Here we go again, another "tram" bus

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

It seems these things come around once every 10 years or so:

https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/

A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

No, I don't think so. Its a small electric bus and it will be just like every
other bus but nice try with the marketing TfL.

[Recliner]

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.
No, I don't think so. Its a small electric bus and it will be just like every
other bus but nice try with the marketing TfL.

That report was from 2022. They appear not to have entered service yet,
despite being due to do so last year.

https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0869-2324

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

On Mon, 05 Feb 2024 09:36:28 GMT

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-d
e

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.
No, I don't think so. Its a small electric bus and it will be just like every
other bus but nice try with the marketing TfL.

That report was from 2022. They appear not to have entered service yet,
despite being due to do so last year.

Something more recent popped up on my phone but that was the best one for
cutting and pasting.

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-de
tail?referenceId=FOI-0869-2324

"Power connections and land ownership have been the cause of delay."

Power fair enough though surely it can't be that hard to sort, how many
recharge stations do they need? But don't TfL own their own bus stops?

[Andy Burns]

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
Power fair enough though surely it can't be that hard to sort, how many
recharge stations do they need?

One at Crystal Palace the other at Orpington (in practice it might be
sensible to have more than one charger at each station).

[Andy Burns]

Post by Recliner
That report was from 2022. They appear not to have entered service yet,
despite being due to do so last year.
<https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-0869-2324>

Now expected June 2024

<https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/transparency/freedom-of-information/foi-request-detail?referenceId=FOI-3532-2324>

[Andy Burns]

<https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-debut>
Its a small electric bus

Five minutes of "opportunity charging" at each end of a 15 mile route
doesn't sound gentle on the batteries ...

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

On Mon, 5 Feb 2024 10:14:54 +0000

<https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-
debut>

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
Its a small electric bus

Five minutes of "opportunity charging" at each end of a 15 mile route
doesn't sound gentle on the batteries ...

On the plus side, at least it'll be outdoors when the batteries burst into
flames unlike the recent eletric bus fires :)

[Stephen O'Connell]

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

[Theo]

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

Irizar make a bendy version:
https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram

Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.

Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

Theo

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

On 05 Feb 2024 11:17:10 +0000 (GMT)

Post by Theo

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-

de

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure

Been on the Clermont Ferrand ribber tyred tram. Dreadful - bouncy ride and
goes slow due to the risk of derailment from the single guide rail. Caens
had one too but sensibly ditched it for a proper tram a few years ago.

[Recliner]

Post by Theo

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72157655400441705/

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

On Mon, 05 Feb 2024 11:26:18 GMT

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-d
e

Post by Theo

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

https://www.flickr.com/photos/recliner/albums/72157655400441705/

I can imagine they'd be a handful in slippery conditions. Does Lucern get much
wintery weather?

[Stephen O'Connell]

Post by Theo

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.

I'm not a fan of bendy buses but I do like that, it's very
smart.

Post by Theo
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

If you looked at it quickly you'd say 'tram'!

[M***@dastardlyhq.com]

On Mon, 5 Feb 2024 11:31:44 -0000

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-

de

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.

I'm not a fan of bendy buses but I do like that, it's very
smart.

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

If you looked at it quickly you'd say 'tram'!

Then you'd look at it again and say "Oh shit, another bloody hopper style bus".

[Marland]

Post by Theo
https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?
Theo

Irizar will have to wait for Gosport, First Bus are in the process of
introducing a Fleet of Electrics from
Wrightbus based at their Hoeford Depot.
As this recent BBC news snippet points out
<https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-68075795>
the depot was once home to the fleet of trams that once served Fareham and
Gosport so it is a return to electric traction for the site though the
power station therehas long gone. Unlike neighbouring Portsmouth Gosport
and Fareham went straight from Tram to Motorbus in 1929 whereas Portsmouth
stayed electric for a while longer with Trolleybuses .

GH

[Graeme Wall]

Post by Theo

Post by Stephen O'Connell

Post by M***@dastardlyhq.com
https://www.route-one.net/news/irizar-ie-tram-fleet-for-go-ahead-london-makes-de
but/
A curved front end and covered wheels and LO! We have a "tram" bus.

If two of those buses were joined together they'd make a lovely tram. :-)

https://irizar-emobility.com/en/vehicles/irizar-ie-tram
Despite the branding, even they admit it's a bus.
Although, TBF, once you have an articulated vehicle and electric powertrain
you're starting to look a bit like the rubber tyred trams used in some
places - main remaining difference is the lack of guidance infrastructure
and dedicated right of way, meaning these will inevitably get stuck in
traffic. If you put them on a dedicated road like the Gosport busway you
inch towards being tram-like. They'll never grow beyond two vehicles which
limits capacity, but maybe in sleepy places like Gosport?

I wouldn't describe Gosport as sleepy!