Search found 12309 matches

by tonyp
Thu Mar 28, 2024 11:05 am
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: Other Body Builders Discussion / Observations
Replies: 96
Views: 19867

Re: Other Body Builders Discussion / Observations

Another international brand closes up operations in Australia, EBusco https://www.busnews.com.au/ebusco-announces-closure-of-australian-operations/ Wonder what became of the demonstrator model that was touring the Bus Expo two years back. Inevitable. A small manufacturer can't compete with Chinese ...
by tonyp
Wed Mar 27, 2024 7:14 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22423

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

It is rather strange to think they need that many buses past the Bankstown line occupation even when they own charter operators around the country. A fleet of 43-44 seat, two door buses aren’t ideal for large scale charter work as they’re too low capacity. Unless they somehow plan to add an extra 1...
by tonyp
Tue Mar 26, 2024 5:43 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22423

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

I'd assume that Station Link was funded by TfNSW, however, that begs the question of why TfNSW (and the taxpayers of NSW) paid for Station Link but not for the Bankstown contract, considering both the ECRL shutdown and the T3 partial shutdown were for conversion to Metro standard. If the lack of el...
by tonyp
Tue Mar 26, 2024 6:44 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22423

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

Volgren managed to deliver 120 buses to CDC Hillsbus back in 2018 for Station Link within a timeframe of 5 months, with a bus a day at certain points in the deliver schedule. In this sense, 60 in 6 months wouldn't have been too much of an ask, provided, of course, that adequate notice had been give...
by tonyp
Mon Mar 25, 2024 10:44 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Bus Observations 2024.
Replies: 217
Views: 22423

Re: Bus Observations 2024.

The point is that they're cheaper from China.
by tonyp
Fri Mar 22, 2024 5:04 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.
Replies: 73
Views: 6198

Re: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.

Glen wrote: Fri Mar 22, 2024 4:18 pm But I'm sure after it's built, someone will be saying "we just need to build the missing link".
That's be the North Sydney to Seaforth section of course.
by tonyp
Fri Mar 22, 2024 9:06 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Rail Observations 2024
Replies: 105
Views: 8799

Re: Rail Observations 2024

Every line in Sydney has been closed regularly on weekends for the last 40 years, more so than any other system I know. They must have been doing something during all of those possessions (I hope). I think both of us recall how many times we were promised over the years that a better service would ...
by tonyp
Wed Mar 20, 2024 12:31 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Rail Observations 2024
Replies: 105
Views: 8799

Re: Rail Observations 2024

Linto63 wrote: Wed Mar 20, 2024 11:44 am With the bus service that more or less parallels the railway line operating only hourly, is there really any demand?
Perhaps the patronage is low because the buses are hourly. Jack them up to 15 minutes and see what happens.
by tonyp
Mon Mar 18, 2024 5:56 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: Parramatta light rail
Replies: 1074
Views: 273421

Re: Parramatta light rail

Wouldn't leave any room for anything to go wrong with the timetable either. Aerial imagery suggests that the platform on the southern side of Macquarie Street might have enough room to be turned into an island, similar to the arrangement at Chalmers Street Central. I've just come from a discussion ...
by tonyp
Sat Mar 16, 2024 3:30 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: TfNSW Panel 4
Replies: 4
Views: 525

Re: TfNSW Panel 4

Yes, I'm aware that Panel 3 expires on 19 March, that's why I said I'll wait till next week. It just perplexes me to understand why they want a confidentiality deed when there's nothing in a Bus Panel that they have to be secretive about. I'm sure they're not about to open up the market to a lot of ...
by tonyp
Sat Mar 16, 2024 12:02 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: New Intercity Fleet Purchases/Observation
Replies: 1146
Views: 302742

Re: New Intercity Fleet Purchases/Observation

I was in a V set the other day helping my mother who struggles to walk these days and I've got to say they are not disabled or cripple friendly. They are looking out of date as a result. Rediculous is taken half a decade to take a passenger of the upcoming NIF sets. Regardless of the lack of Wheelc...
by tonyp
Fri Mar 15, 2024 3:49 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: TfNSW Panel 4
Replies: 4
Views: 525

TfNSW Panel 4

I hope this isn't an ominous development in NSW: https://www.transport.nsw.gov.au/system/files/media/documents/2023/Confidentiality-Agreement_bus-panel_all-bus-operators_July-2022.pdf Panel 3 is expiring next week and hitherto all Panel versions have been published on the TfNSW web site. Panel 4 is ...
by tonyp
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:16 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

lunchbox wrote: Thu Mar 14, 2024 6:31 pm I was surprised to find that my new Rosa does not have C.C. No doubt it's an option.....
Possibly because nobody perceives the Rosa as a highway cruiser! Or else the manufacturer's accountants deleted the feature from the design to save costs.
by tonyp
Thu Mar 14, 2024 11:13 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.
Replies: 73
Views: 6198

Re: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.

Oh dear you've really fallen for the motorway con "all we need is one more missing link". :lol: There's always one more, they design them that way !! No, it's part of the same scheme and it's currently under construction. It's not an afterthought to try to correct problems from the first ...
by tonyp
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:58 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Some trams are fitted with cruise control. It helps with retarding as much as moving along.
by tonyp
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:56 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.
Replies: 73
Views: 6198

Re: West Connex Interchange Abject Failure.

The whole problem is that the harbour tunnel is not yet complete. Until then, cross-harbour traffic has to use the Anzac Bridge. Until then, we have to sit it out. The government should at least work to facilitate bus movements, even though that will be at the cost of making general traffic even wor...
by tonyp
Tue Mar 12, 2024 3:02 pm
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: Custom Denning Discussion / Observations
Replies: 162
Views: 36527

Re: Custom Denning Discussion / Observations

And it's one step forward, two steps backwords. UK import is not fully low floor :lol: I figure the reason for that (which I've observed in other Midi battery buses in Europe) is that chopping a couple of metres off the back of the bus has meant that there's no room for equipment in the back of the...
by tonyp
Mon Mar 11, 2024 9:22 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

I always found the presentation of the Perth fleet striking. For a passenger, almost impossible to tell whether you're in a new bus or an old one. The uniform choice of a bodybuilder who knows how to design buses (leaving aside rattles!) and an agency with good minimum standards also enhances the qu...
by tonyp
Sun Mar 10, 2024 3:34 pm
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: American vs European buses
Replies: 3
Views: 217

Re: American vs European buses

I think Australian buses generally (Bustech excluded) take a more European design approach externally, but internally with our high floors become more American. Bustech integrals excluded, most of our dash layouts are from European manufacturers so again are modern looking and comfortable. A Bustec...
by tonyp
Sun Mar 10, 2024 1:40 am
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: American vs European buses
Replies: 3
Views: 217

American vs European buses

This is an interesting, light-hearted look at the differences between North American and European city buses. It seems that Australia is very much in the North American mould, though with a bit of both, but the Custom Denning Element clearly has European genetics - its similarity to Solaris designs ...
by tonyp
Sat Mar 09, 2024 9:18 am
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

I wonder if we'll see electric replacements for the VSTMs that seat about 18, only for them to be placed on trunk routes in the peak? Never say never for such a clownshow to happen. Our 12 metre electric buses are, on the east coast at least, restricted to carrying about 10 less people than the 10 ...
by tonyp
Sat Mar 09, 2024 12:57 am
Forum: General Transport Discussion
Topic: Custom Denning Discussion / Observations
Replies: 162
Views: 36527

Re: Custom Denning Discussion / Observations

Off to UK: https://scontent.fsyd4-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/431004082_386161414047885_7337861180057854405_n.jpg?stp=dst-jpg_s720x720&_nc_cat=104&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=EqZAnBafKicAX_tl5Ws&_nc_ht=scontent.fsyd4-2.fna&oh=00_AfCE7UrUBPqiA15lg2nTpZKjT2H-rzWDcL8PHocsoo...
by tonyp
Fri Mar 08, 2024 10:22 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

I live to be contradicted. :lol: Queensland government has recently made a very large purchase of diesels, doubtless recognising the reality of the time scale for building up an electric fleet. I suspect Constance's action has locked the new state government here into a bind. Ideologically, they'd b...
by tonyp
Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:30 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

Swift wrote: Fri Mar 08, 2024 6:19 pm If the sight of overhead is the main deterrent to proven trolley buses, could they not use in ground power like George St uses for trams? :idea:
Hybrid buses that use that to charge along the way?
It's been tried but not cost-effective or reliable.
by tonyp
Fri Mar 08, 2024 3:57 pm
Forum: Discussion - Sydney / NSW
Topic: NSW Electric Bus Plan
Replies: 1681
Views: 161424

Re: NSW Electric Bus Plan

You can pretend that any decision you disagree with was made on Constance's watch was down to the bureaucracy, but "We are replacing those bendy buses with the double-deckers" doesn't sound like the words of somebody that is pro artic. The operator, Nowra Coaches I am guessing, may have m...

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