Graeme Wall <rail@greywall.demon.co.uk> wrote:
> On 19/03/2024 10:23, Theo wrote:
>> Recliner <recliner.usenet@gmail.com> wrote:
>>> Theo <theom+news@chiark.greenend.org.uk> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I wonder how long it'll be before Boris buses appear on the used market.
>>>> The early ones are now 12 years old - not sure what the service life of a
>>>> regular London bus is, but they must be getting towards that.
>>>>
>>>> The original Routemasters lasted a long time because they were endlessly
>>>> refurbished, but that doesn't happen today. Given the many problems
>>>> they have, I'd expect operators would much rather replace them with new
>>>> electric buses - especially the Euro 5 examples.
>>>
>>> There's only one operator: TfL. It owns the whole fleet, as the leasing
>>> companies wouldn't fund a bus with so little re-sale potential.
>>
>> TfL don't operate them, they're leased out to contract bus operators
>> (Go-ahead, RATP, etc*) aren't they? I wonder at what point they refuse to
>> tender if TfL insist on using the New Routemaster?
>>
>> * I haven't surveyed exactly which operators use them at present
>>
>>>> Maybe at some point TfL will cut their losses?
>>>
>>> I suspect TfL will be keen to investigate converting them to battery
>>> operation.
>>
>> Conversions have worked so well on the railways...
>
> They are hybrid buses so already have most of the kit necessary for full
> electric operation. Remove the diesel engine and fit a bigger battery.
>
> Remove the rear staircase and doors and replace with extra seating and
> you might have a serviceable vehicle.

That makes the conversion much more expensive, so it might be getting
perilously close to the cost of an all-new, more efficient vehicle with a
much longer life.

<Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
> On 19 Mar 2024 16:05:17 GMT
> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>> Yes, I forgot about it. Though the rear exit is what differentiates it from
>>> other buses and is its only advantage. Take that away and its an overpriced
>>> badly ventilated nothing special bus.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Take some of the roof off , install a coffee counter in the rear platform
>> space and use them as tour buses.
>
> I imagine the tour bus companies run on fairly thin margins. The last thing
> they'll probably want is some overcomplicated unreliable hybrid bus that needs
> specialist maintenance.
>
>

Perhaps I should have thought Party Bus, make it a cocktail bar at the back
and charge accordingly.

GH

On 19/03/2024 16:19, Muttley@dastardlyhq.com wrote:
> On 19 Mar 2024 16:05:17 GMT
> Marland <gemehabal@btinternet.co.uk> wrote:
>> <Muttley@dastardlyhq.com> wrote:
>>> Yes, I forgot about it. Though the rear exit is what differentiates it from
>>> other buses and is its only advantage. Take that away and its an overpriced
>>> badly ventilated nothing special bus.
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Take some of the roof off , install a coffee counter in the rear platform
>> space and use them as tour buses.
>
> I imagine the tour bus companies run on fairly thin margins. The last thing
> they'll probably want is some overcomplicated unreliable hybrid bus that needs
> specialist maintenance.
>

Which is why a lot went for Routemasters, solid, reliable and uncomplicated.

--
Graeme Wall
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