CBNW throwback - Dublin Olympians

RA 272, (96-D-272) in navy/yellow fleet livery was photographed in November 2006 towards the City Centre terminus of Route 130 in Dublin. It is now 325 (N325NHG) in the CBNW fleet.

Now 325 in the CBNW operating fleet, former Dublin Volvo Olympian RA 272 was one of a batch of fourteen bus delivered new to Clontarf Garage between March and May 1996, RA 264, (96-D-264) to RA 277, (96-D-277), all in Cityswift livery. RA264 was also destined to join CBNW, becoming 324 (N324NHG) and currently advertising Blackpool & Fylde College. Both have proved to be very reliable buses, despite now being over 16 years old. They are generally confined to the B&F College contracts although 324 was operated on "Sea Front 12" during the summer months and both see occasional service on "Catch 22".

Lights out for Service 12

Volvo 899 makes a rare appearance on SF12 and shows its dot-matrix display, now loaded for all CBNW operated services. 899 is captured at North Pier as dusk falls on the final operating day.

Today was the end of the operating season for "Sea Front 12" with RM1568, RML2391, Olympian 269 and Volvo 899 operating workings on the final day of the illuminations. It has been a great year and the Routemasters have certainly established themselves as another tourist attraction in the resort and an alternative form of transport along the sea front.

Olympian 269, straight from duty on SF12 has its blinds changed ready for the following morning's College run on service 73.

Total gridlock!

Blackpool's new Promenade is rather like the emperor's new clothes - officials in the town cannot see the obvious truth - it often creates traffic gridlock and creates problems for bus services across the Fylde coast. There are 60-70 bus movements in front of the Tower every hour during the day and the traffic queues either side of the short stretch of single carriageway, shared space, 20mph section can result in 15-20 minute delays to all services. The problem is that the busier Blackpool is, the worse the traffic congestion and the more visitors there are, the more people cross the un-disciplined zebra crossings, compounding the traffic congestion either side.
Take yesterday for example, the northbound traffic queue started at Alexandra Road in South Shore and the southbound queue at Imperial Hotel. Some buses on our service 12 were taking two hours for a Pleasure Beach to Cabin round trip, whilst BTS' No.1 bus service completely bunched up. At one point in the afternoon, five No.1's were all within sight of each other at North Pier - three of them are visible in the picture below taken from one of our buses.

Three No.1 buses at North Pier, two others were in the vicinity but out of shot - and there's only 7 buses operating the 12-mile route from Starr Gate to Fleetwood Freeport! The effect of Blackpool's "shared space" in front of the Tower.

Of course, it's not just the buses that are affected - car drivers sat in traffic, both locals and visitors, are just burning fuel, creating extra pollution and, of course, not spending any money in the town. Please Blackpool Council - the new Promenade does look good, but re-think the design to improve traffic flow.

RML2391 retrimmed

As part of the loan agreement for the operation of preserved RML2391during summer 2012, the lower deck seating has been reupholstered in the 1990s "eyes-down" blue & grey moquette that was applied to the RML class upon refurbishment. It certainly improves the appearance of the lower saloon - this moquette is prone to looking quite tired. Hopefully, we will refresh the interiors of RML887 & RML2734 this winter.

Updated Operating Fleet List

Correct to 21 October 2012:

No	Reg	Chassis	Body	Origins
162	V162MAX	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Stagecoach East London 12/99
163	V163MAX	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	Stagecoach East London 12/99
269	P269PSX	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Lothian Buses 269
324	N324NHG	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Dublin Bus RA264
325	N325NHG	Volvo Olympian	Alexander	Dublin Bus RA272
502	P502UFR	Optare Metrorider	Optare	Blackpool 502
512	X512UAT	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	London United DP512 11/2000
528	DCA528X	Bristol VR	ECW	Crosville 528
533	X533UAT	Dennis Dart	Plaxton	London United DP513 11/2000
899	R899XVM	Volvo B10M	Alexander	Stagecoach Manchester
RML887	202UXJ	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)
RM1568	BNK324A	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)
RML2290	CUV290C	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Iveco Engine)
RCL2243	CUV243C	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (AEC Engine)
RML2391	JJD391D	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)
RML2734	SMK734F	AEC Routemaster	Park Royal	London Transport (Cummins Engine)

Notes:
RML2391 and RCL2243 on loan for 2012 Summer season
Other buses not featured in listing:
** Bristol VRT 360 (WTG360T) on loan to Crosville Motor Services, Weston-Super-Mare
** 898 (R898XVM) awaits preparation for service

Volvo B10M's twin arrives

Volvo B10M 898 being collected direct from Stagecoach's Chorley depot (c. Don Penney)

The former Stagecoach B10M, no.899, has been in use five days a week recently on our service 22 due to problems with Darts 162/163, and so we have taken up the option to add to the fleet sister bus 898 which was collected direct from Stagecoach's Chorley depot last Wednesday. Like 899, the bus was overhauled, retrimmed and repainted as a spare vehicle to cover for Olympic contracts in London but in the event it was not required and Stagecoach are now replacing all step-entrance buses in the fleet. 898 will receive CBNW all-red livery before it enters service with us.

Olympian 325 returns

Olympian 325 has been off the road since July 2011 when we lost the contract to operate the Blackpool & Fylde College contracted services 72 & 73 to Blackpool Transport. Formerly Dublin Bus RA272, this 1994 built Volvo Olympian has recently passed its MoT test again and its front has received CBNW red livery. The sides and rear have been left for now, because the bus may soon to receiving a new wrapped advert livery.

Olympian 325 (N325NHG) will be appearing on College contracted services before it receives an all-over advert livery.

325 will be appearing back on the College services which we won back from Blackpool Transport from September 2012.