(29/01/2013 20:08)Irishbus Wrote: [ -> ]There is now 6 Wright Gemini bodied Volvo B5LH's for this depot parked outside the Wrightbus factory in Ballymena ready for delivery, but they probably go via (Dennision Commercials Volvo of Ballyclare) for PDI to be carried out before they arrive in Merseyside
Do these have tthe highbridge Gemini body or do they have the lowheight version like on the VDL DB300s at speke?
Been an interesting few days for the 492, Dennis Dart MPD 886 is on the 492 this morning, with full load resorting in the driver having to miss out passengers.
[quote='Palatine II' pid='24212' dateline='1355651926']
You may have all noticed I havn't been online much, but anyway: I have some information.
The 409 extension is to compete with Imperia.
The 409 isn't being extended anywhere, it's just being rerouted in Birkenhead to operate via Asda with the times unchanged!
Had one of my occasional visits to Birkrnhead yesterday mainly to catch up on the changes to First/Stagecoach. However on the Arriva front I noticed 6 Pulsars on the 2 ( 3002/03/05/09/10/11 - 3005 is back from Bolton ) whereas previous observations have shown only 5 LS workings on the Chester routes, all on the 2. It may be that one of these was a changeover but can anyone confirm the LS PVR for the 2?
Last time I visited Birkenhead, before Christmas, I saw none of the first batch of Pulsars on the 403/413. Yesterday there was 5, 3000/04/06/07/08. So they seem to be in part returning to the routes they were acquired for. No Pulsars on the 487 - 3001 in the depot?
Also in 3 visits since the mew batch of Pulsars entered service on the 410 I have seen the same 12 on the route, 3123-33/35. 3134 seeme to me to be a permanent absentee. However I did see it on the 471 yesterday. Just a coincidence that it seems to avoid the 410?
(30/01/2013 08:39)moreton407 Wrote: [ -> ][quote='Palatine II' pid='24212' dateline='1355651926']
You may have all noticed I havn't been online much, but anyway: I have some information.
The 409 extension is to compete with Imperia.
The 409 isn't being extended anywhere, it's just being rerouted in Birkenhead to operate via Asda with the times unchanged!
They where considering re-routing it via new brighton to compete with arriva, but in the end was decided not economically feasable considering previous routings and also the fact that impera are slowly but surley putting themselves out of the running.
It was also considered to re-route 487s to Willaston, but instead is has been seen as feasable to run it only as far as Ness Gardens.
Luke
In addition to 886 being out on the 492, I also noted the following:
403/413 - 4050
407/472 - 3002
410 - 2448
418/419 - 4029 (late addition), 4143
432/433/437 - 4096
464 - 2437, 3134
Of those, 4029 was seen emerging from Birkenhead depot just after 15.30 to take up a 418 to Mill Park and was in service by the time my 437 had reached Upton. 4050 is back in use following accident repairs at St Helens.
886 wont be required soon as the contract it was being used on is going to A2B .
(30/01/2013 17:19)507009 Wrote: [ -> ]In addition to 886 being out on the 492, I also noted the following:
403/413 - 4050
407/472 - 3002
410 - 2448
418/419 - 4029 (late addition), 4143
432/433/437 - 4096
464 - 2437, 3134
Of those, 4029 was seen emerging from Birkenhead depot just after 15.30 to take up a 418 to Mill Park and was in service by the time my 437 had reached Upton. 4050 is back in use following accident repairs at St Helens.
2449 was on 410s also.
I did notice last night a DLA (cant remember which one, S287 JUA?) in the old livery decided to cut out on a 407 and broke down on while turning by Queen Square bus station off Whitechapel onto Crosshall street moreton bound. All the interior lights went off as did the engine, but the headlights and hanover stayed on. The driver attempted to restart the bus but didnt spring into life again after 5 attempts and a good few minutes later!
The first pictures of the hybrids for the North West have appeared online. Fleet number looks to be 4700.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/68052653@N0...otostream/
EDIT: I'm told the legal lettering reads Arriva Liverpool so it in fact appears this one is due for Bolton.
That does look very nice indeed, can't wait to see them fully branded up. Nice to see Arriva actually turning out half decent liveries and brandings for a change.