rare allocations (buses branded for other routes) on the Skylink and My15 routes, and Notts & Derby take care of the shuttle buses with a wide variety of vehicles used.
This is from today (12th) to Sunday (16th)
For those less in the know trentbarton/Kinchbus will put out duplicates and rare allocations (buses branded for other routes) on the Skylink and My15 routes, and Notts & Derby take care of the shuttle buses with a wide variety of vehicles used.
This is from today (12th) to Sunday (16th)
bib
Member
I'm assuming that Download will probably destroy the regular Skylink timetables?
Trainman40083
Established Member
These tracking systems make me laugh. I did think about going to Nottingham, but saw the service level and decided I just couldn't be bothered, well unless I go by train. So much opportunity lost, which will never be won back. I shall go for a walk or catch up on gardening, maybe even meet a friend for lunch. But opportunity lost is a big problem... THREE times this week, I have seen people get on a bus (Once was Arriva, the other this operator). Their contactless bank card was declined and they were told to get off. One was a schoolchild going to school for an exam. One had already had her app declined, then her bankcard, finally after some delays, she presented a £10 note. Driver gave her a look and found change. I actually spoke to one of the people, they had ample funds in their account. They promptly went to a ATM and got cash, but the bus left and the next one was cancelled. The only thing I can think off is this business where every so often you have to enter a PIN in a hard wired machine. And bus ticket machines don't have a PIN entry.
Arriva I don't think I've ever seen let people on for free, might be where trentbarton are better at, but its at the drivers expense mostly. I have had it once with arriva where I had a weekly ticket and I got signed out my account, luckily I had time before the bus to remember my login and get back on my ticket. Had it happen with trentbarton too where mango signed me out right after I had scanned on. I definitely think having a chip and pin on the ticketers would help alot of people, especially when we are going to a cashless society, however it would increase loading times and would likely never happen.
Hyebone
Member
Having a look at Bustimes, the vehicles currently working the shuttle services are:
Enviro400s 12 and 13
Volvo B9TLs 22, 23, 26 and 29
Scania N94 46
Plaxton Centros 761, 762, 765 and 766
E40Hs 1401, 1403 and 1404
Ex Threes Versas 823 and 826
400MMCs 15, 16 and 17
And three loaners I assume, in Tempos YJ07 VSF and YJ07 VSE from CT4N and Volvo B7TL Plaxton President LX54 GZT from Littles? Feel free to correct me
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Trainman40083
Established Member
Interesting though that they say the use of cash is increasing again. For a contactless system to work for all, it has to work, and always work. Do away with certainty of travel, create anxiety, distress, anger etc passengers with choice drift away, meaning less fare paying passengers that might ordinarily travel. For a high revenue, high cost business operating with low margins, that can be fatal
Yeah, I tend to travel with backup methods of payment incase something happens. Mango being main, then use card if phone dies and then cash if card doesn't work. If you got rid of cash I would be more reluctant to travel as much as I do incase something happened, as would alot of people I think.
Trainman40083
Established Member
Exactly. When I commuted by rail, I didn't need any form of on train payment, but no many people got cards declined, yet had funds. Maybe they were regular commuters that only used that card on the train. But a few had to get off and insert their card in an ATM . Over time, many just drove instead (certainty of travel). Hey, had a laugh recently. Derby bus station, 50p to use the loo. Who carries cash? Someone that wants to know they can use that toilet.
Hyebone
Member
With the amount of bus travel I do, I carry a bunch of 20p coins with me for random calls of nature, But 50p is just taking the absolute proverbial!
I'm sure there's a thread somewhere for bus station loos...
Back on topic eh? I've noticed on an image from the Trentbarton website of a vehicle mid-production (see attached). There's a piece of tape that reads "203/01).
It could be one of three things:
- This could be the "new" 203, with the 4 Cylinder E200MMCs moving to other numbers
- This is an old photo from when the current (Indigo) 203 was in production
- An internal factory reference from ADL with no correlation to Trentbarton's fleet numbering system
Attachments
Not always the passengers fault either, the ticket machines can play up and just not scan it correctly. The toilets are ridiculous, its as if they don't actually want anyone to use them and there's always someone next to them so no one can go through without paying. Surely their wage doesn't even get covered by the cost of people using them? I would just walk the 5 minutes into Derbion and use their toilets, or just wait till i'm in Nottingham.
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I would say it was an internal factory reference, since the picture has been up since the order announcement so I doubt they would of got that far in production of one of the vehicles. Plus the announcement only came a few days after the ZEBRA announcement which I am assuming they would of been waiting for till ordering vehicles so it's not like the order had been in for months. I doubt it would be the indigo 203 since I wouldn't assume the factory would go by fleet numbers since for example stagecoach might also have a 203 so then the wrong product might go to the wrong customer.
Trainman40083
Established Member
That must be a very old picture of a part built Enviro 200MMC. What you can see is P203/1. That is ADL production order P203, bus 1. I guess a quick search of buslistsontheweb would identify it. The current Trent order is circa body numbers P273 and P274, 6 contacts for 29 buses
joieman
Member
Turned up as 176.
Trainman40083
Established Member
Coach UK05 BCL is a loan from Derby Transport. It is expected that TM Travel deckers will be working Download at the weekend. Surprised 1401 is working. It has been off since February. Scania 10 came in from Download.
nottsderbyenth
New Member
The Greener Buses livery wasn't passed by the transport manager, HQ did it without him knowing so the bus could be loaned to TM. The transport manager personally doesn't like the Greener Buses livery so any buses to be repainted will be the Blue and Green Notts + Derby livery; not the Greener Buses.
Trainman40083
Established Member
I was told at the time, that 1405 could also used as a spare on the U1 without standing out...
GusB
Established Member
A reminder: this thread is for Trent Barton matters only. Please use the appropriate thread for anything else.
Yes, and judging by the forecast, Thursday to Sunday will be typical Download weather; rain, rain and more rain.
In the past 2-3 years, I've seen people coming from the festival absolutely caked in mud.
Whatever vehicles trentbarton bring in or hire in, they will need a very deep clean before they are returned to normal duties!
Optare solo 471 is tracking on red arrow. Which if it's really there then it's a really rare allocation.
Just checked and its still tracking at notts+derby so it can't be at trentbarton. Might be one of the repainted coaches.
Just checked and its still tracking at notts+derby so it can't be at trentbarton. Might be one of the repainted coaches.
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Trainman40083
Established Member
Wasn't aware any of the repainted coaches (73) was back at Derby, so probably just using a ticket machine
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Trouble with the comment that Liam made (and I have no doubt it is correct), is at a glance it highlights that resources are available when there is profit to be made. Makes people less likely to believe shortage of drivers, engineers, parts, kitchen sinks etc. People will say that if you can run branded buses on other routes for Download, you can do it at other times. All about the money, well profit. No profit, no buses
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In previous years they've protected the seats with plastic bags to avoid damage to the upholstery
Trainman40083
Established Member
A few years ago, one muddy day, a certain operator, linked, but that I can't mention on this thread, sent Download buses out on school services, without being cleaned. The schools had something to say and it didn't happen again. Maybe service buses are the same. When I had the choice of a muddy train, I opted to drive
Indeed. I certainly knew when my Notts and Derby school bus did Download on the Monday afternoon!
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