(14 Sep 2019, 9:58 pm)TEN 6083 Go North East X-lines 6307 / NK16 BXG by kieron mathews, on Flickr

If it hasn’t been noted already 6307 has re-entered service within the last couple of days on the X21 services now in X-lines livery.


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I had a ride on it last night, and it was rattling like hell upstairs and the rear registration plate was hanging off.

It also has a different vinyl on the back, showing that you can track the bus on the app. Rather ironic since the X21s don't actually show on the app! Also, excuse the terrible quality, I really need a phone that can take photos in the dark!

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(14 Sep 2019, 10:12 pm)L469 YVK In terms of the StreetDeck allocations, maybe something like this would've been more logical and kept the same specification across particular services:

30x New StreetDecks:
- 13x for X31/X45/X46
- 9x for X47/X70/X71
- 8x for X21

Older StreetDecks:
- 3x for X5/X15 (6305-07)
- 3x spare Consett (6303, 6304, 6333 - 6333 used as first point of call)
- 3x spare Chester Le Street (6301, 6302, 6332 - 6332 used as first point of call)

It definitely would have made more sense, but what Dan said above does also make sense, if they wanted to keep the X-Lines launch on track, then they needed to start the repaints now, and that means mixing batches.

But, I do think it would be possible in the future to move them around, I'd imagine the most expensive part of the paint job would be the metallic gold, which stays the same on all the X-Lines, so it wouldn't really be too costly to repaint the back portion and replace the vinyls at a later date.

Then again, I honestly don't see what the rush was for launching X-Lines, unless it's purely because MG wanted a fancy new bus to take him around to and show off at events!

(14 Sep 2019, 10:22 pm)streetdeckfan

It definitely would have made more sense, but what Dan said above does also make sense, if they wanted to keep the X-Lines launch on track, then they needed to start the repaints now, and that means mixing batches.

But, I do think it would be possible in the future to move them around, I'd imagine the most expensive part of the paint job would be the metallic gold, which stays the same on all the X-Lines, so it wouldn't really be too costly to repaint the back portion and replace the vinyls at a later date.

Then again, I honestly don't see what the rush was for launching X-Lines, unless it's purely because MG wanted a fancy new bus to take him around to and show off at events!

What rush? MG been at GNE for over a year now.....I imagine a lot of planning has gone into this and best solution was found. However why not launch Xlines on X21 when they are receiving new buses. Would be stupid having 2 xlines and Castles Express brand on same route. Probably why repaints started in August

(15 Sep 2019, 12:28 pm)JP6004

What rush? MG been at GNE for over a year now.....I imagine a lot of planning has gone into this and best solution was found. However why not launch Xlines on X21 when they are receiving new buses. Would be stupid having 2 xlines and Castles Express brand on same route. Probably why repaints started in August

(15 Sep 2019, 11:57 am)Michael Any sign of the new GNE buses arriving?

Any updates on repaints?

Any updates on the Cobalt refurbishments?

Thanks

For the Cobalts, I believe it's just 6115, 6116 & 6117 left to be done.

(15 Sep 2019, 12:45 pm)L469 YVK

For the Cobalts, I believe it's just 6115, 6116 & 6117 left to be done.

(15 Sep 2019, 11:57 am)Michael Any sign of the new GNE buses arriving?

Any updates on repaints?

Any updates on the Cobalt refurbishments?

Thanks

(15 Sep 2019, 12:45 pm)L469 YVK

For the Cobalts, I believe it's just 6115, 6116 & 6117 left to be done.

Don't forget 6100.

(15 Sep 2019, 2:30 pm)Malarkey

Don't forget 6100.

That'll be the spare but as soon as 6115-17 are done, then the 309 & 310 will have all 17x back in service.

(14 Sep 2019, 10:22 pm)streetdeckfan Then again, I honestly don't see what the rush was for launching X-Lines, unless it's purely because MG wanted a fancy new bus to take him around to and show off at events!

I heard it was to give you better visibility of table availability on the upper-deck. It would have been more difficult with the horrendous window-covering Castles Express vinyls.

Hopefully the Angel follows suit!

(15 Sep 2019, 6:34 pm)Adrian

I heard it was to give you better visibility of table availability on the upper-deck. It would have been more difficult with the horrendous window-covering Castles Express vinyls.

Hopefully the Angel follows suit!

The Castles Express vinyls never covered the upstairs windows, only downstairs.

Although, a mirrored ceiling would be quite helpful!

(15 Sep 2019, 6:38 pm)streetdeckfan

The Castles Express vinyls never covered the upstairs windows, only downstairs.

Although, a mirrored ceiling would be quite helpful!

I daren't ask...

(15 Sep 2019, 6:40 pm)Adrian

I daren't ask...

Get your mind out of the gutter!

(15 Sep 2019, 6:29 pm)L469 YVK Just had a thought here. If GNE re-branded the TVT back to 'Ten' and used the same outline as Cobalt & Coast livery but with a burgundy tone rather than blue, would it work?

What's wrong with the Tyne Valley Ten brand name? With the majority of branded buses in the Gateshead area being green (new Xlines, Green Arrow, Saltwell Park, etc), I'd assume any re-brand of the 10 would continue with the green colourscheme.

Living in Low Fell I use the 21 daily at various times depending on my rota at work or just on a normal day off, most notably in the last week I have noticed the 21's being a lot busier than usual with one example being the 18:45ish 21 from Eldon Square having standees on a handful of journey's this week, morning peak journey's also busier than usual. Going back prior to the change this definitely was not the case.

Has anyone else noticed an increase in passenger numbers on any services since the changes were made to bus fares across the region?

(15 Sep 2019, 6:56 pm)Malarkey

Living in Low Fell I use the 21 daily at various times depending on my rota at work or just on a normal day off, most notably in the last week I have noticed the 21's being a lot busier than usual with one example being the 18:45ish 21 from Eldon Square having standees on a handful of journey's this week, morning peak journey's also busier than usual. Going back prior to the change this definitely was not the case.

Has anyone else noticed an increase in passenger numbers on any services since the changes were made to bus fares across the region?

Is it not more the case that schools/colleges went back last week?