A Vision For The Future (2)

In Birmingham?

It is some time since fbb carried an autonomous bus story as the genre has slipped from boundless enthusiasm to rather feeble trials and to a growing belief that it ain't going to work.

But here comes a new one.

Note the headline, then note the text. 

Key Birmingham bus route?

The trial has not yet started. Also note that these proposed buses will go nowhere near Solihull! In this aerial view ...

... Birmingham International  station is bottom left with the massive slab of the NEC adjacent. The Business Park ...

... is the arrowhead shaped triangle with its point top centre. It has a few big warehouses ...

... but mostly it is small culs-de-sac full of office blocks.

Key Birminham bus route?

So here's the explanation.

Well that is pretty much standard for such lovely little buses.

A look at the Ohmio's web site reveals three samples ...

... which all look far to small to carry 20 passengers.

But one of them is called the OHMIO LIFT ...

...which makes that claim!

To fbb, they still all look the same size with 20 people being more uncomfortable than ...

... is acceptable.

Will they really be painted in different  colours?

And will they carry any staff?

The PR doesn't say, but surely these minibuses will have to carry a supervising emergency "driver"?

And Electric Coaches?

Remember Ember?

The company came to fame running two electric coaches between Edinburgh and Dundee, whilst offering cheap fares. 

Currently Ember operates between Edinburgh and Dundee and between Glasgow and Dundee as shown on their web site.

Finding timetables is more tricky as Ember doesn't  seem to have any. It is all about booking your selected journey; you cannot just turn up at a stop and get on.

Other information providers do oblige, however ...

... and elsewhere for Glasgow.

Note the total lack of clockface departure times, hardly necessary if you can only book on-line!

There is also a local service in Dundee ...

... which fbb has, so far, struggled to understand.

A recent announcement reveals the next development.

This will provide more stiff competition for Citylink, so, when Ember goes to Aberdeen later this month, fbb will take a look at both operations in more detail.

The Future Vision For This Blog
Today, fbb is announcing changes to his publishing schedule.

There are two main reasons.

He will be launching a new Fat Bible Bloke blog in the near future. This will need a considerable amount of pre-preparation.

Whilst being old and well-retired means that time is not a problem, the old man does "have a life" and does have eyesight difficulties.

Which brings us to the second, health, reason. The "macular" is stable for the moment but could deteriorate at any moment. But the eyes do get very tired towards evening.

So, with immediate effect, "proper" blogs will appear on Monday, Wednesday and Friday with mini-blogs (sometimes very mini!!) on the other four days.

Which leaves one challenging thought.

A Very Future Vision

In five months time fbb will celebrate his 80th Birthday (or maybe won't, only God knows!). The move from certain death to eternal life is a powerful Christian doctrine and fbb us very happy with that idea!

There is no "Chance" card in the Christian game of Life.

The following is adapted from the vision Paul had on the road to Damascus, as reported in his defence before Herod Agrippa as he faced imprisonment and the death sentence for his faith. (From Acts chapter 26 verse 18)

We are to open our eyes and turn them from the darkness to the light, from the powers of evil to the power of God, so that through our faith in Christ we will have our sins forgiven and receive our eternal place among God's people.

Sermon over!

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to a  blog near you

Sat 5 Oct

(mini) fun in Frankfurt

Sun 6 Oct

(mini) nose, trolley, golf, threat

Mon 7 Oct

(maxi) a quirky visit to California

e & o e

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 Next mini blog : Saturday 5th Oct