(02 May 2025, 7:41 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]How about something like the following once EV's arrive for 21, 58 and X66?
E400MMC:
- 6336-37 - Riverside - Spare
- 6338-55 - Riverside - X10**, X21, X30/X71
** X10 increased half-hourly NCL > Peterlee
StreetDeck:
- 6301-07 - Percy Main - 307/309 (incl 2x spare)
- 6315-23 - Percy Main - 307/309
- 6324-31 - Consett - X32/X45/X70/X73 (incl 2x spare)
- 6332-33 - Washington - Spare
- 6356-76 - Washington - 34/50/X1 (incl 1x spare)
- 6377 - Riverside - Spare
B5TL:
- 6308-14 - Consett - X32/X45/X70/X73
B9TL:
- 6043-48
* 1x Deptford - X20
* 3x Deptford - Spare
* 2x Consett - Spare
- 6100-17- Consett - 16/16A/47/X5/X15
- 6149-54 - Deptford - X20
E200MMC:
- 5488, 5490-98 - Consett - 6/12 (incl 1x spare)
Possibly E200MMC for Sunderland for service 60 as apparently before they were Green Arrow they were destined for the Drifters so maybe end up where they were supposed to go
I think a good idea would be for 6301-6333 to be Repowered to Battery-Electric for long term use in the existing fleet because there existing Diesel Engines are not suitable for most work here that they're used on in the North East and would in turn accelerate decarbonisation of the fleet.
Streetdeck'a would be completed via "Wrightbus Newpower" and the B5TL's by "Kleanbus", the latter are currently converting Lothian Buses Open Top Fleet, obviously this would require investment from Go-Ahead and/.or awarding of EV Grants of some form.
https://wrightbus.com/en-gb/new-power
(02 May 2025, 8:49 pm)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]Possibly E200MMC for Sunderland for service 60 as apparently before they were Green Arrow they were destined for the Drifters so maybe end up where they were supposed to go
Most E200MMC are already at Consett for the 6. The only change would be three current 'supershuttles' would go to Consett once the X66 got converted to EV and the 6 would interwork with the 12 which would move from Riverside.
In return, Riverside would take the X30/X71 and all E400MMC of Consett. The X30/X71 would interwork with 1x X21 board per hour so that driver reliefs could be done at Gateshead.
(02 May 2025, 9:49 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I think a good idea would be for 6301-6333 to be Repowered to Battery-Electric for long term use in the existing fleet because there existing Diesel Engines are not suitable for most work here that they're used on in the North East and would in turn accelerate decarbonisation of the fleet.
Streetdeck'a would be completed via "Wrightbus Newpower" and the B5TL's by "Kleanbus", the latter are currently converting Lothian Buses Open Top Fleet, obviously this would require investment from Go-Ahead and/.or awarding of EV Grants of some form.
https://wrightbus.com/en-gb/new-power
Why go to all the trouble of converting emission heavy buses when they will be welcomed with open arms for County Durham services?
5443, any intentions of giving it a white rear destination display again?
So had a think about this one. And it includes Storx's good idea of moving the B5TL's on given they're non-standard (and useless too haha).
I've attached a PDF showing my fleet suggestions including some standardisation. This is based on EV's arriving for the 21, 58 and X66.
[
attachment=10964]
In terms of service changes:
X10 - increased to half-hourly Newcastle to Peterlee
X30 - does current X32 route via Team Valley North and Gateshead, increased to 2bph and omits Lobley Hill Estate
X31 - does current X30 route, combines with X71 to provide bus every 30 minutes via Whickham and Dunston
X70 - serves Lobley Hill Estate
For X30's/X70's - Odds via Whickham & Dunston & Evens via Team Valley North and Gateshead
Depot service moves:
12 - Riverside > Consett
X31/X71 - Consett > Riverside
And interworking changes:
6/12 - (PVR 9)
X21 - 1bph standalone (PVR 4)
X21/X31/X71 - (PVR 8) - 1bph interworks with X31/X71, first driver does GHD>WA>GHD with following driver doing GHD>NCL>CON>NCL>STA>NCL>GHD
X30/X70 - (PVR 4)
X30/X45/X73 - (PVR 9)
(03 May 2025, 11:36 am)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]So had a think about this one. And it includes Storx's good idea of moving the B5TL's on given they're non-standard (and useless too haha).
I've attached a PDF showing my fleet suggestions including some standardisation. This is based on EV's arriving for the 21, 58 and X66.
In terms of service changes:
X10 - increased to half-hourly Newcastle to Peterlee
X30 - does current X32 route via Team Valley North and Gateshead, increased to 2bph and omits Lobley Hill Estate
X31 - does current X30 route, combines with X71 to provide bus every 30 minutes via Whickham and Dunston
X70 - serves Lobley Hill Estate
For X30's/X70's - Odds via Whickham & Dunston & Evens via Team Valley North and Gateshead
Depot service moves:
12 - Riverside > Consett
X31/X71 - Consett > Riverside
And interworking changes:
6/12 - (PVR 9)
X21 - 1bph standalone (PVR 4)
X21/X31/X71 - (PVR 8) - 1bph interworks with X31/X71, first driver does GHD>WA>GHD with following driver doing GHD>NCL>CON>NCL>STA>NCL>GHD
X30/X70 - (PVR 4)
X30/X45/X73 - (PVR 9)
Slight change to the fleet listings:
- 6085 to Deptford as 10/10A/10B PVR would be 14x without the 12.
- 6099 to Consett in place of 6322 to give Consett another spare.
- 6322 to give Percy Main a spare StreetDeck. Likelihood that 309 would potentially need future PVR increase given North Tyneside Council's s***show record of road & traffic planning!
I sometimes wish there was a part on this site to post the constant "im moving these buses cause I can" thread. Every thread about gne mentions these constant fleet movements and it's getting annoying. Move them somewhere else as it's in nearly every thread now. All I see is this same post that "Cobalt wasted StreetDecks to Percy Main" please just stop for once or create a thread where you can keep it in there and stop posting it everywhere
(05 May 2025, 7:14 am)Aaron21 wrote [ -> ]I sometimes wish there was a part on this site to post the constant "im moving these buses cause I can" thread. Every thread about gne mentions these constant fleet movements and it's getting annoying. Move them somewhere else as it's in nearly every thread now. All I see is this same post that "Cobalt wasted StreetDecks to Percy Main" please just stop for once or create a thread where you can keep it in there and stop posting it everywhere
Nothing wrong with members thinking outside the box whatever their opinions are. It's evident that GNE are having issues due to unsuitable vehicle allocations.
If GNE did something like I suggested, it would actually put GNE in a stronger position to invest.
An additional 14x new E400MMC at Riverside ordered down the line (enough for the 10/10A/10B)? That would give Riverside a good sized fleet that could be utilised on a good chunk of their work with rotation for flexibility and to reduce wear & tear. Then the current B9TLs allocated to the 10/10A/10B could then fill other gaps within GNE.
I didn't just sit and create it on a whim. I actually put a lot of thought into it especially from a standardisation POV.
Notice Percy Main had both of its open tops on the North Tyneside local services today
Assume considering how cold it was today this was a result of vehicle shortages and not just an utterly mental allocation
6312:
The second it stops "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
The second the handbrake is released to pull away "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While reversing "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While crawling through slow traffic...
It's a danger to anyone's sanity, especially in combination with other passengers moaning about it!
(10 May 2025, 3:32 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]6312:
The second it stops "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
The second the handbrake is released to pull away "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While reversing "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While crawling through slow traffic...
It's a danger to anyone's sanity, especially in combination with other passengers moaning about it!
Was still doing it tonight.
(10 May 2025, 3:32 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]6312:
The second it stops "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
The second the handbrake is released to pull away "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While reversing "warning! Please apply handbrake!"
While crawling through slow traffic...
It's a danger to anyone's sanity, especially in combination with other passengers moaning about it!
I'm sure one of the reasons for this warning is a sensor on the cab door. Happened to me once and a simple fix from an engineer - he took the fuse out for the sensor.
(24 May 2025, 10:34 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]9037 is on the 56.
Allocated to Sunderland duties now.
(24 May 2025, 4:40 pm)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]Allocated to Sunderland duties now.
I forgot to reply to this.
How long is it at Deptford for?
(27 May 2025, 11:05 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]I forgot to reply to this.
How long is it at Deptford for?
Permanently at Sunderland Depot, I believe it is no longer a lease vehicle due to the two accident damage it has occurred, so the company have now purchased it.
And with the 56s in line for an upgrade to new ADLs this vehicle is being allocated to the 56.
682 is now at Sunderland Depot,
The 56 is getting new vehicles?
(27 May 2025, 11:25 am)Iamtheone8483748 wrote [ -> ]The 56 is getting new vehicles?
Yes , apparently new ADLs on order for Go North East as well as the Electric Deckers .
(27 May 2025, 11:25 am)Iamtheone8483748 wrote [ -> ]The 56 is getting new vehicles?
There's routes well ahead of the 56 which need investment! 6086-6117 have had charmed lives compared to other native GNE B9TLs.
Really, the decker routes needing investment are:
- 10/10A/10B/12
- X10 / X21
Could even argue the 47 as that's always been a good earner for GNE.
X5/X15 also a shout but some decent cascades would probably suffice.
(27 May 2025, 12:32 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]There's routes well ahead of the 56 which need investment! 6086-6117 have had charmed lives compared to other native GNE B9TLs.
Really, the decker routes needing investment are:
- 10/10A/10B/12
- X10 / X21
Could even argue the 47 as that's always been a good earner for GNE.
X5/X15 also a shout but some decent cascades would probably suffice.
Oh your back again with this. Please stop
(27 May 2025, 12:32 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]There's routes well ahead of the 56 which need investment! 6086-6117 have had charmed lives compared to other native GNE B9TLs.
Really, the decker routes needing investment are:
- 10/10A/10B/12
- X10 / X21
Could even argue the 47 as that's always been a good earner for GNE.
X5/X15 also a shout but some decent cascades would probably suffice.
I don't recall any of those routes being every 12 minutes and running 23 hours of the day.
(27 May 2025, 11:20 am)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]Permanently at Sunderland Depot, I believe it is no longer a lease vehicle due to the two accident damage it has occurred, so the company have now purchased it.
And with the 56s in line for an upgrade to new ADLs this vehicle is being allocated to the 56.
682 is now at Sunderland Depot,
Oh interesting.
Be good to see new buses on the 56, I wonder if we'll have another brand change?
I take the fleet number will change on the E400MMCC already here and will go in GNE livery?
Wonder where the current B9's on the 56 will end up?
(27 May 2025, 5:23 pm)deanmachine wrote [ -> ]I don't recall any of those routes being every 12 minutes and running 23 hours of the day.
With a PVR of x2 or x3 at the most!
Whereas the 10 has some challenging sections of route deep into the Tyne Valley not forgetting the Blackhall Mill extension too.
X10 nowhere near enough vehicles for operational resilience and X21 dealing with basket case 4 pot heaps of ***** for nearly 10 years despite approaching 30 mile end to end!
I'm not saying the 56 doesn't deserve new vehicles and to be fair, 6086-6100 would be welcomed with open arms elsewhere within GNE. I supppse from a cascading POV, the 56 would be a good choice.
Tbf this is GNE using some commercial nouse at last.
The stock on the 21 and 56 are money makers and are looking more dilapidated by the day, especially internally, new vehicles coming to those routes makes sense if the cash is there to do so. You can then cascade down and upgrade your other routes.
The X21 obviously isn’t high on the agenda which suggests it doesn’t make a huge income, most commuters will use the train as opposed to that service.
(27 May 2025, 9:30 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Tbf this is GNE using some commercial nouse at last.
The stock on the 21 and 56 are money makers and are looking more dilapidated by the day, especially internally, new vehicles coming to those routes makes sense if the cash is there to do so. You can then cascade down and upgrade your other routes.
The X21 obviously isn’t high on the agenda which suggests it doesn’t make a huge income, most commuters will use the train as opposed to that service.
I see the 56 most days and its busy, which is good, its good to see them investing in new buses again... even if the ones for the 21 are from funding.
Wonder when they'll arrive?