Favorite bus and operator

[150222]

The B10BLE's that I like are mainly the S*** SVU & V*** UVY batches. Am also a fan of B7RLE/B9TL's. Not to mention Leven Valley (Middlesbrough)'s Enviros and Halifax Joint Commitee's Metrobuses KYO 624X & B162 WUL. Sadly these are the only two left after HJC stopped operating it's commercial routes (28A, 31, 34 & 36) in october 2010. They now only have school contracts and tendered service 629 between Bingley and Shipley. Service 392 from Walsden to Halifax still exists but is only a once per day return service of the C7 school service and never has anyone on it.

 

[trentside]

If we're talking about favourite vehicles, there are many buses I like and enjoy travelling on but my favourite has to be the Leyland Titan B15 of the 1970/80s. Absolute pleasure to ride on, and from conversations with friends who worked with them, built like tanks too.

 

[BrummyBoy]

Fav operator would be Central Buses

Fav buses are the Volvo B7/ALX400 or Wright Liberator, Volvo B10L. Also have a soft spot for the Dennis Darts (particually ALX200 models).

 

[sprinterguy]

Leyland Atlanteans and Sunderland Busways. In those far off days when PTE operated/supported public transport in Tyne and Wear was overwhelmingly yellow

There's not many current* bus types that float my boat, and most operations are presided over by big corporate monstrosities. Enviro 400s are a mighty fine vehicle though, and I admire Lothian buses for still being locally run, providing pleasingly cheap fares and operating a modern bus fleet that in my (admittedly sporadic) experience is kept exceptionally clean, tidy and well maintained. So on that basis, out of current operations, I would say Lothians' new Enviro hybrids.

*"Current" as in introduced in the course of the last 10-15 years. There's still many older designs that are still hanging on in several fleets that I am fond of, including Leyland Olympians and Lynxes, Optare Deltas and Dennis Darts.

 

[YorkshireRider]

I used to like the Scania N113 Aleaxnder RH, seemed to go like muck off a shovel. Black Prince buses were very good in Leeds before first bought them out, friendly and realiable.

 

[150222]

I also used to enjoy the F*** XYG reg Leyland Olypians.

 

[harz99]

Fav operator: The Delaine of Bourne, Lincs.

Fav bus: The original spec London Transport RCL Routemaster Coaches; both fabulous to ride and drive.

 

[trentside]

"Current" as in introduced in the course of the last 10-15 years. There's still many older designs that are still hanging on in several fleets that I am fond of, including Leyland Olympians and Lynxes, Optare Deltas and Dennis Darts.

I must admit, I've always loved the looks of the Optare Delta - it's just a pity it was mounted on the DAF SB220 chassis.

 

[BestWestern]

I must admit, I've always loved the looks of the Optare Delta - it's just a pity it was mounted on the DAF SB220 chassis.

Agreed, a very smart vehicle well ahead of it's time. Compared to what else was out there, miles ahead. It's unfortunate that it wasn't mounted on something more palatable, I'd argue the same about the Spectra, another superb design.

 

[ReverendFozz]

A couple of answers to this to each part from my point of view...

Favourite Company today would be Go North East.

Favourite Company of all time would is Michael Franks Coaches, Franks used to run the 153 service from Easington Lane to Sunderland via Murton, they were my favourite because of the vehicles they used, a knackered old coach that pounded the roads for years, the buses were absolutely scruffy, the drivers were no better in some cases and they never banned smoking on the bus with smoking allowed in the 2-3 rows, but the customer service was good and the drivers were pleasant enough. Coming close to Franks would be Ok Travel.

I dont have a single favourite bus, these days I like GNEs

SINGLE DECKERS
Scania L94's and Mercedes Citaro
DOUBLE DECKER
Plaxton President

Favourite of all time is

SINGLE DECKER
Leyland National
DOUBLE DECKER
Leyland Atlantean
MCW Metrobus

 

[Rich McLean]

Leyland Lynx has to be one of my favorite Buses. Plymouth CityBus before Go-Ahead took over was also my favorite Operator. Rarely use the bus these days so no longer have a favorite

 

[Heinz57]

I also quite like the Volvo B10BLE with Alexander ALX300 body work.

Now thats a proper bus!

 

[transmanche]

Growing up in London, I'd have to say that my favourite bus was the Routemaster. I know it may be a cliche - but it was still running on many busy suburban services when I was a kid and I have many happy memories of school holiday adventures using them. (And I always liked the engine noise too.)

Other than that, my nomination for a 'classic' bus is the standard LT Metrobus. It was the mainstay of north London services for *so* many years as I grew up and afterwards. Just seemed a standard part of the scenery. (Here's a nice line-up of them at Turnpike Lane Bus Station in 1982.)

Sadly I'm unimpressed by so many modern buses. Although I quite like the latest double-deckers used by Arriva Northumbria on Newcastle-Northumberland services... but i don't even know what they are. (Having done a quick Flickr search, I think they are Alexander Dennis Enviro 400s.)

 

[redthunder]

Best companies back in the day were Black Prince & Taylors Coaches (with their ex London volvo ailsas) very reliable & friendly (back when I was in Primary School)

Best company today, I quite like Western Greyhound & Go North East tbh,
Trent Barton are okies on some routes!!!!

 

[Statto]

Modern Day it's Arriva Merseyside, all the buses on my local routes are low floor, although there can be some weird allocations, such as a single deck vehicle on one of the busy Cross River decker routes.

Old days, GM Buses, loved the Olympians, especially the ones allocated & fitted out to Express standards, loved catching the old express routes 34 & 400/401, the White/Orange/Black was distinctive, plus quality of the standard vehicles

 

[martinsh]

Favourite Company of all time would is Michael Franks Coaches, Franks used to run the 153 service from Easington Lane to Sunderland via Murton, they were my favourite because of the vehicles they used, a knackered old coach that pounded the roads for years,

co-incentally just read in the trade press that Michael Franks has been granted a licence again

 

[ReverendFozz]

Favourite Company of all time would is Michael Franks Coaches, Franks used to run the 153 service from Easington Lane to Sunderland via Murton, they were my favourite because of the vehicles they used, a knackered old coach that pounded the roads for years,

co-incentally just read in the trade press that Michael Franks has been granted a licence again

Is that to run services again? I would like to Michael Franks back on the road...

A link to a photo on flickr of one of Franks coaches

 

[martinsh]

Is that to run services again? I would like to Michael Franks back on the road...

It's a licence for 6 vehicles, no idea what he intends to do with it.

He had been banned because one of his disks was used by a (very) illegal operator.

 

[IronM91]

Travel De Courcey (Coventry) and the route for me has to be 326-Bloxwich to Bilston (Diamond).

 

[martinsh]

the route for me has to be 326-Bloxwich to Bilston (Diamond).

Who said anything about routes ? That will (hopefully) be a separate thread...

 

[richw]

Western greyhound are operating a fleet of classic bristol vr's on some select routes now. Must say I do like the old bristols.
All I'll say is shame about the operator of these. Wg are an awful company

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[Schnellzug]

Western greyhound are operating a fleet of classic bristol vr's on some select routes now. Must say I do like the old bristols.
All I'll say is shame about the operator of these. Wg are an awful company

Instead of Varios? Let's hope so.

 

[richw]

Their varios are still about, their using the bristols on some of the scenic routes, around newquay, and st ives/ Hayle

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[IronM91]

My bad, scratch route from previous post. Favourite bus is MCV Evolution.

 

[richw]

Western greyhound had a bristol vr on the truro to newquay route this morning, as I spotted one heading out of truro through shortlanesend at 745 this morning

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[Heinz57]

I also quite like the Palidans.

Great buses, very reliable. Built like tanks, you can't break a Palidan*

There is something I don't like though, about the Trent/Notts and Derby ones at least, thats the seats. Don't get me wrong its comfortable padding, accept they're too close together (literaly theres one row about two thirds down the bus that only has less 12 inches of leg room. Even a rather short person struggels to sit in that row without going sideways) and the backs are practicaly bolt upright. Plus the metal bars on the back of the seat in front are cleaverly designed to be in exactly the same place as your teeth will strike in the case of a realy hard stop.

*Unless you're a Derby Uni live event student driving a scissor lift when not qualified. I mentioned the story in another topic