Had a ride on 2248 from Crossens into Southport today, and it really hit home just how much of a retrograde step these buses are compared with the Marshalls. The ride was awful and the interior distinctly battle worn. Southport have clearly taken care over their Marshall fleet down the years, keeping them clean, tidy and much better maintained than their counterparts at other depots.
Sadly, they've been dealt a poor hand with these X-HJAs, as the three I've now ridden have been dreadful. Only X-ANC 2239 was at least creditable in the ride department. The people of Southport (and everywhere else they operate) deserve better than this utter junk - age shouldn't be the be all and end all when replacing buses. Ultimately, these replacement Darts are only a year newer than the Marshalls, are infinitely worse to ride and have not had the money spent on refurbishing them.
That 2248 is the biggest shed they have, just truly awful, I don't necessarily think that they are all retrograde to the marshalls though, but certainly these X-ANC/HJA darts are now like the marshalls were/are very hit and miss. The pointers that have not been p&p'd are really tired inside. Urban 90 seats do not help any bus.
One thing I'll say for 2248 - it isn't the worst of these that I've ridden - at least it has plenty of speed and doesn't vibrate when idle. That's as far as the words of positivity can stretch, mind.
No the worst I personally have ridden is probably 2216, 2248 does run it close.
Green lanes are the worst I find especially 2202, the back emergency window on 2248 has came away from the frame meaning it can be a bit cold at times lol.
2239 was on the 300 today
Oddly, I haven't ridden 2202 in a long time, I certainly have no desire to seek it out to see how bad it is.
(22/03/2014 20:03)MPTE1955 Wrote: [ -> ]Oddly, I haven't ridden 2202 in a long time, I certainly have desire to seek it out to see how bad it is.
When I last had it near-enough everything seems to rattle, 4/5 of the back sets were badly vibrating when idling, very poor/non existent heating and tired seats.
My video of 2202 may help although the video doesn't really show how bad it is
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pI8ft3ymwpM
2248 was actually relatively warm today. I say relatively, because its heaters had nothing on PX09AXA which I'd had on the inbound journey and was delightfully heated.
I can vow for 2202 as that is a true heap. Have to say the worst example I've been on however is 2219, sluggish, rattles to death and idle vibrations are dire. I for one won't be saddened when these over-worked heaps finally bite the dust.
(22/03/2014 21:18)507009 Wrote: [ -> ]2248 was actually relatively warm today. I say relatively, because its heaters had nothing on PX09AXA which I'd had on the inbound journey and was delightfully heated.
To be honest, one thing I have never thought about these darts is that they were cold, that is one thing I could not criticise them for.