Today I decided to sample the Volvo B8RLE demonstrator on service 20A between Durham Bus Station and Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.
My thoughts on it were okay, I thought the performance was reasonable in terms of speed despite fears that it is reportedly limited to 45mph, although you do have to remember that nearly the whole of the 20/20A route is 50mph or less so it's only 5mph less than the speed limit on the A690. The thing I'm sure you are all wanting to know is, how did it do getting up Houghton Cut? well it was made even more challenging by someone wishing to board at the bus stop heading up the hill but I'm pleased to say it actually got up Houghton Cut rather well. Thought the ride was pretty smooth. Downside to this bus, there was a kind of rattling noise coming from the back.
The driver and the passengers seemed to like this bus and I thought it was alright to (apart from the slight rattling) hopefully if Go North East did buy some for the 20/20A it might be nice if they could even be limited to 50mph rather than 45mph and I feel this would be a better bus in terms of passenger comfort and performance but I can still see GNE opting for the StreetLite myself.
