(26 Aug 2015, 4:13 pm)Michael It'll be interesting to see how it copes on the 20/20A being its a long route, it still has a 7.7 litre engine so it might cope quite well, we just don't know until it enters service...

I do hope it goes well and GNE do buy some... it also depends on the price, anyone know the rough price, that including.. sockets, WIFI and stop announcements?, as GNE will have to buy 20 of them?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:23 pm)Dan To be quite honest, the Streetlite Micro-Hybrids cope well on services 8/78 (even if they are pushed to their limits). The Volvo B8RLE will have to be one hell of a bus to prove itself better than the Streetlite Micro-Hybrid, and the fuel economy of both is what will really make or break an order for either.

Based on the press releases earlier this year for the new "Coast & Country" and "Red Kite" Streetlites, a top-spec Streetlite comes in at around £165,000.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:31 pm)Jackamcardle Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:31 pm)Jackamcardle Just to clarify, will this demonstrator be out tomorrow?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:33 pm)Dan Drivers will need to undergo familiarisation with this vehicle type prior to it entering service - the dash layout is completely different compared to other vehicles in the fleet manufactured by Volvo.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:34 pm)Michael Hopefully it'll be out on Saturday... would be nice of GNE to send it to Seaburn on bank Holiday............ 

(26 Aug 2015, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

(26 Aug 2015, 4:37 pm)citaro5284 it is here to be tested against other vehicles, not to stand in a field 

(26 Aug 2015, 7:25 am)S813 FVK Is 5239 still at Stanley for maintenence? Wont be withdrawn until it gets to Riverside - it is in full branding for toon link

(26 Aug 2015, 1:01 pm)park5354 4919 is back in service today, was parked at Gateshead metro this morning.

(26 Aug 2015, 4:47 pm)Dan No, it's not. All being well, 5148 will be withdrawn by the end of this week (but don't hold your breath!)


As such, Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown 4914 (X914 WGR) is the latest example to go to Thornton's for DDA modifications.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:00 pm)tyresmoke B8RLE's for the 20? What about our favoured #purplesolars ?

Some of these in a MAXgold spec for the 685 sounds like the way forward for us.... Anyone at Doxford watching?

(26 Aug 2015, 4:58 pm)Sidthebusbabe What a shame. The withdrawal of 5148 will be the end of Era for me as I've had the pleasure of experiencing the 'Toon Link' Renowns almost every day for the past few years. I can almost surely hold them accountable for truly transforming what was a typical childhood interest into a blissfully serious hobby, even passion, in recent years.

Looking towards the future, I am complacently optimistic about the qualities of the B8RLE solely based on my fondness of the B7RLE, another bus I've been fond of and has seemingly been omnipresent on my local 47, in addition to my admiration of the Eclipse design.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:02 pm)R852 PRG I felt the same when 4853-4855 were withdrawn. The last ''Limes'' standing.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:04 pm)Michael Not the only one.. i was gutted although the Streetlites are doing really well, i actually like them on the routes.

(26 Aug 2015, 5:02 pm)citaro5284 Do Arriva NE buy Volvo's?