(20 Jan 2017, 3:13 pm)Michael Looks like the Durham Diamond buses are going for a make-over before heading to the X5...(not sure if all the branded Durham Diamonds are going for it or just the 7 for the X5, maybe Dan or Citaro can confirm)


5285:

Following the entry into service of new Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles on "Durham Diamond" service 16, this vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service to be internally refurbished and repainted at Bus & Coach World, Blackburn.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 refurbishing seats into e-leather with USB sockets on the back of every seat; fitting blue accent lighting underneath seats to provide extra light on the gangway; and fitting Next Stop Announcements.

(20 Jan 2017, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK 5284 was the first to go:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5284

(20 Jan 2017, 5:26 pm)citaro5284 These vehicles are also getting fitted with passenger wifi.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 Do the Vykings have a secret wifi? Picked up a signal earlier and 3973 was the only vehicle in the vicinity.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:40 pm)South Tyne Lad Could be the wifi for the Ticket Machine, As I'm sure there's a wifi for them.

(20 Jan 2017, 3:59 pm)Venturego Will any Refurb Citaros return to Stanley for 6, X30/1, X70/1 ?
In my opinion these services  (formerly West Durham Swift & Diamond 43/44) should receive New buses or completely refurbished with USB & NSA as above. These are long routes made more tedious with old Deckers and worn Omnicities.

(20 Jan 2017, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK 5284 was the first to go:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5284

(20 Jan 2017, 6:27 pm)Michael Oops my bad, didn't even see that.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 Do the Vykings have a secret wifi? Picked up a signal earlier and 3973 was the only vehicle in the vicinity.

(20 Jan 2017, 6:54 pm)citaro5284 Good grief Michael, you must be slipping   

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It must be very secret, as I don't even know about it. 

(20 Jan 2017, 5:58 pm)Andreos1 It was prompting me to connect as though it was the passenger WiFi. Didnt think to actually try it.

(20 Jan 2017, 10:43 pm)BusLoverMum WiFi often comes from buildings and houses and I've increasingly noticed it in open public areas.

Good to see the Diamond Citaros having a makeover, anyhow. Hopefully, the much gentler X5 route will squeeze a good few more years out of them (because, face it, in bus terms, they're hardly old, and probably still need to pay for themselves).

(20 Jan 2017, 11:12 pm)Jamie M They're basically coaches but low floor and not as tall - easily a similar length.

(20 Jan 2017, 10:13 pm)South Tyne Lad Pretty unusual then, The wifi for the ticket machine is normally locked with a password.

Only other reason I could think of is a brand new car with " Car Wifi " was in the area at the same time.

(20 Jan 2017, 11:12 pm)Jamie M They're great buses. As always, I view the e-leather as a cop out, but that's just me. Some paint and new cloth, and it'll be good enough inside. Similarly with the floor lighting, it seems a bit gimmicky rather than actual quality. At the end of the day it's just some LED lighting so can't complain that much ?
5288 and 5289 are crackers. 5337/8/90/91 are all pathetically slow pulling out, so I hope they're given some mechanical TLC, too. Drivers love them to some extent, but the backside sticks out too much for city work/tight country lanes as the 16s do. They're basically coaches but low floor and not as tall - easily a similar length.

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(21 Jan 2017, 9:27 am)GX03 In my opinion it's bringing these mercs up to the standard of new buses coming into the fleet, will no doubt give the travelling public the impression that it's a new bus, so in a way it's a new bus for a fraction of actually buying a new bus!!

(21 Jan 2017, 3:05 am)Rapidsnap So that would be a single decker bus then 

Also, the Wright Streetlites replace them are of very similar length aside from a few inches.

(21 Jan 2017, 11:51 am)Jamie M If you look at the rear overhang on a streetlite are compared to a merc, it makes all of the difference, length too:
Streetlite: 11.50
Citaro: 11.90
Both quoted from websute specifications.

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(05 Jan 2017, 10:26 pm)Dan As it's been confirmed by Go North East staff on Facebook - a total of 21 Streetlites will be delivered over the next six weeks. Ten for Durham Diamond and eleven for services 49/49A.

It's part of a £10m investment into new buses this financial year, with further buses hopefully coming too.