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Thanks for that! I couldn't see the post on Facebook as that person has blocked me.

(06/03/2015 19:44)SL64 JDZ Wrote: [ -> ]Birkenhead depot does need new double deckers. The depot only has two double deckers with more than 66 seats and some high capacity deckers (ie Enviro400s) are definitely required

Why are they definitely required?

(06/03/2015 23:46)YJ59 AZA Wrote: [ -> ]Why are they definitely required?

They could do with running them out on morning and afternoon peaks while the hybrids cover other routes, then swap over once loadings die down. The hybrids are great, but the limited seating and standing means that routes such as the 471/472 around 8am are packed full and some won't pick passengers up after Sainsbury's in Prenton for lack of space.

4201 was on 418/9 this afternoon (Friday) The first time I have seen this bus for months.Also 2629 on 413/4,4204 on 437 and 4535 on 413/4

(07/03/2015 00:35)Enviro400 Wrote: [ -> ]They could do with running them out on morning and afternoon peaks while the hybrids cover other routes, then swap over once loadings die down. The hybrids are great, but the limited seating and standing means that routes such as the 471/472 around 8am are packed full and some won't pick passengers up after Sainsbury's in Prenton for lack of space.

That reason surely can't justify brand-new buses, especially when those services have already had investment lately.

(07/03/2015 06:56)YJ59 AZA Wrote: [ -> ]That reason surely can't justify brand-new buses, especially when those services have already had investment lately.

I do agree and Birkenhead already has more than enough double deckers as their usage on local routes proves, but in hindsight the Volvo B5L Hybrids were probably not the wisest choice of double decker. With 14 seats fewer than the Enviro400s they replaced, it's not surprising the odd journey is full at peak times. That said, the loads on the 407 and 464 rarely justify double deckers at all, so there is already wastage in the current allocating process.

If only they'd ordered Enviro400Hs as these have a comparable capacity with their diesel sisters and are generally superior buses to ride as well.

It is an odd number to get to be fair, they are still going to be the odd ones out on whatever route they find themselves on. Its not like the 407 and the 464 could become hybrid routes while the 400s take up residencies on the 437 or 471 as they'll still be hybrid dominated routes.

(07/03/2015 11:59)Enviro400 Wrote: [ -> ]It is an odd number to get to be fair, they are still going to be the odd ones out on whatever route they find themselves on. Its not like the 407 and the 464 could become hybrid routes while the 400s take up residencies on the 437 or 471 as they'll still be hybrid dominated routes.

Thinking about it, could some of these 400s not be used on the 487 upto Clatterbridge before the new 200s take over? The pulsars on that route are often packed, and as far as I'm aware Enviro200s are smaller than Pulsars? Even if they're not, it would make sense for a double decker to run the busy section of the route from Spital through Liverpool during the day.

(07/03/2015 09:30)507009 Wrote: [ -> ]I do agree and Birkenhead already has more than enough double deckers as their usage on local routes proves, but in hindsight the Volvo B5L Hybrids were probably not the wisest choice of double decker. With 14 seats fewer than the Enviro400s they replaced, it's not surprising the odd journey is full at peak times. That said, the loads on the 407 and 464 rarely justify double deckers at all, so there is already wastage in the current allocating process.

If only they'd ordered Enviro400Hs as these have a comparable capacity with their diesel sisters and are generally superior buses to ride as well.

In support of this, the seating capacity of the Enviro400H and the standard Enviro400 is exactly the same at 78 seats, so only two seats down compared to the 58-plate Enviro400s.

(07/03/2015 12:24)Enviro400 Wrote: [ -> ]Thinking about it, could some of these 400s not be used on the 487 upto Clatterbridge before the new 200s take over? The pulsars on that route are often packed, and as far as I'm aware Enviro200s are smaller than Pulsars? Even if they're not, it would make sense for a double decker to run the busy section of the route from Spital through Liverpool during the day.

Agreed certain 487s are overcrouded in peak times, namely the runs that get schools... In the morning there's a short journey from Neston to Birkenhead, normally a solo, see it most mornings. Think this is to relieve overcrouding on the service That used to be ram packed with grammar kids and commuters, often leaving people behind.