(05 Apr 2016, 9:20 pm)South Tyne Lad Haha only had one once with a working NSA and that was that 689.

I prefer Emma Hignett to all the rest, Especially that nightmare that's Steve and Karen!
I'm not sure who the Red Kite announcer is, Stuart Elmore?

(05 Apr 2016, 10:25 pm)Adrian I'd imagine it'll be done if/when the new programme is rolled out across to the Venture services.

I know the recent additions (X21 and X1 for example) have had even one a day or alternative workings programmed. So for example the X21 announces the New Inn route on a night, and the X1A is also announced.

(06 Apr 2016, 5:57 am)dannygee What about the 309/310 when they getting done. Also will the X39 get some this time round?

(06 Apr 2016, 6:13 am)Dan Nothing set in stone for Cobalt Clipper, but I am looking to refresh it at some point this year because there have been some changes to stops around Cobalt Business Park so the existing media is incorrect. There's just other priorities at the moment.

When the announcements are refreshed on the Cobalt Clipper, the X39 will have media programmed too, yes.

(06 Apr 2016, 4:22 am)Dan Yes - Venture is on the (growing) list of things to do, in between various new buses being delivered and service changes affecting buses with Next Stop Announcements. Hoping to have Venture complete at some point this month or next, but it's a massive network like Peterlee, so quite time-consuming. I'm looking to introduce advertising slides similar to the Red Arrows on Venture 689, where there are large gaps between each stop on hail and ride sections. At present the screen goes back to the aforementioned default logo slide after ten minutes, which I've never been keen on when using the 689.

Look and listen out for the Fab56 being refreshed in May. All variations of the service (daytime 56, morning journey via Peel Retail Park, evening/Sunday journeys via Springwell Estate and nightbus N56) will be programed. The previously discussed issues with the routing into Sunderland will be fixed too - St. Mary's Way then St. Michael's Way will be announced, rather than the now-pedestrianised Londonderry Pub and Sunderland Empire.

(06 Apr 2016, 9:44 am)S813 FVK On the topic of the 18 getting SRs:

Earlier, i was reading through the 'Tender Discussion Thread' and found this post:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?tid=848&pid=157842#pid157842

Now, it is just a suggestion rather confirmation, giving who posted it but i think it is a good opportunity to replace the MPDs at Crook.

Basically, the SR released due to not being required on the 68 or whatever service it is along with the SR that would normally be allocated to the 516 (Euro 4 contract allows for an MPD to be allocated) are repainted wnd transferred to Crook for the 18.

On the flip side of the coin, I think it is more likely that the 516 will continue to be allocated a Nexus Optare Solo SR with the released vehicle being repainted and replacing 9105 on the ASDA Freebus.

(06 Apr 2016, 9:53 am)NK53 TKT So you are suggesting that for example 626 and 633 transfer to Crook and that one of their MPDs gets painted green for the ASDA bus and 9105 gets NEXUS vinyls and runs on service 516. Or at least that is my adaption of your post

(06 Apr 2016, 9:56 am)biglugs@yahoo.com The simple option order 2x new buses or buy 9105 and get the other solo. Just a suggestion

(06 Apr 2016, 9:53 am)NK53 TKT So you are suggesting that for example 626 and 633 transfer to Crook and that one of their MPDs gets painted green for the ASDA bus and 9105 gets NEXUS vinyls and runs on service 516. Or at least that is my adaption of your post

(06 Apr 2016, 10:01 am)NK53 TKT I doubt that two new solos will be bought for the 18. If 618 had URBAN 90s in my eyes 618 and 619 would be a good pair for the 18. They could yet get two Prinec Bishops Solars

(06 Apr 2016, 10:05 am)South Tyne Lad When the opportunity arises, GNE will probably transfer 2 ex Nexus Solo SRs to Crook for the 18, Id imagine running Scania's on there would be to costly mind.

(06 Apr 2016, 10:05 am)South Tyne Lad When the opportunity arises, GNE will probably transfer 2 ex Nexus Solo SRs to Crook for the 18, Id imagine running Scania's on there would be to costly mind.

(06 Apr 2016, 10:14 am)NK53 TKT They could have some on in the short term as it does sometimes happen whenever an MPD is VOR and is better than 6038, they have the choice between the following:
Keep MPDs
Drop the W3 and one 32/32A board on a Sunday and do an agreement with Nexus and Arriva for them to run those services. 
Buy 9105 and run it on the 516 and transfer 633 to Crook
Use Solars freed up
Buy two solos

(06 Apr 2016, 10:16 am)South Tyne Lad My earlier post has got me thinking.

With the Majority of Nexus Contracts being lowered to Euro 4 instead of Euro 5, Could GNE not swap 2 Nexus Solo SRs with the 2 Crook MPDs for Nexus Contracts?

(08 Apr 2016, 8:50 pm)Tom I think some new bigger buses for the indiGo 208, 265 etc. are needed even though they were just bought a year ago they can't cope on the 208 or 265 judging by what I've seen today. The 265 into Durham was heaving with 5 or 6 standees and the 208 I saw arriving into Durham was also quite busy though not as busy as the 265.  Or maybe an express to Peterlee to compliment the 208 (X28 maybe) would work possibly operating via Haswell and Shotton Bruce or just extending the short 208 to Durham. As for the 265 not sure what you can do about that other than having bigger buses.

Have passenger numbers always been like this? Or has the growth on the services since indiGo was launched just been very high?