Coventry Buses - past and present

Was that in Moseley Avenue, Philip? The last time I was there was 45 years ago, but I do understand you were showing us the bus.

Hi Dreamtime You are spot on.

Think I might 'ruffle' a few feathers with this but here goes!!!!! Why oh why do we have to put up with these 'bendy buses' when the majority of our roads can't take them. Many of the drivers can't manoeuvre them, most drive over kerbs and parts of islands. Why not bring back the double deckers for peak hours but less frequent (say every 20/30mins then in offpeak single deckers, get rid of these stupid 'bendies'. Revise routes cos these buses go down some really stupid narrow streets, you don't see in European countries buses going down side streets. So much money could be saved doing this

The case for Bendy buses. 1, capacity. 2, 'disabled/old person' friendly. 3, not constrained by height restrictions. The case for double deckers, capacity. Neither type should ever be routed down narrow streets with poor access.

Access for disabled I agree, but capacity no, doubles take I think 53+, bendies don't take that many

Boris got rid of articulated buses from the streets of London

Yes but we have no Boris!!! Just a lot of idiots in the council house!!!!!

But they do have a higher capacity than none bendy single deckers. There is an interesting article here which covers 'for and against' well. Like city planners, I would imagine that planning a bus fleet and its deployment is not always an easy task.

The trouble with some buses in Coventry with disabled places is they are designed for manual wheelchairs not electric wheelchairs. There is a pole to the left which makes it hard to turn into at times especially if the bus is full or people are sitting close by. I have to have my foot plates removed in order to get into the disabled space for wheelchairs. At times especially De Courcey buses, people or pushchairs have to get off then back in to either let me on or off. One bus driver was not amused and said their buses were not for the likes of me I should catch ring and ride. My chair is not much bigger than a manual wheel chair. Another fault are the ramps getting on don't work which on occasions I have had to wait for a bus where the ramp isn't broken. 3 buses went by before I could get on one where the ramp worked. The Ricoh taxis won't take electric wheelchairs but Lewis will as I found when freezing cold waiting so long for a bus, freezing cold and worrying if the battery to the wheelchair will get me there and back as the cold runs the battery down.

That may be the case, but how often do you ever see them even HALF FULL? Any time I've seen them they seem to have had little more than a handful of passengers on board. Also, come to think of it, how many of our local routes have low bridges (that haven't been there for all the years that our standard double deckers have been running?) They are an absurd waste of money here in Coventry. Single deckers have big enough problems getting round our streets without the drivers being given these monstrosities to manoeuvre.

Well said Tony S. Stand for Mayor. I'll vote for you!!!!!

Bendy buses are not for British roads, too expensive both in running costs and maintenance of roads they destroy. The re-routing/re-construction of the routes around the city would be easier than you think although would no doubt upset a few!! Where in other European cities do you get buses going down minor roads? Nowhere, keep them to main roads

Hi all Modern day buses thread, obviously includes Coventry's three all battery buses. When the council withdrew the park & ride subsidy, a plan was to sell the buses to a Leicester bus operator, but happily I have learnt today that the three battery buses have been assigned to the 85 route, Coventry station to Walsgrave hospital. Inconveniently at present, they still have to visit the memorial park for the recharge every three hours or so. Maybe they will install a charger at the Hospital. The picture is from happy times at the start of the battery park & ride, a couple, of years ago.

Currently there are only 10 Mercedes-Benz Citaro O.530G/Mercedes-Benz AN56D artics (No's 6012-6021) in regular use in Coventry - they were delivered in May 2003 - and these are nearly always to be found on route 4. Route 4 towards University Hospital: Tesco (Arena Retail Park Bus Terminus), Tesco New Road, Classic Drive, Phoenix Way, Winding House Lane, Hen Lane, Wheelwright Lane, Holbrook Lane, Lockhurst Lane, Foleshill Road, Ringway St. Nicholas, Tower Street, Bishop Street, Hales Street, Priory Street, Pool Meadow Bus Station, Priory Street, Fairfax Street, Cox Street, Gosford Street, Far Gosford Street, Walsgrave Road, Longfellow Road, Hipswell Highway, Harold Road, Mayflower Drive, Harry Rose Road, Attoxhall Road, Belgrave Road, Clifford Bridge Road, University Hospital. And in the other direction, which is slightly different. Route 4 towards Arena Park: University Hospital, Clifford Bridge Road, Belgrave Road, Attoxhall Road, Harry Rose Road, Mayflower Drive, Harold Road, Hipswell Highway, Longfellow Road, Walsgrave Road, Sky Blue Way, Far Gosford Street, Gosford Street, Cox Street, Fairfax Street, Trinity Street, Ironmonger Row, Cross Cheaping, The Burges, Hales Street, Bishop Street, Tower Street, Ringway St. Nicholas, Foleshill Road, Lockhurst Lane, Holbrook Lane, Wheelwright Lane, Hen Lane, Winding House Lane, Phoenix Way, Classic Drive, Tesco New Road, Tesco (Arena Retail Park Bus Terminus). So in theory only these roads are likely to see this type of vehicle, occasionally they do assist by covering a number of service 21 duties.

I remember reading, many years ago, that the EU had decided to standardize buses in all countries and that we would have to get rid of all our double deckers. I assume that they eventually realized that bendy buses were unsuitable here. I also read, more recently, that a lot of British bendybuses were sold to either Gibraltar or Malta where the roads are even more unsuitable. On a different note, why are there so many buses following one another along the Foleshill Road when, at Aldermans Green, we get one bus an hour on a loop. Actually it is more like a large minibus an it is run by a charity.