Finished the type training

Sunday, 21st January 2007

Finished the type training today, except for the National Express coaches,
on the remaining 4 buses. (Stagecoach East Kent operates service 022 (Ramsgate-Victoria) on behalf of National Express.

The Dennis Dart Wrights are the oldest buses in the Thanet fleet but
still trundle along quite well. However, it was pretty chilly and the cab never really got anywhere close to warm. Gear selector was pretty stiff too.

The Dennis Dart Pointer is very nice to drive though - very responsive with
positive steering, ie it starts to turn as soon as you turn the wheel as opposed
to the majority which don't seem to turn until you've made a quarter
turn of the wheel first. These buses also 'kneel' at the front left to make
it easier for passengers to board.

The Scania Double-deck has a couple of funny little quirks, (eg rolling back
on hills even though it's an automatic, and becoming very lumpy when you take
your foot off the gas to cruise) but isn't that bad to drive otherwise.

The Optare Solos are the newest buses on the fleet and are more like driving
a comfy transit van. Big difference with these is that there is no overhang
at the front, so there's no guiding the front over the kerb as you pull in
to get closer when you straighten up.