Bus Discussion (2019-)

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Given how I saw tanks against the depot fence should also imply that they have been replacing them over the years anyway right?

[L94UBbusfan]

No, it doesn't mean that at all - for many reasons.

Two things: (1) ACTION is well aware that there is a 20 year limit on the GAS TANKS (not the buses)

(2) there was a question about this in the ACT Assembly in May. Chris Steel said that he would "take on notice" the specifics of what is required to be retired by when. Once that information is published to Hansard, I will post it here.

1. I am aware that ACTION is aware and it's the tanks not the buses. As I mentioned in my post it MAY be possible that the tanks from newer retired L94s have been used to replace older tanks, therefore meaning older buses can continue to operate.

2. I haven't heard about the question asked so thanks for the extra information surrounding the matter.

I mainly want to know how much longer the older L94s will be in service for, and whether they will be retired at the 20 year mark exactly, or when new buses enter service. I know you guys are the experts, which is why I come here to ask my questions.

[Barry Drive]

I mainly want to know how much longer the older L94s will be in service for ...

So essentially what you're asking is whether there is any additional information regarding bus withdrawals in the next 6 months which hasn't already been posted in the forum?

Short answer: NO

Can we move on now? At least until Chris Steel's reply is posted to Hansard.

[L94UBbusfan]

Might be a bit of a random question but does anyone know why a STAG has never had an AOA?

[Bus 400]

Buses 693 & 697 haven't had their registration renewed. I'm assuming this means these buses have been withdrawn. 

[Bus967]

It makes me wonder considering of the alleged collapse of BusTec Anybody know what's happening with the current fleet or other buses?

[triumph]

The Riot Act today has an item on electric school bus trials. The 3 buses with CDC in Queanbeyan are apparently supplied by NSW Government and operated by CDC.
Trials this term also include Deniliquin and Narrabri, with Tamworth and Tweed Heads earlier this year.
The intent of the trials is to see how the buses get along in various climates and terrain types and cope with regional area usage challenges.

[triumph]

Now that the Renaults have been retired from public service, what is the oldest (by calendar) TC bus in public service?
Quite few Iris Agoraline entered service on the 2nd Feb 2004, others are recorded only as Feb 2004. So at first glance it would seem that the title is jointly held.
But there is a wrinkle. Iris 310 had an earlier identity as a trial bus with fleet number 175. Entered service on 3rd June 2003.
So it seems to me that 310 might be regarded as the current oldest TC bus in public service.

(In terms of greatest distance covered, is that data available?)
 

[L94UBbusfan]

So it seems to me that 310 might be regarded as the current oldest TC bus in public service.

(In terms of greatest distance covered, is that data available?)
 

Yes I believe that 310 is the oldest bus in route service in the TC fleet. It would be interesting to know the bus that has covered the most distance, but I would presume this is private information, and hard to gather especially if the odometers are broken on some buses.

[L94UBbusfan]

312 suffered an engine fire at Gungahlin Place today. This will likely mean that 312 will be withdrawn, due to it not being cost effective to repair due to its age, and the fact that it was meant to be withdrawn within the next year anyway due to new buses arriving.

[Bus967]

I'm a little curious. Does anybody know if any of the element 2 are staying here in Canberra? I'd love to see more of them running around.

[Barry Drive]

I don't understand what you mean by "staying here".

The CD Elements were acquired on a 5 year lease.

If you are asking will they be staying beyond their initial 5 years: the answer is 🤷🏽.

If you are asking whether any more will be procured - that's to be determined when the next bus purchase is put out to tender.

[L94UBbusfan]

I hope they do keep them and order more, personally I think they are really nice buses to ride and have a really nice motor noise. Hopefully more Elements are included in the 110 bus order promised by Labor.

[Snorzac]

Based on their reliability, that would be a very poor procurement option 

[Bus It]

Buses 693 & 697 haven't had their registration renewed. I'm assuming this means these buses have been withdrawn.

Any idea what happened to 697? I'm aware of the massive crash 693 had but can't find anything on 697.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Let's just say, black is the new blue.

[L94UBbusfan]

Based on their reliability, that would be a very poor procurement option

What issues do they face regarding reliability? I'm aware there was some issue with 750 which required the tow truck back when they entered service, but I haven't heard of any problems since. Does it have something to do with the lengthy delays regarding their entry into service?

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Was just looking at the fleet list to configure my new bus logging book for next year. I noticed 322 is said to have been removed in April-ish. Could've sworn I saw that the other day though. I don't know, maybe I'm getting confused with 321. Haven't been riding any of these so it's starting to get confusing.

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Either I don't remember where to look or what I'm after is buried under mountains of text, but was there a reason why we're getting more Precision/Bustech buses over Volgrens?

[Snorzac]

It's what was selected in the contract process, retrospectively you could say it wasn't the best choice. 

I believe the Volgrens were only purchased due to build slot constraints at Bustech at the time, for fleet commonality it makes more sense to keep getting bustechs  

[Sylvan Loves Buses]

Shame cuz I quite like them (except the space in the front seat). Seems to be a pattern emerging, a bunch of drivers have told me they dislike them. The Volgrens are the modern Irisbus.

[Buzz Killington]

I much prefer the look of the Volgren bodies over the Bustechs.

[Snorzac]

From a passengers perspective I think they are a much nicer bus to ride; to drive...I didn't like them but they're growing on me a bit