Arriva North West - Bootle Depot

[M113 YKC]

RE: Arriva North West - Bootle Depot
Regarding Bootle's "new" Pulsar 2s, I've had MX12 KWV (3107) on the 62 (Bootle > Walton), MX12 KWW (3108) on the 53 (Liverpool > Bootle), MX12 KWY (3109) on the 52 (Liverpool > Netherton), MX12 KVB (3112) on the 52 (Netherton > Liverpool) and MX12 KVD (3114) on the 52A (Bootle > Liverpool) so far.

The first "newbie" that I rode on, 3114, was OK - a bit rattly, but certainly better than most of the older examples in the depot's fleet. I had 3108 after 3114 and it felt a bit sluggish, despite the fast driver "ragging" it, and it was a bit rattly, but, again, nothing too bad. 3107 barely rattled, but the driver was quite sluggish (morning journey - 12 minutes between Bootle and Walton is unneeded!). It held its gears, especially gear one, a lot. 3112, despite its ugly front-end, was great - few rattles and a great performer. 3109 this afternoon was very impressive - it didn't rattle, but it did squeak a bit on the worst roads of the route. Apart from the squeak, 3109 was a passenger's dream (apart from the handbrake-related alarm!).

Overall, these are definitely some of the best Pulsars/Pulsar 2s that I've rode on. I'd definitely say that Wright seem to have built (sort-of!) quality buses! Hopefully, if Bootle does receive more, they'll be just as good (or better!) than the five that I've sampled so far.