North East Buses

(14 Mar 2014, 2:40 pm)BJ10VUS wrote [ -> ]Saw one of the X36 Solars at about half 12ish in Boldon - the front looked like the bus was kneeling down, and the back of the bus was standing up off the axle about a foot or two foot higher than usual - think there might be something wrong with the bus?

Hydraulics or Suspension maybe?

(14 Mar 2014, 3:12 pm)fozzovmurton wrote [ -> ]Hydraulics or Suspension maybe?

I thought suspension, but I don't know that much about mechanics to assume anything. I've never seen anything like that before - it was one of the '02'-reg "Fast Cats" Solars.

4844 making sounds from its engine, that were a cross between an ambulance and a wolf whistle, whenever it accelerates.

Thought someone had the hots for me at one point!

Ah and the 35s seemed to be regulated today.
Saw a couple NIS, but on route.

(14 Mar 2014, 7:47 am)Robert wrote [ -> ]But they haven't done that with the Drifter or the Coaster. The seaside theme is kept and the only thing that is different about the livery is the fact that the Drifter lighthouse is red and white (presumably something to do with Sunderland) and the Coaster lighthouse is white. Therefore, I cant see them doing it now either.

From what I've heard from a couple of drivers, the 50 is going to be styled similar to the Coaster and Drifter, but with the palmtrees and the little sand dune behind the rear wheel on the engine area. God forbid if they squeeze Whey Aye Five 0 onto two lines between the wheels, I'm getting sick of the livery designers just recycling the brand designs, they're running out of more ideas than Seth MacFarlane is for Family Guy! I mean, half of them are given to kids for competitions! It was better when about this time a few years ago, for example the 21/22 and X25 shared the Angel and Sir Bobby Robson (to the passengers it was a pink bus no matter what was written on it). If perhaps 78/8 and 71 shared the Lime or the 43/44 and X43 shared the Diamond, then they wouldn't have to pick a brand name for each individual route, I mean look at the Cobalts, why not just have it all under Cobalt Clipper instead of creating Cobalt Connect?

When the Lime get's new buses this year, will they allow bikes on the buses?

It's really rare to see anyone on the Lime services with bikes anyway

(14 Mar 2014, 7:17 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]When the Lime get's new buses this year, will they allow bikes on the buses?

It's really rare to see anyone on the Lime services with bikes anyway

Seeing as they are due Citaros and they don't have much room for a couple of buggies or bikes, I would say they'd reduce the emphasis on it a bit and just leave the Cycle thing behind. I've used the Lime hundreds of times to travel around my local area, and not once seen a Bike on it. I've seen teenagers with scooters, but never a cyclist with a bicycle.

Looking on the Red Arrows page on the GNE website and noticed that the Live Departures bit has been updated. You can now select which day and what time you are planning to travel. I don't know if this is the same with other brands with this feature on their page.

(14 Mar 2014, 7:17 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]When the Lime get's new buses this year, will they allow bikes on the buses?

It's really rare to see anyone on the Lime services with bikes anyway

While it is fair to say that the transporting of bikes on The Lime is a facility that is rarely used it is something that GNE have reviewed and they decided to keep the bike option. The driver survey attached below is part of the review that was carried out.

The transporting of bikes does incur a charge so any potential loss of revenue would need to be taken into account if the service was to be withdrawn.

I guess the final decision on bike transport will be determined by the suitability of any new buses that are deployed on The Lime.

(11 Mar 2014, 7:10 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]BFK told us why 3872 is at Deptford here.

A photograph of 3872 working "Fast Cats" service X36 can be seen below:

3872 has now been returned to Chester le Street. On X25 Chester le Street to Langley Park at 15.40.

(14 Mar 2014, 11:48 am)Bazza Houston wrote [ -> ]i have the feeling 5210 will be getting branded next week as 8228 is on its last legs and thus will be the end of SPDs then the following week my beloved route 88/88A should be straight after that got my location ready for them in my own back yard plus i may see the lass i have a crush on like that Jennifer Paige song which is titled Crush https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWLUE68upzA

What on earth was all that about?

(15 Mar 2014, 8:12 pm)Dr Martin wrote [ -> ]What on earth was all that about?

Bazza talking about his crushes again. Although I do prefer the David Morales remix of his tune.

Does anybody know what the status' of 4906-4909 are at the moment? Are they still at Saltmeadows or have they been repainted and distributed out to other depots.

(15 Mar 2014, 8:57 pm)Robert wrote [ -> ]Does anybody know what the status' of 4906-4909 are at the moment? Are they still at Saltmeadows or have they been repainted and distributed out to other depots.

4907 is the only repainted example to date, as far as I know.

(15 Mar 2014, 9:08 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]4907 is the only repainted example to date, as far as I know.

Any idea if any more of the duel door B10's be repainted yet?

(15 Mar 2014, 9:21 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Any idea if any more of the duel door B10's be repainted yet?

I can't remember the last one I noted as having been repainted, if I'm honest. I haven't been paying attention to the Saltmeadows repainting activity for the past few days, what with my break from the bus scene and all.

I know I haven't mentioned 5166 yet, and I know that one is at Saltmeadows now for repaint.

(15 Mar 2014, 9:26 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I can't remember the last one I noted as having been repainted, if I'm honest. I haven't been paying attention to the Saltmeadows repainting activity for the past few days, what with my break from the bus scene and all.

I know I haven't mentioned 5166 yet, and I know that one is at Saltmeadows now for repaint.

Ah right, no probs

feel free to post repainting news and branding news plus up and coming brandings also up and coming repaints

(15 Mar 2014, 9:27 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Ah right, no probs

had a renown today while enroute to Sunderland 5154 canny ride now in a red base colour but if its 5165 i refuse to go on that bus the seats are more hard than sitting on a pavement if it was that bus i wait for the 2nd bus in 15 mins plus one of my mates uncles could be at the wheel 50% chance p.s 5154 was a smooth ride my personal favourite renown is 4921 long story despite the bus feels uncomfy that was the 1st bus photo i ever took and it has grown to me that bus

(15 Mar 2014, 9:27 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Ah right, no probs

Asked around, and what I believe is the current state of branding affairs is given below:

5151 - GNE Red
5152 - GNE Red
5153 - Centurion
5154 - GNE Red
5155 - GNE Red
5156 - Centurion
5157 - Centurion
5158 - Centurion
5159 - Centurion
5160 - GNE Red
5161 - GNE Red
5162 - Pulse
5163 - Pulse
5164 - Yellow
5165 - Already repainted
5166 - GNE Red

(15 Mar 2014, 10:42 pm)Bazza Houston wrote [ -> ]had a renown today while enroute to Sunderland 5154 canny ride now in a red base colour but if its 5165 i refuse to go on that bus the seats are more hard than sitting on a pavement if it was that bus i wait for the 2nd bus in 15 mins plus one of my mates uncles could be at the wheel 50% chance p.s 5154 was a smooth ride my personal favourite renown is 4921 long story despite the bus feels uncomfy that was the 1st bus photo i ever took and it has grown to me that bus

Am I right in thinking that 4921 is one of the ones which hasn't been refurbished? Not keen on those myself - the lack of refurbishment just screams "old" to me, which is a bit of a let down because Renowns are good performing vehicles.

(15 Mar 2014, 10:50 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Am I right in thinking that 4921 is one of the ones which hasn't been refurbished? Not keen on those myself - the lack of refurbishment just screams "old" to me, which is a bit of a let down because Renowns are good performing vehicles.

Yeah I had it a few weeks ago at most and it's still in the original interior. Looking very worn and dated these days.

(15 Mar 2014, 10:45 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Asked around, and what I believe is the current state of branding affairs is given below:

5151 - GNE Red
5152 - GNE Red
5153 - Centurion
5154 - GNE Red
5155 - GNE Red
5156 - Centurion
5157 - Centurion
5158 - Centurion
5159 - Centurion
5160 - GNE Red
5161 - GNE Red
5162 - Pulse
5163 - Pulse
5164 - Yellow
5165 - Already repainted
5166 - GNE Red

Thanks for the update, should be done soon

(15 Mar 2014, 10:52 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Yeah I had it a few weeks ago at most and it's still in the original interior. Looking very worn and dated these days.

For me, the most offputting thing about getting on SPDs wasn't the knowledge that it was going to be one hell of a bumpy, rattley, slow ride... It was the thought of the amount of skin particles which would have gathered in the rock hard worn seats.

(15 Mar 2014, 10:55 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]For me, the most offputting thing about getting on SPDs wasn't the knowledge that it was going to be one hell of a bumpy, rattley, slow ride... It was the thought of the amount of skin particles which would have gathered in the rock hard worn seats.

Same with the MPDs in Washington. I remember being on one when some young bairns were bashing the back seats, leaving nowt but clouds of dust! I'm surprised they don't get an annual fabric shampoo or something, seeing as the kit to do it isn't that expensive. I know it makes one hell of a difference in cars, although it's quite alarming when you see all the filthy water coming out of it!

(15 Mar 2014, 10:52 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Yeah I had it a few weeks ago at most and it's still in the original interior. Looking very worn and dated these days.

As is 4923 I had on X66 last week. Is this a batch that has been missed?
Not sure it's worth doing them now though...

(15 Mar 2014, 10:55 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]For me, the most offputting thing about getting on SPDs wasn't the knowledge that it was going to be one hell of a bumpy, rattley, slow ride... It was the thought of the amount of skin particles which would have gathered in the rock hard worn seats.

Thanks for that info lmao

(15 Mar 2014, 10:58 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]As is 4923 I had on X66 last week. Is this a batch that has been missed?
Not sure it's worth doing them now though...

I think it's just a handful. I know 4922 hasn't iirc, but 4924-25 have? 4911 is another that hasn't.

(15 Mar 2014, 11:02 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]I think it's just a handful. I know 4922 hasn't iirc, but 4924-25 have? 4911 is another that hasn't.

4911, 4913, 4921, 4922, 4923 never got refurbished

(15 Mar 2014, 11:02 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]I think it's just a handful. I know 4922 hasn't iirc, but 4924-25 have? 4911 is another that hasn't.

4911/3/21-3 (4913 stands out as it was Highwayman branded and all the other Highwayman examples were done) are the only ones not treated of the native examples. 5161-5 have also not been touched by Go North East and retain the refurbished interior from the Oxford Days.

(15 Mar 2014, 10:42 pm)Bazza Houston wrote [ -> ]had a renown today while enroute to Sunderland 5154 canny ride now in a red base colour but if its 5165 i refuse to go on that bus the seats are more hard than sitting on a pavement if it was that bus i wait for the 2nd bus in 15 mins plus one of my mates uncles could be at the wheel 50% chance p.s 5154 was a smooth ride my personal favourite renown is 4921 long story despite the bus feels uncomfy that was the 1st bus photo i ever took and it has grown to me that bus

So Bazza, if 5165 was operating the last journey of the evening and you were waiting for it, would you then wait for the first departure of the next day?, personally I would percivere.

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