Friday 8th October 2010 ~ Red Friday

The maintenance schedule for X1 buses works on a two weekly rota. It is widely accepted in public transport - and indeed is probably a statutory requirement I daresay - that vehicles receive a mandatory check of all things important every 14 days. In bus terms these are known as 'safety services' which is a contemporary phrase for 'examination'. Because of the two weekly cycle, I have found it easier to designate each alternate week as either a red or blue one. So it is that on a red Friday (like today), 'The Beast' is due for a service, along with B9s 37566, 37571 and 37578. The Lowestoft maintenance seems to take an unplanned format, whereas at Lynn buses due for a service are seen to by the early shift of fitters and almost always (if no incurable fault found) dispatched on K5 which is the last turn to be supplied by Lynn. This of course means that the freshly serviced bus has a clear road off the pits with the other buses having already left.
20107 was at Lynn overnight and was sent out on K1 (a Yarmouth terminator) and the opportunity was taken to take it out of service at Lowestoft at lunchtime. The Beast is shown here at Lowestoft today awaiting a driver to take it to Gasworks Road

DS

The replacement for 20107 was B7 37156 which has been having an extended holiday from the X1. This was last used on the service on September 30th and is widely regarded as a bit of a struggler acceleration and speedwise - its fair to say that it would give 20118 a good contest !
So 37156 took K1 and was 20 late by the time Wisbech was reached, however, in the interests of fairness it must be pointed out that 20121 (on K3 of course) was 23 late arriving here. Overall though an average 15 minute delay on Friday is quite acceptable and the other reprobate seen was 37575 on K17 passing the South Gates cameras at 18.00 on K19 eastbound, around 23 late.
37566 was off at Lowestoft for servicing today and the chap from Wrights had a good poke and prod at 37573 at Lynn today.
Our man at the controls says "37570 - Y6 05:50 Yarm to P'bo - On time throughout - 2 hoodies boarded at Norwich with return CHILD tickets from yesterday. Company policy is simple, every passenger has to have a valid ticket. Of course, they had no money!!! They soon found £10 for 2 adult singles back to Lynn though.
20121 - K3 09:35 Lynn to Low - It takes time to fill out the tachograph disc! - Left 5 late from Lynn. Time made up by Dereham. I just knew that I would have a few passengers with luggage etc. 7 large cases and 2 baby buggies later, I arrived at Lowestoft. just 4 late (12:44). Pic below...

After leaving Norwich and while entering the single track road beyond the Blofield bypass, I followed at tractor and trailer full of spuds. At North Burlingham a VOSA vehicle pulled out in front of the tractor and drove at 20 mph displaying 'Follow me - Vehicle inspection'. When the road opened into a dual carriageway, I overtook the tractor, only to be waved past by the VOSA vehicle!!! RELIEF!!!! You see 20121 is an ex driver training bus. It has 3 mirrors on the drivers O/S. 2 for the driver and one for the instructor. It has no dividing screen between driver and passenger (I wonder whether removal of a health and safety item is allowed ??) and a very loud buzz when the indicators are used!!". We are also proud to present courtesy of DS our ....(fanfare)....
TESCO PETROL PRICE WATCH
Hardwick = 117.9 per litre - Lowestoft = 113.9 per litre !
Regional variations hey ?