Vehicle Details
Registration: NL63 XBT
Chassis: Volvo B9TL
Bodywork: Wright Eclipse Gemini 2
Depot: Percy Main
Livery: Cobalt & Coast
Year new: 2013
Vehicle History
June 2020
Go North East
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From Monday 1 June 2020, in line with guidance from the government, Go North East's bus services will start returning to what can be considered a 'normal' level of service on weekdays (albeit still reduced on weekends), also with some minor changes which had originally been planned to take place from 17 May 2020. The depots which were temporarily 'mothballed' for the duration of the crisis have now re-opened, except for Saltmeadows Road, which is where most of the National Express coaches are stored. The central works facility remains open as usual. Therefore, this vehicle has now transferred from Riverside Depot to Percy Main.
March 2020
Go North East
On March 23 2020, Boris Johnson placed the country on "lockdown", enforcing rules on people only leaving the house to shop for necessities, to exercise once a day, for medical needs or to provide care, or to travel to and from work (if they can't work from home). Shops, pubs, restaurants and theatres have all been closed, as well as mass gatherings being banned, schools being closed, and sporting events being cancelled. Therefore, further changes were made to bus timetables from Saturday 28 March, reflecting a mass reduction in customer demand for buses. As part of these timetable revisions; Chester-le-Street, Percy Main and Washington Depots were temporarily 'mothballed' with services operated out of key depots Consett, Deptford (including Peterlee outstation) and Riverside (including Hexham outstation) only. Therefore, this vehicle has transferred from Percy Main Depot to Riverside.
October 2019
Go North East
In partnership with North Tyneside Council; this vehicle has received exhaust modifications, increasing the Euro standard of this bus from Euro 5 to Euro 6.
August 2019
Go North East
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This vehicle has now received "Cobalt & Coast" branding, internally and externally. Externally, this example carries the variant of the branding in the advertisement frames to promote the USB charging points available on-board.
March 2019
Go North East
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Following the fitment of the base vinyls required for the new "Cobalt & Coast" branding, this vehicle has returned to service at Percy Main. It is expected that the full branding will follow at a later date, once more of the buses return from refurbishment. This bus is one of three (6101 - 6103) to feature a quirky new solution to the age-old problem of people putting their feet up on rear facing bus seats. Dubbed the ‘Feet Seat’, it is a folding seat that leaves a flat surface for passengers to put their feet up, whilst the seat can be pulled down for sitting on, just like a normal seat, if the bus is busy. Go North East is actively encouraging its customers to stretch out, put their feet up and relax in its feet seat zone when it’s not needed for seated passengers.
March 2019
Go North East
This vehicle has returned to Go North East following internal refurbishment and repaint into a two-tone silver and blue base livery. It is currently undergoing preparation for service at Saltmeadows Road Depot prior to returning to service at Percy Main.
January 2019
Go North East
This vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service at Percy Main Depot and released for internal refurbished and repaint at Bus & Coach World, Blackburn. The extensive refurbishment work includes, but is not limited to, external repaint; deep cleaning of the interior of the vehicle; renewal of floor coverings; cleaning all seat frames and re-trimming seats into leather with USB sockets on the back of every seat; fitting blue accent lighting underneath seats to provide extra light on the gangway; installation of tables on the upper saloon with wireless charging pods, and upgrading the 'next stop' audio-visual announcement equipment.
February 2014
Go North East
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This vehicle has entered service at Percy Main Depot on "Cobalt Clipper" service 309 (Newcastle - Blyth) and 310 (Newcastle - North Shields).
January 2014
Go North East
Ahead of its entry into service, this vehicle has received "Cobalt Clipper" branding.
December 2013
Go North East
This vehicle, which carries a silver base livery, has arrived into the Go North East fleet. It is currently being prepared for service at Saltmeadows Road Depot. Due to a shortage of storage space at Saltmeadows Road, this vehicle is subject to being stored indoors at the new Gateshead Riverside Depot. Representing an investment of approximately £3,400,000, Go North East has ordered a batch of seventeen Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 double-deck buses to be launched on the “Cobalt Clipper” 309/310 services at Percy Main Depot. These brand new buses feature Esteban Civic V3 seating; free passenger Wi-Fi; power sockets with USB connections, and ‘Next Stop’ audio-visual announcements.
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April 2016
Go North East
This vehicle has had its sub-branding for "Fast Cats" services X35/X36 removed.
April 2018
Go North East
This vehicle has been sold to Reliance Motor Services, Sutton on the Forest.
April 2017
Go North East
Originally repainted with a light blue cant rail; this vehicle has now been treated to a partial repaint so that the cant rail is black in colour, allowing a greater contrast with the planned branding.
April 2011
Go North East
Having transferred to Deptford retaining "Route 19" branding, this vehicle has now been stripped of "Route 19" vinyls, and carries a plain white base livery as such.
April 2015
Go North East
This vehicle has now entered service at Riverside Depot on "X66 Metrocentre" service X66.
April 2011
Go North East
Ahead of impending transfer to Percy Main Depot where it will form part of the "Cobalt Clipper" 309/310 service allocation, this vehicle has been repainted into a plain silver base livery.