TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[Leyland Bus]

For those who maybe interested, 40764 is the latest repaint into Bee Network yellow at BN depot, with 40796 the next one in.
Repaints are also starting at outside contractors from this week too.

 

[WWH44L]

For those who maybe interested, 40764 is the latest repaint into Bee Network yellow at BN depot, with 40796 the next one in.
Repaints are also starting at outside contractors from this week too.

Thanks for the update. Do you know how many a week they are planning to do? Let’s hope the outside contractors paint the light clusters black too

 

[Leyland Bus]

Has Diamond (Bolton Bury) taken a load of the new double decker buses with them?

We'd become used to the nice new buses but in recent weeks we've seen tons of 14plate single deck Mercedes and this morning's 474 was a SD 55 plate Preston Rotala Depot rattle fest.

A couple of neighbours were asking how this is an improvement from Burnham.

The franchise hasn't started yet, so nothing to do with Burnham or TfGM at present.

Rotala did transfer several Streetdecks to Tividale abit back so it might be that that you are noticing.

Thanks for the update. Do you know how many a week they are planning to do? Let’s hope the outside contractors paint the light clusters black too

There are currently 3 away for spraying at Reed Commercials in Blackburn, not sure of the numbers but will find out.

The interiors are also meant to be being upgraded at some point, with new floors, double buggy bay/wheelchair bay and repositioned stanchions.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Afternoon,
Quick repaint update, 40751 has now been completed and released back into traffic, I have attached before and after pictures below.

This has been replaced in the paintshop by 40821.

40710 is due to depart for Blackburn this afternoon to be yellowed!

HTH.

Pictures show Diamond Streetdeck before repaint in Jubilee livery and after, outshopped into Bee Network livery.

 

[WWH44L]

Afternoon,
Quick repaint update, 40751 has now been completed and released back into traffic, I have attached before and after pictures below.

This has been replaced in the paintshop by 40821.

40710 is due to depart for Blackburn this afternoon to be yellowed!

HTH.

Pictures show Diamond Streetdeck before repaint in Jubilee livery and after, outshopped into Bee Network livery.

Thanks for the update and photos.

 

[ic31420]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

 

[Goldfish62]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

If they use whoever Metroline use then the buses will just be big yellow blobs.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Saw one of the repaints this morning, it appears theyre just masking up the lamp lenses. The one I saw had yellow paint around the edges of the stop and tail lamp lenses.

It's not surprising, they have a tendency to break easily. We don't remove items if it's not necessary.

 

[WWH44L]

They're growing in numbers now...

I can also confirm, after getting the nod this morning, that 40821 will be the first bus repainted into a "revised" Bee Network livery. Should it get the go ahead, I'll post pics when it's done.

Interesting! Are you able to tease what the changes may be?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Interesting! Are you able to tease what the changes may be?

Colour... but not necessarily in the way you'd be thinking!

It's got to be viewed and approved once done and I'm still waiting for the paint to arrive!

 

[Shaw S Hunter]

Colour... but not necessarily in the way you'd be thinking!

It's got to be viewed and approved once done and I'm still waiting for the paint to arrive!

Given that you are obviously on the inside on this topic can you comment on the fact that Bee Network yellow, notwithstanding the colour of Metrolink's trams, appears to be very similar to that used on Berlin's buses, a fleet that includes plenty of double-deckers.

 

[WWH44L]

Colour... but not necessarily in the way you'd be thinking!

It's got to be viewed and approved once done and I'm still waiting for the paint to arrive!

Intrigued now! Look forward to seeing the finished result.

Great updates, nevertheless

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Would it not have been better to await final colour approval prior to the commencement of any re-painting programme?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Would it not have been better to await final colour approval prior to the commencement of any re-painting programme?

All repainting has been at the request of TfGM, sometimes these things evolve naturally as time goes along...

Given that you are obviously on the inside on this topic can you comment on the fact that Bee Network yellow, notwithstanding the colour of Metrolink's trams, appears to be very similar to that used on Berlin's buses, a fleet that includes plenty of double-deckers.

If you know the paint code for the Berlin yellow, I could tell you if they are similar or not, however I don't believe there is any connection.

 

[Goldfish62]

All repainting has been at the request of TfGM, sometimes these things evolve naturally as time goes along...


If you know the paint code for the Berlin yellow, I could tell you if they are similar or not, however I don't believe there is any connection.

The Berlin yellow is brighter and richer than the Metrolink/TfGM yellow.

I was told a few weeks ago that allegedly the mayor didn't like the shade of yellow so I was half expecting a change. Glad it may be happening, although probably too late for the first batch of E400EVs.

 

[Leyland Bus]

The Berlin yellow is brighter and richer than the Metrolink/TfGM yellow.

I was told a few weeks ago that allegedly the mayor didn't like the shade of yellow so I was half expecting a change. Glad it may be happening, although probably too late for the first batch of E400EVs.

That's okay, we'll start painting them orange instead

 

[Leyland Bus]

So, we've had our tweaks signed off and 40821 will be released back into traffic tomorrow and subsequent repaints will follow, although the legal lettering and fleetnumbers etc will henceforth be in TfGMs own house font and will be the standard going forwards...

40821s place in the paintshop has been taken by 40760.

Note: Photos show bus 40821 in the revised Bee Network livery.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Wouldn’t it have made sense to do all the designs together?

I'm saying nothing...

40710 has now returned from painting.

 

[stait.john]

39240 in Bee Network yellow now - next will be prepped for MOT then will re-enter service.

39238 has gone to Oldham for paint prep now.

 

[Leyland Bus]

39240 in Bee Network yellow now - next will be prepped for MOT then will re-enter service.

39238 has gone to Oldham for paint prep now.

Do we know if it's in amended livery or not?

At my end, 40760 has been completed, with 40758 taking its place. Also, following a front end bump, yellow 40747 is the first one retrofitted with the extra black.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Back to the buses and 40729 is the first Streetdeck to go to Thorntons for a full interior refit/modification and repaint into yellow...


Note: Photo shows 40729 on the trailer ready for departure.

 

[Leyland Bus]

40741 has returned from Blackburn this afternoon in revised livery and 40814 has gone in the opposite direction.

The two from Nottingham are due back later aswell but after some wrangling, it's unsure which livery version they will be in.

HTH.

 

[winston270twm]

New ADL E200MMC's currently on order in Bee Network Livery for the 7 small franchises are as follows:

25 x 9.7m (27 Seaters) - numbered 20600-20624
35 x 11.8m (37 Seaters) - numbered 30650-30684

These are due for delivery during Jan 2024

Source Rotala Group Fleetlist 05/06/23

 

[Goldfish62]

New ADL E200MMC's currently on order in Bee Network Livery for the 7 small franchises are as follows:

25 x 9.7m (27 Seaters) - numbered 20600-20624
35 x 11.8m (37 Seaters) - numbered 30650-30684

These are due for delivery during Jan 2024

Source Rotala Group Fleetlist 05/06/23

So, is there going to be a fleet of 60 loan vehicles painted yellow just for four months?

 

[Leyland Bus]

So, is there going to be a fleet of 60 loan vehicles painted yellow just for four months?

I wouldn't have thought so... come the end of September, every bus in the franchise area isn't going to turn yellow all of a sudden, so buses will run in whatever colour they are now.

More pertinent to the question (which we've asked here but to no avail) is what will happen regarding branding, once it all kicks in, on vehicles not yet painted yellow...

 

[Leyland Bus]

FirstBus news: once 39238 is back from repaint 39257 will be next in for paint.

Excellent, thanks for the update!

Former FirstBus demonstrator 36300 has arrived at QS from Thorntons in full Bee Livery, with TfGM spec interior etc etc. I think this had been running with East Yorkshire after its demo days?

There are pictures on Flickr but the option to link to it from the app has been disabled.

 

[landgateblue]

4 electric buses parked up at Bryn Depot!

 

[Mollman]

First V-Bus has been spotted in yellow, it's been running today.

First Manchester 39240 (BL65YZG)

Volvo B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 The first Vantage bus to be Bee Network liveried.

www.flickr.com

Bit disappointing that they are not going to have any special branding for the busway

 

[landgateblue]

4 electric buses parked up at Bryn Depot!

There are 7 now.

(Image shows a row of 7 ADL buses lined up)

 

[Leyland Bus]

BN Paintshop update, 40758 has now been released to traffic in full Bee livery with Citaro 33028 taking its place in the shop, Volvo B7RLE 30928 is due in also but has been delayed due to difficulties obtaining panels for it...

Edit: 40814 now back from Blackburn, lettered and returned to traffic also.