Woden Depot / New timetable

[Barry Drive]

Although nothing more has been announced, Chris Steel mentioned in the Assembly last week that there will be bus timetable changes from Term 2, and that Woden Depot will open soon.

This will be the first en masse transfer of buses we'll have seen for a long time. I'd expect that all of the Yutongs will transfer, as well as a small number of diesel buses.

There will probably also be a bulk withdrawal of CNG Scanias - since there's been up to 18 new buses in service without a corresponding withdrawal. (If I've counted correctly.)

[Barry Drive]

The Assembly enquiry into Annual Reports has been held in the last two weeks, with Transport Canberra hearings on Wednesday.

The weekday timetable changes were again mentioned - including changing running times which were increased due to the London Circuit roadworks.

However, when weekend driver numbers were mentioned, Chris Steel gave a strong hint that the Sunday timetable will not be "uplifted" in April but may instead occur after the next budget.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

This will be the first en masse transfer of buses we'll have seen for a long time. I'd expect that all of the Yutongs will transfer, as well as a small number of diesel buses.

Is there any point asking when this might occur or will it likely be another one of those things where it's private for only drivers/press to know about?

[Barry Drive]

If you want definite times and dates, I wouldn't bother asking.

Since the new network is likely to start at the start of Term 2, the transfers could occur during the school holidays. And/or on the weekend prior.

And prepare yourself for a mass withdrawal of Scania L94s (haven't worked out the numbers yet: but maybe 15 at once).

[L94UBbusfan]

And prepare yourself for a mass withdrawal of Scania L94s (haven't worked out the numbers yet: but maybe 15 at once).

Would there be a potential chance that some Irisbuses may also be withdrawn as well as L94s?

[Snorzac]

With the number of gas tanks we can assume will soon expire, I think it's likely the iris will remain in service for some time to come 

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Passed the depot on the way to uni just now and saw 841, 842, 843 and 844 against the fence.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

844 and 843 (i think) were in Woden when I passed this morning.
Got to Belconnen depot and they were in there.
Passed by Woden on the way home and we now have 846 and 847 sitting in Woden too.

[L94UBbusfan]

I'd expect that all of the Yutongs will transfer, as well as a small number of diesel buses.

I think there is a chance that a small number of Yutongs remain at Tuggeranong since charging facilities are already there, and may as well be used. Just speculation, but perhaps the original 12 remain at Tuggeranong, while all the Yutongs from the 90 bus order will go to Woden.

In terms of the diesels, I don't think more than 30 diesel buses will be transferred, I wonder if they will just transfer larger numbers of one bus type (ie: Bustech Scania) or transfer a smaller number of different types. It will be interesting to see what happens.

[Snorzac]

Tuggeranong is expected to house a large number of electrics in the future and Woden is meant to be fully electric, looking at the Woden set up I would expect the chargers at Tuggeranong may need a re work for mass amounts of electrics, given Woden will be fully electric I would expect that all Yutongs will move to get the numbers up at Woden asap as Barry has suggested, possibly allowing a rework of the chargers at Tuggeranong 

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Weren't we getting another batch of Boring Bustechs too? I would've assumed given there's no chargers lined along the fences that diesel buses would be sitting there, especially if they want to maximise the use of most/all the fleet for future (new and laughably-unimproved not-using-free-Friday-mywayminus-data) networks.

[Barry Drive]

Woden Depot is designed to hold 100 buses. Given there's expected to be (maybe) 52 Yutongs once it opens, there's plenty of capacity in its sheds for diesel buses. So they won't be parking diesel buses "along the fence".

The question of whether all 52 go to Woden initially will depend on what they plan to do with the later  deliveries this year. While there are no public delivery schedules, if the plan is 72 buses by end of 2025, that means another 20 to be delivered.

If they keep 12 at Tuggeranong, that will require every new bus to go to Woden, followed by a diesel transferred back to Tuggeranong in order to withdraw a Scania CNG. However, if all current Yutongs are at Woden, that will allow new buses to be put into service directly at Tuggeranong without needing to do any transfers. (And given the timing, they might be able to install more chargers at Tuggeranong in the second half of 2025 - which means they can accommodate more than 12.)

We'll probably know for sure in 6 weeks.

[L94UBbusfan]

When I was going past Woden depot today I saw a Bustech Scania in the depot, couldn't get the fleet number from Athlon Dr but I wonder what it was doing there? Also saw the Yutongs in the depot (presumably 841-846)

[triumph]

Also passed on Wed afternoon. One of the Yutongs had destination lit up - implied in use or active testing. (Or was it the Scania I saw??)

[Barry Drive]

When I was going past Woden depot today I saw a Bustech Scania in the depot, ... I wonder what it was doing there?

As part of the commissioning stage, everything in the depot has to be tested. While the Yutongs can test the charging equipment, you need Scania buses to test the diesel and AdBlue bowsers - and all other items in the depot where the diesels will be used, like the bus wash and the workshops.

There have been no reports of any diesels being permanently transferred to Woden (yet).

[Bus 400]

Whilst probably a silly question, would the artics/steer tags go through Woden during commissioning?

Whilst not to be based at Woden under current plans. I'd assume they'll visit Woden operationally sometime in the next 40 odd years. 

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Think I saw 848... So weird seeing them there like that when buses use to be in there sitting the other direction for so long

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Not noticing more than 10-20 electric buses in woden depot at a time, but I think they've got all (or most) of the chargers in now - very easy to spot them at night.

[Barry Drive]

... I think they've got all (or most) of the chargers in now - very easy to spot them at night.

With the depot to open in less than 4 weeks, you'd hope they'd have all the chargers by now. (And yes, they do.)

The buses you are seeing are testing the charging equipment - since you need to be certain everything works before you permanently move buses in.

Woden Depot is designed to hold 100 buses.

It was mentioned in the Assembly that Woden has capacity to charge 96 buses at once.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

They're rushin' in now aren't they, saw 857 yesterday - we'll be at 860 again in no time. Also are the Element's still in use? Keep seeing them sitting in Belconnen Depot but never on the road, is there any likelihood we'll see them in Woden Depot or is Woden just for electric buses that have a sticker underneath that reads "Made in China"?

[Barry Drive]

The chargers at Belconnen Depot are part of the lease contract for the Elements. While nothing is known at this stage, it is more likely that the Elements will remain at Belconnen with Woden having only Yutongs (plus diesels).

Doing so will also avoid the need to train drivers previously from Tuggeranong on the Elements.

[triumph]

Wasn't it in media reports in January that the Government said the Elements would be back in service early in term 1 .... . 
Seems problems are more more widespread and deeper than implied. Also the attempt to fault drivers does not give confidence in the company developing the product.   

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Doing so will also avoid the need to train drivers previously from Tuggeranong on the Elements.

Maybe just me, but it would make more sense for them to train them on the Element's rather than the Renault's,
unless...


...the Renault's are returning to service at some point too

[L94UBbusfan]

Wasn't it in media reports in January that the Government said the Elements would be back in service early in term 1 .... . 
Seems problems are more more widespread and deeper than implied. Also the attempt to fault drivers does not give confidence in the company developing the product. 

That was the plan, which wasn't very thought through because it's nearly April and they are still sitting at the back of Belconnen depot. I'm surprised they aren't back in service yet personally. My only theory is that TC are holding the Elements back from re-entering service due to the amount of Yutongs in service, and that the Elements aren't quite needed yet. All will tell once Woden Depot opens in a few weeks time.

...the Renault's are returning to service at some point too

They would be more reliable than the Elements.