Stop changing your allocations!

I felt it would be good to get off my chest...and for once, this is a rant regarding First SY...

In October 2012 First changed the allocation of Cross-City route 51 (Charnock - City - Lodge Moor) to Volvo B7TL Double decks transferred from Leeds. At the time it was all good and there was a good allocation of double deckers every day whilst there were still two at York for repaits & paint cover.

When the two (37022/31 (YJ06XKL/W)) arrived at Sheffield there was a week of more or less double decker operation with 14 or 15 Geminis and the odd decker from elsewhere. So when you see a revamped 51 with new buses in the new livery, you'll get more passengers.

So First then think its suitable to then plonk (technical terms there) Volvo B10BLEs in the OLD colours on a route with a growing passenger base because First made the route look good. Add in some older buses in old colours which look tatty & tatty interiors - and guess what happens.

As time progressed, there were more and more being put on Monday-Friday and even now Saturdays.

So then we get to February 2013 - even newer buses in centenary colours to celebrate 100 years of buses in Sheffield. Add those into the equation and we have two batches of Geminis which look very smart as the supposed "allocation" to the route...and then we've got Volvo B10BLEs which seriously need a lick of paint, LED destinations and a retrim - before they even START to help the Geminis

And now we come to today, a regular Saturday without a football match on the route. I knew something was wrong when I ended up with a B9TL this morning! As the day progresses...there's only 3 deckers on - the centenary buses, and the odd one out which I got this morning.

So why does the allocation have to keep changing? By doing that, the route's reputation is being shattered - the buses don't look as nice. Just make one allocation and STICK WITH IT. The odd day is alright, but when its a regular occurance, it is what is known as a fucking joke.

February 2013 Fleet News

First South Yorkshire:

Currently off road at Olive Grove for various reasons are 30861 30862 31131 31140 32957 33067 33084 33099 33123 33125 60651 6071

60651 T833MAK has been noted at Plaxton, South Anston

Ex-First Manchester 62143 R589SBA has been seen in service at Olive Grove, whilst Volvo Olympian / Alexander Royale 31673 P609WSU has seen use in Doncaster.

Ex-First Manchester Volvo B10BLE / Wright Renowns 60365 and 62142 are currently at Doncaster, usage unknown

Stagecoach Yorkshire:

Recent loans at Holbrook from various depots and the reserve pool are 22089/927 (MX54LRU/S927CFC) and Chesterfield's 35006 (YN51VHP)

2013 - Fleet news so far

 Not done this for a while so I'll update it now. I've probably missed more than a load of things out as this winter has been chaotic for fleet movements and changes so I've stuck what I can think of from the top of my head in here. Not all registrations are here for the sheer number required - bear in mind the below took me 50 minutes to compose in total. Thats not including updating Facebook with service changes due to the weather!

First South Yorkshire:

This operator has recieved Streetlite 47402 LK62FUJ on trial purposes. Several Volvo B10BLEs from Manchester (due for training school) are in operation at Rotherham - noted so far are 60366/7 (R571/2SBA)

Currently in the revised livery at Sheffield are: 31137-41/33029-32/41/52/61/63-71/79/99/123-9/230/37021-35/103-22/472-86/513-23 (522 front only repaint)/60630-2/41-51/3-5/8/703-22/4-8/861/2/85/69012/3/7/8/20-31 - this could become incorrect quickly and probably already is

Further R---SBA Volvo B10BLEs are appearing at Olive Grove depot although the reason why is currently unknown

Olympian 30553 (N---CMP) and 60652 (T834MAK) have now gone to PVS, Barnsley for scrap

B10BLE 60651 (T833MAK) has recieved accident damage on the o/s whilst at Crystal Peaks

B9TL's 37229 (YN08LCJ) and 37528 (YN58ETX) have both gained special Sheffield Transport liveries for an unveiling on Friday (15 Feb)

Stagecoach Yorkshire:

This operator has taken delivery of 19 new ADL Enviro400H vehicles which are now in service on Route 52. The vehicles are 12161-79.

DAF SB220 / East Lancs Myllennium 26102 (W472MKU) was damaged when it hit a First bus at Crystal Peaks.

Several transfers within this division have taken place between depots.

Camerons Travel:

Volvo B10M / VanHool Alizee T8 DSK660 has joined the fleet and was in operation today (13 Feb) partially unbranded due to a fleet shortage.