Renaults a go go: the final frontier

Started by Barry Drive, October 24, 2022, 10:06:01 AM

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triumph

Quote from: Barry Drive on May 09, 2024, 01:47:19 PMThere are two new Yutongs fitted only with the new ticketing system.

As has been announced, these will be used in regular service, and there will be 4 in total.

So that's potentially 4 more Renaults to be withdrawn shortly.

It is becoming more and more confusing and contradictory. Charging capability was said not to be enough for the new Yutongs. Does that imply they will be using Belconnen facilities and consequently the Elements are a long way from service? If the withdrawal of gas buses can be covered, how come the Renaults were not gone sooner? At present it seems to strictly be each time a new bus is about in service. Gas buses had new floors not long before gas cylinder expiry (are any still away? Has 693 been returned from major repair? If there were updates, I have missed them. (Many contradictions and/or incorrect assumptions - for example is it actually factual that the gas buses are permanently withdrawn?
Out of all this, it does appear that either forward planning is severely disrupted by external factors or some last minute panics might be happening (or both?).

Barry Drive

Quote from: triumph on May 10, 2024, 12:22:36 AMDoes that imply they will be using Belconnen facilities and consequently the Elements are a long way from service?
It certainly looks that way.

My guess is they brought forward some Yutongs due to the continued **whatever** fault with the Elements.


L94UBbusfan

TC should send the new Scania's, which would have otherwise been replacing the Irisbuses, to Tuggeranong to cover for L94s being retired once the Belconnen Renaults are retired. Then once there are enough Yutongs in the fleet, TC can send the Scania's back to Belconnen to replace the Irisbuses.

Depends on just how many L94s are retired before mass Yutong deliveries arrive.

triumph

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on May 10, 2024, 04:44:53 PM......
Depends on just how many L94s are retired before mass Yutong deliveries arrive.

Charging facilities? If I have understood it properly, this is dependent on new Woden Depot completion.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: triumph on May 10, 2024, 07:00:49 PMCharging facilities?

That too

We probably will need another topic for L94 retirements at some point too, they seem to be filling up the Renault retirement topic (I probably started that, sorry)

However 697 is according to fleetwiki "not currently in service". Anyone know what's going on with this bus?

Geez at this rate, Tuggeranong is gonna run out of buses lol. I wonder how far away the Scania's are, because we need them ASAP

L94UBbusfan

I have some speculation about the Renaults retirements, don't take it too seriously, it is all guessing. We will see how right or wrong I am in the end...

We currently have 10 Renaults remaining in service, 7 at Belconnen and 3 at Tuggeranong. (931 is retired according to fleetwiki and I haven't seen it in ages). 733 and 812 are registered and are due to enter service this month, and 813 has already entered service. This should lead to 3 Renault retirements, however 813 may have caused 953 to be retired. This means we would be down to 8 by the end of the month

Now as mentioned by Chris Steel in Question Time, the Elements have had "technical acceptance" done to them, and are expected to enter service sometime in June (as all but 751 are registered). There are 4 of them, so that should mean 4 Renaults are retired. This takes us down to 4 Renaults remaining by the end of June (2 at each depot)

Now by then I would guess 814 and 815, which are presumed to be MyWay+ buses, as well as at least 1 more Scania, if not more, are delivered. These buses would likely enter service in July, meaning that there would be enough buses to retire all the Renaults by the end of the school term.

Now, this all may depend on how many L94 CNG's have to be retired before July, which is when most of them will hit the 20 year mark, which may slow down the Renault retirement a little bit, but if we get more buses than what we project, then there is a high chance the Renaults last day in service will be July 5th, the last day of Term 2.  :'(

triumph

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on May 22, 2024, 08:33:11 PMI have some speculation about the Renaults retirements, don't take it too seriously, it is all guessing. We will see how right or wrong I am in the end...
....

Now, this all may depend on how many L94 CNG's have to be retired before July, which is when most of them will hit the 20 year mark, which may slow down the Renault retirement a little bit, but if we get more buses than what we project, then there is a high chance the Renaults last day in service will be July 5th, the last day of Term 2. (


Yes, apart from possible gas bus retirement impacts, this seems quite likely. The present on-line timetable for public services shows using non-disability compliant (ie Renaults) is becoming rather sparse, and the reality is a lot worse.
On Monday I planned to time a departure from Majura Park (route 54) for the mid-afternoon Renault which duly showed  up. The plan was then to continue to Gungahlin on the Light Rail and use the sole R8 Renault service to Belconnen, and failing that, the route 23 Renault service a few minutes later. Neither showed up. So back to Dickson on the Light Rail for route 30 Renaults. The first was a no show. The second and last was a Renault. So out of 5 timetabled services only 2 were actually Renaults.
Today the plan was to use the after lunch route 64 Woden to Coolemam Court and the route 65 back to Woden Both were Renault services but only 64 had a Renault. The subsequent route 77 from Woden was also a no show. Thence a number of possibilities from the City. Route 32 was a no show, also 53 to Dickson. Route 53 Renault to the Museum showed up and later the same bus operated the late afternoon route 51. I think that a route 55 leaving while I was at the Museum was also a Renault. Again, out of 8 services timetabled for Renaults only 50% actually were Renaults (involving 3 different units).
The message is that opportunities to ride are already difficult and about to get even more so, especially if different Renault buses are sought on the same day. If you want multiple rides, do it now, don't procrastinate.   
 

L94UBbusfan

They are disappearing off routes I know they operate on quick, I hope they don't go off the 25 service they usually operate, that's my only chance I get to ride on one. I hope to at least ride on 1 more Renault before they all go.

Sylvan Loves Buses

Same, I've been so busy with uni these last few weeks I've had to miss quite a few - including 963 the other day pulling into city west, nice to see a Dinosaur bus again.
I haven't looked recently, but I'd still imagine that 72 in the morning connecting with a 71 Iris is still doable, but getting up first thing these last few mornings has been tough with the cold.

L94UBbusfan

To the best of my knowledge the 72 in the morning is still a Renault, but who knows for how much longer. I'd definitely try catch that route ASAP.

743

Conversely, on a few occasions over the past month, I've noticed Renaults in unexpected places - including Tuggeranong fleet on Routes R5 and 78 well in to the evening.

triumph

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on May 23, 2024, 01:34:14 PMSame, I've been so busy with uni these last few weeks I've had to miss quite a few - including 963 the other day pulling into city west, nice to see a Dinosaur bus again.
I haven't looked recently, but I'd still imagine that 72 in the morning connecting with a 71 Iris is still doable, but getting up first thing these last few mornings has been tough with the cold.

As of today, according to the on-line TT, the early morning 72 from Woden is still a non-disability service.

A perusal of the on-line TT shows that South of the Lake there are now only 16 single runs across 10 routes left as non-disability services. On any given day this is probably less as other buses substitute for Renaults.

Today I happened to be in Woden again. So checked on the after lunch routes 64 and 65. Renault 982 again operated route 64. But route 65, operated yesterday by electric Yutong 810, was operated today by Renault 980.


triumph

Quote from: triumph on May 23, 2024, 09:20:07 PM....
A perusal of the on-line TT shows that South of the Lake there are now only 16 single runs across 10 routes left as non-disability services. On any given day this is probably less as other buses substitute for Renaults.
.....

Adding North of the Lake and incl Rte 47 as predominantly N of the Molonglo, the numbers are:
63 single trips across 21 routes.

Notably route 46 has no less than 7 single trips, closely followed by routes 45 and 51 with 5 each.

I haven't attempted to graph the trips to see what the greatest number of simultaneous trips are and to compare that with available Renaults. But at an average of nearly 8 single trips per Renault still in service, it is reasonably clear that a good many of the trips are not operated by Renaults in any single day. 

It seems logical that the last runs will be North side with Belconnen Depot Renault(s). But which ones?

 

Barry Drive

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on May 22, 2024, 08:33:11 PM... then there is a high chance the Renaults last day in service will be July 5th, the last day of Term 2.  :'( 
Way too early to speculate, but a few things to note:

• in 2024 there have been 3 new Scania buses (at Belconnen Depot) for 5 Renault withdrawals - so there's no guarantee that the 4 Custom Denning Elements will result in 4 withdrawals, and it's even less likely that they will result in more than 4.

• the number of new Yutongs is also uncertain; while 3 are definite, the 4th was speculation.

• again, the 3-4 new Yutongs may not result in any further withdrawals at Tuggeranong for a variety of reasons, including the logistical difficulties of charging 15 or 16 electric buses when there are only 12 outlets that can be used concurrently.

L94UBbusfan

It may but a bit early for speculation, but not too early. The Elements would at least replace 4 Renaults, I doubt they would retire a lesser amount than new buses in service considering they are trying to get rid of them ASAP. They have been able to retire some L94s without any drama (so far) so what would an extra 2 or 3 Renaults being retired do?

The number of Yutong's delivered within the near future is almost certain to be 4, since there are 4 MyWay+ trial buses expected, all of which should be Yutongs. Charging is an issue, but I don't see why some buses could be charged while others are on duties, and then once the original buses run out of charge, the charged buses will then operate (unless it's super inconvenient). No matter what, we could still probably replace all Renaults with the Elements and Scania's due soon and whatever new Yutong's we currently have before Term 3 begins. Definitely before the end of the year. Time will tell

triumph

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on May 24, 2024, 06:50:14 PM.......
 Definitely before the end of the year. Time will tell

Well before the election at the very latest I reckon.

L94UBbusfan

Looking into routes operated by Renaults, I believe there is only 1 Renault service scheduled on a Rapid route left. This is an R8 service to Belconnen in the late afternoon

Quote from: 743 on May 23, 2024, 05:44:17 PMincluding Tuggeranong fleet on Routes R5

As seen here, Rapid services may be operated by Renaults, but not scheduled. The R8 is the only scheduled Rapid route with a Renault.

743

Renault sighted departing Calwell Shops on a 79 just now (yes - at 9:10pm).

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: 743 on May 28, 2024, 09:13:24 PMRenault sighted departing Calwell Shops on a 79 just now (yes - at 9:10pm).

I just saw a Renault on an 80 at 7pm. It isn't a Renault scheduled service. Keeping this on topic, I wonder which Renault will be the next to be retired? I think it should be 959, the last time I rode on it it sounded sick and had a problem just as I got off it, how lucky was I!

triumph

Quote from: 743 on May 28, 2024, 09:13:24 PMRenault sighted departing Calwell Shops on a 79 just now (yes - at 9:10pm).
Just chance, or an indication that gas bus withdrawals are having an impact? Or even that Yutongs being charged during operational hours need to be covered? Speculation - time will probably resolve

Barry Drive

Quote from: triumph on May 29, 2024, 08:33:06 PMJust chance, or an indication that gas bus withdrawals are having an impact? Or even that Yutongs being charged during operational hours need to be covered?
Firstly: this is getting close to setting off the "off-topic" alarm.

Secondly: the underlying cause would be the withdrawal of the Scania L94s without replacements. The immediate cause would be a backlog in the workshops (for any number of reasons - availability of parts, complexity of repairs ...). You can only survive the removal of spare buses from your fleet for so long before you find out why you actually needed that many.


Sylvan Loves Buses

#121
Oh I see, couple of numbers missing from the scania list already :o
What's happening with 979? Can't recall seeing it recently, has that fallen fate to the retirements yet or will the Tuggy's be the last to go with it included?

743

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on May 30, 2024, 10:54:20 AMWhat's happening with 979? Can't recall seeing it recently, has that fallen fate to the retirements yet or will the Tuggy's be the last to go with it included?
It is safe and sound - I've seen it in service on two days this week.  :D

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on May 30, 2024, 10:54:20 AMWhat's happening with 979? Can't recall seeing it recently, has that fallen fate to the retirements yet or will the Tuggy's be the last to go with it included?

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on May 29, 2024, 07:15:39 PMI just saw a Renault on an 80 at 7pm.

This service was operated by 979. It's definitely still in service, for now at least. And regarding whether the Tuggeranong Renaults will be the last to go, it's really anyone's guess, but I personally think a Belconnen Renault will be the last to go. Purely just because there are more of them.

L94UBbusfan

Despite 6 new buses entering service recently this is yet to result in a Renault being retired. Does this mean we are anticipating L94 retirements in July when some of them hit 20 years? It just seems odd that no Renaults have gone yet, not even 1 or 2.

Snorzac

I think if you track back through the last few retirements, there has been numerous with no direct replacement meaning the fleet count is down

Barry Drive

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on June 24, 2024, 03:46:58 PMDespite 6 new buses entering service recently this is yet to result in a Renault being retired. Does this mean we are anticipating L94 retirements in July when some of them hit 20 years? It just seems odd that no Renaults have gone yet, not even 1 or 2.
I've already addressed this above: there may be good reasons why no Renaults are withdrawn as yet.

However, the start of Term 3 may result in fewer Renaults and possibly even their complete withdrawal. Especially if Bus 734 arrives.

Just give it some time.

L94UBbusfan

#127
Quote from: L94UBbusfan on June 24, 2024, 03:46:58 PMDespite 6 new buses entering service recently this is yet to result in a Renault being retired. Does this mean we are anticipating L94 retirements in July when some of them hit 20 years? It just seems odd that no Renaults have gone yet, not even 1 or 2.

Looks like I was a day early with this post, as 3 Renaults have now been updated on fleetwiki as retired. A route 30 that used to be operated by a Renault is now being operated by an Irisbus, so clearly there aren't enough Renaults to operate on these non-wheelchair accessible routes. The 25 route I get is still operating with a Renault, so if it is still the same tomorrow or Friday I will try my hardest to ride on a Renault one final time. Only 4 Renaults left at Belco  :o

Barry Drive

#128
Quote from: Barry Drive on June 25, 2024, 10:38:02 AMHowever, the start of Term 3 may result in fewer Renaults and possibly even their complete withdrawal.
The new GTFS covering Term 3 was released this week. I had a look to see if it showed a reduction in Renault "trips". It did not.

So that tells us nothing.

Barry Drive

Quote from: Barry Drive on June 25, 2024, 10:38:02 AMHowever, the start of Term 3 may result in fewer Renaults and possibly even their complete withdrawal. Especially if Bus 734 arrives.
Fewer: yes. 958 and 959 appear to have been withdrawn.

734 has not arrived, and the Tuggeranong 3 are still in use.

So now there are 5.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: Barry Drive on July 22, 2024, 10:51:44 AMFewer: yes. 958 and 959 appear to have been withdrawn.

734 has not arrived, and the Tuggeranong 3 are still in use.

So now there are 5.

And somehow my route still gets one. Another thing is that I haven't sighted 960 since school went back, only 963 has been out and about. 982 was on a 24 last night too, the Tuggeranong Renaults generally don't get further north than Woden so it was nice to see out and about.

Also how far are 816-818 from enetering service? Could result in all of Tuggeranong's Renaults going.

743

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on July 23, 2024, 05:57:00 PMAnother thing is that I haven't sighted 960 since school went back, only 963 has been out and about.
960 has been in service - I managed to photograph it on two different routes yesterday (Monday). I was unable to go hunting today.

AnotherBusDriver

734 is now at Belconnen depot, no bike rack yet. I guess that means another renault withdrawal is imminent.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: AnotherBusDriver on July 25, 2024, 03:08:27 PM734 is now at Belconnen depot, no bike rack yet. I guess that means another renault withdrawal is imminent.

816, 817 and 818 have also just entered service today at Tuggeranong, which could spell the end of Tuggeranong's last 3 Renaults. When 731 entered service earlier this year, 2 Renaults (932 and 934) were withdrawn so it could potentially be the same for when 734 enters service. 819 is also now at Tuggeranong, so it shouldn't be too far off entering service either. I doubt any Renaults will be around in a few weeks time.

triumph

979 and 982 were still active today, Rtes 64 and 65 as usual and associated other routes. Also noted 963 active today. 980 and 960??.

Sylvan Loves Buses

I saw 979 on the usual 72 this morning on anytrip, other than that I saw 963 on my way to belconnen a couple hours ago.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on July 26, 2024, 05:13:18 PMI said to the driver and is the absolute last time I'll probably ever see 960 again as he claims after today it's getting scrapped.

If what this driver said is true, I guess that's the end of 960. To me it seems a bit odd that 960 is going before the last 3 Tuggeranong Renaults, considering 816-818 are at Tuggeranong while 960 is/was at Belconnen, but alas. The saddest retirement for me will be 963  :'(  :'( . It's going to be bittersweet without the Renaults around, they have been in the fleet for as long as I can remember and were one of the first buses I rode, and were the first bus I ever rode in Canberra. It is truly the end of an era for buses in Canberra

triumph

#137
Quote from: triumph on July 26, 2024, 04:24:19 PM979 and 982 were still active today, Rtes 64 and 65 as usual and associated other routes. Also noted 963 active today. 980 and 960??.
960 reported today by Sylvan. This now leaves only 980 unaccounted for.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: L94UBbusfan on July 26, 2024, 06:59:07 PMThe saddest retirement for me will be 963  :'(  :'( .

And now 960 and 963 are gone  :'(  . I was lucky enough to see it twice on Thursday (25th) just 1 day before it was withdrawn. Now Belconnen has no Renaults left, my chances of riding one again are pretty slim. Only 3 Renaults at Tuggeranong 979, 980 and 982, remain in service, and who knows for how much longer.

triumph

Worth noting that 963 was the last of the three specially painted "Take ACTION (to) conserve our fossil fuels" buses.

Sylvan Loves Buses

I'll be sure to wake very early on Monday to see what's on again. Given that the 81S that usually meets that 72 arrival didn't appear to have one when I checked anytrip (or the driver just didn't turn it on this time) maybe that's one that's gone too, we'll have to see tomorrow.
Not sure if I mentioned it here yet or not, but the 960 driver on Friday also mentioned to me that 963 will be auctioned, so that one is not lost forever.

L94UBbusfan

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on July 28, 2024, 08:15:25 AMNot sure if I mentioned it here yet or not, but the 960 driver on Friday also mentioned to me that 963 will be auctioned, so that one is not lost forever.

You didn't mention that, but that's awesome to hear that 963 will find another home. Last time I rode 963 it was in absolutely immaculate condition and it does not deserve to be scrapped. Especially since it was one of the "dinosaur" buses, and the last one in service at Belconnen Depot.

Sylvan Loves Buses

I've been told 967 isn't feeling well, and I can't recall if 971 got scrapped or not. Wouldn't mind seeing/riding either of them again.

Sylvan Loves Buses

#143
979 and 980 are out, yippee!
I'd imagine that'll mean at least these two will be used this afternoon too, good luck to those wishing to ride them then. As for me, I just gotta wait for an Irisbus signal to pop up on the right route too or I'm going back to sleep, cuz **** it's cold again.

triumph

As Sylvan says, two were out today. They turned up as usual on the after lunch Woden-Weston Creek return services. 979 on rte 75 and 980 on rte 64.

When I looked just before the school holidays, the on-line TT showed 14 non-disability services across rtes 63 to 81 weekdays, school term.
All 14 were operated today by 979 and 980. Assume that 982 was not in use on any other services.

It follows only two more buses are needed to cover all these services. Given 3 more Yutongs have just entered service with another pending, then logically it could be expected that retirement is likely in matter of a day or so - perhaps the rest of this week. BUT complicating factors are the speculated on, but basically not definitively known, impacts of gas bus withdrawals and charging congestion for the electric buses. 


 

L94UBbusfan

979 and 982 are out today for anyone wanting to ride them. I'd assume they will cover the regular routes.

Quote from: Sylvan Loves Buses on July 28, 2024, 09:01:44 PMI can't recall if 971 got scrapped or not.

971 hasn't been scrapped to the best of my knowledge.

Busnerd

I saw 971 parked at the fence at Tuggeranong when I went past on the weekend so it's not yet been scrapped.

Sylvan Loves Buses

Oh right of course, I forgot there's a bunch up against the rear fence.

743

ABC Canberra have done a little feature on the Renaults, featuring Transport Canberra's Deputy Director-General, Ben McHugh: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/canberra-saturdaybreakfast/canberras-iconic-orange-and-blue-busses-retiring/104179494

May be worth a listen if you're interested.

Key takeaways are that the final three in service will be withdrawn by the end of August, but that a training fleet will remain for now, so we may still see some on the road after August.

triumph

Thank you, listened twice.
Implication is that the 4 Yutongs that recently entered service are not impacting the retirement of the 3 remaining Tuggeranong based Renaults. August deliveries of 3 expected new buses will trigger retirement, but Fleetwiki is yet to report any deliveries in August.

Noted Ben McHugh acknowledged there were people out there that know a lot more about the Renault and others fleet than he did. Compliment to ACTBUS might be assumed.  ;D