All aboard Route 190

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Craig
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Location: Edithvale, VIC

All aboard Route 190

Post by Craig »

Yesterday (Sunday June 21) saw the introduction of CDC Melbourne's new 190 service between Werribee and Wyndham Vale Station, as part of their new network introduced as part of the opening of the final stage of the regional rail link, part of the Geelong line. Trips operate from Werribee depot.

The service runs at frequent intervals and span for the outer suburbs of Melbourne, 20 mins all day weekdays, twice an hour on weekends, with services continuing every 45 mins to an hour past midnight. This is to enable connections to virtually every Geelong line service, which now bypasses Werribee, previous a stop on the line for the majority of services.

Here a few photos from the last couple of days.

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As part of the community open days at Tarneit & Wyndham Vale, PTV provided free shuttle buses to/from the event along Routes 170 & 190 respectively. Here #129 (Volvo B7RLE, Volgren) runs the first shuttle from Werribee at 09:45 on Saturday 20th June.

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12 minutes later, with two enroute pick-ups, we'd arrived the new station.

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Sunday morning then saw the start of the regular services. #113 (Scania K230UB, Volgren) was the lucky bus to meet the first passenger RRL train service ex Geelong, before departing for Werribee at 07:26.

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Buses on the new route continue late into the evening to match the span of the Geelong line. At 22:04 last night, #105 (Scania L94UB, Volgren) waits for passengers coming home from the Werribee line.

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This morning was the first real test of the network, with commuters and weekday traffic. Single door #127 (Volvo B7RLE, Volgren) waits to run the 06:43 trip into Werribee.
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Craig
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Craig »

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The big moment of course was the launch of Melbourne's first double decker bus on regular route service in 61 years. The 88-seat Volvo B9TL, Volgen was originally ordered for the sister HillsBus operation in Sydney, but redtape securing rego in NSW meant the bus was transferred to the Victorian operation. Reports suggest the vehicle will be numbered #131, but this is yet to be confirmed (in the excitement I forgot to ask).
I had the hounor of being the first passenger to touch on :mrgreen:, and one of only two passengers to travel on the top deck to Werribee! Mondayitis preventing people from going upstairs?
Those looking for some interior shots should look at the fantastic shots posted on the Victorian (AU) Bus Page - https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php? ... 5575022859

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Enroute to Hoppers Crossing, #111 (Scania K230UB, Volgren) passes the new beast.

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Passengers from the arriving train from Geelong board ready for the 07:11 departure. Around half a dozen transferred, and we picked up a couple more down Ballan Rd.

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The view arriving into Werribee - #128 (Volvo B7RLE, Volgren), #54 (Volvo B10M Mk4, Volgren) & #71 (Volvo B10B, Volgren).

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Based on the rego, #54 is the recent transfer of former Eastrans #93 from the Oakleigh depot, with new blue decals over the green stripes. Above is a rushed shot as it left for 443 Werribee southern loop. Venturatiger shot at Mordialloc a few years now - http://www.busaustralia.com/forum/viewt ... 10&t=38517

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Signage at Werribee Station directing passengers for Geelong to the correct bay.

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Sunlight begins to emerge behind the decker before running the 07:31 departure.

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Looking down Ballan Rd past Werribee Racecourse, which now gets direct bus services for the first time as part of the new network.

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Birds' eye view of the new Wyndham Vale Station interchange.
Last edited by Craig on Tue Jun 23, 2015 2:20 pm, edited 4 times in total.
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Craig
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Craig »

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Students eagerly board the next trip. To make best use of the high capacity of the double decker vehicle, one trip before and after school extends south to MacKillop CRC, assisting students travelling from Lara and Little River and the growing number of students living in Manor Lakes (there is already a crowded artic school bus after school).

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Owing to the 30 minute gap between V/Line arrivals from Geelong, and expected school & commuter demand, there is a 10 min gap between the 07:51 & 08:01 departures on 190. #94 (Mercedes Benz O405NH, ABM) pulls out on the former trip.

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After school the decker is seen here running the afternoon trip that originated from MacKillop CRC. Almost all the upper level seats were taken, leaving only a few seats for those boarding at Werribee. The 'seats remaining' counter at the bottom of the stairwell seemed to be working well, showing 7 free seats as I ascended toward the top deck.

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And finally, one of Werribee depot's articulated buses, #107 (Scania L94UA, Volgren) was sighted running the 16:08 192 from Wyndham Vale to Werribee this afternoon. These previously only operated route service on rare occurrences, mainly restricted to school runs, charter work, and the odd special event shuttle or rail replacement.
This bus had come off the Manor Lakes school special from MacKillop CRC mentioned above, so should become a regular sighting. Upon arrival at Werribee, the bus left empty for the depot.

Kind Regards


Craig :-)
Last edited by Craig on Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Lt. Commander Data
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Lt. Commander Data »

Nice photos, It seems most capital cities are looking at double decker buses for regualr route service after many years (25 for Sydney, 50 for Adelaide and 61 for Melbourne). It's only a matter of time before Perth, Hobart and Brisbane get double deckers (unless they have already used them without me knowing) now that Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne are using/trialing them. I also like how the livery looks on those Volgrren bodies.
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Alex on the Bus
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Alex on the Bus »

Lt. Commander Data wrote:Nice photos, It seems most capital cities are looking at double decker buses for regualr route service after many years (25 for Sydney, 50 for Adelaide and 61 for Melbourne). It's only a matter of time before Perth, Hobart and Brisbane get double deckers (unless they have already used them without me knowing) now that Sydney, the Gold Coast, Adelaide and Melbourne are using/trialing them. I also like how the livery looks on those Volgrren bodies.
Transperth was using Denning Landseer double-deck coaches on Perth - Mandurah express services prior to the opening of the Mandurah line, if that counts.
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Bedford-29
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Bedford-29 »

Well the redtape bureaucrats in NSW will want to look at rego system.What the old with the DD its NSW lost and Victoria gain to me the DD looks better in that livery then the NSW one.
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BAMBAM
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by BAMBAM »

Bedford-29 wrote:Well the redtape bureaucrats in NSW will want to look at rego system.What the old with the DD its NSW lost and Victoria gain to me the DD looks better in that livery then the NSW one.
LOOKING on the other hand, the requirements has been in placed for a while now, it's not like one company made the product and then the government changed it. The producer should know what are the requirements and therefore make it suitable for the work in the desired area. We can blame all the government all we want, but the regulations are in placed, and the companies should know how to design products that complies with the regulations in place.
maxy54
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by maxy54 »

Great Shots Craig

I noticed that #71 doesn't have CDC Melbourne signage on the rear and also its good to see some unusual buses given a chance to run route service, most of those high floors (except B10B's) are on borrowed time
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Volvo_B9R
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Volvo_B9R »

maxy54 wrote:most of those high floors (except B10B's) are on borrowed time
How would you know this?
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OLYMPIAN
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by OLYMPIAN »

For everyone info,according to National Heavy Vehicle Regulator's website
National standard is
2axle
7t on front axle
12t on rear axle
19t

3axle Rigid 12.5-14.5m (even 11m 3axle is fall under this)
6.5t on front axle
14.5t on tandem axle
21t

3axle Bendy
6 on front
9 on centre
11.8 on drive
26.8t

NSW
6.5 front
11t drive (low floor)
11t Twin steer
14t tandem
16.5t tandem(with dual wheels tag)
20.5t/23t

Victoria
6.5 front
11t Twin steer
17t tandem
Total 23.5t

South Australia
6.5t on front(6.7 with 375mm tyre)
10t drive
6.7 on tag with 375mm tyre
11t Twin steer
max 23.4t

New Zealand
7.2t (Super Single tyre over 335mm width)
16.2 (Tandem with 335m width tag)
Total 23.4t

USA
9t on front
15t on Tandem

South Africa, Hong Kong, Singapore, U.K.
7t on front
9.5 on Rear
7.5 on tag
total 24 (18t for 2axle franchised buses in Hong Kong)

In the old days, we don't have Euro standard and air cond, so buses are much lighter than these days. and most of the government are change rules to cope with the standard or give special permit to buses like 2 axle buses in Hong Kong and South Australia for the Scania decker (which running with super single like the sister vehicle in Auckland)

two axles GVW have updated Nation wide as Euro 2 etc buses are heavier than the old one (plus air cond VS non air cond), meanwhile 3 axles GVW is still remaining in some 20-30 years ago except for Victoria and South Australia
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CityRail
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by CityRail »

The white desto looks bright and clear than the green ones. I hope this will soon be adopted as a standard in Victoria.
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Mitch
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Mitch »

As far as I'm aware, there isn't a standard for such things in Victoria. CDC seems to still have the green flipdot destination units as standard on all of their buses yet I've seen Kastoria and Sita units with white destination units. Even SkyBus have replaced some of their older units with white LED.

Thanks,
Mitchul [;
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RailwayBus
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by RailwayBus »

Mitch wrote:CDC seems to still have the green flipdot destination units as standard on all of their buses
Except high floors which use orange flipdots, but those are retro-fitted and not as new.
All views expressed are strictly my own and do not represent my employer or anyone else.
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Mitch
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Re: All aboard Route 190

Post by Mitch »

Depends on the depot. A lot of CDC Geelong high floors are fitted with green flip dots.

Thanks,
Mitchul. :)
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