FMR Mercedes Citaro acquisitions

[willr7]

I have a list from late August that shows two vehicles in the spare livery and five in 35 Nimrod livery. However, the two spares are listed as 64012 and 64045, and we already know 64045 is in Nimrod livery so my information is clearly out of date!

I suspect there will still be five but I'm not able to say which ones the final two will be. Sorry.

Thanks for your response Adam! After checking the bus graph again I realized that the 35 used 6 streetlite's (M-F) not 5 which is what I originally thought! So I wonder why they were/are only planning on putting 5 mercs into 'nimrod' livery when the PVR for the 35 was originally 6 streetlite's unless the PVR has gone down since last year... I was thinking maybe as 4 streetlite's are going to Leicester, maybe they will only put 4 mercs in 'nimrod' livery to replace those 4 streetlite's so then maybe 2 of the remaining 4 streetlire's could also be put into the nimrod livery (Just a thought - probably completely wrong! )

[DD12]

This "spare bus" livery is certainly an unexpected development !

My records show there were around 8 "spare" buses at WR for several months ( to cover for servicing , breakdowns, accident damage, and similar) -- up until the service cuts that was, -- -- could we end up with more than two buses in this livery ?

I can see the sense in using some in spare bus livery to cover for scheduled maintenance, but I think it will remain essential to "chop and change" vehicles at Crowngate (the central hub) because of late running, and "bunching", and breakdowns etc. -- --

- and so it will still be better if YOUR bus turns up "nearly on time", but in the wrong livery -- but with a bright and clear LED service indicator !

Another thought is that this "dolly-mixture" of liveries that's appearing at Worcester, might be appealing to a potential buyer, IF First WANT to sell-up, and would PERHAPS allow the new owner to do repaints more slowly ??

[Charliedaffin]

Does anyone know what is happening to the older citaros which are coming up from first Hampshire and Dorset

[AdamH]

Does anyone know what is happening to the older citaros which are coming up from first Hampshire and Dorset

I believe they will just be in the normal livery for general use.

Meanwhile, another one in Nimrod livery has arrived today.

[Charliedaffin]

Does anyone know what is happening to the older citaros which are coming up from first Hampshire and Dorset

I believe they will just be in the normal livery for general use.

Meanwhile, another one in Nimrod livery has arrived today.

Thank you

[Charliedaffin]

Also, TBH i think that they should put some of the 07 citaros into the standard Worcester city urban 2 fuchsia livery, that would be bettter than the spare bus livery,

[chason]

Like other enthusiasts, I find the variety of liveries now appearing of great interest but I do wonder whether the average passenger really cares a jot or, in many cases even notices or understands why his or her bus wears a particular livery. My feeling is that their main concern is still that there should be a bus at a time when they need one, it is on schedule, clean and comfortable and at a fare they can afford.

Is there any actual evidence, locally or nationally that the cost involved can be recouped by persuading more passengers to travel on such buses, which is presumably the reason for such livery changes?

[ANDREW]

My feeling is that their main concern is still that there should be a bus at a time when they need one, it is on schedule, clean and comfortable and at a fare they can afford.

Agreed !!

[DD12]

64033 was parked in the corner of the patch this evening and I was able to look at the rear end.
Two things were note worthy --
-- The rear window looked a right mess (under the artificial light) as the previous "decoration" had not been removed adequately.

-- it also featured two versions of the fleet number :-
- one low-down on the right-hand rear, and one high-up on the same side --
the latter one is prefixed ES.
(However this prefixed number didn't look to me like it had just been applied -- ?? )
I'm wondering now if was applied by it's previous owner (?) , or, by FMR, because it could "mean" Engineering Spare !

[Matt]

Three slightly separate comments, sorry if they have been answered elsewhere or they are obvious/stupid questions.

- I see the fleetlist shows 13 Mercs but there are only 8 '64' streetlights, does that mean there are other vehicle to go? Maybe the last of the Enviro 300s?

- this is the second batch of major refurb vehicles from Thorntons for Midland Red, is this happening more widely for other areas/by other operators to reduce new vehicle spend? Presumably it gives significant lifespan increases competing what must be quite costly work? If it continues would it not be cheaper to bring skill in house to complete such overhall work?

- I am suspecting this all may mean quite a wait for the previously mentioned updated coaches and some newer DDs to appease @DD12 although it seems that the majority of need for DDs is for schools work?