Recent posts

#81

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by Barry Drive - February 06, 2024, 12:12:09 PM

The next sitting week of the ACT Legislative Assembly is early February - one year since the first announcement by Chris Steel that the buses would arrive by mid-2023. I look forward to what he will announce this time.

Well that was disappointing. Absolutely no reference to why the promised "nine by the end of 2023" was not met. Just a repeat of supply chain problems, difficulty in sourcing parts and skilled labour.

The latest report is "all buses will be received before the end of 2024". (A transcript will be provided later.)

Which works out at 1.5 buses per month from here onwards.

The Yutong contract may start delivering buses mid-year, so IF they prioritise the withdrawal of the Renaults before the Scania gas buses, we might have the Renaults fully withdrawn in about August/September.

#82

Routes and Timetables / Saturday improved timetable co...

Last post by Barry Drive - February 04, 2024, 11:33:52 AM

No details yet, but Minister Steel has announced that improved Saturday timetable will commence in April 2024.

This is due to the drivers EBA being ratified, and the expectation that paying a weekend bonus will result in more drivers volunteering to work on weekends.

No information about when exactly this will take effect, or whether Sunday timetables will also be tweaked at the same time.

#83

The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...

Last post by triumph - January 31, 2024, 08:41:15 AM

Sat 27/1/24
728 (32)
629 (R3)

#84

The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...

Last post by Sylvan Loves Buses - January 31, 2024, 12:09:37 AM

Rode my first Renault's in what's probably almost 3 or 4 months now. Might try for an Iris tomorrow too, only managed the same 5 of those the last couple years. Need to improve my Iris riding stats a bit.

980 (72S)
979 (81S)
634 (80N)
382 (70N)

#85

Fleet / Re: Four CD Element 2s (748-75...

Last post by Barry Drive - January 24, 2024, 10:32:40 AM

I think at this stage it is potentially a wider issue with the CD Element II as a whole rather than anything directly related to TC, haven't heard of any operators putting the element II into service as of yet despite many deliveries

Based on delivery data, so far Custom Denning have delivered these Element 2s - 4 to Transport Canberra, 4 to Metro Tasmania and 7 to Transport for NSW.

There are no records of any of these being registered yet. Four of the 7 NSW buses were delivered at the same time as ours, so it's not related to when they were delivered.

(ACT Legislative Assembly resumes on 6 February 2024. It is likely Chris Steel will deliver another update regarding the supply of buses on that day or soon afterwards.)

UPDATE: the 4 Tasmania Elements have been registered and will soon commence service in Launceston.

[Announcement:]

#86

Photo of the Month / Photos of the Month - 2024

Last post by Barry Drive - January 24, 2024, 10:13:18 AM

Announcement:
For 2024 I would like to refresh the thumbnail images on the Fleetwiki Fleet Summary page. So rather than monthly "bonus category" themes, for the entirety of 2024, the Photo of Month bonus photo will be available to a photo meeting any of these requirements:

• Irisbus Agora Line - near side (doorside) angle
• Scania L94UB - off side (driver's side) angle
• MAN 18.310 (CNG or diesel) - near side angle
• MAN 18.320 - off side angle
• Scania K320UB 6x2*4 - off side angle
• Scania K360UA 6x2/2 - near side angle
• Scania K320UB 4x2 (CB80 & VST) - off side angle
• Scania K320UB 4x2 (Volgren) - near side angle
• Hino Poncho - off side angle
• Yutong ZK6131HG1 - near side angle
• Custom Denning Element 2 - off side angle

Where a photo is submitted meeting this category, only a maximum of 3 photo entries will be permitted per member per month.

If a photo which is submitted as meeting one of these categories is awarded Photo of the Month, it will be used as the Fleet Summary thumbnail. However, the category will remain available for the full year.

#87

Fleet / Re: Four CD Element 2s (748-75...

Last post by Snorzac - January 24, 2024, 12:34:23 AM

I think at this stage it is potentially a wider issue with the CD Element II as a whole rather than anything directly related to TC, haven't heard of any operators putting the element II into service as of yet despite many deliveries 

#88

Fleet / Re: Four CD Element 2s (748-75...

Last post by triumph - January 24, 2024, 12:07:21 AM

Can't locate the reference right now, but Minister Steel has stated all 4 Elements will be in service by the end of this year - so that has to be accurate.

School goes back on Monday. if it is intended that these 4 buses enter service on or before that, then TC is cutting it fine - only 3 week-days left.

Pre-requisites mentioned in posts were driver and staff training, completion ( including turning on) of the new Belconnen Depot chargers, and resolution of any industrial issues concerning routine charging. Does the training involve on the road training? If so, it is most unlikely that service entry is imminent, as they are not even registered yet.

Looks like the Renaults will be soldiering on for quite a while yet. The on-line TT for school term services from next Monday supports this, as various non-accessible services continue to be shown.

#89

The Playground / Re: What PT did you get today?...

Last post by triumph - January 16, 2024, 06:21:48 PM

454 (R3)
529 (R4)
723 (R4)
527 (R5)
008 (R1)
710 (R9)
403 (R3)

#90

Fleet / Re: 26 Scanias: 2022-24

Last post by triumph - January 15, 2024, 05:05:15 PM

Bustech executives must be worried about the effect of limited deliveries on cash flow. Also about the potential leakage and diversion of orders to other producers. If the situation doesn't improve quickly, then the firm's viability might come into question too.

In respect of 693, I used the term resources in a broad sense covering all aspects, including parts acquisition.