Arriva North West - Southport Depot

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Southport Depot

(27/02/2013 21:08)CX54 DKD Wrote:  What's the benefit of allocating Pulsars? The Renowns don't suffer from reliability issues on the route, offer the same capacity and have, as you admit, well turned out interiors (certainly superior to the likes of a Dart at the very least). A bit noisy, yes, but I wouldn't have branded any of them uncomfortable with the refurbished interiors, which all the Southport Renowns have.

I've sampled a few of Southport's Renowns on the 300 recently and I completely disagree - only one or two have been nice to ride on and the others have been loud and uncomfortable (particularly on the route between Southport and Maghull). It's something positive that they look nice, but it's something else when they ride badly! Pulsars, on the other hand, have offered a better ride, in comparison. I haven't sampled a Marshall on the 300 for some time (one Sunday when the SPDs hadn't been refurbushed and, yikes, what ride!), although the 300 and the 311 are similar services and I can absolutely safely say that a Pulsar is the desired bus...!

MY idea was based on the fact that Pulsars from a few depots seem to be becoming free (plenty of potential and rumoured destinations for them) and that the 300 was on the line to be upgraded with Welsh Volvo/Eclipses until recently when their mileage opposed against that, as we know. I was just expressing MY opinion based on my use and sightings of the service.

(27/02/2013 21:13)507009 Wrote:  Actually I would imagine there is some form of reliability issue with the Renowns on the 300, because the PVR is rarely if ever covered entirely by the type despite the fact Southport have more than enough allocated. The Commander is a regular performer and it is common to see Darts, Pulsars and the two Interurban Enviro200s on there as well. The Renowns aren't hugely common on the town services either from my experience - they do appear but there is generally one or two Renowns unavailable at any one time from the way allocations seem to fall.

I would agree with Michael that Pulsars are a potential improvement. The Renowns aren't the worst buses around but they do suffer from a lack of legroom in places and their seats aren't as well equipped for the relatively long distance trip as the Pulsars' Civics are.

From what I see of the service, it seems to be about 50/50 (Renowns V Other) these days. The variety even continues on Sundays (surprised that Marshalls make it out on a Sunday)!

I'll use the 311 as an example here... Once, the service was allocated some awful, horrendous sheds that made the ride unbearable at times. Bootle started allocating several Pulsars per day to the service and, as a regular user, the service has definitely improved somewhat! I don't find the Cadets to be much of an improvement in any way, shape of form - their suspension varies from a fairground ride to a back-breaking nightmare, their interiors are not pleasant (one issue is legroom - another is vandalism at the back) and their ride-quality is far from great.