http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Excerpts...

---quote---
[...]The first batch of 30 buses, enough to convert a full route, will
enter passenger service in April next year [2013].
[...]
No decision has yet been made on which routes will be converted, however
the new buses will be deployed on busy central London routes where their
unique characteristics, such as the open rear platform, can deliver the
maximum benefits."

In a departure from the current bus ownership model, TfL has also taken
the decision to purchase the buses directly from the manufacturer. This
will secure a better unit price by purchasing the new buses in larger
numbers rather than a bus operator ordering in smaller batches on a per
route basis. The buses will then be allocated to the bus operators,
reducing contract costs as the operator will simply quote for staffing,
fuel and maintenance costs.

The new ownership model will enable us to more easily move the buses
between operators when route contracts change and significantly extend
the operational life of the vehicle. After an initial purchase outlay
this ownership model will deliver savings of tens of millions of pounds
over the life of the buses. The TfL Business Plan is due to be revised
later this year and the purchase of the 600 vehicles will be delivered
within TfL's current funding settlement.
---/quote---


Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New Bus
for London is 14 years in service in London."

Mizter T wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Excerpts...

---quote---
[...]The first batch of 30 buses, enough to convert a full route, will
enter passenger service in April next year [2013].
[...]
No decision has yet been made on which routes will be converted, however
the new buses will be deployed on busy central London routes where their
unique characteristics, such as the open rear platform, can deliver the maximum benefits."

In a departure from the current bus ownership model, TfL has also taken
the decision to purchase the buses directly from the manufacturer. This
will secure a better unit price by purchasing the new buses in larger
numbers rather than a bus operator ordering in smaller batches on a per
route basis. The buses will then be allocated to the bus operators,
reducing contract costs as the operator will simply quote for staffing,
fuel and maintenance costs.

The new ownership model will enable us to more easily move the buses
between operators when route contracts change and significantly extend
the operational life of the vehicle. After an initial purchase outlay
this ownership model will deliver savings of tens of millions of pounds
over the life of the buses. The TfL Business Plan is due to be revised
later this year and the purchase of the 600 vehicles will be delivered
within TfL's current funding settlement.
---/quote---


Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New Bus
for London is 14 years in service in London."

Doesn't this look like a major step towards the nationalisation of London
Buses?

In article
,
(Recliner) wrote:

Mizter T wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Excerpts...

---quote---
[...]The first batch of 30 buses, enough to convert a full route, will
enter passenger service in April next year [2013].
[...]
No decision has yet been made on which routes will be converted, however
the new buses will be deployed on busy central London routes where their
unique characteristics, such as the open rear platform, can deliver
the maximum benefits."

In a departure from the current bus ownership model, TfL has also taken
the decision to purchase the buses directly from the manufacturer. This
will secure a better unit price by purchasing the new buses in larger
numbers rather than a bus operator ordering in smaller batches on a per
route basis. The buses will then be allocated to the bus operators,
reducing contract costs as the operator will simply quote for staffing,
fuel and maintenance costs.

The new ownership model will enable us to more easily move the buses
between operators when route contracts change and significantly extend
the operational life of the vehicle. After an initial purchase outlay
this ownership model will deliver savings of tens of millions of pounds
over the life of the buses. The TfL Business Plan is due to be revised
later this year and the purchase of the 600 vehicles will be delivered
within TfL's current funding settlement.
---/quote---

Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New Bus
for London is 14 years in service in London."

Doesn't this look like a major step towards the nationalisation of London
Buses?

More likely TfL turning itself into a ROSCO. But only 14 years service? RMs
got up to 50!

--
Colin Rosenstiel

wrote:
In article
,
(Recliner) wrote:

Mizter T wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Excerpts...

---quote---
[...]The first batch of 30 buses, enough to convert a full route, will
enter passenger service in April next year [2013].
[...]
No decision has yet been made on which routes will be converted, however
the new buses will be deployed on busy central London routes where their
unique characteristics, such as the open rear platform, can deliver
the maximum benefits."

In a departure from the current bus ownership model, TfL has also taken
the decision to purchase the buses directly from the manufacturer. This
will secure a better unit price by purchasing the new buses in larger
numbers rather than a bus operator ordering in smaller batches on a per
route basis. The buses will then be allocated to the bus operators,
reducing contract costs as the operator will simply quote for staffing,
fuel and maintenance costs.

The new ownership model will enable us to more easily move the buses
between operators when route contracts change and significantly extend
the operational life of the vehicle. After an initial purchase outlay
this ownership model will deliver savings of tens of millions of pounds
over the life of the buses. The TfL Business Plan is due to be revised
later this year and the purchase of the 600 vehicles will be delivered
within TfL's current funding settlement.
---/quote---

Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New Bus
for London is 14 years in service in London."

Doesn't this look like a major step towards the nationalisation of London
Buses?

More likely TfL turning itself into a ROSCO. But only 14 years service? RMs
got up to 50!

How long do other modern buses last in London?

Paul Corfield wrote:
On Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:04:11 -0500,
wrote:

In article
,
(Recliner) wrote:

Mizter T wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New Bus
for London is 14 years in service in London."

Doesn't this look like a major step towards the nationalisation of London
Buses?

More likely TfL turning itself into a ROSCO. But only 14 years service? RMs
got up to 50!

The NB4L is incredibly heavy because of the 2 staircase design. No one
knows what longevity there is in the bodywork but the far bigger risk
is the hybrid drive and the motors. Hybrid technology will continue
to advance and it has not been made public as to how flexible the NB4L
design might be in terms of accommodating technology changes. That is,
perhaps, understandable.

The RM was both revolutionary but also very simple and easy to
maintain. It was capable of being re-engined with several difference
designs. The RMs on the Heritage routes are effectively Dennis Darts
underneath! Who knows if the NB4L will be capable of emulating that
sort of flexibility.

I suppose it's the battery technology that's most likely to advance during
the bus's lifetime. Emission rules will also get tighter, so one could
imagine that the whole battery+engine+electronics module could be replaced
more often than the body and chassis.

In article ,
(Paul Corfield) wrote:

On Thu, 20 Sep 2012 12:04:11 -0500,
wrote:

In article

.com, (Recliner) wrote:

Mizter T wrote:
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/corporate/media/newscentre/25748.aspx

Also, in the footnotes to editors - "The operational life of the New
Bus for London is 14 years in service in London."

Doesn't this look like a major step towards the nationalisation of
London Buses?

More likely TfL turning itself into a ROSCO. But only 14 years service?
RMs got up to 50!

The NB4L is incredibly heavy because of the 2 staircase design. No one
knows what longevity there is in the bodywork but the far bigger risk
is the hybrid drive and the motors. Hybrid technology will continue
to advance and it has not been made public as to how flexible the NB4L
design might be in terms of accommodating technology changes. That is,
perhaps, understandable.

The RM was both revolutionary but also very simple and easy to
maintain. It was capable of being re-engined with several difference
designs. The RMs on the Heritage routes are effectively Dennis Darts
underneath! Who knows if the NB4L will be capable of emulating that
sort of flexibility.

Interesting. Thanks. When you say RMs now "are effectively Dennis Darts" do
you mean the engine and drive train or more?

--
Colin Rosenstiel

On Thu, Sep 20, 2012 at 12:04:11PM -0500, wrote:

But only 14 years service? RMs got up to 50!

With a couple of major refits.

--
David Cantrell | even more awesome than a panda-fur coat

Repent through spending