[Travel] Boring bus question

[jcdenton08]

Hopefully just a one reply thread from someone who knows what they’re on about

Since the refit of the Coasters (12 services), why do the drivers now turn off the ignition at every stop? It is a power saving thing?

I’d love to know why this has started happening. I thought it used more fuel to start the vehicle than to idle for 15-20 seconds while passengers embark

 

[Eeyore]

I think the engines turn off automatically then re-start.

 

[Commander]

Are you sure it isn't an automatic setting? Plenty of cars have that.

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

Have you tried turning it off and on again?

 

[Withdean South Stand]

There's a bus driver who will answer, but I also want to throw a boring bus question in as well.

Why do the buses which used to be on the Coaster get moved to the 46? Those doublers are longer than the standard, so the drivers then have to drag a longer double around the mean and tight streets of Southwick and it seems inappropriate to me.

 

[jcdenton08]

There's a bus driver who will answer, but I also want to throw a boring bus question in as well.

Why do the buses which used to be on the Coaster get moved to the 46? Those doublers are longer than the standard, so the drivers then have to drag a longer double around the mean and tight streets of Southwick and it seems inappropriate to me.

Excellent question

 

[The Oldman]

Enviro400ER Buses

Enviro400 ER hybrid electric buses deliver 3,000,000 passenger journeys and 244,000 miles of zero emission bus travel every year.

www.buses.co.uk

 

[jcdenton08]

Enviro400ER Buses

Enviro400 ER hybrid electric buses deliver 3,000,000 passenger journeys and 244,000 miles of zero emission bus travel every year.

www.buses.co.uk

Would you mind quoting in that link you provided the answer to my specific question? Thanks.

 

[Sid and the Sharknados]

I thought it was the hybrid engine cutting the diesel out as it stopped and started.

I found it quite annoying at first (a few years ago on the routes I noticed it on) but then stopped noticing it. Not sure if that's just me getting used to it or if they did anything to make it a bit smoother.

 

[The Oldman]

Would you mind quoting in that link you provided the answer to my specific question? Thanks.

Sorry if that link did not explain. I drive a hybrid car and it does exactly what the Coaster buses do. Stop for any reason the engine cuts out.
Hybrid engines are designed to switch to battery operation when the vehicle is stationary. As soon as power is required greater than the battery can supply the diesel or petrol engine cuts in. So the switch off when the bus stops has nothing to do with the driver. It’s the bus doing it itself.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

I think the engines turn off automatically then re-start.

This is it.

 

[Peacehaven Wild Kids]

Why do the buses which used to be on the Coaster get moved to the 46? Those doublers are longer than the standard, so the drivers then have to drag a longer double around the mean and tight streets of Southwick and it seems inappropriate to me.

I don’t pay a great deal of attention to the politics of it all however there is only a certain capacity at each of the four local garages. Newhaven got allocated the new 700 serial number buses so the longer 900 serial number (coasters) got moved to Lewes Rd to replace the old Scanias (600s) that are on their way to Bus heaven as we speak.

The Coasters are awaiting the new turquoise branding.

However yes you’re right they are longer and it can make a difference (I.e turning left into Oxford St at The Bat And Ball) They wouldn’t be able to negotiate serving the Maresfield Rd stop then pulling out into Manor Hill.

 

[beorhthelm]

it's to cut the emissions. doesn't take any more fuel to start regularly, though it'll be caning the battery. chunky things in buses, i'm wondering how car ones hold up where this is done.

 

[jcdenton08]

My question, I can consider answered. As I understand it, a sensor or something detects no need for diesel power (engine thrust) because they are standing still, and the battery keeps the lights etc on like any car. Then when the driver wants to pull away again, it basically restarts the engine. Is that right?

I do have a follow up question, semi-related. And another one which is unrelated

You know how the hybrid buses seem to really struggle up hills - is this an engine power issue? Coming up past Eastbourne Golf Course for instance at the back of the bus you can feel it really fighting.

Completely unrelated - I really like the new CCTV and screen placed at the bottom of the stairs. Maybe just a last ditch reminder to those planning antisocial behaviour they are being recorded on the top deck. However, the screen plays at about 1 frame a second. Is the actual video quality better than this? Would it really be that much harder to have live streaming video rather than a slideshow?

If a serious crime, like a stabbing, came to court, it would be all the difference between a clear video than a blurry screenshot when presenting evidence.

 

[VAL1850]

I'm sure these new Coasters are not as powerful as the original ones, seem very slow on the big hills between Eastbourne and Cuckmere valley area

Will be interesting to see how the 701 Stagecoach bangers get on.....

 

[Paulie Gualtieri]

@jackalbion will be fuming that a non train transport thread is full of actual conversation rather than complaints!

 

[studio150]

@jackalbion will be fuming that a non train transport thread is full of actual conversation rather than complaints!

You want complaints, you can't handle complaints


To paraphrase a certain Lt Daniel Kaffee

 

[Bry Nylon]

When's a bus not a bus?


When it turns into a street.

 

[jackalbion]

@jackalbion will be fuming that a non train transport thread is full of actual conversation rather than complaints!

It’s because the buses are hybrid buses!

 

[Superphil]

it's to cut the emissions. doesn't take any more fuel to start regularly, though it'll be caning the battery. chunky things in buses, i'm wondering how car ones hold up where this is done.

Our Mini Clubman has the Stop/Start system, we had to replace the battery last month, the first time we had done so since the we bought the car new, in 2010, after 105,000+ miles. So I guess in this instance it has little impact on the battery.