[Mar/Apr 2019] SA Transport observations

[Skexis]

Having only one operator won't make any difference to the service as a whole. All it would do is overcomplicate the workings of whoever was unfortunate enough to be selected.

[Crispy!]

3314 now has an L.E.D Desto.

[Skexis]

Heads up that the Antonov AN124 is due back into Adelaide on Friday 15 March at around 19.00hrs. Due out again next Thursday evening.

[jibb]

Torrens Transit's latest bus to enter service is Scania Bustech 1998,currently on a 286 t Henley Beach.
764 MAN NL 202 CNG returned to service yesterday after almost 9 months off the road with gas problems.

[Tim Williams]

I saw the AN124 on finals at about 7.00pm yesterday from the wonderful "fringe" pontoon, on the Torrens!

[jibb]

Torrens Transit Scania Bustech 1994 now in service

[TT]

All 5 of the new BusTech Scanias (including 1994) have been in service for over a week now.

[jibb]

All 5 of the new BusTech Scanias (including 1994) have been in service for over a week now.

First time I had it come up,same as yesterday with 1998.Thanks for that.

[TA3001]

It may just coincide with the Fringe festival, but 1767, 1771, 1773, 1775, 1776 and 1777 were out today. From my observations, these lovelies seem to be a tiny bit less unreliable than the CNG NL202s, but I didn't notice any diesel NL202s out from Newton today.

It's not the first time I've physically seen the ex Camden NL232s out on weekends since they were transferred there. 1 on the occasion seems to be almost be the norm, but 5 spotted in two hours (including one observed from another) is quite surprising.

And 1776 seems to have had a replacement gearbox fitted, as it was far less jolty compared to my previous trip on it.

[busrider]

Two BCIs have shown up at Elizabeth depot, one is 2624, registered XS64AN, which appears to be ex m/o 6970 from Newcastle, and another is 2625, still registered m/o 6973.

[jibb]

Two BCIs have shown up at Elizabeth depot, one is 2624, registered XS64AN, which appears to be ex m/o 6970 from Newcastle, and another is 2625, still registered m/o 6973.

There are actually 4-2623 is there as well,not sure of the other number,but I suspect 2622.

[busrider]

m/o 6971 is another BCI that's come over here, so it'd be either 2622 or 2623.

[Crispy!]

It may just coincide with the Fringe festival, but 1767, 1771, 1773, 1775, 1776 and 1777 were out today. From my observations, these lovelies seem to be a tiny bit less unreliable than the CNG NL202s, but I didn't notice any diesel NL202s out from Newton today.

It's not the first time I've physically seen the ex Camden NL232s out on weekends since they were transferred there. 1 on the occasion seems to be almost be the norm, but 5 spotted in two hours (including one observed from another) is quite surprising.

And 1776 seems to have had a replacement gearbox fitted, as it was far less jolty compared to my previous trip on it.

Would be nice to see hear some NL202’s - NL232’s with a ZF 5HP600 Gearbox instead of ZF 5HP500.

[Daniel]

A total of 12 BCIs have been earmarked to be transferred over from Newcastle, the balance will head over once vehicle shortage issues are resolved and additional new B8RLE Bustechs are delivered around May.

[burrumbus]

So it seems that the BCI fleet is not TFNSW owned,but owned by Keolis Downer.
My guess would be that the 4 remaining BCI's in Newcastle will most likely work the on demand services down in the southern suburbs.From the figures I have seen those BCI's Promas in use on the on demand are way too big in capacity for those services.The services are averaging around 2,500 pax per month.Spread over 7 days per week that averages about 84 pax per day.

[busrider]

BCI 2623 is registered XS66AN, and is ex m/o 6972.

[Former driver37]

Two BCIs have shown up at Elizabeth depot, one is 2624, registered XS64AN, which appears to be ex m/o 6970 from Newcastle, and another is 2625, still registered m/o 6973.

These buses are at Elizabeth for fit out etc and then will be transferred to Lonsdale which possibly will replace the Rosas they have

[jibb]

Torrens Transit Scania Artics(ex Territory Transit) 1361 and 1362 based at Morphettville Depot are currently only being used for driver training.
I was wondering if they are eventually going to appear in Adelaide Metro colours and used in regular services?

[busrider]

Further update to the BCIs, 2622 is XS65AN, ex m/o 6971 from Newcastle, and 2625 is XS66AN, ex m/o 6973.
In summary;

2622: XS65AN (ex m/o 6971)
2623: XS66AN (ex m/o 6972)
2624: XS64AN (ex m/o 6970)
2625: XS67AN (ex m/o 6973)

[Skexis]

Two BCIs have shown up at Elizabeth depot, one is 2624, registered XS64AN, which appears to be ex m/o 6970 from Newcastle, and another is 2625, still registered m/o 6973.

These buses are at Elizabeth for fit out etc and then will be transferred to Lonsdale which possibly will replace the Rosas they have

If true I reckon they'll fill the holes left by the evaluation buses that were based there - 2451/2/3 as making despatch has sometimes been difficult since they left. The Rosas, while being restricted to what they can do, still have a place. Swapping them out for full size buses won't give SL any real advantage as those trips run by Rosas will still need to be covered. I suspect they will be used for the upcoming rail sub work.

[busrider]

These BCIs aren't full sized buses, despite being low entry they're about the same length as a Rosa. On the subject of Rosas, Elizabeth's 3134 appears to have been retired, as it's no longer registered.

[Skexis]

Are they Promas? 29 seats, low floor?

[busrider]

Fleet lists shows them as having 21 seats with wheelchair bays, but yes, they're BCI Proma Low Floors.

[nscaler69]

Are these buses the same as the two they got for the Gawler loop service?

[busrider]

Yes.