Our new ticketing site is now live! Using either this or the original site (both powered by TrainSplit) helps support the running of the forum with every ticket purchase! Find out more and ask any questions/give us feedback in this thread!
On the ZEBRA-subsidised BZLs specifically (150 DDs & 20 SDs; originally procured by Stagecoach Manchester)...
* 104 DDs (VMD367-470) allocated to Metroline Manchester - only 412 yet to enter service
* 6 SDs (VMS361-366) allocated to MM - registered/taxed but still yet to enter service
* 39 DDs...
* Increasing wire run tension (to cope with OLE oscillations at 110mph where 2 / 3 pans are approx. 80 / 160 metres apart)
* Regrading of wire runs at overbridges (to cope with OLE oscillations at 125mph where 2 pans are approx. 190 (?) metres apart)
* Replacing shallow-curve single track...
The OLE125 project is approaching completion, per today's NR / SPL LinkedIn posts:
https://www.linkedin.com/posts/spl-powerlines-uk-holding-limited_ole125-project-south-of-bedford-midland-activity-7330176798879592448-rqpq
The last full weekend closure will end on 2 June AFAICS, though fast...
Some clarification of the ZEBRA 2 top-ups, as per routeone...
It seems Plymouth/Cornwall (who also helped secure the original Citybus 50) were missing from the overarching announcement. The overall GA top-up is 44 (one less than stated) unless another OpCo is due an extra bus.
Still no press...
As of today, it is signals away on the Northern City Line.
https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/great-northern-route-to-city-of-london-transformed-into-uks-first-signals-free-commuter-railway
One full year since the product line reached the UK, an Element 2 finally entered service here.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/leesbuses/54520005656/in/photolist-2r4Khew
TfL PAYG fares are set for single journeys only. Break of journey is not recognised other than for short (time-limited) connections between separate stations within a certain distance.
Click on the link below and it'll detail your individual journeys / charges. You'll have to enter the details...
K2W is indeed signed off. InTheEastMids has already summarised what the TWAO Order is about:
More details in NR10 Statement of Case if you want the full explanation.
It was the last bridge demolished to make room for the K2W OLE, next to Braybrooke ATFS. Network Rail are still obligated to...
The April announcement stated the eight additional buses are expected to be the same model, i.e. Reading Buses had not ordered them at the time.
Now they have. This is no different to the (generally longer) gaps between ZEBRA 2 award announcements and confirmation of firm orders.
For what it's worth the new readers don't do contactless verification for Ticket on Departure collections, at least on Cubic TVMs. I tried it (still asked for the card first) on the HX/Liz platforms at Heathrow Terminal 5.
Distance was probably a factor; before Phase 1B of Oval went live Reading was the furthest contactless station from a London terminus, and only then because it joined the overarching TfL network. Reading between the lines, it also seems that contactless PAYG acceptance at Stansted wasn't going...
Now that the summer vacation timetables have resumed, the BYD B12 quintet may not enter service for the rest of this academic year. Unless Uno put them on the 602/653 in the meantime.
Stockton depot will be the first depot in Stagecoach North East (and the group as a whole) to go fully electric. Other businesses will be offered access to the charging infrastructure as well...
Are they TETRA Self Modular models by Ingenico? I've attached examples of a couple on the LU machines at Farringdon (Liz line machines at Canary Wharf have them too).
The Leicester Orbital (40, tendered to Centrebus) was a nigh-on 2-hour loop before this week's northern/southern split. The 40S is still about 1h30m end-to-end if you include overlaps with the 40N.
On the sub-contracting front, another two firms have signed up in an engineering / consultancy capacity.
https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2025/04/30/firms-power-up-with-midland-mainline-project