Bus Related Outings and Reviews
Bus Related Outings and Reviews
![[Image: 5516351592_37f5c5f173.jpg]](https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5098/5516351592_37f5c5f173.jpg)
Arriva North East 7372, M372 FTY (2) by DoncasterDarts, on Flickr
Still think these are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced (on a bus):
Arriva North East 7372, M372 FTY (2) by DoncasterDarts, on Flickr
(31 Jan 2015, 9:22 pm)Dan Have to say I agree with you, Marcus.
Leather seats are passed off as 'luxurious' but I much prefer fabric seating. Not because leather seating is too "futuristic", but because the seats seem a lot harder and don't seem to warm up. The only upside is that they're easier to clean, so the interior of the bus looks a bit smarter.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:22 pm)Dan Have to say I agree with you, Marcus.
Leather seats are passed off as 'luxurious' but I much prefer fabric seating. Not because leather seating is too "futuristic", but because the seats seem a lot harder and don't seem to warm up. The only upside is that they're easier to clean, so the interior of the bus looks a bit smarter.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:22 pm)Dan Have to say I agree with you, Marcus.
Leather seats are passed off as 'luxurious' but I much prefer fabric seating. Not because leather seating is too "futuristic", but because the seats seem a lot harder and don't seem to warm up. The only upside is that they're easier to clean, so the interior of the bus looks a bit smarter.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:22 pm)Dan Have to say I agree with you, Marcus.
Leather seats are passed off as 'luxurious' but I much prefer fabric seating. Not because leather seating is too "futuristic", but because the seats seem a lot harder and don't seem to warm up. The only upside is that they're easier to clean, so the interior of the bus looks a bit smarter.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:13 pm)MarcTheA4 Today's North East Explorer ticket...
#36 - My House to Houghton-le-Spring Church - (09:56 --- 10:14) - GNE 5308 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
The scheduled journey is expected to get to my nearest stop for 09:50 - and this klutzy driver (as I later experienced) seemed to have gotten lost as a result of the diversion. Eventually turned up, and I handed over £10 for my Explorer. He didn't seem to know what an 'Explorer' was...I would have thought all drivers would be up to date with tickets and stuff - apparently not! Nonetheless, 5308 itself was a lot nicer than 5306, which I had on Monday.
#20A - Houghton-le-Spring Church to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (10:15 --- 10:36) - GNE 4946 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
Hopped off 5308 and got on 4946 moments before it departed. I don't recall ever being on 4946 prior to today, so it was nice especially because of it's recent repaint.
T&W Metro - Sunderland, Park Lane to Newcastle, Monument - (10:44 --- 11:20) - Metrocars 4047 & 4059
Hopped on and sat in 4047 for the whole of the journey. Things started to get really packed at about Heworth...and we also had to stop at a red signal between East Boldon and Brockley Whins - not very convenient...
#40 - Newcastle, Blackett Street to Wallsend, Interchange - (11:35 --- 12:03) - SNE 12081 - Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro400 Hybrid
First experience of a Walkergate based E400, and I was pretty impressed. Felt very nice and smooth - bit like an Angel B5 in my opinion. Upstairs was deserted for the whole of the journey, so I sat at the front with my headphones in taking in everything around me. Quite impressive for something that rarely escapes the streets of Newcastle.
#22 - Wallsend, Interchange to Newcastle, Market Street - (12:06 --- 12:33) - SNE 22344 - MAN 18.220/Alexander ALX300
Yay! I am a fan of ALX300s, so I was quite happy when I saw this turning around having just gotten off 12081, which had just left for the return journey. I got on and sat at the rear, and we left with only me on lol. Overall, a really great journey as there were no more than a dozen people on at any one time.
#X22 - Newcastle, Haymarket to Regent Centre Metro - (12:45 --- 12:55) - ANE 7528 - Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro400
I've never been a fan of these E400s, mainly because of the refurb. They just don't feel nice inside, bit too furistic for some reason I can't explain. At least it was only 10 minutes, if I'd had it all the way to Ashington I would have gone insane. Some people say the 21s are unbearable - spend 10 minutes on one of these and you'll lose the will to live!!
#X10 - Regent Centre Metro to Newcastle, Haymarket - (13:00 --- 13:09) - ANE 7616 - VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2
Better than 7528, but I still can't get my head around these MAXs and Sapphires up in Newcastle - they just aren't what I'm used to and I don't like them. The seats are unbearably uncomfortable, and they just aren't nice imo.
#10B - Newcastle, Eldon Square to MetroCentre Interchange - (13:12 --- 13:32) - GNE 6074 - Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2
Not bad, the bus was sounding fine but I could constantly hear two students at the front banging away about who they were banging last night!!
#X66 - MetroCentre Interchange to Gateshead Interchange - (13:34 --- 13:43) - GNE 4944 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
I'd been planning a ride on the X66 following the withdrawal of the Artics - and I was lucky too in the fact that I had a journey with hardly any people on!
#27 - Gateshead Interchange to Heworth Metro Interchange - (13:50 --- 14:02) - GNE 5328 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
Never been on 5328 before, and the journey was great apart from a guy who got on on Gateshead High Street who absolutely stank of urine...
T&W Metro - Heworth, Metro to Sunderland, Park Lane - (14:13 --- 14:36) - Metrocars 4070 & 4068
God, how cold is Heworth Metro station?! I was absolutely frozen, and to make everything better the Metro comes absolutely packed. I was standing up until about St. Peters and then got off at Park Lane!
#8 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street South Burns - (14:53 --- 15:44) - GNE 4901 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
Not a bad bus all in all, but a bunch of girls sitting together being harassed by some kid their age who didn't even know them asking for a sweet made me want to pour him in diesel and light him up...
My mam picked me up in Chester and I was in the house for 16:00. Definitely value for money!
(31 Jan 2015, 9:13 pm)MarcTheA4 Today's North East Explorer ticket...
#36 - My House to Houghton-le-Spring Church - (09:56 --- 10:14) - GNE 5308 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
The scheduled journey is expected to get to my nearest stop for 09:50 - and this klutzy driver (as I later experienced) seemed to have gotten lost as a result of the diversion. Eventually turned up, and I handed over £10 for my Explorer. He didn't seem to know what an 'Explorer' was...I would have thought all drivers would be up to date with tickets and stuff - apparently not! Nonetheless, 5308 itself was a lot nicer than 5306, which I had on Monday.
#20A - Houghton-le-Spring Church to Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange - (10:15 --- 10:36) - GNE 4946 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
Hopped off 5308 and got on 4946 moments before it departed. I don't recall ever being on 4946 prior to today, so it was nice especially because of it's recent repaint.
T&W Metro - Sunderland, Park Lane to Newcastle, Monument - (10:44 --- 11:20) - Metrocars 4047 & 4059
Hopped on and sat in 4047 for the whole of the journey. Things started to get really packed at about Heworth...and we also had to stop at a red signal between East Boldon and Brockley Whins - not very convenient...
#40 - Newcastle, Blackett Street to Wallsend, Interchange - (11:35 --- 12:03) - SNE 12081 - Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro400 Hybrid
First experience of a Walkergate based E400, and I was pretty impressed. Felt very nice and smooth - bit like an Angel B5 in my opinion. Upstairs was deserted for the whole of the journey, so I sat at the front with my headphones in taking in everything around me. Quite impressive for something that rarely escapes the streets of Newcastle.
#22 - Wallsend, Interchange to Newcastle, Market Street - (12:06 --- 12:33) - SNE 22344 - MAN 18.220/Alexander ALX300
Yay! I am a fan of ALX300s, so I was quite happy when I saw this turning around having just gotten off 12081, which had just left for the return journey. I got on and sat at the rear, and we left with only me on lol. Overall, a really great journey as there were no more than a dozen people on at any one time.
#X22 - Newcastle, Haymarket to Regent Centre Metro - (12:45 --- 12:55) - ANE 7528 - Dennis Trident 2/Alexander Enviro400
I've never been a fan of these E400s, mainly because of the refurb. They just don't feel nice inside, bit too furistic for some reason I can't explain. At least it was only 10 minutes, if I'd had it all the way to Ashington I would have gone insane. Some people say the 21s are unbearable - spend 10 minutes on one of these and you'll lose the will to live!!
#X10 - Regent Centre Metro to Newcastle, Haymarket - (13:00 --- 13:09) - ANE 7616 - VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2
Better than 7528, but I still can't get my head around these MAXs and Sapphires up in Newcastle - they just aren't what I'm used to and I don't like them. The seats are unbearably uncomfortable, and they just aren't nice imo.
#10B - Newcastle, Eldon Square to MetroCentre Interchange - (13:12 --- 13:32) - GNE 6074 - Volvo B9TL/Wright Gemini 2
Not bad, the bus was sounding fine but I could constantly hear two students at the front banging away about who they were banging last night!!
#X66 - MetroCentre Interchange to Gateshead Interchange - (13:34 --- 13:43) - GNE 4944 - Scania L94UA/Wright Solar
I'd been planning a ride on the X66 following the withdrawal of the Artics - and I was lucky too in the fact that I had a journey with hardly any people on!
#27 - Gateshead Interchange to Heworth Metro Interchange - (13:50 --- 14:02) - GNE 5328 - Mercedes 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
Never been on 5328 before, and the journey was great apart from a guy who got on on Gateshead High Street who absolutely stank of urine...
T&W Metro - Heworth, Metro to Sunderland, Park Lane - (14:13 --- 14:36) - Metrocars 4070 & 4068
God, how cold is Heworth Metro station?! I was absolutely frozen, and to make everything better the Metro comes absolutely packed. I was standing up until about St. Peters and then got off at Park Lane!
#8 - Sunderland, Park Lane Interchange to Chester-le-Street South Burns - (14:53 --- 15:44) - GNE 4901 - Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
Not a bad bus all in all, but a bunch of girls sitting together being harassed by some kid their age who didn't even know them asking for a sweet made me want to pour him in diesel and light him up...
My mam picked me up in Chester and I was in the house for 16:00. Definitely value for money!
(31 Jan 2015, 9:41 pm)danpick Probably due to a freight train.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:44 pm)Tom He's actually got a point you know!
(31 Jan 2015, 9:39 pm)Jimmi As a regular passenger of Sapphire service 7 I have to say that I don't mind the e-leather seats and find them quite comfortable when I had them for an hour to college two mornings a week most weeks. When I went to Newcastle on Tuesday I had the 7 to Durham then I had a 57 reg Lowlander on the X2 and all my family thought the e-leather seats on the Sapphire Pulsar's were nicer than the fabric seats on the Lowlander.
Have to say though I think my favourite seats on modern buses in the NE have to be the GNE fabric seats in the B9TL's and also like the ones in the Tynedale Xpress Solar's.
Could you find the e-leather seats weird because you are not used to them because I wasn't too sure on them at first when the 7 first became Sapphire but I quite like them now, they aren't luxurious but still pretty nice.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:39 pm)Jimmi As a regular passenger of Sapphire service 7 I have to say that I don't mind the e-leather seats and find them quite comfortable when I had them for an hour to college two mornings a week most weeks. When I went to Newcastle on Tuesday I had the 7 to Durham then I had a 57 reg Lowlander on the X2 and all my family thought the e-leather seats on the Sapphire Pulsar's were nicer than the fabric seats on the Lowlander.
Have to say though I think my favourite seats on modern buses in the NE have to be the GNE fabric seats in the B9TL's and also like the ones in the Tynedale Xpress Solar's.
Could you find the e-leather seats weird because you are not used to them because I wasn't too sure on them at first when the 7 first became Sapphire but I quite like them now, they aren't luxurious but still pretty nice.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:38 pm)mb134 Still think these are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced (on a bus):
(31 Jan 2015, 9:38 pm)mb134 Still think these are some of the most comfortable seats I've ever experienced (on a bus):
(31 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm)Dan On top of my regular trips out which allows for opportunities to ride on Arriva's fleet with e-leather seating, I use the 23 service on an almost daily basis. Other than the fact they look smart, I think that fabric seating is far more comfortable and as such is superior.
Durham - Darlington on e-leather seating is just dreadful. Only upside is that they have high backed seating, I guess.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm)Dan On top of my regular trips out which allows for opportunities to ride on Arriva's fleet with e-leather seating, I use the 23 service on an almost daily basis. Other than the fact they look smart, I think that fabric seating is far more comfortable and as such is superior.
Durham - Darlington on e-leather seating is just dreadful. Only upside is that they have high backed seating, I guess.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm)Jimmi Never had the pleasure of these but I think I once had a Optare Delta with these seats on the 213 from Sunderland - Newton Aycliffe once for about two hours and they were really comfortable.Couldn't be much worse!
Bet those seats were better on the X60 Newcastle - Scarborough than the Urban90's in the Lowlander's on the X61 Durham - Scarborough in the summer.
Sorry I'm wrong, my favourite seats on buses in the North East are the seats in the ex demonstrator EcoCity's on the 21/X21, always hope for an ex demonstrator as the ones in the ones delivered new to Darlington seem a bit hard and they have less POWER!
4812 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...datetaken/
4814 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...374062192/
(31 Jan 2015, 9:47 pm)Jimmi Never had the pleasure of these but I think I once had a Optare Delta with these seats on the 213 from Sunderland - Newton Aycliffe once for about two hours and they were really comfortable.Couldn't be much worse!
Bet those seats were better on the X60 Newcastle - Scarborough than the Urban90's in the Lowlander's on the X61 Durham - Scarborough in the summer.
Sorry I'm wrong, my favourite seats on buses in the North East are the seats in the ex demonstrator EcoCity's on the 21/X21, always hope for an ex demonstrator as the ones in the ones delivered new to Darlington seem a bit hard and they have less POWER!
4812 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...datetaken/
4814 https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...374062192/
(31 Jan 2015, 9:57 pm)mb134 Couldn't be much worse!
(31 Jan 2015, 9:57 pm)mb134 Couldn't be much worse!
(31 Jan 2015, 10:11 pm)Jimmi Foldable garden chairs for be preferable for 3 hours on the X61.Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
Who thought them Urban90's seats were a good idea especially as the main route they were bought for was the 722/723 Darlington - Newcastle with a journey time of just under two hours. They were also used on the 75/76 Newton Aycliffe Horndale - Barnard Castle.
(31 Jan 2015, 10:11 pm)Jimmi Foldable garden chairs for be preferable for 3 hours on the X61.Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
Who thought them Urban90's seats were a good idea especially as the main route they were bought for was the 722/723 Darlington - Newcastle with a journey time of just under two hours. They were also used on the 75/76 Newton Aycliffe Horndale - Barnard Castle.
(31 Jan 2015, 10:24 pm)mb134 Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
10 decent seats on a double decker isn't good enough though
(31 Jan 2015, 10:24 pm)mb134 Always aimed for the back row when I got one like!
10 decent seats on a double decker isn't good enough though
To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).
The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.
Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.
Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.
Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.
Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.
(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).
The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.
Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.
Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.
Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.
Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.
(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).
The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.
Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.
Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.
Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.
Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.
(31 Jan 2015, 11:17 pm)Jimmi Where exactly is the Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane pick up point I'm just looking on Google Maps and I'm slightly confused as to where exactly it will pick up, I just want to be sure so if I do actually go I will go to the correct place on the day.
(31 Jan 2015, 11:17 pm)Jimmi Where exactly is the Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane pick up point I'm just looking on Google Maps and I'm slightly confused as to where exactly it will pick up, I just want to be sure so if I do actually go I will go to the correct place on the day.
(31 Jan 2015, 9:33 pm)MarcTheA4 Anyone else care to join the revolution?
The Leather Seat Gang?
Current members: MarcTheA4 Dan mb134 Tom
(31 Jan 2015, 9:33 pm)MarcTheA4 Anyone else care to join the revolution?
The Leather Seat Gang?
Current members: MarcTheA4 Dan mb134 Tom
(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).Will certain enthusiasts need reminding of what time 1630 is, do you think?
The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.
Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.
Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.
Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.
Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.
(31 Jan 2015, 10:58 pm)RGR756V To let you all know I am once again organising a bus trip to Kirkby Stephen for the excellent rally on Easter Sunday (5 April).Will certain enthusiasts need reminding of what time 1630 is, do you think?
The haulage will be H728DDL, a superb all-Leyland Olympian operated by Stagecarriage.
Fare is £10 per person, no need to book just turn up.
Departure points and times are; Middlesbrough, BBC 0850, Stagecoach Transit depot 0900, Stockton Stagecoach Office 0910, Darlington Rail Station, Park Lane 0930, Shildon Byerley Road 0950, Bishop Auckland Market Place 1000.
Connections will be made at Darlington with the 0855 train from Newcastle.
Returning from Kirkby at 1630. Send me a PM if you need any more info.
(01 Feb 2015, 8:26 am)RGR756V It's just outside the rail station where the X26 and X27 pick up.
If required, you can get on at Bondgate in Darlington, opposite the old snooker club
(01 Feb 2015, 8:26 am)RGR756V It's just outside the rail station where the X26 and X27 pick up.
If required, you can get on at Bondgate in Darlington, opposite the old snooker club
