(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 Yeah, breakdowns and weather issues are to be expected sometimes. Yeah, one time recently it didn't have the Tynedale Links Solo allocated, but it usually does whenever I see it. 

I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74. 

I was only going to Newcastle Eldon Square from a short distance away. She just couldn't find the Day Rover option and had no idea what I was talking about, constantly saying it was only valid on Stagecoach buses and not GNE. Stagecoach is a Day Rider, a Day Rover is valid on all the operators. I don't know if Buzzfare is valid on the Nexus 32A, but if so how many Buzzfare zones are required to South Shields from Cowgate? 

For the 74, I was looking at getting a return ticket between Newcastle Eldon Square and Cowgate, with a return ticket costing £3, whereas a Stagecoach Day Rider is £4. Far less trips running, and more of a walk, but saving £1 each time. What do you think?

Thanks.

(09 Feb 2018, 6:34 pm)OrangeArrow49 I wasn't sure if the 74 was subsidised as it has Tynedale Links branding like a normal GNE service, whereas the Nexus contracted services are Nexus Bus unbranded buses. The council subsidised bus services must not be identifiable in any way like Nexus services are. 3 hour round trip! That is a long trip. I don't think many people use the 74.

(07 Feb 2018, 4:38 pm)Dan 8294 and 8301 transferred to Chester-le-Street following repaint yesterday.

8296 and 8297 have taken their place at Saltmeadows Rd for repaint, while 8298 and 8300 remain withdrawn at Riverside.
8299 has been temporarily reinstated at Peterlee Depot, in full South Tyne branding, due to a high VOR at Peterlee.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:24 pm)LeeCalder I see The Angel's have gained the vinyls 'Contactless Accepted', 'Free WiFi' etc just underneath the destination screen. It's a shame they're dark green on black so you can't see them until the bus is on top of you.

(10 Feb 2018, 7:30 pm)S813 FVK Go North East 6319 NK67GMX by Andrew Tyldsley, on Flickr
No mention of Contactless (unless it varies from vehicle to vehicle) which would be the better option as opposed to WiFi which is mentioned. That alone appears to question the effectiveness of the feature symbols, given they're on either side of the destination display already.

(10 Feb 2018, 10:25 am)Michael Have any of 8296 - 8300 been painted yet, and have 8302 and 8326 gone back to Chester yet??

(11 Feb 2018, 11:01 am)Michael Just seen a connections 4 in Sunderland City Centre, wasn't in service.

(12 Feb 2018, 10:43 am)RBZ 5459 Ex-GNE 27598 SN04EGF is now part of the Stagecoach Heritage fleet at East Scotland.

(12 Feb 2018, 10:22 pm)Rapidsnap I'm a bit baffled to why that was chosen, unless 27501 was in too bad of condition.

(13 Feb 2018, 4:53 pm)Andreos1 Not sure if it has been noted yet, but the 21 branded deckers have been decorated in three external stickers as part of the Gateshead Angel Birthday celebrations.

Attached a quick photo giving an example of two sticker locations on the vehicle.

An additional sticker on the nearside, just above the blind.

(13 Feb 2018, 5:11 pm)Pulsar Castles Express Streetdecks now have the same rear branding as Angel / X9 and X10.

(13 Feb 2018, 5:12 pm)S830OFT Castles Express also have them.

(13 Feb 2018, 7:46 pm)Andreos1 Is that the one with the bloke in the shades and the woman glaring at him in such a fashion that he must have 'let rip' or killed her cat on the way to the shoot?