DartSLF Opinions 2013

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RE: DartSLF Opinions 2013

(27/12/2013 18:38)KU02 YUH Wrote:  I've created this thread as I'm interested in people's opinions on certain aspects of the bus industry in 2013 - and I'm sure that others will be, too. Unlike last year, this isn't an award ceremony (which was a failure due to people having varying opinions, hence the different approach this year).

The questions are as follows - if you have a few minutes to spare, please answer them with a reason to back-up your answer:
1 - Who was the best company of the year?
2 - Who was the worst company of the year?
3 - What bus(es) were the best delivery to a company of the year?
(This includes new and old buses to a company/depot that may have already been in use!)
4 - What withdrawn bus(es) were the hardest goodbye from a company of the year?
(This includes new and old buses that left a company/depot, even if they're still in use elsewhere!)
5 - Which bus(es) looked the smartest during the year?
6 - What was the rarest sighting of the year?
7 - What was the biggest surprise in the industry of the year?
8 - What was the biggest disappointment in the industry of the year?
9 - What bus was the best during the year?
10 - What bus was the worst during the year?

Like myself, some people may not wish to post their opinions until the end of the year as there's still time for things to change. There's no deadline, as such, but it'd be nice if those who wish to participate could do so by the end of January 2014.

1) Arriva without a doubt. Constant investment in the fleet with all the old MTL vehicles having been rapidly eradicated in the past 3/4 years has made for a much more pleasant travelling experience!
2) Impera. Whilst they're services were good the way they treated the passengers was absolutely disgusting.
3) Can't really answer this, nothing which stands out to me. Not a fan of Pulsars, Enviro 300s or Hybrids as an enthusiast. As a general passenger is another story.
4) The R-WVRs at Arriva. In my opinion, they were the last of the proper buses before stuff became cheap and lightweight.
5) The new Pulsars at Green Lane, still look quite tidy to this day.
6) 2634 on the 86A, an insane allocation in every possible way.
7) ClassicBus going bust. Thought they were a good example of an independent.
8) Arriva's Hybrids. They're just so much worse then what they were expected to be, rough gear changes, rattly interiors and un-comfy seats...
9) Newly P&P'd 2720. An excellent bus in every department.
10) 2556/7 at Green Lane. Two unbelieveably sluggish buses which can barely reach 30MPH in half a mile...