Jordan Adam
Established Member
And the repetition continues, Yawn.
However to be nit picky your use of the word "dank" would be inaccurate as that means cold/damp...
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First Aberdeen
- Thread starter Jordan Adam
- Start date
And the repetition continues, Yawn.
However to be nit picky your use of the word "dank" would be inaccurate as that means cold/damp...
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Gingerbus1991
Member
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- 30 Jul 2018
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Cold in the winter, usually...damp, most likely with the oldies on board
Jordan Adam
Established Member
I've never been on a cold or damp B7RLE. Perhaps it an almighty presence who was making it dreich, fortunately i can't relate.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Can't say I've been on too many cold and damp B7RLEs. However, it's fair to say that buses of that age would benefit from a light refurb - think I've posted this link before https://www.flickr.com/photos/joshs-bus-pics/44261314040/in/pool-1627471@N21/ of what First Cymru are doing. The curious thing is the lack of a common spec - First Cymru using blue, First Midlands have a charcoal grey moquette, whilst First West of England have refurbished some vehicles with either the original Barbie moquette or a distracting blue/green design.
winston270twm
Established Member
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- 26 Oct 2012
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Makes a massive difference, even a re-trim & deep clean would suffice for a lot of the older fleet.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
For reference here's a interior view of 69283 (probably the worst of the 8 internally).
I think a deep clean, retrim, and fitting of USB ports would more than suffice. However a refurb similar to that on Glasgow's Geminis would be preferable. Perhaps they could go with dark green poles to match the exterior.
I think a deep clean, retrim, and fitting of USB ports would more than suffice. However a refurb similar to that on Glasgow's Geminis would be preferable. Perhaps they could go with dark green poles to match the exterior.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
For reference here's a interior view of 69283 (probably the worst of the 8 internally).
I think a deep clean, retrim, and fitting of USB ports would more than suffice. However a refurb similar to that on Glasgow's Geminis would be preferable. Perhaps they could go with dark green poles to match the exterior.
That's not too bad considering. The Eclipses for the Salt Road in Worcestershire have had that done with internal branding etc, USBs, refurb and deep clean and look much better as a result. That said, be interesting to see what impact it has on patronage.
Gingerbus1991
Member
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- 30 Jul 2018
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- 992
From whats been said before the popularity of the Platinum services has apparently increased since there introduction, not that every bus should be new but older ones certainly need the full works to remain valid aside those new ones, ie. wood floors, leather seating, no nasty turquoise poles and “clean” interior lighting with new LED lighting!
By many most think that the cost of doing all this isn't worth it, but for at least 5 years of service left which these b7rle’s in question will see knowing firsts previous fleet ages.
By many most think that the cost of doing all this isn't worth it, but for at least 5 years of service left which these b7rle’s in question will see knowing firsts previous fleet ages.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Indeed the 19 i recall saw a 15% increase in it's first 4 months, I can't comment on the 12, However i do live on the route of the 13 and as a regular user i've seen a big increase in passengers on it too.
The B7RLEs on the 12 had LED lighting included as part of their refurb and it really brightens them up. Personally i like the turquoise poles, but i think if they are going to refurb buses for Aberdeen they should have the poles dark green or silver instead. With regards to the floor i'd find it less likely they'll replace them, a deep clean with new step edging would be good enough anyway and worked wonders on the Artics.
goldisgood
Member
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- 5 Mar 2018
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- 410
And the refurbished Volvo hybrids for First Slough which have a purple moquette https://twitter.com/creatingdesire/status/1118203154884173824
Jordan Adam
Established Member
As of last Friday First Aberdeen vehicles can be tracked on Bustime.org, However they are yet to be added to the live map and the tracker is only picking up certain journeys.
https://bustimes.org/operators/first-aberdeen/vehicles
https://bustimes.org/operators/first-aberdeen/vehicles
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Possibly came up for the rail replacement that started yesterday but will require more buses in a few weeks time.
He's right though..........you clearly just don't like it.
With regards to First interiors, you only have to look at the B7RLEs which were branded for the Midland Bluebird 38/X38 service and a big song and dance was made about it. Yes, they looked good on the outside but the insides hadn't been touched and still had the badly faded seats and manky floors, not exactly a good impression is it? And guess what.....they still have the same manky interiors and faded seats now!
First, among other companies seem to think re-painting a bus fixes all the other issues as well when it clearly doesn't!
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
Don’t think anyone was suggesting that refurbishment isn’t something that they shouldn’t be doing. They should and clearly, given the B9s, they are.
However, it is a point that has been stated several times and seems to be more a stick to beat First with rather than something more constructive.
It's a topic that people keep bringing up because First keep making the same mistakes over and over again, so it's only logical that the same thing will be discussed over and over again.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Well he's not, i'm yet to go on a B7RLE that's been cold or damp... Regarding refurbishment, yes i'd agree they're being lazy. But unless you suffer memory loss it's pointless bring the exact same thing up OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER again. As TGW says it's pretty clear he's GB91 is just having yet another go at FirstGroup rather than being constructive. Hence my "Yawn" comment.
The thread had moved on from this discussion, so lets move on from it all together rather than pointlessly quoting something from weeks ago that had already been talked about and views/answers given.
So because you haven't been on a cold, damp B7RLE that means nobody has? How arrogant. I've been on plenty cold and damp B7RLEs and other buses over the years, it does happen, FACT.
And if people want to continue discussing First's interiors then they are perfectly entitled to, it is a PUBLIC forum after all. If you don't like what people are discussing then don't read/reply, easy.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
On another note. The student Night Service U1 operated this year again. Albeit at last minute short notice as RGU had failed to inform First they'd require the service.
The typical allocation was any unbranded CCTV bus, effectively the drivers choice. A Euro 4 B7RLE being the most popular choice.
The typical allocation was any unbranded CCTV bus, effectively the drivers choice. A Euro 4 B7RLE being the most popular choice.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Not what i said at all, i was saying i am yet to travel on any of ours like that, Keep in mind this topic is about First Aberdeen not FirstBus as a whole.
As i've said it's not about GB91 raising the issues, it's the fact they've blatantly raised it to have another ineffective jab at First rather than saying anything constructive or helpful. I don't know how many times i need to say that i agree that First are being lazy not refurbishing these B7RLEs, but i don't see the point in raising the exact same issue over and over again when it's already been extensively discussed. It's boring, pointless and quite frankly yes irritating. Even more so when you're being quoted regarding something you've already gave your views on.
I honestly give up at this point, enjoy your evening.
Other people may wish to continue the discussion though. As I said, if you don't like it, don't read/reply to it....
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Ex-First Aberdeen Prototype Bluebird Q275LBA (68000) has now entered preservation with Tyneside Heritage Vehicles.
http://www.tynesideheritagevehicles.co.uk/our_vehicles/group_vehicles/q275lba.html
http://www.tynesideheritagevehicles.co.uk/our_vehicles/group_vehicles/q275lba.html
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Service changes have started to be sent in to DVSA for the 30th of June. Sent in so far are the following...
- 8 Timetable changes
- 17/17A/17B Timetable changes (17B withdrawn)
- 19 Timetable changes
- New Service X27 replacing 17B operating to/via The Events Complex Arena
- New Service 172 (I assume a new school route to Lochside Academy)
overthewater
Established Member
- Joined
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- 8,161
Are these major changes we have been expecting?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
We'll have to wait until more changes are sent in and confirmed, however it doesn't appear to be.
The X27 appears to just be an extension of the 17B to TECA, however the start/end points are not shown on the registration as it's just a variation of the 17. TECA is however shown as a via point which to me suggests the service may extend beyond there, possibly to Dyce via Wellheads Drive or Craibstone via Dyce Drive.
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Jordan Adam
Established Member
The changes to the 8, 17/17A and the new X27/172 have been accepted, along with changes to the 23. I did have a look at the CSV file but as is the norm with First Aberdeen there was no further details. The 19 is yet to be accepted.
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Indeed, however it may not be permanent. I know more on that matter (Contracts etc), but i'm going to keep quite for now until a little more is confirmed as i don't want to step ahead of the gun.
There have been issues lately with the fleet age and while a minimal effort has been made to update the fleet in 2018, Andrew Jarvis recently held an "urgent" meeting with "higher management" at First Group to try and persuade them to allow the purchase of a significant number of brand new coaches.
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JumpinTrainz
Established Member
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- 30 Jul 2018
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- 1,658
Aberdeen hasn’t really seen much in the way of new stock for a while. Was the last new buses the Platinum E200MMCs?
Jordan Adam
Established Member
Indeed, the reason for that is due to the fact Aberdeen doesn't and has never had any buses from the 2001/2, 2002/3, 2003/4 & 2004/5 financial years. So it hasn't required any new buses in recent years, the B10BLE's (7 left) were the only vehicles that were needing replaced. Cascades have been offered a number of times to replace them, however local management have always opted to keep the reliable B10BLE's on the road over accepting cascades which may be less reliable.
There are currently 15 Hydrogen buses on order for Aberdeen (10 Streetdecks & 5 unconfirmed) which will probably oust the Artics, the B10BLE's are due to be getting replaced by the Hydrogen's at Stagecoach once they move.