(25 Sep 2016, 2:24 pm)streetlite5402 Citaros would be more suited to the Scania routes that you list rather than a Versa route such as the Lambton Worm. Some older Citaros would be a great replacement in the future for 4956-4960 on the 28/A.

(25 Sep 2016, 2:27 pm)NK06JXC I've been told my a friend who works at the company where they are going, but I won't spoil the surprise.

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(25 Sep 2016, 2:31 pm)Michael , so i think you've just confirmed the Blaydon racers are getting Streetlites?

(25 Sep 2016, 5:55 pm)L469 YVK My question is are the rumoured Streetlites for the Blaydon Racers (or even Green Arrows) going to be new or internal 'nearly-new' cascades? I've noticed although it could be minor that a certain batch of B9s are missing a small number of vinyls of the bodywork (mainly text). Might just be minor but given the supposed thing that should've happened to them but didn't work out plus recent service changes with a certain route being dropped and another changed,
could it not just be an internal transfer. Plus it would mean keeping punters on another route happy with additional resources in terms of spares.

(30 Sep 2016, 10:34 pm)NK06JXC With rumours consistently being speculated about the "Blaydon Racer" services getting new Streetlites, here is my prediction of what will occur.

12 Streetlites - Blaydon Racers. Fleet numbered 5442 - 5454.
Displacing - 5275 - 5283 and 5331.
5275 - 5281 transfer to Chester Le Street depot, with 5275 - 5279 gaining branding for the Waggonway Services 28/28A, and 5280 and 5281 being spares. This will allow 4956 to transfer to Stanley depot which could see the withdrawal of 4896. 4957 - 4959 to Percy Main Depot to see the withdrawal of 4915 - 4917. 4960 could transfer to Riverside along with 4926 and 4927 to see the withdrawal of 4897 and 4898. 5282 and 5283 would remain at Riverside depot as  spare vehicles, replacing 4900 and 4901. 5453 and 5454 would be designated spares for services 49, 49A, X66, 53, 54. On a Saturday, if one of these vehicles is available, it will make up the extra vehicle of the allocation on service X66.
These two vehicles will replace 4919 and 4922.

(01 Oct 2016, 7:21 am)S813 FVK 4896 will be withdrawn when 5292 returns. It doesn't need replacing until then as it is won't be in the fleet for another year (hopefully 5292 returns before August at least!)

(30 Sep 2016, 10:53 pm)BusLoverMum Blaydon racers is exactly the sort of route that streetlites are designed for!

(30 Sep 2016, 10:53 pm)BusLoverMum Blaydon racers is exactly the sort of route that streetlites are designed for!

(01 Oct 2016, 12:53 pm)Andreos1 The 49's are my bus of choice if travelling between Gateshead and the Metrocentre (or vice versa).
Might have to review that in the future!

(01 Oct 2016, 12:35 pm)Jamie M If the streetlites in question will be anything like the C&Cs we can all prepare for some very disturbing gearbox choking sounds on Winlaton Bank! HEard stories of drivers coming off those with quite bad back pains.

(01 Oct 2016, 12:59 pm)Jimmi Since the X66 became Streetlite operated, a number of forum users claim to get the 49 over the X66 because of the allocation of StreetLite's (and how busy it can get). Do we think some are going to start getting the 11 and 97?

(01 Oct 2016, 12:59 pm)Jimmi Since the X66 became Streetlite operated, a number of forum users claim to get the 49 over the X66 because of the allocation of StreetLite's (and how busy it can get). Do we think some are going to start getting the 11 and 97?

(01 Oct 2016, 1:10 pm)S813 FVK I don't mind the Streetlites to be honest although to be fair, I haven't really been on one long enough to make a proper judgement.

I might try and go on the 8/78 one day just to see what they are like for long distance routes.

(01 Oct 2016, 1:29 pm)Andreos1 Dunno if I would go to that extreme. The 100 is handy for both the Metro and X1 in Newcastle though...

(01 Oct 2016, 1:34 pm)Jimmi How long I can bare one depends on how bad it rattles, sat on some for over an hour with minimum rattles and it's not bothered me but at the same time I've been drained from a 15 minute journey by the emergency exit door shaking like mad.


Fortunate that I am usually in a position to get the X22/X24 from Durham to reach the Metro, I also often have a quick trip into Newcastle afterwards so in that case I just let the Red Kite branded examples go and get on something else.

(02 Oct 2016, 10:03 am)V514DFT Hope the 1 gets a cascade of some sort,yes i know this is unlikely but it would be nice