North East Buses

Solo srs for the X6/7 ? You having my life

(14 Nov 2016, 3:29 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Solo srs for the X6/7 ?  You having my life

The new timetable for the X6/X7 indicates they'll be allocated Solo Sr's.


Likely to be the 4 to arrive soon from Thames Travel, least they'll have WIFI.

(14 Nov 2016, 3:34 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]The new timetable for the X6/X7 indicates they'll be allocated Solo Sr's.


Likely to be the 4 to arrive soon from Thames Travel, least they'll have WIFI.

Before December the 4th , don't think this will happen on time but wait and see

(14 Nov 2016, 3:26 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Probables spares.

Most of the Peterlee Depot will be Solo, hopefully 603 will be moved so it allows it to be full Solo.

Solo SR's are too big for the contract specification for the 168. Did wonder if one of the ex Thames Travel old bodied Solo's could have gone on the 168 as they are M880's examples meaning they are just okay for the contract specification for the 168.

(14 Nov 2016, 3:29 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Solo srs for the X6/7 ? You having my life

My fear is the loadings on this new X6/X7 with Solo SR's, with two buses an hour between Peterlee and Sunderland, the loadings could be spread out across both services meaning a Solo SR would be big enough to take the loadings but at the same time I fear that the increased frequency may bring more passengers to the service and the capacity may not be enough. I feel Solo SR's would be able to take the loadings though and they should perform perfectly fine on the A19.

(14 Nov 2016, 3:38 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Solo SR's are too big for the contract specification for the 168. Did wonder if one of the ex Thames Travel old bodied Solo's could have gone on the 168 as they are M880's examples meaning they are just okay for the contract specification for the 168.
My fear is the loadings on this new X6/X7 with Solo SR's, with two buses an hour between Peterlee and Sunderland, the loadings could be spread out across both services meaning a Solo SR would be big enough to take the loadings but at the same time I fear that the increased frequency may bring more passengers to the service and the capacity may not be enough. I feel Solo SR's would be able to take the loadings though and they should perform perfectly fine on the A19.

Older bodied ones are going for 238 which when done the 33/39/238 under the same brand

(14 Nov 2016, 3:44 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Older bodied ones are going for 238 which when done the 33/39/238 under the same brand

Hopefully the Scania allocated to the 38 is repainted "Red" too.

(14 Nov 2016, 1:41 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]But surely the most important thing is.........where will the citaros go!

19 makes sense to me - unless they can go somewhere and be swapped with Omnicities to make Percy Main a more consistent allocation with regards to vehicle type.

(14 Nov 2016, 3:29 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Solo srs for the X6/7 ?  You having my life

https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...16_WEB.pdf

(14 Nov 2016, 3:58 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Hopefully the Scania allocated to the 38 is repainted Red too.

Unless the buses are going to be generically branded with no specific route branding (which i think is likely based on indiGo), it wouldn't be worth repainting a solar.

Is the Tynedalexpress a possibility for the Citaros that will be coming off the WTX? They could keep 5229 as the spare or repaint the extra Seeit Doit branded Citaro and send that over too.

(14 Nov 2016, 4:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Unless the buses are going to be generically branded with no specific route branding (which i think is likely based on indiGo), it wouldn't be worth repainting a solar.

Is the Tynedalexpress a possibility for the Citaros that will be coming off the WTX? They could keep 5229 as the spare or repaint the extra Seeit Doit branded Citaro and send that over too.

Still think it would be repainted the same shade of red, it might not even get branded, the solar allocation to the 38 might be temporary.

(14 Nov 2016, 4:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Unless the buses are going to be generically branded with no specific route branding (which i think is likely based on indiGo), it wouldn't be worth repainting a solar.

Is the Tynedalexpress a possibility for the Citaros that will be coming off the WTX? They could keep 5229 as the spare or repaint the extra Seeit Doit branded Citaro and send that over too.

Yeah that makes sense to me and send the Solars to Percy Main for the 19. - never thought of that!

(14 Nov 2016, 3:29 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Solo srs for the X6/7 ?  You having my life

What kind of loadings have you observed on the X7 like Ryan?

Frequency between Sunderland and Peterlee, down that corridor, is doubled? So smaller buses but more seats per hour.

(14 Nov 2016, 5:21 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]What kind of loadings have you observed on the X7 like Ryan?

Frequency between Sunderland and Peterlee, down that corridor, is doubled? So smaller buses but more seats per hour.

The x7s are usally full anyway.
Good point Adrian! 

(14 Nov 2016, 3:36 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Before December the 4th , don't think this will happen on time but wait and see

Think I read on here somewhere that 691-694 are due to be delivered sometime this week.

(14 Nov 2016, 5:21 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]What kind of loadings have you observed on the X7 like Ryan?

Frequency between Sunderland and Peterlee, down that corridor, is doubled? So smaller buses but more seats per hour.

I agree, While a Solo is not a great bus for fast speeds, The size reduction has enabled a extra service per hour to be added.
Though im personally expecting a bit of overcrowding on some services, I think the addition of a direct, Limited stop service from Dalton Park to both Peterlee and Sunderland will attract a few more people.

Still surprised by the Wingate - Middlesbrough section being dropped from the X7, The last 2 services off Middlesbourgh and Stockton were always heavily used, Though some daytime services were hit and miss.

(14 Nov 2016, 5:21 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]What kind of loadings have you observed on the X7 like Ryan?

Frequency between Sunderland and Peterlee, down that corridor, is doubled? So smaller buses but more seats per hour.

Every time on the X7 I have had full load with like 5/10 seats left

(14 Nov 2016, 6:49 pm)Ryan99 wrote [ -> ]Every time on the X7 I have had full load with like 5/10 seats left

Thing is, Citaro's can seat about 40 passengers, if there's something between 5-10 seats still free, then that's anything upto 30 passengers being on the bus at any one time, can't remember the seating capacity on Go North East's Solo SR's but it's roughly 30, so it shouldn't really be a problem downsizing to a Solo SR when there will now be two GNE Express buses between Peterlee, Seaham and Sunderland each hour, unless passenger numbers significantly rise owing to the increase in frequency.

(14 Nov 2016, 5:43 pm)Cobalt271 wrote [ -> ]Think I read on here somewhere that 691-694 are due to be delivered sometime this week.

Dan mentioned it a few days ago on here.


I thought the brand was lazy at first but the brand style suits the Solo SR's.

(14 Nov 2016, 5:43 pm)Cobalt271 wrote [ -> ]Think I read on here somewhere that 691-694 are due to be delivered sometime this week.

(14 Nov 2016, 7:09 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Dan mentioned it a few days ago on here.


I thought the brand was lazy at first but the brand style suits the Solo SR's.

http://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/forum/sh...p?tid=1895&pid=185695#pid185695 - Bottom paragraph

45 minute wait for a 21 this evening...called GNE who vaguely said there was an incident on a bus, which didn't quite explain the other 5 that didn't turn up!

5263 currently being prepared to be towed home after expiring outside Belle Vue pub in Low Fell

(14 Nov 2016, 7:02 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Thing is, Citaro's can seat about 40 passengers, if there's something between 5-10 seats still free, then that's anything upto 30 passengers being on the bus at any one time, can't remember the seating capacity on Go North East's Solo SR's but it's roughly 30, so it shouldn't really be a problem downsizing to a Solo SR when there will now be two GNE Express buses between Peterlee, Seaham and Sunderland each hour, unless passenger numbers significantly rise owing to the increase in frequency.

Standing space is still valid.
Stanley's have 29 seat, 20 stand.
Citaros have about 40 seating, and 28 standing.
If the X7 has most seats full with nil standing as citaros as peak, then there will be little difference beyond a few having to stand.
I'm not sure if there are any restrictions whilst standing on dual carridge way, though.

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(14 Nov 2016, 4:09 pm)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]https://assets.goaheadbus.com/media/cms_...16_WEB.pdf

Oh dear, standing will be a major issue on here, good to see more buses for Peterlee though

(14 Nov 2016, 7:30 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]5263 currently being prepared to be towed home after expiring outside Belle Vue pub in Low Fell

It's a great many years since I last expired outside the Belle Vue :o

Is it the plan for Optare Solos to replace all MPD's within the GNE fleet? ie: Hexham still have 2, as well as other depots. Peterlee was mentioned earlier tonight as having an MPD in amongst a fleet of Solos.

I was speaking to a driver recently, not sure how accurate this is... who said that a lot of GNE drivers still prefer the MPD's.
Couple of reasons for this were.... Not enough leg room in the cab to get your stretch, causing leg cramps and back issues. The drivers seat being very uncomfortable for long periods of driving (apparently this has been relayed back to management, with the hope that better more comfortable cab seats will be considered and fitted in due course)
Also the turning circle isn't as good with having the front wheels forward, mostly causing problems on manoeuvring in tight spaces such as housing estates.

Apart from this the driver I spoke to said that the Solos were very good smart buses, which were well liked by the travelling public.

(14 Nov 2016, 9:59 pm)thetravelman wrote [ -> ]Is it the plan for Optare Solos to replace all MPD's within the GNE fleet? ie: Hexham still have 2, as well as other depots. Peterlee was mentioned earlier tonight as having an MPD in amongst a fleet of Solos.

I imagine that is the ultimate aim, yes. They just won't be enough Solos to replace every mPD this time around though.

Peterlee need the MPD though as the Solo's can't be used on the 168.

(14 Nov 2016, 9:59 pm)thetravelman wrote [ -> ]Is it the plan for Optare Solos to replace all MPD's within the GNE fleet? ie: Hexham still have 2, as well as other depots. Peterlee was mentioned earlier tonight as having an MPD in amongst a fleet of Solos.

I was speaking to a driver recently, not sure how accurate this is... who said that a lot of GNE drivers still prefer the MPD's.
Couple of reasons for this were.... Not enough leg room in the cab to get your stretch, causing leg cramps and back issues. The drivers seat being very uncomfortable for long periods of driving (apparently this has been relayed back to management, with the hope that better more comfortable cab seats will be considered and fitted in due course)
Also the turning circle isn't as good with having the front wheels forward, mostly causing problems on manoeuvring in tight spaces such as housing estates.

Apart from this the driver I spoke to said that the Solos were very good smart buses, which were well liked by the travelling public.

I'd have thought having the wheels forward would benefit you in such situation? You're turning without a huge overhang at the front.

Seating and health issues should be getting picked up with the TUs, I would have thought? Or I'd hope, if it's causing the issues suggested...

Though getting somewhat long in the tooth, the MPDs seem to be continuing to give stalwart service.

They will be missed . . .

(14 Nov 2016, 10:13 pm)G-CPTN wrote [ -> ]Though getting somewhat long in the tooth, the MPDs seem to be continuing to give stalwart service.

They will be missed . . .

They will be, same as the B10's, by the end of next year, none of them will be in service and it'll be the Scania L94's getting withdrawn...


Next double decker to go, ex London Plaxton Presidents????, as they are coming up to 17 years old.....

(15 Nov 2016, 9:22 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]They will be, same as the B10's, by the end of next year, none of them will be in service and it'll be the Scania L94's getting withdrawn...


Next double decker to go, ex London Plaxton Presidents????, as they are coming up to 17 years old.....

Them & vykings