[Michael]

Will rest of the "Black Cats" gain WIFI, since 681, 689 and 690 have already got it?, hopefully rest of the "Black Cats" gains the stop announcements which were removed from the Venture as the services will consist of the 33, 39 and 238.... and maybe the 2/2A/61.


If you go by the above,  the only services with WIFI and stop announcements would be 33 - and maybe the 2/2A/61.


With 14 buses needed for the 2/2A/61, i think 2 spares will be allocated to Deptford so they'll have 4 spares (5438/5439 + 2 from the new batch) for 6 services: 2/2A/20/20A/60/61 - total of 16 at Deptford from the 18 arriving. 

The last 2 of the batch, i think will head to Riverside for the X66 (as its getting merged with the S1) and a spare.


The Streetlites aren't confirmed for the 2/2A/61, that's just speculation......

[Acky81]

Lots of deckers on the 61 today wonder if the blue versas are being branded for see it do it 36
A solo was on a 60
Wonder if 4991 gets its odd panel sprayed pre branding. Looks a mess.
Has 3983 always been at deptford?
Black cats brand looks good

[LivingOnGNE]

Lookig forward to see Versas on 36 today. Plus, i live along the route (HLS)

[JP6004]

Lookig forward to see Versas on 36 today. Plus, i live along the route (HLS)

The allocation not due to start until 3rd June (tomorrow)

[Dan]

Wonder if 653 currently at percy main is long term temp as it is still liveried up for peterlee indigos. Also quite a few drivers keep saying they dont like the leather seat in the cab as its only one there

There was scope in it moving back to Peterlee for the 206 with one of the baby Solos moving from Peterlee to Deptford for the 593/8N, but this idea was knocked on the head in favour of retaining an MPD for the X36 (with one of Deptford's existing fleet livery Solo being allocated to 593/8N instead). As such, the branding was not pencilled in to be modified until this decision was confirmed.

Once it was confirmed that it was going to stay at Percy Main for the foreseeable future, it was pencilled in to have the branding modified. I believe the revised branding was fitted yesterday - 01/06/2017.

Have anymore of the red solo's/scania's been branded "Black Cats" yet?

Inwas about to ask something similar, is 4990 the only vehicle treated thus far.

4990 fitted on 11/05/2017
4976 and 4992 fitted on 30/05/2017
4969 and 5212 fitted on 31/05/2017
4991 and 5213 fitted on 01/06/2017

This means that all of the Scania L94s have now received Black Cats branding, with the Solos left to fit. I would imagine the next batch of buses to be branded would be the Versas moving to Chester-le-Street for the 36, then they'll go back to fitting more Black Cats.

[EL1TE]

5295 returned to Saltmeadows this morning. 5312 was also there so I'm presuming that's going to leave today.

A See it do it Citaro, a MetroCentre mini Solo and an indigo Solo were in the pits as well.

[Rapidsnap]

4990 fitted on 11/05/2017
4976 and 4992 fitted on 30/05/2017
4969 and 5212 fitted on 31/05/2017
4991 and 5213 fitted on 01/06/2017

This means that all of the Scania L94s have now received Black Cats branding, with the Solos left to fit. I would imagine the next batch of buses to be branded would be the Versas moving to Chester-le-Street for the 36, then they'll go back to fitting more Black Cats.

Typical, more Black Cats started appearing the day after I try and look for them. Will prob wait a few weeks before trying again once all the Solos are done too.

[JP6004]

When did the TTX get NSA? Thought they were the inly B9s not to get them...

[Dan]

When did the TTX get NSA? Thought they were the inly B9s not to get them...

And now we know where the kits from the Venture went to... (Sorry, Michael, not Solos at Deptford!)

busmanT recently confirmed that new vehicles have been ordered for the X9/X10 services and that he expects that some of the existing branded Volvo B9TLs will cascade to the TEN.

In the interests of having a consistent vehicle specification across all of the branded vehicles (Wi-Fi, power sockets and Next Stop Announcements), it probably makes more sense for 6043 - 6048 to have Next Stop Announcements than 641 - 652, if this is the plan. 

I think 6046 is the only one which has had the brackets fitted, ahead of the Next Stop Announcement equipment (and speakers) being installed on the bus. Due to have the system equipment fitted in a week or two, once I get back off holiday.

[JP6004]

And now we know where the kits from the Venture went to... (Sorry, Michael!)

busmanT recently confirmed that new vehicles have been ordered for the X9/X10 services and that he expects that some of the existing branded Volvo B9TLs will cascade to the TEN.

In the interests of having a consistent vehicle specification across all of the branded vehicles, it probably makes more sense for 6043 - 6048 to have Next Stop Announcements than 641 - 652, if this is the plan. 

I think 6046 is the only one which has had the brackets fitted, ahead of the Next Stop Announcement equipment (and speakers) being installed on the bus. Due to have the system equipment fitted in a week or two, once I get back off holiday.

Looking forward to them routemasters Dan