(19 Feb 2019, 8:55 am)ne14ne1 Has nightbus fab56 8085 preciously had modifications as part of the funding NCC/NTS/GMB councils won to clean up buses? Just it sounds quite whistley. Sounds almost hybrid like although I realise it’s not.

Also it’s audio /visual announcements still aren’t working which I mentioned to GNE last month. Wonder what’s up with them.

I may as well use up my full questions quota for today and also ask, will the refurbished Cobalt Clippers return to service with Emma Hignetts voice and self updating destinations to change to ‘Haymarket’ once they reach the East Coast Mainline Bridge on the Coast rd for example and cross into the city border?

(18 Feb 2019, 9:45 pm)Gonorth91 I think bus drivers want to leave on the appropriate time I was standing at South Shields bus station waiting for the 50 it was due 17.24 went past without stopping it was 17.18 hadto wait nearly 25 mins for the crap 5

(19 Feb 2019, 9:08 am)Dan It had a GKN Flywheel system fitted - but this was removed in May 2016 following an unsuccessful trial. Shouldn't have any impact on what the bus performs like now.

The news of the announcements not working hadn't filtered through to me on this occasion, but thanks, noted. There's quite a few of the old systems not working at the moment but work will commence on repairing these when the Cobalt Clippers return to service (as the old units are being replaced for new units as part of the refurbishment, giving us the old units to play with for repairs to the others in the fleet).

And yes, as the Cobalt Clippers are having the new systems fitted, it'll be 'Emma-fied'. The new units are the ones capable of changing the destinations, so yes to that one too.

(20 Feb 2019, 12:24 pm)Rapidsnap Noted at Saltmeadows are EYMS ADL E400 A17EYC, Volvo B7RLE / MCV YX14HDZ and one of the open toppers.

(20 Feb 2019, 10:24 pm)L469 YVK Will the Cobalt Clippers have a dedicated spare after the changes on the 24th March?

My predictions are below:
- 2x ex London B9TLs transferred from Stanley to Percy Main & Deptford leaving the Fab 56 & 309/310 with 2x spares for each route (1x high spec & 1x normal spec).

OR

- 6084 released from Riverside to Deptford to maintain common fleet numbers leaving the TVT & X9/X10 with 3x spares covering a PVR of 23. 6084 & 6099 remain at Deptford with 6100 transferred to Percy Main as spare for the 309/310.

(21 Feb 2019, 9:53 pm)GNE6312

When does the display change to Eldon square on the blaydon racer's?. Scotswood bridge?

(21 Feb 2019, 9:53 pm)Jamie M Newcastle college