Rail and private operator observations 2024

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

One of my friends working in Hanover Display is working hard on making onboard PIDS and announcement services for Queensland bus operators, including Brisbane Transport.

Do we know if these are LED displays similar to what Adelaide Metro has, or LCD displays similar to what we already have in the loop buses? I hope that some northside operators like Hornibrook and Thompsons gets these as well.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

I have been told that Kinetic will be providing EK1 runs this year, not sure about other operators.

[TheDragonFire123]

With the Metro on the horizon, Translink is also proposing a bunch of Logan bus additions, changes and cancellations primarily affecting CBS routes, although some PRT routes are also impacted. https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.go ... us-changes

[B7RLE92]

Kinetic Cairns is rolling out debit/credit card machines to allow for further methods of payment. Talking to one of the drivers, the DCU is simply going to be used for real-time tracking with the tablet to handle all the ticketing. I believe this should be turned on in time for the 50 cent fares.

The new ticketing system started being used last week and credit/debit card payments are being accepted along side cash on the buses here in Cairns now.

[qut391]

0129 and 0130 from Rail Replacement B8RLEs own by TMR are on loan to Clarks Logan City - vehicle labels showing as 7129 and 7130 on AnyTrip.

[daveeyh]

I noticed recently that Thompsons were advertising positions at Brendale and Ipswich in addition to their original location at Joyner.
I have seen that they have taken over one of the old caryards on South Pine Road at Brendale but does anyone know where the Ipswich location is?

[ozbuses]

I think it is at Swanbank

[James00]

They appear to be sharing the Premier depot at Noblevale Way Swanbank.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

Kinetic Gold Coast now has 11 MAN's with GBV Bodywork in service.

These being 955, 5771-5776 (Ones which were meant to go to the Sunny Coast but didn't) and the newest deliveries, 956, 957, 962, and 968.

949-954 have transferred up to the Sunny coast.

[pasha241]

Look like MT gravatt receive new Translink Rail bus and the name of bus is "Grace".

Also which operator that recieve all Translink new B8RLE bus. Is kinetic recieve new one also or not as they delivery bus too?

Kinetic Gold Coast now has 11 MAN's with GBV Bodywork in service.

These being 955, 5771-5776 (Ones which were meant to go to the Sunny Coast but didn't) and the newest deliveries, 956, 957, 962, and 968.

949-954 have transferred up to the Sunny coast.

Also last 2 week I saw Kinetic with Blue livery bus (It look like Ex Sunny Coast bus) doing Rail replacement. It look like some of Sunny coast bus move to Coomera depot.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

Look like MT gravatt receive new Translink Rail bus and the name of bus is "Grace".

Also which operator that recieve all Translink new B8RLE bus. Is kinetic recieve new one also or not as they delivery bus too?

Also last 2 week I saw Kinetic with Blue livery bus (It look like Ex Sunny Coast bus) doing Rail replacement. It look like some of Sunny coast bus move to Coomera depot.

5703-5706 have been transferred to Kinetic Gold Coast a while ago now, they were meant to go back to the Sunshine Coast a week or two ago but haven't. Not sure if they are staying there or not.

Kinetic Gold Coast also has ex Sydney Kinetic 6040 and 6042, which are MAN 18.310's with MCV bodywork.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

August Deliveries shows that Clarks has received a new Volvo B8RLE with a Custom Denning Endeavour body, not sure about the number for it.

[superbossgc]

August Deliveries shows that Clarks has received a new Volvo B8RLE with a Custom Denning Endeavour body, not sure about the number for it.

Had been seen it past M1 at gold coast

[zto305]

Park Ridge's Optare PRT032 is back to urban services and running 545 today.

[mf48]

Look like MT gravatt receive new Translink Rail bus and the name of bus is "Grace".

0156-0165 at Mt Gravatt.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

GBV Factory in Christchurch NZ building 44 MAN 19.330's for Kinetic QLD. Eventually GBV will build buses in Queensland.

And yep, they still have the old Translink logo. Translink spent a fortune on the new logo and can't seem to be bothered changing the Translink Green livery.

[Merc1107]

Translink spent a fortune on the new logo and can't seem to be bothered changing the Translink Green livery.

I'd have thought the QLD Government's bus acquisition represents what the Translink livery will look like in the future... A dog's breakfast of logos, and decals stuck onto a plain white bus with a green front.

Their website still isn't even complete. As soon as you leave the "hot pink" homepage to manage a GoCard (assuming you can actually find that, it's not very intuitive), you're taken straight back to 2010!

[James00]

August Deliveries shows that Clarks has received a new Volvo B8RLE with a Custom Denning Endeavour body, not sure about the number for it.

73CBS

[Jaytech]

We have recently recieved TMR 0146 and 0147. These had come from Park Ridge Transit.

Have also recieved our first brand new Custom of a bulk order:

73CBS Volvo B8R Custom Endeavour
Body No. CLA-001-END-127
Body Date 06-2024
VIN YV3T7U526RA217555
Seating B45DW
Livery AOA

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

We have recently recieved TMR 0146 and 0147. These had come from Park Ridge Transit.

Have also recieved our first brand new Custom of a bulk order:

73CBS Volvo B8R Custom Endeavour
Body No. CLA-001-END-127
Body Date 06-2024
VIN YV3T7U526RA217555
Seating B45DW
Livery AOA

Awesome thanks! So Clark’s is done with Bustech for now I guess, same with Kinetic. Hopefully Bustech can find another buyer and get more orders done and sort out the issues with the ZDi’s.

Do you know how many of these Custom buses Clark’s has ordered?

[Skyblue1]

Just seen Translink railbus 0097 working a local Hornibrook Buslines route at Kippa Ring. Anyone know what others are here?? TIA

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

Just seen Translink railbus 0097 working a local Hornibrook Buslines route at Kippa Ring. Anyone know what others are here?? TIA

Hornibrook has 10, 0088 to 0097. Haven’t seen them on route before, interesting.

[Lachlan-Conley-102]

New Volgren Wrightbus GB KITE HYDROLINER FCEV hydrogen bus on display at the Bus expo. Has TMR numbers, and is for Transdev.

[Skyblue1]

With some Translink buses now being used in regular service like 3001-3018 at S, I’m guessing these won’t be used for replacement of older buses at say Hornibrook where I haven’t seen a Volgren below 129 for a long time, wondering if 116-128 have now gone from the fleet now 0088-0097 are there?

[daveeyh]

With some Translink buses now being used in regular service like 3001-3018 at S, I’m guessing these won’t be used for replacement of older buses at say Hornibrook where I haven’t seen a Volgren below 129 for a long time, wondering if 116-128 have now gone from the fleet now 0088-0097 are there?

As far as I have seen, 0088-0097 have primarily been used on the R348 Rail Replacement service between Northgate Station and Shorncliffe Station that has run most weeknights over the past couple of months.