I've been in the area around Victoria this week and took advantage to have a ride on a Borisbus to Piccadilly. I'd seen them a couple of times but it took a day or 2 to realise that I could actually ride on one (doh!).

The exterior design is unusual. There's not much you can do with a bus but someone has had fun trying. For me the jury is out. They don't look bad but I'm not yet sure I'd go beyond interesting yet.

The interior lighting is somewhat subdued. I've also been riding the 36/436 this week and the interior is much brighter. I was surprised how narrow the front window is. It's part of the interesting exterior design but that element surprised me. Seats not anything special.

There were a few rattles. In some ways surprising but that's part of what a prototype batch is for. Let's hope they find the source and fix it.

I was impressed by the motors. The internal combustion engine (which I assume is diesel?) works on a stop/start basis (unless it kept stalling). The effect of the electric drive is akin to a trolleybus in that the diesel doesn't really accellerate. Quite good accelleration when required.

As we approached Piccadilly Circus I went to get off. I went down the middle stairs and it took me a moment or two to realise the rear platform was open. There was a staff member on the back platform who said absolutely nothing as I stepped off before we got to the stop. I did notice there's an oyster reader there. Is the platform presence there to ensure people touch in? I have to say I'm in favour of that back entrance but then I'm of the RT generation!

So summing up, I'm not wholly convinced it's particularly special but I do like the rear platform!

On Dec 6, 8:35*am, wrote:

So summing up, I'm not wholly convinced it's particularly special but I do like the rear platform!

I have been on them a few times and IMO they are superior in every way
to a standard Routemaster except that there is that annoying Pillar of
Conscience standing on the platform with his constant stream of advice
about not alighting under any circumstances. Upstairs the visibility
in extremely good. The engine is quiet, and the braking is not
constant emergency-brake like on other double-deckers. There are lego-
gold handrails which I imagine are to imitate the brass handrails of
the original.. They look very stylish and are recognizable from a
distance. There is more to say about them; but I prefer them to any
other bus.

Offramp wrote on 07 December 2012 13:09:56 ...
On Dec 6, 8:35 am, wrote:

So summing up, I'm not wholly convinced it's particularly special but I do like the rear platform!

I have been on them a few times and IMO they are superior in every way
to a standard Routemaster except that there is that annoying Pillar of
Conscience standing on the platform with his constant stream of advice
about not alighting under any circumstances.

I got off when the bus stopped at a red traffic light, and the doorman
(or whatever we're supposed to call him) didn't offer any advice. Worth
it for the nostalgia, but I'm not convinced it's worth disrupting the
entire bus design in order to achieve it.

Upstairs the visibility in extremely good. The engine is quiet, and
the braking is not constant emergency-brake like on other double-deckers.

Surely that's a function of driver skill, rather than the design of the
bus? Or are you suggesting that all other buses have braking systems
designed by the bloke who did them on C-stock?

There are lego-gold handrails which I imagine are to imitate the brass
handrails of the original.. They look very stylish and are recognizable
from a distance. There is more to say about them; but I prefer them to
any other bus.

I felt that there was much evidence of stylish and careful design, that
gave the interior a pleasant visual environment. But I can't get my
head around the concept of a bus that has two staircases but no one-way
system for them. You could perhaps justify two staircases if you always
boarded at the front and alighted at the back, so that the one at the
back was down only. But that's incompatible with the pre-war philosophy
of being able to board and alight wherever the bus is more or less
stationary.

And I can't support higher fares in order to pay for a doorman as well
as a driver. Nice bus but daft concept.
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)

On Dec 7, 3:59*pm, "Richard J." wrote:
Offramp wrote on 07 December 2012 13:09:56 ...

On Dec 6, 8:35 am, wrote:

So summing up, I'm not wholly convinced it's particularly special but I do like the rear platform!

I have been on them a few times and IMO they are superior in every way
to a standard Routemaster except that there is that annoying Pillar of
Conscience standing on the platform with his constant stream of advice
about not alighting under any circumstances.

I got off when the bus stopped at a red traffic light, and the doorman
(or whatever we're supposed to call him) didn't offer any advice. Worth
it for the nostalgia, but I'm not convinced it's worth disrupting the
entire bus design in order to achieve it.

Perhaps the Pillars of Conscience are being wound down as a prelude to
a cost-cutting removal.

Upstairs the visibility in extremely good. The engine is quiet, and
the braking is not constant emergency-brake like on other double-deckers.

Surely that's a function of driver skill, rather than the design of the
bus? *Or are you suggesting that all other buses have braking systems
designed by the bloke who did them on C-stock?

I believe it is owing to "energy-harvesting" technology on the recent
double-deckers. I am afraid that is all I know.

There are lego-gold handrails which I imagine are to imitate the brass
handrails of the original.. They look very stylish and are recognizable
from a distance. There is more to say about them; but I prefer them to
any other bus.

I felt that there was much evidence of stylish and careful design, that
gave the interior a pleasant visual environment. *But I can't get my
head around the concept of a bus that has two staircases but no one-way
system for them. *You could perhaps justify two staircases if you always
boarded at the front and alighted at the back, so that the one at the
back was down only. *But that's incompatible with the pre-war philosophy
of being able to board and alight wherever the bus is more or less
stationary.

I liked the two staircases - what I could not get my head around was
how little they took from the seating. One would think that two
staircases would take away four to eight seats - bit it doesn't seem
to!

And I can't support higher fares in order to pay for a doorman as well
as a driver. *Nice bus but daft concept.

Yes - all in all - knowing how much they have cost, and knowing the
increased running costs, they are too dear. If they manage to last 25
or ( gasp ) forty years then it might be a different story.

Offramp wrote on 07 December 2012 19:17:57 ...
On Dec 7, 3:59 pm, "Richard J." wrote:
Offramp wrote on 07 December 2012 13:09:56 ...

I liked the two staircases - what I could not get my head around was
how little they took from the seating. One would think that two
staircases would take away four to eight seats - bit it doesn't seem
to!

My impression is that these buses are longer than normal double-deckers,
in order to fit in two staircases, and that may be how the seating
capacity is maintained. But I haven't checked actual dimensions,
wheelbase etc. Does anyone have comparative figures?
--
Richard J.
(to email me, swap 'uk' and 'yon' in address)