North East Buses

https://flic.kr/p/2m785Yy

Here it is seen arriving at Eldon Square this afternoon.


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(22 Jun 2021, 11:08 am)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Apologies if I've missed it but what's its interior spec (I would guess being an ex TFL use it has wifi and potentially chargers) but no tables etc

TFL normal spec is bog standard

No WiFi, no charging sockets or plugs, no special seating, leather, high back or anything like that, no route branding

(22 Jun 2021, 5:36 pm)Wybus wrote [ -> ]TFL normal spec is bog standard

No WiFi, no charging sockets or plugs, no special seating, leather, high back or anything like that, no route branding

It’s not all bad. To their credit their spec includes a set standard for clear interior signage, iBus information system with PA system for manual driver announcements, separate exit doors for faster boarding & alighting/reduced dwell times, clear destinations displays whether blinds or HD LED screens and simple but easy to recognise livery/logos.

Doesn't TFL spec have actual leg room though?

Or is that just my imagination

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Lovely peaceful ride. No Diesel engine growling away. 

(24 Jun 2021, 9:13 am)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Lovely peaceful ride. No Diesel engine growling away. 

Quite rattly I thought once it got going. 

Still doesn't seem as quiet as my the Designlines (I loved them!) although admittedly double the size and

(24 Jun 2021, 3:38 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Quite rattly I thought once it got going. 

Still doesn't seem as quiet as my the Designlines (I loved them!) although admittedly double the size and

I didn't think it was too bad from that video. Certainly not to a Streetlite standard.

It's probably more noticeable without the diesel engine roaring away, but I'm yet to try it out for myself.

(24 Jun 2021, 9:57 pm)Adrian wrote [ -> ]I didn't think it was too bad from that video. Certainly not to a Streetlite standard.

It's probably more noticeable without the diesel engine roaring away, but I'm yet to try it out for myself.

I was on one of the X66 Streetlites yesterday (I think it was the corporate one, but not sure) and it was basically rattle free. I took up my normal seat next to the door and I didn't even have to lean against it to make it quiet!

(24 Jun 2021, 10:07 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I was on one of the X66 Streetlites yesterday (I think it was the corporate one, but not sure) and it was basically rattle free. I took up my normal seat next to the door and I didn't even have to lean against it to make it quiet!

Were you wearing ear defenders?

What happened with the electric decker then? Didn't seem to be out much

I asked Martijn the other day about this and the vehicle was down Farnborough for a bus event for a few days, and should be returning soon to resume trials with Go North East.

(06 Jul 2021, 5:46 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]I asked Martijn the other day about this and the vehicle was down Farnborough for a bus event for a few days, and should be returning soon to resume trials with Go North East.

I was gonna say, there was a big fuss about them trialling an EV on the 21, then all went silent

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Optare Metrodecker is back out today


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The Optare MetroDecker EV has now departed Go North East and has now turned up in Dublin for demonstration with the Transport Authority over there.

(17 Aug 2021, 9:48 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]The Optare MetroDecker EV has now departed Go North East and has now turned up in Dublin for demonstration with the Transport Authority over there.

How many journeys did it do? Like 5

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I may be making this up but did I read somewhere GNE is only buying electric double deckers from now on?

Never got a chance to ride it. Manged to see it at the depot but not in service

(17 Aug 2021, 10:14 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]How many journeys did it do? Like 5

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I may be making this up but did I read somewhere GNE is only buying electric double deckers from now on?

Just been looking at the various "Electric Deckers" on the market and their battery range in terms of miles, currently the Streetdeck Electroliner has the largest ahead of the yet to be released E400FCEV from Alexander Dennis which a huge 300 Mile Range, personally for me in terms of fleet standardisation and familiarity with the Streetdeck i'd expect Go North East to order these over the other options currently available as shown below. 

Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 FCEV - 300 Miles Range
Wright Streetdeck Electroliner - 200 Miles Range
Switch Mobility (Optare Metrodecker) -190 Mile Range 
Alexander Dennis E400 ER -188 Miles Range 
BYD E400EV  - 160 Mile Range

(17 Aug 2021, 10:14 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]How many journeys did it do? Like 5

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I may be making this up but did I read somewhere GNE is only buying electric double deckers from now on?

I think the statement was 'no more diesel 'deckers

(19 Aug 2021, 3:39 pm)grandad wrote [ -> ]I think the statement was 'no more diesel 'deckers

Wonder how GNE Feels about Hydrogen.

(19 Aug 2021, 3:58 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Wonder how GNE Feels about Hydrogen.

Assuming they can get a supply of Hydrogen, I'd say it's probably better for most of their routes than going BEV. It offers better energy density, so in theory it can have a considerably longer range for the same weight. 
The 'recharge' time is also considerably faster than BEVs, almost as fast as diesel.

The downside of course is the efficiency, it 'costs' electricity to make hydrogen, and then to convert it back to electricity. I believe efficiency is somewhere around the 30% mark, but the increase in density more than outweighs that.
Plus, if the initial electricity for creating the hydrogen is from renewables such as solar, then it is still very clean.

(19 Aug 2021, 3:58 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Wonder how GNE Feels about Hydrogen.

It's probably more viable for longer distance services than electric.

(19 Aug 2021, 4:25 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Assuming they can get a supply of Hydrogen, I'd say it's probably better for most of their routes than going BEV. It offers better energy density, so in theory it can have a considerably longer range for the same weight. 
The 'recharge' time is also considerably faster than BEVs, almost as fast as diesel.

The downside of course is the efficiency, it 'costs' electricity to make hydrogen, and then to convert it back to electricity. I believe efficiency is somewhere around the 30% mark, but the increase in density more than outweighs that.
Plus, if the initial electricity for creating the hydrogen is from renewables such as solar, then it is still very clean.

Yes, supply is one problem. Though the Government are doing some work on the feasibility of transporting it via the existing pipeline networks: https://researchbriefings.files.parliame...N-0645.pdf

Having recently tried the Hydrogen deckers in Aberdeen, I have to say they are effortless, and I'd love to see operators seriously look at these as an alternative. But here's the second problem - they're supposedly £500,000 per bus, or at least according to Route One: https://www.route-one.net/news/aberdeen-...8-january/

As with electric buses, the shelf price is still not feasible compared to a standard Euro 6 diesel bus. Until the Government invest seriously into research and development of green vehicles, in order to reduce production costs and timescales, then you're just not going to get the investment. We cannot constantly have a situation whereby investment only comes with significant grants by the Government.

Well having been on the York park and ride Switch/Optare deckers, have to say very impressed with ride quality and acceleration, would probably be great on short routes but probably not for the 21.

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The diesel buses bought this year will be the last NEW Diesel's GNE will ever get. That is sad.

(28 Aug 2021, 9:48 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]The diesel buses bought this year will be the last NEW Diesel's GNE will ever get. That is sad.

Excellent! Progress.

(28 Aug 2021, 10:00 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Excellent! Progress.

I doubt they'll purchase any new diesel deckers this year for that matter though.

What options are available on the market? If GNE successfully won the Durham - Consett EV bid (and the vehicles were low height), would they also trial the EV technology on the 47/X45/X46 & X30/X72 during evenings / Sundays?

(28 Aug 2021, 9:48 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]The diesel buses bought this year will be the last NEW Diesel's GNE will ever get. That is sad.

I honestly can't see that being the case. The price of non-diesel vehicles (be it BEV or HEV) puts them way out of reach for most routes. 
Don't forget, the relatively small Yutong E10 costs around £400k each, but a larger Enviro 200 or Streetlite is only around £160k. Even a fully loaded StreetDeck/Enviro 400 is only £250k.

Plus there's the matter of range.

Take the X21 for example, some vehicles on that route do 280+ miles a day, which wouldn't be possible with current Electric or Hydrogen deckers, which have a max range of 250-300 miles. 
Looking at the X45/X46, it looks like they're doing around 250 miles a day.

A diesel StreetDeck has a hypothetical range of around 450 miles

Even looking at the likes of the 19, from some quick calculations it looks as though they're doing around 250 miles a day, and the dreaded 42A doing around 180-200 miles.

Obviously, with they can upgrade the more profitable routes with EVs (like the 21) which would cascade 16 basically new StreetDecks to other routes, but there's only so many they can upgrade before they run out of routes they can afford to upgrade!