Bus-Related Outings & Reviews

[M113 YKC]

RE: Bus-Related Outings & Reviews
Today, I went out to ride on some Darts. I actually stuck to my plan for once - for most of the day, anyway! Here's what I rode on:

52 (ANW) - Netherton, Glovers Lane > Bootle Strand Shopping Centre
Pulsar CX58 FZF (2924)
This bus wasn't very good. Everything on-board seemed to rattle and squeak - it generally felt like it was going to fall apart! The driver was a bit strange, too ("A child ticket - shouldn't you be in school?")... He was fast at times, though; the diversionary route between Ford and Bootle was very fun!

52A (ANW) - Bootle Strand Shopping Centre > Queen Square Bus Station
Pulsar 2 MX59 JJU (3028)
After noticing the fast driver at the wheel (coincidentally, I seen him on this bus yesterday, too!), I decided to change onto this - bit of variety! This bus was in "slow mode" and has been in it for months now! The driver put his foot down all the way, as expected (no kickdown, though)! The ride-quality of the bus was better than 2924, however still quite bad!

12 (ANW) - Queen Square Bus Station > Stockbridge Village, Leach Croft
Marshall Capital V625 DVU (7625)
When I seen this, I decided to board it (as recommended by another forum-member!). I wasn't going to ride on it for long, however it was an excellent bus! Its' engine sounded great and the ride-quality was perfect for the majority of the way! The bus wasn't that fast off the line (average), however both drivers were fast - the second driver had his foot down all the way!

13 (ANW) - Stockbridge Village, Leach Croft > Queen Square Bus Station
Plaxton Pointer 2 X203 ANC (2203)
Coincidentally, I was waiting for whatever turned-up first and two buses turned up at once - this and a "slow" Pulsar 2. As my plan was to ride on Darts, I did so! This bus' engine sounded great, however the ride-quality wasn't very good. The bus got busy throughout my journey, however the driver, again, put his foot down for the majority of the way! The seat that I chose was padded slightly, as was the few besides it - excellent ride!

9 (ANW) - Queen Square Bus Station > Liverpool, London Road
ALX200 R310 CVU (2310)
A bus that I'd been hoping for - finally! When I boarded, I was shocked with the poor interior - as I was with sister-bus R313 CVU (2313). Despite the bus' engine sounding nice, the ride-quality wasn't very good and the bus was awfully slow - 15-20-MPH all the way up London Road! I never thought twice of wasting my time on it all the way to Huyton...

78 (ANW) - Liverpool, London Road > Queen Square Bus Station
Commander CX06 BJV (2595)
Finally, something modern - my style! Perfect bus! It sounded fantastic and it didn't rattle all the way! The driver was quite fast, too.

18 (ANW) - Queen Square Bus Station > West Derby, Muirhead Avenue
Pulsar 2 MX61 AWJ (3078)
As this was a Pulsar 2 that I hadn't sampled yet, I decided to board it (fast driver at the wheel, too!). There was a strange humming noise from the engine, particularly in idle. The bus was generally alright, though - not many rattles. The driver was very fast - kickdown... ONCE!

12 (ANW) - West Derby, West Derby Road > Queen Square Bus Station
Pulsar 2 MX61 AWP (3062)
I was happy to see this bus! It was excellent - barely rattled and a smooth ride all the way, with a nice, fast driver at the wheel. The bus seemed to be faster-than-average off the line and it sounded fantastic! The driver used kickdown... ONCE (coincidental trend going on)!

300 (ANW) - Liverpool, Sir Thomas Street > Old Roan, Ormskirk Road
Commander CX07 CPK (2624)
I couldn't resist a ride on this - been wanting another ride on it for a while now! The driver was very fast - kickdown all the way! The bus sounded fantastic! There was a horrible vibration in idle and, generally, the ride-quality wasn't fantastic - a shame from a unique bus! Still, not bad!

130 (Cumfybus) - Old Roan Interchange (bus station) > Netherton, Northern Perimeter Road
Solo M850 H16 CFY
Not much of a ride, due to the heavy traffic. It sounded alright, though - never had much of a chance to judge the ride-quality and so it'd be unfair of me to judge it stereotypically!