This is a bus. This is a good bus, as it is an electric bus, charged overnight at the depot, and it has degenerative regenerative braking, that recharges its batteries when it is in service.
See the orange at the front of the bus roof? I understand that is where the batteries sit.
I have ridden a couple of route 604 electric buses and one 603. They are excellent, and any doubt I had about there being enough power for aircon in very hot weather was dispelled. They are cool inside, quiet inside and out.
When we moved here we had three bus routes from Brighton via Prahran pass by, with a stop conveniently in front of our building. Although I do prefer trams in general, the tram from Prahran was often busy, and even busier now, so we would often catch a bus to or from Prahran, especially in warm weather as they were all air conditioned.
Bus routes were rationalised and the buses then terminated at the Alfred Hospital, still a little useful to get home if there was a tram problem, as it was one stop to walk to St Kilda Road and catch a tram from there.
Bus routes were again rationalised and I now have the 604 passing by, but it is a short walk from stops in either direction for me, the Anzac Station terminus or Slater Street. I've used it a few times.
Today, because I could, I caught the 603 eclectic bus from the corner of Toorak and Williams Road to Burnley. The driver greeted me, I was the sole passenger, and I had a brief chat to her before I alighted at the terminus to find out if bus drivers like the new electric buses, and she was passionate in her praise for them. They are nice from a passenger perspective too, without the engine racket and diesel fumes of what will soon enough be, not a normal bus. A happy bus driver makes for a better bus trip.
I believe in a few months, all our state's new buses must be electric.
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We have a few electric buses here but more would be better! School buses too!
ReplyDeleteA quiet, non-smelly bus sounds good to me. So long as it runs on time and goes where people want to go.
ReplyDeleteThe bus looks very nice ! I don’t remember when I took a bus last time at least 10 years ago and I have no idea if it was electric or not. Anyway they are always late or on strike !
ReplyDeleteGetting rid of diesel will,be the best thing ever.
ReplyDeleteI thought it is best to avoid direct sun exposure for the battery. Yet, it is sitting on top of the bus roof.
ReplyDeleteWe have some electric buses here, 60 in total, but it hasn't gone well. The buses are less than five years old and most of them are not working due to mechanical issues, battery problems, and not being able to find parts. Apparently the company they bought the buses from went bankrupt. I guess any new product will have a lot of problems that need to be sorted out.
ReplyDeleteRegenerative braking is a feature of our 2017 electric hybrid Chevrolet Volt. That car is awesome, as is our 2014 diesel Chevrolet Cruze for longer trips. Both these sedans are no longer in production so I try to drive with great care. :) Be well!
ReplyDeleteThe only electric buses I know of are the school buses being introduced in our state. We have so little public transportation that I don't think anyone's investing in public electric buses. It would certainly clean the air.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that a transportophile like yourself is happy to give the new electric buses a big thumbs up. Travelling to Burnley must have taken ages as it is in East Lancashire in England. It is surprising that the bus battery lasted so long.
ReplyDeleteThey sound great. We have electric buses starting in Brisbane. There has been a lot of moaning about how much they cost.
ReplyDeleteGood to know you approve of the electric buses, no smell and so on, must be better. There are two here in Launceston, but I've only seen one on the road - maybe I should get out more!
ReplyDeleteIt may be the wave of the future.
ReplyDeleteI thought that orange bit might be the airconditioning unit, like on our regular buses here.
ReplyDeleteI am with you, but do you believe in a few months, all our state's new buses should be or will be electric?? Based on your preferences or on some political commitments?
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