Arriva North West - Bootle Depot

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
Just had 3107 on the 16:10 55 off of Old Roan to Netherton and it had speed issues. The lady at the wheel had her foot down but it wouldn't shift above 20 (there was a big queue behind us on the 40-MPH stretch!). She told me that it'd done the same a few weeks ago (running fine then all of a sudden it wouldn't go above 20) and that the fitters can't find the fault! She said that it was being exchanged at North Park. Not good for a two-year-old bus! Of note, this one seems to stick to its gears a lot more than the other 12-plates and has done since it arrived at Bootle.

[M60lad]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
While I'm no engineer I'm guessing the usual thing was tried in that the engine and master has been switched off and switched back on again as this sometimes clears speed and other faults

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot

(10/06/2014 06:12)M60lad Wrote:  While I'm no engineer I'm guessing the usual thing was tried in that the engine and master has been switched off and switched back on again as this sometimes clears speed and other faults

Indeed - the driver tried this whilst parked in Old Roan.

[mathias]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
2234 (X234 ANC) DartSLF/Pointer2 has finally returned to the road after an absence of at least a year.
DVLA say its now taxed for another year (expires end of May 2015).
Looks fresh and clean (still got LEDs and Interurban).

Nice to see it back on the road.
On 54-THORNTON route today.

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
2218 was on the 52 this evening following 2232 which was on the 52A out of Liverpool!

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
Very unusually, 4418 was on the 55 (on a late board - last 55 off Liverpool!) this afternoon! The driver told me that the bus it'd replaced had blown an airbag at the back.

Also, I managed to have a ride on 2234 on the 56 this afternoon. It looked smart on the outside, however its interior was a bit of a mess and it still had the old moquette which was quite worn in some places. It performed nicely, although it was rattly around the cab area. I presume that it has 7659's engine as it definitely sounds like that and I'm 99% sure that 7659 was moved onto the pits and cannibalised when 7674 was withdrawn. Either way, nice to see it back on the road!

[MPTE1955]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
Have to say that it's pathetic that 2234 hasn't been done inside, particularly after being off the road for that long, really disappointing.

[mathias]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
2228 (X228 ANC) DartSLF/Pointer2 seen on 61-AIGBURTH VALE route yesterday.
Seems to have loose drivebelts, metallic shrieking and screeching noises from the engine sounded unpleasant and worrying.

Black soot from the exhaust on acceleration too. Expect it'll be off the road for repairs soon.

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
Yesterday, I heard from a driver that the evening 52 is being taken-off soon as it's not making enough money - which, to be honest, is quite fair as it's usually quiet from what I regularly see. However, I really hope that the 52A will run every 20 minutes to compensate for that.

[Barney]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot

(24/06/2014 18:44)KU02 YUH Wrote:  Yesterday, I heard from a driver that the evening 52 is being taken-off soon as it's not making enough money - which, to be honest, is quite fair as it's usually quiet from what I regularly see. However, I really hope that the 52A will run every 20 minutes to compensate for that.

If this rumour is correct, I agree that the 52A should become a 20-minute frequency in the evening. However, I doubt this will happen. If, as seems likely the 52A is reduced to a 30-minute frequency, then it MUST be double-decker operated. This should not be too difficult to do as Bootle's deckers primarily operate on the 60 and 61 during the day and most are back in the depot by 6.30pm

At present, with a combined 15-minute frequency, it's standing room only for most city centre departures until 8pm. I don't think customers with Arriva monthly or annual passes will be too happy if they cannot get on a bus in the evening after a long day at work because it was full up and have to wait 30 minutes for the next one.