Vehicle Details
Registration: NK61 DBY
Chassis: Optare Solo SR M890
Bodywork: Optare
Depot: Drew Wilson Coach Sales
Livery: Little Coasters
Year new: 2011
Vehicle History
June 2020
Go North East
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.
April 2020
Go North East
Following completion of all required vehicle re-allocations; this vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and has been officially delicensed (SORN'd), enabling Go North East to obtain a tax refund.
September 2019
Go North East
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Following repaint, this vehicle has received "Little Coasters" branding.
September 2019
Go North East
Following service changes and consequent re-allocations, this vehicle has lost its "indiGo" branding having been repainted into a new two-tone blue base livery.
July 2017
Go North East
This vehicle has been fitted with Wi-Fi, partially meeting the standard specification of the newer "indiGo" branded Optare Solo SR M925/Optare vehicles which operate on "indiGo North Tyne" services 40/41 and 42/42A.
August 2016
Go North East
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Following recent service changes which saw the PVR of the "indiGo North Tyne" services rise by three vehicles, this vehicle has received "indiGo North Tyne" branding. It lacks the Wi-Fi and Next Stop Announcement feature 'blobs' as featured on the new Optare Solo SR M925/Optare vehicles which entered service earlier this year, as it does not yet have either of these features.
July 2016
Go North East
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Having previously carried "Nexus" branding, this vehicle has been repainted into a plain pink base livery. There are a number of changes to Go North East's services in the North Tyneside and surrounding areas, from 24th July 2016. Pheonix Coaches has been awarded with the contract to operate the entire Whitley Bay Town Network from both Go North East (W1/W1A and W3) and Arriva (59/359 and W2). As a result of losing the contract to operate the W1/W1A and W3 services, the four "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SRs which Go North East currently allocate to this service will be repainted pink. These four Optare Solos will join the "indiGo North Tyne" brand, due to changes associated with the services encompassed within this brand.
July 2014
Go North East
A low-cost unit - operational from 27th July 2014 - has been set up at Percy Main Depot which sees the transfer of "Nexus" branded Optare Solo SR M890s 625 (NK11 HBB), 627 (NK61 DBY) and 631 (NK61 FEU) from Saltmeadows to Percy Main. The work which moves with these vehicles includes the Monday - Saturday operation of services W1/W1A and W3, in addition to the Sunday operation of Nexus-secured services 32/32A.
October 2011
Go North East
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Following the entry into service of the new Optare Solo SR M890 Hybrid/Optare vehicles at Deptford on "Sunderland Connect" service 700, this vehicle has transferred from Deptford Depot to Saltmeadows Road. It has lost its 'Hybrid countdown' vinyl on the nearside and offside, and gained "Nexus" branding.
September 2011
Go North East
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Pending delivery of the new Optare Solo SR M890 Hybrid/Optare vehicles for "Sunderland Connect" service 700, this vehicle has temporarily entered service at Deptford Depot. It has not yet received any branding, though a vinyl has been added to the windows, acting as a 'countdown' to the arrival of the new Hybrid vehicles.
September 2011
Go North East
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This vehicle, which carries a grey and red base livery, has arrived into the Go North East fleet, and is currently being prepared for service at Saltmeadows Road Depot. Due to a problem at the DVLA with registering this vehicle, and the introduction of the new '61' mark registration plates from September, it has been allocated a new registration mark (NK61 DBY) and has surrendered its original registration mark (NK11 FWV).
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April 2007
Go North East
This vehicle has been repainted into a purple cream base livery, and has also received "The Drifter" branding, for services 60 (Sunderland - Seaham - Parkside) and 61 (Sunderland - Murton).
April 2010
Go North East
This vehicle has received basic "Route 19" branding, for service 19 (North Shields - Northumberland Park).
April 2016
Go North East
This vehicle has had its sub-branding for "Fast Cats" services X35/X36 removed.