(10 Nov 2016, 12:13 pm)Michael Wonder if the Scania' allocated to the 38 will be repainted the same "Red" as the Solo SR's and the Scania's, allowing it to join the proposed brand.

(09 Nov 2016, 7:51 pm)G-CPTN Coupled with lots of hills (up and  down).
Many's the time when West Auckland to Allensford (including Consett to Shotley Bridge) is a no-go route because of snow (though not nearly so much as during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s (though I guess 2010 would have been bad - we even had it down in the Tyne Valley).

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(11 Nov 2016, 1:49 am)GMitchelhill 605 is still busy at Washington and was in use on the 5 and 50, those who are on my facebook will have seen the photo of it in South Shields.

Also Crusader Citaro 5315 was involved in a minor accident with a car in Chichester this afternoon, just some scratching to the front of the bus and damage to a car door.

Also had the pleasure of Volvo Olympian 3830 on the 6.

(11 Nov 2016, 9:53 am)Michael How far are 698,699,700 entering service, seems like they've been like here ages.

Along with the remaining Brighton and Hove Omnidekka's.

(11 Nov 2016, 10:09 am)Dan 698 is now at Deptford for inspection and PSV prior to entry into service. The PSV test will take place next Thursday, so possibly ready to enter service by Friday providing all other preparation for service has been completed. Neither 699 nor 700 have been repainted yet.

6141 had its seats re-trimmed earlier this week, and has now arrived at Washington for inspection. 6142 is still having some final preparation for service completed at Washington, following inspection. 6144 is at Percy Main but needs to have its modified seating layout certified by the DVSA prior to entering service.

6143 was being prepared for repaint earlier this week. Neither 6145 nor 6146 have been repainted yet.

(11 Nov 2016, 10:11 am)Michael Seem to be taking ages, i know they want to do it right and that but do they only paint 1 bus at a time? haha

Hopefully rest of the Solo's from Thames Travel arrive soon too, even more painting for SM!

(11 Nov 2016, 10:23 am)Dan Yes - the team of painters at Saltmeadows Road can only paint one bus at a time. Several can be prepared for repaint at any one time depending on other work which needs to be done - 699 is visible in the photograph below having been sanded down prior to repaint. I would imagine repainting 699 and 700 will be treated as a low priority as it is more urgent to get 6143, 6145 and 6146 in service (due to the non-DDA double-decks they will replace needing to be out of service by 31st December 2016).

Go North East: 0556 / NK53TKU by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I believe the four remaining Solo SRs (691 - 694) are due to be delivered to Go North East next week, and again, these are likely to be treated as a greater priority than 699 and 700.

(11 Nov 2016, 10:26 am)Michael Ah right, shame they can't do more than one.

Ah cool, what about 697 (YJ59 NNH), has that arrived yet?

(11 Nov 2016, 10:26 am)Dan No - 697 isn't planned to arrive until early next year.

(11 Nov 2016, 11:21 am)Swiny1 When are the December service changes people have been discussing going to be put on the website or are they available to view anywhere else? Cheers

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(11 Nov 2016, 11:36 am)Michael Seen this on the GNE facebook page:



I don't suppose there I any chance of getting new buses on the 57 route is there? I know you only recently cascaded the fleet onto here but they are so bad!
The service is known to get to full standing load at peak times, yet you picked a shorter bus, with stupid layout inside meaning less seats too.
Also, whenever your drivers stop, the drivers are discovering the engines won't start again after a short break, leaving people waiting 20-30 minutes in the cold and dark for the next one. It's becoming increasingly regular and really has to stop. Even the driver agreed.
One of the 58 drivers had just finished his shift and offered to give his orange bus to the 57 driver at Heworth and it was so much better. Engine started first time, more seats on board, and it was much faster climbing hills.
Why don't we have these bigger better buses? They were originally for the 58 on its longer route to Hadrian Park. This was swapped with the 57 so this is the far busier rote now. Makes sense to me...


I don't know the passenger numbers on the 57, as i don't live in the area but does anyone agree with the above post who get on the 57 on a daily bases?

(11 Nov 2016, 10:30 am)Michael Ah right.


Why will 691 - 694 be treated as a greater priority than 699 and 700?, unless they're for a contracted service?

(11 Nov 2016, 1:50 pm)Dan I stand corrected.

699 and 700 have both been repainted, as has 6143.

700 should be ready to go to Deptford at the start of next week.