Forum Topic

235

Now that the route has the new eco-friendly buses, can any one tell me why they keep stalling?The 116 from Hounslow to Ashford Hospital has these buses Double deckers) the engine dies at stops then drives away. The 235 stalls at bus stops and traffic lights and has to be started each time. This cant be right on new buses. I've been put off three 235 in the last week so they can go into the garage. These buses must be over two hundred grand each yet are having to be started up at least 40 times per run.

David Squire ● 3121d2 Comments

That's how they work.The engine just powers the batteries and the drive is on electric motors. It cuts in purely to charge the batteries or when the batteries come under load.They are not quite as environmentally freidly as they are made out to be. The costs are very high, the batteries use more toxic materials and emissions in their manufacturing process than the diesel engined bus will emit in a 20 year working life.  It would have to last 40 years in daily service to bring a lower emission return.Some really good developments with all electric buses and how they can be recharged using accumulators from overhead pick ups located at bus stops and bus stands. as well as induction pads in the road.But TfL are really slow on this and have been forced by political and knee jerk pressure to clutch at straws and have gone down the wrong road.The new Mayor has scuppered a lot of good plans and initiatives for quick fixes which are pure showboating and no real benefit. So much for being the son of a Busman.

Raymond Havelock ● 3121d

Could it be stop-start tech on the new buses?

Mark Hammond ● 3121d