In Case you Missed These

I’m sure many of you, like me, are extremely grateful for the comments people leave here. We’ve built up quite a community, haven’t we. This is an unintended, surprising though pleasant spin off to blogging. You’ve given us over 100 comments this month, so it’s hardly a sideline activity. Most, many, nearly all in fact are well thought out and cogent, adding considerably to the debate. And thank you, too, for corrections and amendments.

The problem with comments is that unless they’re made on the day (or very soon after), they can “disappear” from public view, as people may concentrate on current rather than previous posts. We’ve been recently blessed by a number of comments on older posts you may have missed. So, why not jump back in time a little to see some of these recently left & pertinent ones…

Reading Buses bio-ethanol

Far from being a very recent revelation, Digitaltoast commented yesterday that Reading Buses allegedly knew its bio-ethanol buses weren’t quite as environmentally sound as first thought… back in 2008! The blog post itself dates from 19 October so you may have missed what might be a significant revelation made 11 days later. Click here...

Hydrogen Buses

Most people agreed with me about my list of heroic fuel failures except for my references to TfL’s hydrogen buses, seen by commenters as a work in progress. Fair enough. News announced this week is that TfL will be re-entering the hydrogen race, with plans for a hydrogen fuelling facility in east London, for First. Though this is only for a paltry five hydrogen fuel cell buses, clearly I shouldn’t’ve written off the initial hydrogen buses so quickly. Click here...

Fares Farce

Commenting on our Mystery Contributor’s post on fares, many agreed with him that the Campaign for Better Transport had got it wrong. The CBT effectively wanted to cut fares to stimulate growth. And this sort of action does grow a business but the cost is significant (and I know this from bitter experience). Fares cuts rarely generate enough to bridge the shortfall created. Click here...

Why then is Reading Transport doing just that?

First & Citybus

First director Leon Daniels commented yesterday, regarding Monday’s Plymouth post, that First did not pull out of the race to buy Plymouth Citybus… because it was never in, in the first place! TY Leon. Click here...