05 Jun 2018, 11:10 am
#22
(05 Jun 2018, 10:53 am)Rapidsnap I'm sure drivers can easily adapted between the two lengths. It be like driving a M-B Citaro one day, then driving a Volvo B9TL the next day or even going a Solo in the case of some depots.
Generally speaking, yes, but the vehicle length can be deceptive if you're used to it being of a certain size.
There were a couple of issues with the longer 11.7m Versa on Quaylink when they first moved across from the Citylink. It's easy to become quite relaxed with regards to vehicle size - there's a very clear difference between a Volvo B9TL and a Solo, but a Versa is often thought to be a Versa (or an OmniDekka is thought to be an OmniDekka in this instance).
Better to be safe than sorry - these 12m OmniDekkas will essentially be like driving a single-deck (long wheelbase) on routes normally served by short wheelbase double-deck buses. It's thought that this is one of the main reasons Brighton & Hove wish to oust them from their own fleet - the longer length means they're going to be a bit more awkward to get around (although ideal for Go North East, in terms of Special Events services, Metro Replacement, etc).
(05 Jun 2018, 10:54 am)Michael Are all of the 2nd hand solo's getting them?
No - a nice surprise that the Next Stop Announcements had been left in from their previous operator. They won't be used from Day 1, though may be in the future.
718/719 have Next Stop Announcements (and are to a pretty good specification internally with high-back Civic V3 seats with black leather headrests), but 722 is of a much more basic specification (harder seats, no Next Stop Announcements, etc).
I don't have any photos of the interior of 718 or 719, but it is the same as Hybrid Versa 9084 (YJ64 DZM) which similarly came from Courtney Buses.
![[Image: 24968085617_439bf3868d.jpg]](https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4616/24968085617_439bf3868d.jpg)
Go North East: 9084 / YJ64DZM by
Daniel Graham, on Flickr
