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Post by 315 on Jul 30, 2012 21:36:48 GMT
Whilst visiting the Olympic Park today, i noticed a lot of Official Games Buses driving within the parks roads that had clearly come from bus companies across the country. Saw a few ''First Bus'' from Belfast and ''Stagecoach'' from Newcastle amongst other. Are these hired by LOCOG or have they been purchased?
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Post by Deep Level on Jul 30, 2012 21:50:12 GMT
Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe that they're being operated by the companies on behalf of LOCOG and other related companies.
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Post by causton on Jul 30, 2012 23:47:40 GMT
All hired in - loads of different companies are helping out. Most of them you'll see are Stagecoach though by a large majority IMO. I have been a couple of times to see them, today included, and will upload photos of that tomorrow, but there are also some here: www.flickr.com/photos/0causton0/sets/72157630761289734/Even local operators are providing a small complement of 1 or 2 buses, so it must be worthwhile for the operators... I do not know whether the drivers are from the bus company or LOCOG (as I do not recognise any of the ones driving my local bus companies' ones, and I normally do!)  |
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Post by Deep Level on Jul 31, 2012 0:02:55 GMT
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Post by causton on Jul 31, 2012 0:10:42 GMT
Those coaches are actually on hire to Stagecoach (maybe? I think?) but they are destined for Ireland - I think it is Ulsterbus who are going to have them but they have come straight from the factory to the Olympics, meaning we see them before they do! Same with some dark blue single deckers, which I believe are going to Poole but have came straight from the factory to London bus garages to run these.
I do like the red livery on those E400s, but can't remember where they are from. And I couldn't tell you about the blinds, no matter how interesting it is that they've put that on the blind!*
*What's really annoying is that the blind is off centre without a route number, meaning there's a large gap on the right hand side. If it were me I would put the company logo in the route number box when E400s say 'Not in service' but as it's the Olympics... the Olympic rings maybe?
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 4:27:09 GMT
It's regarding the low emission zone in London and the need to send newer buses. Stagecoach Peterborough sent their new E400's into London and have older Tridents from Swindon. Similar has happened around the country as loads of buses have been shuffled around to meet Londons tougher emission laws.
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Post by crusty54 on Jul 31, 2012 5:19:36 GMT
Extra bus parks at West Ham garage, Royal Victoria Docks and Dagenham. Some drivers from out of town staying on liners moored in the Docks near ExCel
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 6:58:36 GMT
I have a database of 315 olympic service buses, 14 operators and quite a few different types of buses and coaches, I am looking forward to causton's photos so I can update my database. Eventhough I am going out myself today to photograph some of these buses.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 7:04:41 GMT
On Friday afternoon we had a convoy of four bendies heading south down Leyton High Road towards Stratford. Wish Boris had been around.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 8:09:16 GMT
The buses and drivers carrying athletes and media are supplied directly to LOCOG, but are still employed by the operator. Stagecoach are managing the day to day operations of these services from three sites (West Ham, The Royal Docks & for engineering purposes the old Upton Park bus garage).
The contract to transport Spectators is with First, who have created a separate company First Games Transport to manage this contract.
In the case of the LOCOG work, all vehicle ownership details (other than the legal’s) must be covered both internally and externally. Firsts contract is less prescriptive, and vehicle ownership details/logos etc are not covered.
Theres a few other contracts, such as the carriage of the Police, and Corporate businesses, most of which, I think are using Coaches.
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Post by Deep Level on Jul 31, 2012 15:24:18 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 16:31:50 GMT
On Friday afternoon we had a convoy of four bendies heading south down Leyton High Road towards Stratford. Wish Boris had been around. Ken's Chariots of Fire return. |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 31, 2012 17:54:48 GMT
On Friday afternoon we had a convoy of four bendies heading south down Leyton High Road towards Stratford. Wish Boris had been around. Ken's Chariots of Fire return. Photographed 6 in a hour this morning on the A12. Not sure what they are doing as they have no olympic stickers or security tags. |
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Post by 315 on Jul 31, 2012 18:03:08 GMT
Thanks Causton, even noticed a few from Edinburgh. All hired in - loads of different companies are helping out. Most of them you'll see are Stagecoach though by a large majority IMO. I have been a couple of times to see them, today included, and will upload photos of that tomorrow, but there are also some here: www.flickr.com/photos/0causton0/sets/72157630761289734/Even local operators are providing a small complement of 1 or 2 buses, so it must be worthwhile for the operators... I do not know whether the drivers are from the bus company or LOCOG (as I do not recognise any of the ones driving my local bus companies' ones, and I normally do!) |
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Post by rincew1nd on Jul 31, 2012 19:08:06 GMT
You don't need to go to London to go spotting busses, thanks to the BBC you can do it from the comfort of your own sofa. You can watch them trundle past in the background of the main studio.
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Post by Deep Level on Jul 31, 2012 20:47:05 GMT
The best view for bus spotters can be seen from the BBC3 Studio (BBC HD) rather than the BBC1 Studio (BBC1 HD).
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Post by Phil on Jul 31, 2012 21:40:09 GMT
Just to confirm, the majority of drivers are Stagecoach employees from all over the country (including three from our local town out of a total workforce of only 45 drivers). While they are there they still receive their wages from Stagecoach, though where that money originates from I'm not sure - but I think SC got the big contract to supply bus transport within the complex, and it was then left up to them how to fulfil that contract in terms of both vehicles and staff.
And importing the newest vehicles is nothing new - just watch the Cheltenham Festival (racing) buses; new ones due for London etc. brought in, while local depots have all their best buses pinched and 15yo rubbish brought out of store for the week.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2012 7:59:51 GMT
Just to confirm, the majority of drivers are Stagecoach employees from all over the country (including three from our local town out of a total workforce of only 45 drivers). While they are there they still receive their wages from Stagecoach, though where that money originates from I'm not sure - but I think SC got the big contract to supply bus transport within the complex, and it was then left up to them how to fulfil that contract in terms of both vehicles and staff. And importing the newest vehicles is nothing new - just watch the Cheltenham Festival (racing) buses; new ones due for London etc. brought in, while local depots have all their best buses pinched and 15yo rubbish brought out of store for the week. Stagecoach have provided around 490 buses, 220 single deckers, 220 double deckers and around 50 buses/coaches from ulsterbus. Not all those buses are in use at one time, as many can be seen parked up at the Excel seemingly un-used. |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 21:22:07 GMT
Hi, i visited London Mon 6th Aug in order to see Olympic buses that are working but i was surprised not to see many First Games vehicles. The only ones i saw were at Canning town going to the Excel. Can anyone tell me where is best to see these operating? Thanks |
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Post by crusty54 on Aug 8, 2012 21:36:35 GMT
Hi, i visited London Mon 6th Aug in order to see Olympic buses that are working but i was surprised not to see many First Games vehicles. The only ones i saw were at Canning town going to the Excel. Can anyone tell me where is best to see these operating? Thanks North Greenwich for some |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 8, 2012 21:41:55 GMT
Typical, i passed through there!  |
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Post by Dstock7080 on Aug 9, 2012 5:36:34 GMT
Wimbledon too was another good place for First Games Transport vehicles with 20+ staying overnight on Wimbledon Park. Sadly this service has now finished. www.flickr.com/photos/24772733@N05/page8/©bowroaduk |
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Post by Deep Level on Aug 9, 2012 23:43:00 GMT
Excel is the best place, you can see the 14, 16 & 21. Every time I've passed by Canning Town I've seen at least like 3 P&R Buses, the 21 uses the Bus Station and EB 14's pass through Canning Town (not entering the bus station but passing it). I've also seen 16's passing over Barking Road at Greengate.
Does anybody know who owns the Streetlites currently on loan to LOCOG?
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Post by causton on Aug 10, 2012 1:36:28 GMT
I believe the Torch Relay buses are for Stagecoach in Wales after they have been used for the Olympics Went to Canning Town today, it is a good spot for First vehicles  |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 12, 2012 7:20:42 GMT
Thanks for your help, advice taken
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Post by Deep Level on Aug 25, 2012 19:44:26 GMT
Oh dear, a Games Vehicle from Uno crashed on East India Dock Road today. Photo 1Photo 2Photo 3So what happens now? Does LOCOG have to pay Uno for damages or is it a Uno driver meaning it's their fault? |
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2012 21:12:44 GMT
There are going to be some changes to the bus arrangements for the Paralympics. Watch this space...
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2012 13:05:14 GMT
Oh dear, a Games Vehicle from Uno crashed on East India Dock Road today. So what happens now? Does LOCOG have to pay Uno for damages or is it a Uno driver meaning it's their fault? Thanks for the pictures. Poor Uno. In this case the insurers will pick up the tab. It would not be LOCOGs responsibility to sort it out, other than perhaps field a few media questions. However I would suspect they would be very keen to get to the bottom of this one. In fairness to LOCOG, Stagecoach & First, they have taken numerous steps to ensure that the games transport network operates Safety. However with high mileages in unfamiliar territory, the likelihood of something like this happening are higher than perhaps we would like them to be. Obviously the bus looks pretty mangled, but this part is one of the softer bits of the bus. Theres not a lot of strength at that point. As a result damage in this area always looks worse. The platform and step are designed to crumple in any major impact. Thats one good reason for not standing at the front of a bus! I would imagine they would also get a nice bill for reinstating the roadside furniture. Hope no one was on board and the driver was not injured. But I am surprised to see they are still there. Uno have a big service change in September plus a new operation starting in Northampton which will mean they could be tight on buses. The inference is that they are staying in Docklands for the Paralympics which runs over the beginning of the new school year. I suspect the students go back later, but Hertfordshire schools will all be back next Tuesday week. We had to come off the other week, as we need every bus for the return of schools on the 3rd. But it was very enjoyable to be part of this! Dean |
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Post by littlebrute on Aug 26, 2012 14:15:34 GMT
I believe the Torch Relay buses are for Stagecoach in Wales after they have been used for the Olympics I've seen a few on my various travels around the area, particularly in Merthyr |
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Post by Deep Level on Aug 26, 2012 14:55:05 GMT
Oh dear, a Games Vehicle from Uno crashed on East India Dock Road today. So what happens now? Does LOCOG have to pay Uno for damages or is it a Uno driver meaning it's their fault? Thanks for the pictures. Poor Uno. In this case the insurers will pick up the tab. It would not be LOCOGs responsibility to sort it out, other than perhaps field a few media questions. However I would suspect they would be very keen to get to the bottom of this one. In fairness to LOCOG, Stagecoach & First, they have taken numerous steps to ensure that the games transport network operates Safety. However with high mileages in unfamiliar territory, the likelihood of something like this happening are higher than perhaps we would like them to be. Obviously the bus looks pretty mangled, but this part is one of the softer bits of the bus. Theres not a lot of strength at that point. As a result damage in this area always looks worse. The platform and step are designed to crumple in any major impact. Thats one good reason for not standing at the front of a bus! I would imagine they would also get a nice bill for reinstating the roadside furniture. Hope no one was on board and the driver was not injured. But I am surprised to see they are still there. Uno have a big service change in September plus a new operation starting in Northampton which will mean they could be tight on buses. The inference is that they are staying in Docklands for the Paralympics which runs over the beginning of the new school year. I suspect the students go back later, but Hertfordshire schools will all be back next Tuesday week. We had to come off the other week, as we need every bus for the return of schools on the 3rd. But it was very enjoyable to be part of this! Dean Thanks for the info. The furniture damaged was a pole with a CCTV Camera on top, fence and the big screen put in place for the London 2012 Games Lane was off so I'm assuming it was also damaged as I arrived before the emergency services. This can be seen here: photoThe driver was ok, I heard him talking to the police where he said: "It was very scary, I felt the back end go and my heart dropped". I'm trying to find info on what happened as I arrived just seconds after it happening, the only thing I do know was that there was another Uno bus of the same type immediately behind but I'm not sure if it had any involvement. |
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