Transport for Brisbane Observations 2020

[385BUZ]

Here's a comparison showing the new rears of the latest delivery (2895 upwards)

PLEASE ASK BEFORE REUSING

OLD REAR

NEW REAR

New rear.jpg (104.74 KiB) Viewed 2051 times

[BT Enthusiast]

Can't say I like the new ones better but it's nice

[1whoknows]

A little more ventilation is always good.

[Cazza]

The 2 new rectangular vents replace the previous indented horizontal rectangular vent about halfway up the back. I for one probably prefer the horizontal ones, more subtle and looks cleaner.

[BT Enthusiast]

The "Get on board" is on the side of the bus now and not on the rear

[daveeyh]

At Volgren today - T2904 (rego XQ 65 PC), T2905 (not registered) and T2906 (not registered),

[Cazza]

How many more B8s will we see come out of this batch? I just assumed they were stopping after 100 at 2900. I remember reading somewhere last year of council's commitment to X amount of buses introduced each year (equivalent to 60 standard buses?) but I can't recall where or what the figure was. The more the merrier.

However, I would like to see more bendies being introduced to run on regular routes, particularly to some northside depots. There are many routes on this side of the river screaming out for capacity increases, more-so now than ever to help to continue to social distance as we turn back to public transport as a way to commute.

[qut391]

C5036 is still operating on Garden City based routes. Is it still on loan to Garden City depot or already transferred but awaiting for “C” prefix to be replaced?

[385BUZ]

How many more B8s will we see come out of this batch? I just assumed they were stopping after 100 at 2900. I remember reading somewhere last year of council's commitment to X amount of buses introduced each year (equivalent to 60 standard buses?) but I can't recall where or what the figure was. The more the merrier.

I don't think there is necessarily a fixed number in this batch. I assume they'll reassess when all of T's gassies have been replaced.

However, I would like to see more bendies being introduced to run on regular routes, particularly to some northside depots. There are many routes on this side of the river screaming out for capacity increases, more-so now than ever to help to continue to social distance as we turn back to public transport as a way to commute.

I agree. With Brisbane metro on its way benefiting south-side routes, and 18 or so bendies at E (10 not for Cityglider) I think its only right to base B8RLEAs out of E for use on North-side runs. Particularly as BCC's Brisbane metro advertising states that there will be 'more buses for the suburbs'. This could very well be what it means.

High demand north-side Routes that could run bendies are 330, 333, 340, 385 (of course!!!) and 390 in my opinion.

[Merc1107]

What's the story with the Metro - will its introduction result in a mass withdrawal of buses that previously serviced the busway, or will there be massive service enhancements outside the busway?

[385BUZ]

What's the story with the Metro - will its introduction result in a mass withdrawal of buses that previously serviced the busway, or will there be massive service enhancements outside the busway?

There will be massive service enhancements. Routes 111, 160 and 66 (the routes mainly serviced by the bendies) Will be scrapped in favour of Metro 1 for routes 160 and 11 and Metro 2 for Route 66. The bendies will be used for other services and will most likely be based out of eagle farm. There will be no large number of buses withdrawn, just a major reshuffle of routes, timetables and bus allocation (to an extent). If you have any particular questions I am happy to be of assistance!

[daveeyh]

T2903 (rego XQ 69 PC) on a Stafford City 375 tonight.

[BT Enthusiast]

High demand north-side Routes that could run bendies are 330, 333, 340, 385 (of course!!!) and 390 in my opinion.

I think you could put a bendy or a TAG on a 444 in peak or a P443. The 3pm runs are always at capacity because of schools, and the 5-6pm ones are pretty full. I don't know how practical that would be though, but I think Sherwood can do those runs.

[BT Enthusiast]

2904 in service, 9:24 444 outbound.

[TLK]

How many more B8s will we see come out of this batch? I just assumed they were stopping after 100 at 2900. I remember reading somewhere last year of council's commitment to X amount of buses introduced each year (equivalent to 60 standard buses?) but I can't recall where or what the figure was. The more the merrier.

I don't think there is necessarily a fixed number in this batch. I assume they'll reassess when all of T's gassies have been replaced.

After T finishes up withdrawing/transferring their remaining 18.310s won't that leave G as the next depot to start getting new buses?

[ABS]

Logically yes Garden City would be next as the older gas buses are withdrawn from service to avoid doing major refurbishments.

When the gas buses were ordered circa-2000 gas was considerable cleaner and cheaper than diesel.

Gas buses are now a lot more expensive to run compared to diesel as stated here https://youtu.be/cbDGxn0yYfA.

Transit Systems Inner West avoid using their ex-State Transit Authority gas buses outside of peak times.

This is observable at Toowong Depot, which is the only Transport for Brisbane depot to have both gas and diesel rigid buses.

The gas buses at Toowong depot are rarely used outside of peak indicating a preference for running Euro 5 or 6 diesel buses.

The other two gas depots do not have diesel rigid buses. The gas buses have to be used on rigid runs.

[Merc1107]

Gas buses are now a lot more expensive to run compared to diesel as stated here https://youtu.be/cbDGxn0yYfA.

A piece I found from searching Hansard some time ago suggested gas buses in Perth (a decade ago) cost about 30¢/KM more to operate than the fleet of diesels at the time. What the cost is today, I'm not sure - the diesels are much newer, and while veteran gas buses have been withdrawn, the OCs are now the 'old' buses for the most part. However, this cost presumably doesn't factor in positive externalities of CNG use such as less particulate emissions (vs sooty diesel emissions), less noise, and the fact the fuel is sourced locally... Australia has about three weeks of convention fuels in reserve, very little local refinery capability and a huge dependency on oil that travels from the Middle East via the Strait of Hormuz & Malacca Strait for refinement in Asia. Even small shocks to the supply could have rather severe effects on Australia.

The gas buses at Toowong depot are rarely used outside of peak indicating a preference for running Euro 5 or 6 diesel buses.

Don't forget, we're also talking about buses that are new, or fairly near to it - many are presumably within their warranty periods still. Thus, it is sensible for these buses to do the frontline work, just as it would've been for a gas bus when those were new, and replacing fleets of old high-floor buses.

[385BUZ]

Well Said Merc1107 and ABS

However you have to remember that Toowong does still have 40 Diesel MAN 18.310s which are being used outside of peak hours on the 'frontline' with the B8s, which as you mentioned comes down to higher running costs of the Gas buses. It will be sad to see them go, however this still remains a priority of BT to get rid of their remaing Gas buses for the above reasons - which does make sense.

[BT Enthusiast]

Hopefully they'll be kept at hornibrook and swt

[ABS]

Hornibrook Transit Management and South West Transit use diesel buses, not gas.

The diesel MAN 18.310 rigids at Toowong depot are hitting 12 years old and are used all day, 7 days per week.

The gas MAN 18.310s rigids from Toowong depot are rarely used outside of peak periods.

As of 2.45pm today there are 7 gas MAN 18.310 rigids from Toowong depot out and about from a fleet of about 70.

[Skyblue1]

T2905 just gone past Milton XXXX brewery heading towards Toowong not in service. Didn’t get Rego number tho.

[Bulimba_Busfanner]

No.5113 Sherwood Garden City (transferred) confirmed via Anytrip on a 2.03pm 130 "City BUZ via South Bank" service.

[385BUZ]

No.5113 Sherwood Garden City (transferred) confirmed via Anytrip on a 2.03pm 130 "City BUZ via South Bank" service.

How can you confirm this???

[BT Enthusiast]

Usually its confirmed if the bus stays for a few weeks or the physical lettering has changed, not if it just operates one service. There's a high chance that a TAG broke down from G so the S went to fill it in, or lets say a S did a 120 down to G then did a 130 up with a tag

[Bulimba_Busfanner]

The physical lettering has changed from S to G for 5113.