Following on from my previous comment, us bus drivers have to deal with large numbers of free passes, and many of these types of passengers are the worst. 99% of problem passengers have been free pass holders. Video cameras watch our every move and now we have microphones recording what we say. Soon a device will be fitted monitoring our driving and I fear we will be forced into driving so sedately it will become agonising. The job has changed so much to the point I dislike the job. I hate it.
@1100HondaCB As a passenger on buses I have noticed that it is also mainly free pass holders who don't say thank you to the driver, and also drop the issued tickets. The younger generation are mainly better mannered. I always will thank the driver when I get off, they are people and deserve respect. Also here in the North West we have eco driving monitors on how fuel efficient you are, that is recorded.
@video47 Bus driving isn't getting any easier with the likes of traffic and now stupid ideas such as eco rubbish. Many people I work with were bus drivers long before privatisation and say it was far better then. Bus drivers like myself work long hours (I'm at work for nearly 13 hours a day and only get paid for 10) and get treated like dirt by the management. The pay is okay, but not brilliant and I will never have a decent standard of living from being a bus driver, just reasonable.
As a bus driver of today, I am only able to drive horrible Enviro 300s. I wish I was a bus driver in the 70s/80s as I would be driving these VRs, not having to deal with annoying free pass holders and having to deal with less traffic on the roads. I got my PSV in August 2001 and drove a VR just after I passed my test as part of the vehicle familiarisation regime. Back then, I actually enjoyed the job, but even over the last couple of years, the job has got progressively worse.
i loved VR's, used to ride to school in them in the 90's when Cambus had them in Ely (Cambridgeshire). Really nice buses, i remember the engine/gearbox sounds etc.
@fgh456pc Gardner engines were built to last. We had an '90 H reg Leyland Olympian with the Gardner and it just touched a million miles before she went. The interesting thing is, the engine never needed any attention whatsoever. A 58 plate Enviro200 we have, has already had the pistons removed and a new crankshaft fitted. A lot to be said for modern crap. Don't make them like they use to and it breaks my heart.
The usual gearbox is a self changing gears (SCG) gearbox. They;re usually semi-automatic transmission and the fleetline/VR drive axles gives out the screams in 3rd and 4th gear. SCG gearboxes do sound different on Atlanteans as it tend to have a different drive axle and a leyland engine too.
Good old beast from Eccles under the bonnet the Garnder 6LXB engine. On many buses from 1970s to 1988 in the UK. Fleetline, VR, Metrobus, Dominator, and Olympian.
Following on from my previous comment, us bus drivers have to deal with large numbers of free passes, and many of these types of passengers are the worst. 99% of problem passengers have been free pass holders. Video cameras watch our every move and now we have microphones recording what we say. Soon a device will be fitted monitoring our driving and I fear we will be forced into driving so sedately it will become agonising. The job has changed so much to the point I dislike the job. I hate it.
1100HondaCB 1 day ago
@1100HondaCB As a passenger on buses I have noticed that it is also mainly free pass holders who don't say thank you to the driver, and also drop the issued tickets. The younger generation are mainly better mannered. I always will thank the driver when I get off, they are people and deserve respect. Also here in the North West we have eco driving monitors on how fuel efficient you are, that is recorded.
video47 1 day ago
@video47 Bus driving isn't getting any easier with the likes of traffic and now stupid ideas such as eco rubbish. Many people I work with were bus drivers long before privatisation and say it was far better then. Bus drivers like myself work long hours (I'm at work for nearly 13 hours a day and only get paid for 10) and get treated like dirt by the management. The pay is okay, but not brilliant and I will never have a decent standard of living from being a bus driver, just reasonable.
1100HondaCB 19 hours ago
As a bus driver of today, I am only able to drive horrible Enviro 300s. I wish I was a bus driver in the 70s/80s as I would be driving these VRs, not having to deal with annoying free pass holders and having to deal with less traffic on the roads. I got my PSV in August 2001 and drove a VR just after I passed my test as part of the vehicle familiarisation regime. Back then, I actually enjoyed the job, but even over the last couple of years, the job has got progressively worse.
1100HondaCB 1 day ago
are these manual or semi autos?
Bluesbreaker2010 1 month ago
@Bluesbreaker2010 5 speed semi automatic.
1100HondaCB 1 day ago
Brilliant, best seat in the house, at the back next to the emergency exit, right foot on the wheel arch, could sit there all day !!!
dieselmanmike 1 month ago
i loved VR's, used to ride to school in them in the 90's when Cambus had them in Ely (Cambridgeshire). Really nice buses, i remember the engine/gearbox sounds etc.
ImRatherTall 1 year ago
anyone got a vr i can have drive in?
quattromatt 1 year ago
I used to drive ex Ribble VRTs and I loved them to bits, this video brings back many happy memories
MetCamm 1 year ago
I have PHH149W on here with a ride from Preston to Blackburn and back if you are interested.
video47 1 year ago
Just watched this again, headphones on, and turned right up, this is one awesome vid!!!! LOVE IT!!!! LOVE IT!!!!!
james19742000 2 years ago
Good old Gardner engines brings back memories.
fgh456pc 2 years ago
@fgh456pc Gardner engines were built to last. We had an '90 H reg Leyland Olympian with the Gardner and it just touched a million miles before she went. The interesting thing is, the engine never needed any attention whatsoever. A 58 plate Enviro200 we have, has already had the pistons removed and a new crankshaft fitted. A lot to be said for modern crap. Don't make them like they use to and it breaks my heart.
1100HondaCB 1 day ago
The usual gearbox is a self changing gears (SCG) gearbox. They;re usually semi-automatic transmission and the fleetline/VR drive axles gives out the screams in 3rd and 4th gear. SCG gearboxes do sound different on Atlanteans as it tend to have a different drive axle and a leyland engine too.
hamsterbus 2 years ago
Beast! With screams.
hamsterbus 2 years ago
Good old beast from Eccles under the bonnet the Garnder 6LXB engine. On many buses from 1970s to 1988 in the UK. Fleetline, VR, Metrobus, Dominator, and Olympian.
hamsterbus 2 years ago
Superb Simon, sounds great!!! Makes a change to have a video of me driving!!!
james19742000 2 years ago