Bus Routes usually operated by stock with Wifi and USB Charging

[bradford758]

First Bradford X6
plus
WiFi only on
607 (daytime),
620&621

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[SCH117X]

Transdev are quite good at this.

They have indicated that they will be standard on all new buses, and presumably any further major refurbishments like the B7s at Harrrogate

 

[Busaholic]

Why don't London buses get WiFi and USB ports, or leather seats?

You want the New Bus for London to cost even more?

 

[319321]

Thank you for your responses. They (buses with WiFi and USB charging) are more common than I thought. Locally in Southend, the very newest buses have both Wifi and USB charging, but of the two major companies serving the area (First and Arriva), only First have Wifi.

Please do keep responding if you have some other examples. I am going to make a small spreadsheet containing these examples and others I have found through Google News and make it available to anyone else interested.

Looking through the threads on here (more in the railway section), it does seem that buses are getting more comfortable and better equipped while trains are getting less comfortable and less well equipped (although they were much more comfortable and better equipped to start with).

It is interesting that bus companies in London don't seem to be adding WiFi or USB charging to their busses.

 

[Deerfold]

It is interesting that bus companies in London don't seem to be adding WiFi or USB charging to their busses.

It's started and will be likely to become more common - companies in London rarely add anything to their buses that they can charge TfL more for - it'll probably start sneaking into new contracts soon.

 

[J-2739]

Looking through the threads on here (more in the railway section), it does seem that buses are getting more comfortable and better equipped while trains are getting less comfortable and less well equipped (although they were much more comfortable and better equipped to start with).

This is probably down to many bus companies loosing quite a lot of passengers, so I suppose making the buses more comfortable and equipping them with fancy features will likely attract more passengers.

Don't forget the fancy livery.

Meanwhile, as rail growth continues, trains are designed to cater for this. This includes less seats and more standing space.

 

[Statto]

One thing i do find irritating that some bus company WIFIs you get to a questionnaire which mainly personnel details about me that are required to use before you log on, Arriva are irritating for this on there new buses.

 

[planetf1]

Blustar 1 (southampton to Winchester) - go ahead group
Usb only 500mA so I'm most likely to use own power pack. Nice idea though
WiFi is fine but usually don't bother as 3/4 g fine (unlimited data tariff)


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[TrainfanBen]

National Express West Midlands

X1: Coventry-Birmingham
X2: Birmingham-Solihull

 

[northwichcat]

One thing i do find irritating that some bus company WIFIs you get to a questionnaire which mainly personnel details about me that are required to use before you log on, Arriva are irritating for this on there new buses.

Collected data has value which is why so many phone apps are free because the developers get 50p to £1 in market research value from the data you agree to provide by pressing 'Accept.'

 

[anti-pacer]

Transdev are quite good at this.

You can add:

66 Dalesway Keighley - Skipton
500 Brontëbus Keighley - Hebden Bridge
662 Shuttle Keighley - Leeds

I know you know this Deerfold, but 662 is the Keighley-Bradford shuttle.

 

[Deerfold]

I know you know this Deerfold, but 662 is the Keighley-Bradford shuttle.

Do'h.
Thanks

 

[61653 HTAFC]

First Bradford X6
plus
WiFi only on
607 (daytime),
620&621

Sent from my 4009X using Tapatalk

The First West Yorkshire rebranded X63 also has WiFi now.

Round my neck of the woods we have:
Arriva Sapphire route 110 (Leeds-Wakefield-Kettlethorpe)
Arriva Max 127/128 (Dewsbury-Wakefield)
Arriva Max 202/203 (Leeds-WRC-Dewsbury-Huddersfield)*
Arriva Max 229 (Leeds-Batley-Heckmondwike-Huddersfield)
Arriva Max 268/268A (Bradford-Dewsbury-Wakefield)*

*=some vehicles have only WiFi, some have 3-pin sockets rather than USB due to age.

 

[319321]

*=some vehicles have only WiFi, some have 3-pin sockets rather than USB due to age.

You mean, like, actual power sockets?

 

[bradford758]

First West Yorkshire X63 is supposed to have, but many buses don't (just normal buses with new vinyls)

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[D2007wsm]

First West of England has USB on the E400 MMCS on the U1 Bath Uni Bus service and Brislington and Portway Park and Rides. Indeed, the new Severn Express E400 MMCs will have these retrofitted soon.

There is also a small batch of 51 plate ALX400 B7s used in Bath on the U5 Bath Spa Uni Bus which had these fitted last summer.

WiFi is common on most of the fleet.

 

[Deerfold]

You mean, like, actual power sockets?

Yes.

Many of the buses on the Cambridge Busway have standard power sockets, but in my experience few of them are actually supplied with power (but most worked on a few trips I made just after they were introduced).

 

[ivanhoe]

One thing i do find irritating that some bus company WIFIs you get to a questionnaire which mainly personnel details about me that are required to use before you log on, Arriva are irritating for this on there new buses.

Nothing is free in life. It's not that intrusive. I logged on for free wifi at East Midlands Airport today. Took me about 4 minutes. Arriva by comparison is about 2 minutes and you're up and running and it remembers you for future visits.

 

[Andyh82]

Go North East

WI-FI and either 3 pin or USB Sockets

Angel (wi-fi only)
Castle Express
Citylink 58 (wi-fi only)
Coast & Country
Coaster (wi-fi only)
Cobalt Clipper
Connections 4 (wi-fi only)
Crusader (wi-fi only)
Drifter (wi-fi only)
Fab 56
Indigo (wi-fi only)
Prince Bishops
Red Arrows (wi-fi only)
Red Kite (wi-fi only on Geminis)
Ten
Tynedale Links (wi-fi only)
Tynedale Xpress (wi-fi only)
Tyne Tees Xpress
Wear Tees Express (wi-fi only)

 

[ValleyLines142]

Cardiff Bus offer Wifi on most of their buses.

Their fairly new Enviro 400MMCs (301-310) and the newer batch of Citaros (121-130) have USB ports in between the seats. Note the older Citaros (101-120) don't.

Also, the four blue Scania artics for the Baycar (601-604) had USB ports installed in the most recent refurb.

I don't personally see the point in Wifi but USBs/plug sockets I think are very handy, especially on journeys of more than an hour.

 

[BBC]

I don't personally see the point in Wifi but USBs/plug sockets I think are very handy, especially on journeys of more than an hour.

I thought the same until a fair few passengers complain when ours didn't work ! I never use the wifi as it's pretty weak !

 

[Alex 2901]

National Express West Midlands

X1: Coventry-Birmingham
X2: Birmingham-Solihull

USBs or Plugs

X3: Birmingham to Hill Hook
X4: Birmingham to Minworth
X5: Birmingham to Roughley
X14: Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield
X16: Birmingham to Fazeley Estates *
X20: Birmingham to Stratford upon Avon
X61: Birmingham to Frankley
1: Walsall to Huntington via Cannock
2: Walsall to Cannock via Landywood
110: Birmingham to Tamworth
126: Wolverhampton to Birmingham
529: Wolverhampton to Walsall
32/33: Wolverhampton to Northwood Park Circulars **
255: Wolverhampton to Merry Hill Centre ***
256: Wolverhampton to Stourbridge ***
907: Birmingham to Sutton Coldfield **
Xpre55: Lichfield to Tamworth

* one trip each way peak service
** spare route for Platinums
*** Sunday only

WiFi
All of the above plus:
6: Walsall to Sutton Coldfield *
10: Walsall to Burntwood *
89: Walsall to Wolverhampton *
934: Walsall to Birmingham
935: Walsall to Birmingham
936: Brownhills West to Birmingham
937/A: Brownhills West to Birmingham
966: Solihull to Erdington
997: Walsall/Deers Leep to Birmingham
X10: Birmingham to Merry Hill Centre
X51: Cannock/Walsall to Birmingham
X96: Wrens Nest to Wollaston Farm Via Dudley & Merry Hill Centre *

* Sunday only

 

[ValleyLines142]

I thought the same until a fair few passengers complain when ours didn't work ! I never use the wifi as it's pretty weak !

You mean Cardiff Bus' Wifi? I find it generally reliable, but as I only do short hops (and I'm talking a few stops) there is no point in me connecting as by the time I have done so I need to alight!

 

[SCH117X]

Taking this on a stage
Wifi, USB power sockets, tables and rooflights on a double decker?
Transdev Geminin 3s on Harrogate Route 36 and now arriving on [Yorkshire] Coastliner routes

 

[infobleep]

Probably down to the TfL specification including allowing for very cheap fares.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Well two routes in Cheshire East (200 and 289) are usually operated by brand new buses (66 reg) and neither have wi-fi. It actually seems to be buses which aren't brand new which are more likely to have wi-fi - the D&G 13 reg Solo SRs have it and the Arriva Sapphire buses are a few years old.

Edit: ignore my comments below. I've read other posts since posting.

So could other parts of the country not install USB and WiFi and give cheaper fares? I'm not saying fares would be cheaper mind you. Just surprised something is occurring outside London that is better than London.

Whilst I don't live in London I just got the impression everything happened In London.

 

[Busaholic]

Edit: ignore my comments below. I've read other posts since posting.

So could other parts of the country not install USB and WiFi and give cheaper fares? I'm not saying fares would be cheaper mind you. Just surprised something is occurring outside London that is better than London.

Whilst I don't live in London I just got the impression everything happened In London.

What is occurring outside London is being done by the bus companies for commercial reasons. There is absolutely no imperative to do so in London unless TfL either demand it or suggest a tender incorporating it at no extra charge (to TfL) might be looked more favourably upon.

 

[trainmania100]

If you are in Brighton cruise along the coast to Eastbourne on an hour and 15 bus journey through many scenic sights.
The green and blue buses have WiFi, and a table upstairs with a charging USB socket.
More urban,the 1 route to mile oak the newer buses have e charging points at every seat.

 

[Busaholic]

Taking this on a stage
Wifi, USB power sockets, tables and rooflights on a double decker?
Transdev Geminin 3s on Harrogate Route 36 and now arriving on [Yorkshire] Coastliner routes

Don't know the bragging rights on these, but here goes:-
Transdev-owned Hermes in Holland has introduced 65 Citea SLE 29 VDL 12.9m buses with comfortable, adjustable seating with armrests, folding tables and a lot of USB connections as well as WiFi. All seats are forward facing. Not been anywhere near them myself, just going on press release.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

You mean, like, actual power sockets?

Yes, those things that most people erroneously call plugs!

First West Yorkshire X63 is supposed to have, but many buses don't (just normal buses with new vinyls)

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Must've just got lucky when I used it then! First round here seem less keen on route branding generally- a few years ago Huddersfield got some new buses and seemed to dedicate them to the 328, though it wasn't long before they ended up all over the place. They weren't branded but did have WiFi.

 

[Dhassell]

First Bristol have Wifi on most of there city services.