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| {{short description|Public transportation plan for the Medway Towns, Kent, England}} | |||
| {{About|the scheme to improve public transportation in the United Kingdom|the 15th season of ]|Power Rangers Operation Overdrive}} | |||
| {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} | {{EngvarB|date=October 2013}} | ||
| {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}} | {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2013}} | ||
| {{more citations needed|date=July 2022}} | |||
| '''Operation Overdrive''' is the name of a series of improvement programmes carried out by ] in their UK bus operations. The original Operation Overdrive was done by ] in the ] (]) in 2004, with further operations occurring in ] (]), ], ], ], and ] (]). | '''Operation Overdrive''' is the name of a series of improvement programmes carried out by ] in their UK bus operations. The original Operation Overdrive was done by ] in the ] (]) in 2004, with further operations occurring in ] (]), ], ], ], and ] (]). | ||
| ==Medway Towns== | ==Medway Towns== | ||
| The original operation Overdrive involved the purchase of 61 new buses, |
The original operation Overdrive involved the purchase of 61 new buses,<ref name=MLTP>{{cite web |url=http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/09._section_6.pdf |title=Medway Local Transport Plan 2006–2011: Medway's eight transport objectives |publisher=medway.gov.uk |date=March 2006 |accessdate=8 January 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005005539/http://www.medway.gov.uk/pdf/09._section_6.pdf|archive-date=5 October 2013}}</ref> upgrading 40 existing buses,<ref name="MLTP" /> upgrades to the route network,<ref name="MLTP" /> introducing ] Brand new interactive timetables for every bus stop,<ref name="MLTP" /> depot upgrades including a vehicle wash,<ref name="MLTP" /> and introduction of a yellow liveried school fleet.<ref name="MLTP" /> | ||
| ===New buses=== | ===New buses=== | ||
| {{external media| float = right| width = 300px| image1 = | |||
| ⚫ | The new vehicles were 12 ] |
||
| <!-- Archive URL - http://web.archive.org/web/20230610232131/https://live.staticflickr.com/8240/8544489675_cdfdbf754f_b.jpg -->}} | |||
| ⚫ | The new vehicles were 12 ] {{convert|8.8|m|ft|0|adj=mid|-long|abbr=on}} single deckers with ] MPD bodies and 49 ] double deckers with ] bodies. The new buses feature interior, linked to ] systems provided by ] Council used for real time display at bus stops.<ref name=MLTP /><ref name="BCP">{{cite news |last=Rowlands |first=P. |date=3 September 2004 |title=Medway Medley |url=https://trid.trb.org/view/754622 |work=Bus & Coach Professional |issue=87 |via=TRID |access-date=14 July 2022}}</ref> | ||
| ===Existing fleet upgrade=== | ===Existing fleet upgrade=== | ||
| ] bodied ] in "yellow school" livery in normal passenger service in 2009]] | |||
| Other existing vehicles in the Medway fleet were modernised to bring them into line with the new vehicles. This entailed refurbishment and repainting, fitting ], changing destination displays from traditional roller blinds to scrolling ] displays and the introduction of GPS tracking systems to all vehicles.<ref name=MLTP /> | Other existing vehicles in the Medway fleet were modernised to bring them into line with the new vehicles. This entailed refurbishment and repainting, fitting ], changing destination displays from traditional roller blinds to scrolling ] displays and the introduction of GPS tracking systems to all vehicles. Six ] bodied ] buses were also painted in an allover yellow scheme for use on school services.<ref name=MLTP /><ref name="BCP" /> | ||
| ===School buses=== | |||
| Six buses were painted in an allover yellow scheme for use on school services,<ref name=MLTP /> although the vehicles are often used on non-school services. These are double-deck ] bodied ] | |||
| ===Network upgrade=== | ===Network upgrade=== | ||
| {{Multiple image | |||
| Arriva significantly upgraded services in the Medway area with the rebranding and timetabling of routes and the introduction of new buses. The network was upgraded with five routes being increased to 10-minute frequencies and branded as the Red, Green, Purple, Blue and Orange Lines,<ref></ref> with appropriately branded buses allocated to these routes.<ref></ref> All but the purple line use double deck buses. | |||
| <!-- Layout parameters --> | |||
| | align = right | |||
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| | image1 = Arriva Medway Towns 6419 GN04 UEJ.JPG | |||
| | caption1 = A TransBus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL in "Medway Mainline" livery in 2009 | |||
| | image2 = Bus img 8246 (16013389189).jpg | |||
| | caption2 = A ] bodied ] in "Medway Mainline" livery in 2010 | |||
| }} | |||
| Arriva significantly upgraded services in the Medway area with the rebranding and timetabling of routes and the introduction of new buses. The network was upgraded with five routes being increased to 10-minute frequencies and branded as the Red, Green, Purple, Blue and Orange Lines,<ref>{{cite web |title=Arriva Medway Towns route map |url=http://arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Network_Maps/Southern_Counties/MedwayTownsNtrkDgm(Sept08).pdf |website=Arriva |access-date=25 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090206121217/http://arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedFiles/Network_Maps/Southern_Counties/MedwayTownsNtrkDgm(Sept08).pdf |archive-date=6 February 2009}}</ref> with appropriately branded buses allocated to these routes. All but the purple line use double deck buses.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lansdowne |first=Ken |date=September 5, 2005 |title=3922 Arriva Medway Towns (KT) GN04UDH |url=https://live.staticflickr.com/5485/12561311315_68452bb862_b.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530164744/https://live.staticflickr.com/5485/12561311315_68452bb862_b.jpg |archive-date=30 May 2023 |access-date=30 May 2023 |website=Flickr}}</ref> | |||
| The specific colour branding of buses to a particular coloured line was later dropped in favour of a single ''Medway Mainline'' branding showing all of the coloured route numbers.<ref></ref> | |||
| The specific colour branding of buses to a particular coloured line<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lansdowne |first1=Ken |title=2111 Arriva Medway Towns (KT) GN04UFA |url=https://live.staticflickr.com/7286/8733368532_3a30eb5e55_b.jpg |website=Flickr |access-date=30 May 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230530185208/https://live.staticflickr.com/7286/8733368532_3a30eb5e55_b.jpg |archive-date=30 May 2023 |url-status=live}}</ref> was later dropped in favour of a single ''Medway Mainline'' branding showing all of the coloured route numbers.<ref>{{cite web |title=Medway Mainline |url=http://medwaymainline.co.uk/r_home_3_4.aspx?object.id=10114 |website=Arriva Medway Mainline |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110904034141/http://medwaymainline.co.uk/r_home_3_4.aspx?object.id=10114|archive-date = 4 September 2011}}</ref> | |||
| ===Launch day=== | ===Launch day=== | ||
| On the day of the new network launch, a convoy of 20 of the new buses was organised for the press, |
On the day of the new network launch, a convoy of 20 of the new buses was organised for the press, running from the depot at ] to the Historic Dockyard in ].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/3802979.stm|title=Convoy marks arrival of new buses|date=13 June 2004|work=BBC News|access-date=9 November 2020}}</ref> | ||
| Complications arose as delays had occurred in removing old vehicles needed to make space in the depot for the arriving new vehicles. Several older vehicles were transferred to other Arriva South East depots, or to Arriva companies further afield. A number of ] minibuses were transferred to ], with a crew of drivers to take these buses to ] having arrived in an Arriva single decker.<ref></ref> | |||
| Some of the new vehicles were also displayed alongside preserved ] vehicles, the predecessor company of Arriva in Medway, at the ] for the press and local dignitaries. | |||
| ==Maidstone== | ==Maidstone== | ||
| Line 31: | Line 42: | ||
| ==County Durham== | ==County Durham== | ||
| In 2005 some new ] |
In 2005 some new ]/]s and 14 ]s were introduced in Durham and Darlington. Most vehicles have since been moved elsewhere.{{citation needed|date=July 2022}} | ||
| ==North West== | |||
| ] delivered as part of Operation Overdrive in ] in 2013]] | |||
| Between 2005 and 2006, 42 ] midibuses were delivered to ] (39) and ] (three) depots, with Runcorn's receiving ''Strider'' branding. Fleet investment continued in 2006, with the company ordering 30 ]s and 28 ]s for its Speke depot, whilst Green Lane depot received six Commanders.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Stewart |date=24 March 2006 |title=Investing in Merseyside |url=http://www.busandcoach.com/featureStory.aspx?id=565 |url-status=dead |work=Bus & Coach Professional |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060324091749/http://www.busandcoach.com/featureStory.aspx?id=565 |archive-date=24 March 2006 |access-date=14 July 2022}}</ref> A second batch of Commanders, for Southport and Wythenshawe depots, was delivered in 2007. | |||
| Arriva North West purchased a total of 231 ]s for the majority of its North West depots between 2008 and 2011, with 68 of these being allocated to Green Lane depot. Other depots which received brand new Pulsars include Birkenhead, Bootle, Southport and St Helens. The Pulsar soon became Arriva North West's standard vehicle type, primarily replacing vehicles which had been acquired from the takeovers of ] and ]. | |||
| In 2009, 35 ]s were ordered for ''Cross River Express'' and Liverpool cross-city services respectively. Two years later, a batch of 47 ] was ordered, with the majority of these allocated to ] depot for routes in south Liverpool. | |||
| ==Merseyside== | |||
| In 2008 Arriva purchased many Wright Pulsars for Bootle and Green Lane depots. In 2009, 23 Enviro400s arrived for Laird Street depot. These were in Interurban livery and branded as 'Cross River Express' displacing many Palatines to other Merseyside depots. Further Pulsar 2s have been arriving in many depots including Green Lane, Bootle, St Helens and Runcorn. Laird Street are said to have Pulsar 2s arriving along with Pulsar 2s for Southport. | |||
| ==Leicestershire== | ==Leicestershire== | ||
| Line 47: | Line 63: | ||
| ==External links== | ==External links== | ||
| * | * | ||
| * on the Medway upgrade | * on the Medway upgrade | ||
| {{Arriva Group UK}} | {{Arriva Group UK}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:27, 16 June 2024
Public transportation plan for the Medway Towns, Kent, England This article is about the scheme to improve public transportation in the United Kingdom. For the 15th season of Power Rangers, see Power Rangers Operation Overdrive.
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Find sources: "Operation Overdrive" transportation – news · newspapers · books · scholar · JSTOR (July 2022) (Learn how and when to remove this message) |
Operation Overdrive is the name of a series of improvement programmes carried out by Arriva in their UK bus operations. The original Operation Overdrive was done by Arriva Southern Counties in the Medway Towns (Kent) in 2004, with further operations occurring in Maidstone (Kent), Merseyside, Leicestershire, County Durham, and Southend-on-Sea (Essex).
Medway Towns
The original operation Overdrive involved the purchase of 61 new buses, upgrading 40 existing buses, upgrades to the route network, introducing GPS Brand new interactive timetables for every bus stop, depot upgrades including a vehicle wash, and introduction of a yellow liveried school fleet.
New buses
| External image | |
|---|---|
 A Transbus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL in colour branded livery in 2005 |
The new vehicles were 12 Dennis Dart 8.8 m-long (29 ft) single deckers with Plaxton Pointer MPD bodies and 49 Volvo B7TL double deckers with TransBus ALX400 bodies. The new buses feature interior, linked to GPS tracking systems provided by Medway Council used for real time display at bus stops.
Existing fleet upgrade
Other existing vehicles in the Medway fleet were modernised to bring them into line with the new vehicles. This entailed refurbishment and repainting, fitting CCTV, changing destination displays from traditional roller blinds to scrolling LED displays and the introduction of GPS tracking systems to all vehicles. Six Northern Counties Palatine 1 bodied Volvo B10M buses were also painted in an allover yellow scheme for use on school services.
Network upgrade
A TransBus ALX400 bodied Volvo B7TL in "Medway Mainline" livery in 2009.jpg)
A Plaxton Pointer 1 bodied Dennis Dart SLF in "Medway Mainline" livery in 2010
Arriva significantly upgraded services in the Medway area with the rebranding and timetabling of routes and the introduction of new buses. The network was upgraded with five routes being increased to 10-minute frequencies and branded as the Red, Green, Purple, Blue and Orange Lines, with appropriately branded buses allocated to these routes. All but the purple line use double deck buses.
The specific colour branding of buses to a particular coloured line was later dropped in favour of a single Medway Mainline branding showing all of the coloured route numbers.
Launch day
On the day of the new network launch, a convoy of 20 of the new buses was organised for the press, running from the depot at Gillingham to the Historic Dockyard in Chatham.
Maidstone
Overdrive 2 involved the refurbishment of several buses at the Maidstone depot in 2004/5. In 2008, four VDL DB250/East Lancs Myllennium Lowlander have arrived for route 71.
County Durham
In 2005 some new Alexander ALX400/Volvo B7TLs and 14 Scania CN94UB Omnicitys were introduced in Durham and Darlington. Most vehicles have since been moved elsewhere.
North West
.jpg)
Between 2005 and 2006, 42 Wright Cadet midibuses were delivered to Runcorn (39) and Speke (three) depots, with Runcorn's receiving Strider branding. Fleet investment continued in 2006, with the company ordering 30 Volvo B7TLs and 28 Wright Commanders for its Speke depot, whilst Green Lane depot received six Commanders. A second batch of Commanders, for Southport and Wythenshawe depots, was delivered in 2007.
Arriva North West purchased a total of 231 Wright Pulsar/Pulsar 2s for the majority of its North West depots between 2008 and 2011, with 68 of these being allocated to Green Lane depot. Other depots which received brand new Pulsars include Birkenhead, Bootle, Southport and St Helens. The Pulsar soon became Arriva North West's standard vehicle type, primarily replacing vehicles which had been acquired from the takeovers of MTL and North Western.
In 2009, 35 Alexander Dennis Enviro400s were ordered for Cross River Express and Liverpool cross-city services respectively. Two years later, a batch of 47 Wright Gemini 2 was ordered, with the majority of these allocated to Speke depot for routes in south Liverpool.
Leicestershire
In May 2006 Arriva launched Operation Overdrive on services in Leicestershire which saw 54 new buses delivered to Arriva Midlands (Fox County) and numerous buses refurbished. All but eight of the buses were double deckers on VDL DB250 and Volvo B7TL chassis. The eight single deckers delivered were VDL SB200s. All buses delivered were bodied by Wrightbus.
Southend-on-Sea
In July 2008, Arriva Southern Counties sent some of Arriva Southend's Dennis Dart/Plaxton Pointers to their Gillingham, Kent depot for refurbishment, entailing repainting, fitting CCTV, and changing their destination displays from traditional roller blinds to scrolling LED displays. In mid-2009, the remainder of the older double decker fleet will be replaced by low-floor buses.
References
- ^ "Medway Local Transport Plan 2006–2011: Medway's eight transport objectives" (PDF). medway.gov.uk. March 2006. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 8 January 2011.
- ^ Rowlands, P. (3 September 2004). "Medway Medley". Bus & Coach Professional. No. 87. Retrieved 14 July 2022 – via TRID.
- "Arriva Medway Towns route map" (PDF). Arriva. Archived from the original (PDF) on 6 February 2009. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- Lansdowne, Ken (5 September 2005). "3922 Arriva Medway Towns (KT) GN04UDH". Flickr. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- Lansdowne, Ken. "2111 Arriva Medway Towns (KT) GN04UFA". Flickr. Archived from the original on 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- "Medway Mainline". Arriva Medway Mainline. Archived from the original on 4 September 2011.
- "Convoy marks arrival of new buses". BBC News. 13 June 2004. Retrieved 9 November 2020.
- Brown, Stewart (24 March 2006). "Investing in Merseyside". Bus & Coach Professional. Archived from the original on 24 March 2006. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
External links
- Full details of the new bus orders
- Arriva Press Release on the Medway upgrade