Electric vehicles

[logidoodah]

While I was in the Arnison Centre today, I spotted the U11DD on it's way to Durham, so I cancelled my plans for the rest of the day (sitting in Spoons) and waited for it to come back on it's way north to give it a try.

The ride is a bit fidgety, but over the bigger bumps is rather smooth. For example, over the bump pulling into the 21 stand at CLS there's less of a jolt than in the Streetdecks or B5s, and on the speed bumps in Low Fell it didn't feel like my back was about to break. I feel like the 67 plate Streetdeck I had on my journey back was a smoother ride overall, but it was close. While I obviously haven't tried them back to back, from memory alone a 20 plate Streetdeck or E400 is better.

The cabin feels spacious and bright, the ambient lighting is quite nice although I wouldn't have picked orange. There was weird LED light under the windscreen upstairs pointing straight back, quite blinding when you're looking forward! 

Overall, it looks very ADL inside (design wise and with the shiny plastics), but feels much better built. Although there seemed to be a fair bit of flex in the wall cladding when I pushed against it with my knee.

Being electric, it is quiet, but there is a bit of wind noise coming from the windows upstairs when they're open.

Interestingly, it lacks a 'stopping' light upstairs, and the bell sounds like a door bell rather than the usual ding. I did quite like the light around the button that lights up when you push it, it's a nice touch.

The seats on the demo are alright, more comfortable than the Enviros despite less padding (probably better for it since they're firmer), and the hospital spec vinyl is much better than the arse sweat absorbing moquette GNE moved to with the last batch of orders. 
...

I travelled on it today to try it out. Went from Newcastle --> Durham. By god it takes an age (or at least feels like it going in a straight line mostly). Besides the point I agree with some of your points but we have higher standards and expectations as enthusiasts. Juxtaposed to the elderly folk in Birtley and students of Durham who seemed to love the bus going "ooo it's electric", "I love the bell sound", note this is the normal Yutong sound exactly the same as the Voltras as well as "this is a really cool bus which is fast too".

[Rapidsnap]

Don't know if anyone else noticed (well probably those within the company have).

The Yutong U11DD Demo (which has now returned to Pelican) managed to operate in service for 23 days in a row from Tuesday 16th Jan to Tuesday 7th Feb.

Even for a demo bus that is remarkable reliability, and I don't think standard buses achieve that level of reliability without having a day off or two.

[Ambassador]

Don't know if anyone else noticed (well probably those within the company have).

The Yutong U11DD Demo (which has now returned to Pelican) managed to operate in service for 23 days in a row from Tuesday 16th Jan to Tuesday 7th Feb.

Even for a demo bus that is remarkable reliability, and I don't think standard buses achieve that level of reliability without having a day off or two.

That is mightily impressive. Whilst I didn’t find it particularly comfortable legroom wise, the ride was nice and reliability above comfort for me

[Storx]

Don't know if anyone else noticed (well probably those within the company have).

The Yutong U11DD Demo (which has now returned to Pelican) managed to operate in service for 23 days in a row from Tuesday 16th Jan to Tuesday 7th Feb.

Even for a demo bus that is remarkable reliability, and I don't think standard buses achieve that level of reliability without having a day off or two.

Don't think it's too unexpected, most the Geminis have similar lengths at Blyth, just flicking through them quickly on Bus times which is generally reliable for buses actually been on the road. 

One of them has only had 1 day off since the 8th December. Quite impressive considering their age, guess it all comes down to who looks after them, ie. not Redcar.

[ne14ne1]

Do we know how long it will be until the Zebra 2 funded EVs arrive - is it like likely within a year, 2 years, more?

[busmanT]

Do we know how long it will be until the Zebra 2 funded EVs arrive - it’s like likely within a year, 2 years, more?

I understand that the electric bus manufacturers have bulging order books and are quoting over 12 months for delivery of buses ordered now.
The biggest delay however is getting the required HV electric supply to depots, in some case operators are being told it will take 10 years to provide an electric supply of the voltage required.

[ne14ne1]

I understand that the electric bus manufacturers have bulging order books and are quoting over 12 months for delivery of buses ordered now.
The biggest delay however is getting the required HV electric supply to depots, in some case operators are being told it will take 10 years to provide an electric supply of the voltage required.

That’s what I feared.

Maybe we could have some ex London hybrids in the meantime.

[Dan]

That’s what I feared.

Maybe we could have some ex London hybrids in the meantime.

More chance of Andreos1 taking a job at Go North East to work alongside his mate Daniel Laird than operators taking on ex-London Hybrids.


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[Ambassador]

So basically there’s more chance of Riverside fixing the Angel Streetdecks in the next 5 years than there is of EVs appearing on the angel

[busmanT]

So basically there’s more chance of Riverside fixing the Angel Streetdecks in the next 5 years than there is of EVs appearing on the angel

Late 2025/early 2026 at the earliest would be my guess.
By which time planning for the new franchised “Angel Network” will be well advanced.  
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/kim-mcgui...-of-buses/

[Unber43]

What an awful name.

[Ambassador]

Late 2025/early 2026 at the earliest would be my guess.
By which time planning for the new franchised “Angel Network” will be well advanced.  
https://northeastbylines.co.uk/kim-mcgui...-of-buses/

Dear god, Gannon is attached 

As much as I mock our hard working gne employees on here, having seen council and nexus use of funding.

I’d much rather some professionals had a run at it !

[ne14ne1]

The new ADL E400EV at Riverside:

https://x.com/liamhall24/status/1775590763616743546?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw

[Retro Nero]

The new ADL E400EV at Riverside:

https://x.com/liamhall24/status/1775590763616743546?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw

For trial I imagine?

[streetdeckfan]

The new ADL E400EV at Riverside:

https://x.com/liamhall24/status/1775590763616743546?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw

Looks rather smart that does!

Much better than the older E400MMCs!

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[ne14ne1]

Do we know how long it will be until the Zebra 2 funded EVs arrive - is it like likely within a year, 2 years, more?

“The new buses are expected to enter service by December 2025” - https://www.transportnortheast.gov.uk/la...ric-buses/