(17 Mar 2015, 4:49 pm)aureolin If it's anything like our procurement, I'd guess a number of options would have been presented to the Executive. One of course would have included what's now becoming the standard onboard features - i.e.. WiFi, Plug Sockets, and NSAs. That'll then most likely have to be justified against the type of service the buses are being used on, but lets be honest, it's nothing more than a shuttle service between one Interchange and another. People aren't going to be on the bus long enough to make use of such features. I'd understand (and agree) with the gripe if this were the case for the 8.

(17 Mar 2015, 4:46 pm)leestransportphotos It doesn't matter if the blue reinforces it, it looks absolute hideous, and the interior is shocking

(17 Mar 2015, 4:55 pm)aureolin Having looked at the photos on a computer screen, I have to agree that the shade of blue on the internal walls looks a bit out of place. I had assumed based on my phone screen, that it was the same shade of blue that we see at present, but it looks a lot lighter. May just be the lighting on the photo though, as it almost looks like a teal colour on the headrest shot. The back internal wall and the cab look yet another shade of blue. 

I'll have to see for myself, but it doesn't look colour coordinated to me from what I've seen so far.

I do however compliment the flooring. Looks identical to what was on the Citaro demonstrator, and the red stitching on the eLeather is also a nice effective touch.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:10 pm)Dan There are indeed two shades of blue - everything on the interior is the same shade of blue as present minus the internal walls which are a lighter blue. I'm not entirely sure why the colour looks so distorted on the headrest shot, but there was very little light in the vehicle due to it being parked alongside the three withdrawn Scania L94UA/Wright Solar Fusions. Of course there are quite a few trees outside of the depot, so there was very little chance of light coming through. I was also using my old Point & Shoot so I didn't have to traipse back and forth from Bensham every day this week with a DSLR!

I'm personally not keen on the colour of the internal walls, but everything else looks spot on.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:13 pm)aureolin I'd agree with that statement. I noticed your photo description about the blue accent lighting. Just need tinted windows and some sub woofers in the boot now  in all seriousness though, it's another simple but effective touch! 

(17 Mar 2015, 5:19 pm)Tommy_1581 I'm looking forward to riding one of these on my next Explorer trip, any ideas on the dates of when these enter service?

Also would there be a launch for the new buses like Stagecoach and Arriva do?

(17 Mar 2015, 5:22 pm)Dan They'll be launched into service in a couple of weeks' time. Go North East usually do various publicity launches prior to new vehicles entering service - nothing quite as extravagant as Titan, but often some fun to be had and some good photo opportunities for enthusiasts. May get your hands on some Go North East goodies - sweets, chocolate, frisbies, scratchcards (to win free travel) and suchlike have been handed out in the past.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:53 pm)citaro5284 I just love it on here like...art critics galore. If I remember the same was said about the green Streetlites that came last year....until they got branded.

(17 Mar 2015, 2:33 pm)Dan To add further information, the four Streetlites which will be allocated to service X66 are numbered 5390 - 5394. These vehicles are of a lower specification than the remainder of the batch, and are not equipped with free Wi-Fi, power sockets, Next Stop Announcements or high backed seating. They are, however, fitted with white destination displays and two-colour Tarabus Wood effect flooring. A few photographs taken at the back of Saltmeadows following arrival today:

Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
Go North East: 5392 / NK15EMX by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

(17 Mar 2015, 5:59 pm)Racer_Experience nice color a nice midnight blue nice leather seats question is when are they due out in service? and branded?

(17 Mar 2015, 5:22 pm)Dan They'll be launched into service in a couple of weeks' time. Go North East usually do various publicity launches prior to new vehicles entering service - nothing quite as extravagant as Titan, but often some fun to be had and some good photo opportunities for enthusiasts. May get your hands on some Go North East goodies - sweets, chocolate, frisbies, scratchcards (to win free travel) and suchlike have been handed out in the past.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:53 pm)citaro5284 I just love it on here like...art critics galore. If I remember the same was said about the green Streetlites that came last year....until they got branded.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:59 pm)MarcTheA4 Should maybe get the critical folks to do the following.

A) Order new buses (having completed the necessary criteria, elimination of other vehicles and finalised everything)
B) Train the staff to drive them (something which costs more money, half of an hour's pay I believe)
C) Brand them (which will mean bringing outside contractors in to put the vinyls on, more money)
D) Put them in service (which, yet again, can be hard if there is a fault or not all of them have arrived by a specific date)
E) Handle the predictable complaints that will come forward from the general public complaining about smaller buses being used on such a service as the X66.

Not easy, is it? The buses may not be too appealing, personally I think the one shown in Dan's photos is fantastic, but it's a bus that will likely transport you from A to B in the future. Be grateful for that, if not for its appearance.

(17 Mar 2015, 5:59 pm)MarcTheA4 Should maybe get the critical folks to do the following.

A) Order new buses (having completed the necessary criteria, elimination of other vehicles and finalised everything)
B) Train the staff to drive them (something which costs more money, half of an hour's pay I believe)
C) Brand them (which will mean bringing outside contractors in to put the vinyls on, more money)
D) Put them in service (which, yet again, can be hard if there is a fault or not all of them have arrived by a specific date)
E) Handle the predictable complaints that will come forward from the general public complaining about smaller buses being used on such a service as the X66.

Not easy, is it? The buses may not be too appealing, personally I think the one shown in Dan's photos is fantastic, but it's a bus that will likely transport you from A to B in the future. Be grateful for that, if not for its appearance.

(17 Mar 2015, 8:50 pm)mb134 Apologies if this has already been covered previously, but is there any reason for the switch from the fabric "Go" moquette, to the e-leather, apart from the ease of the cleaning process? 

The "Go" covering looks nicer in my opinion, not just against compared to the seating in the new Streetlites, but to all e-leather.