London Tempo
A short while ago when 'my' trusty Javelin was being prepared for its latest MoT, it was necessary to borrow a bus off another local operator. His fleet contains three or four coaches, a couple of reasonably high value, and this Optare Tempo service bus. He'd acquired it to perform rail replacement as it ticked the PSVAR requirements in the way that half (or more) of his small, more luxurious fleet didn't.
I'd borrowed a coach for odd days whilst we awaited a test date for the Javelin but was keen to try this bus (I've always preferred buses and DPs for school contract work). Unfortunately I was a tad underwhelmed, some details of which I can't discuss here. One of the more amusing aspects (other than for a blind which wouldn't move off 'Rail Replacement) was the on-board computer which apparently measured my competence as a driver. It gave me a numerical score as I made my way around my usual tortuous circuit (about which the Javelin doesn't complain), with the computer marking me down severely for having the audacity to climb the three quarters of a mile of 1:8 to 1:6 incline I need to reach my third pick-up. Even coming downhill with my foot off the gas, around twisting bends and rapily changing cambers, down went my score further. I'm convinced that back in its old life, when the depot computer produced its findings, I'd have been summoned to the office! My interest in the bus has peaked I'm afraid.
London Tempo
A short while ago when 'my' trusty Javelin was being prepared for its latest MoT, it was necessary to borrow a bus off another local operator. His fleet contains three or four coaches, a couple of reasonably high value, and this Optare Tempo service bus. He'd acquired it to perform rail replacement as it ticked the PSVAR requirements in the way that half (or more) of his small, more luxurious fleet didn't.
I'd borrowed a coach for odd days whilst we awaited a test date for the Javelin but was keen to try this bus (I've always preferred buses and DPs for school contract work). Unfortunately I was a tad underwhelmed, some details of which I can't discuss here. One of the more amusing aspects (other than for a blind which wouldn't move off 'Rail Replacement) was the on-board computer which apparently measured my competence as a driver. It gave me a numerical score as I made my way around my usual tortuous circuit (about which the Javelin doesn't complain), with the computer marking me down severely for having the audacity to climb the three quarters of a mile of 1:8 to 1:6 incline I need to reach my third pick-up. Even coming downhill with my foot off the gas, around twisting bends and rapily changing cambers, down went my score further. I'm convinced that back in its old life, when the depot computer produced its findings, I'd have been summoned to the office! My interest in the bus has peaked I'm afraid.