North East Buses

(11 Apr 2020, 12:09 pm)JP6004 wrote [ -> ]Be interesting to see if they remain there. I would imagine the bus factories will reopen before services get back to normal

Sent from my SM-A505FN using Tapatalk

I think the buses will end up going back to normal depots before moving permanently (once the new buses arrive) but you never know.. anything could happen these days.

Wonder how far Wright and Alexander Dennis were to completing the new GNE buses.


Wrightbus has had no luck has it?

Seem to be using Streetdecks on the 1A all of the time. Might be tempted to walk around the corner to take a photo if this continues next week.

(11 Apr 2020, 12:29 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]Seem to be using Streetdecks on the 1A all of the time. Might be tempted to walk around the corner to take a photo if this continues next week.

It was Cobalt & Coasts on paper until today.

The allocation has been revised to 4x Xlines StreetDecks as of today, with further Cobalt & Coasts due to be parked up (although they haven't been yet, in reality).

Michael will be pleased to hear that the enthusiast area section of GNE's website will be updated on Tuesday, now we're getting to a stage where we approach a temporary "norm".

(11 Apr 2020, 12:17 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]I think the buses will end up going back to normal depots before moving permanently (once the new buses arrive) but you never know.. anything could happen these days.

Wonder how far Wright and Alexander Dennis were to completing the new GNE buses.


Wrightbus has had no luck has it?

I don't think we'll see any of the new buses until the Autumn, possibly early Winter. Will certainly be a busy time for fleet movements.

Will be very interesting to see whether or not travel & working patterns will change post COVID-19. Will there still be scores of 'offices' scattered around the place or will organisations adapt to new technologies?

The sector I work in as well as the sector I support have both adapted new technologies and ways of working since the start of COVID-19.

One example I can think off from the top of my head is a call centre. Will there be a need for call centres when people can potentially get access to systems etc at home thus reducing costs for companies (they'd only need to pay out for a computer, phone line, office equipment and broadband for WFH workers).

(11 Apr 2020, 1:51 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]It was Cobalt & Coasts on paper until today.

The allocation has been revised to 4x Xlines StreetDecks as of today, with further Cobalt & Coasts due to be parked up (although they haven't been yet, in reality).

Michael will be pleased to hear that the enthusiast area section of GNE's website will be updated on Tuesday, now we're getting to a stage where we approach a temporary "norm".

That's good, thanks Dan. Will it show whats allocated to what service?

Does that also confirm that the current timetables are likely not to change anymore?

(11 Apr 2020, 2:00 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]That's good, thanks Dan. Will it show whats allocated to what service?

Just the usual fleet allocation.

Consett
45 - ADL Enviro 400
X30 X71 - indiGo Solo
16A X5 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
V's, 30 and T1/T2 - Venture Solo

Deptford
8/78 - Coast & Country Streetlite (plus 1x Red Kite Streetlite, due to 5403 being VOR).
X1 - Fab56 Volvo B9
4 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
5 - indiGo Solo
50 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
81 - 85 - indiGo Solo (evening journeys on 85 Cathedral Bus Solo)
23 - Cathedral Bus Solo
2, 9, 35A, 39, 135/136 - Black Cats Streetlite (Sunday 135/136 Sunderland Connect Solo)
20 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
55X - Red Kite Streetlite
56 - Fab56 Volvo B9
60 - Euro 6 fleet livery Streetlite
33A 38 38C - indiGo Solo (Sundays Sunderland Connect Solo)
700/702 - Sunderland Connect Solo
79 79A - indiGo Solo

Hexham
185 681 X81 - Sprinter
680 - Xlines Solo
688 - Tynedale Links Solo
74 - Sprinter
686 - Tynedale Links Solo
X84 X85 683 - Xlines Solo
689 - Tynedale Links Solo

Peterlee
2xx services - indiGo Solo
168 - baby Solo 717

Riverside
53/54 - Saltwell Park Streetlite
49, 57, 93/94 - The 49 Streetlite
26/27 - Angel Streetdeck
58, Q1/Q2 - Citylink Versa
X66 - Green Arrow E200
6, 10/10A - X9/X10 & Xlines Volvo B5
Q3 - Green Arrow E200
33A - Green Arrow E200
67/69 & M6 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
H - Saltwell Park Streetlite
1A - Xlines Streetdeck
309 310 - Cobalt & Coast Volvo B9
11 19 42 42A - Little Coasters Solo
434 448 - Xlines Streetdeck
21 X21 14 - Angel Streetdeck
25 28/28B 34A - Coast & Country Streetlite

(11 Apr 2020, 2:09 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Just the usual fleet allocation.

Consett
45 - ADL Enviro 400
X30 X71 - indiGo Solo
16A X5 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
V's, 30 and T1/T2 - Venture Solo

Deptford
8/78 - Coast & Country Streetlite (plus 1x Red Kite Streetlite, due to 5403 being VOR).
X1 - Fab56 Volvo B9
4 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
5 - indiGo Solo
50 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
81 - 85 - indiGo Solo (evening journeys on 85 Cathedral Bus Solo)
23 - Cathedral Bus Solo
2, 9, 35A, 39, 135/136 - Black Cats Streetlite (Sunday 135/136 Sunderland Connect Solo)
20 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
55X - Red Kite Streetlite
56 - Fab56 Volvo B9
60 - Euro 6 fleet livery Streetlite
33A 38 38C - indiGo Solo (Sundays Sunderland Connect Solo)
700/702 - Sunderland Connect Solo
79 79A - indiGo Solo

Hexham
185 681 X81 - Sprinter
680 - Xlines Solo
688 - Tynedale Links Solo
74 - Sprinter
686 - Tynedale Links Solo
X84 X85 683 - Xlines Solo
689 - Tynedale Links Solo

Peterlee
2xx services - indiGo Solo
168 - baby Solo 717

Riverside
53/54 - Saltwell Park Streetlite
49, 57, 93/94 - The 49 Streetlite
26/27 - Angel Streetdeck
58, Q1/Q2 - Citylink Versa
X66 - Green Arrow E200
6, 10/10A - X9/X10 & Xlines Volvo B5
Q3 - Green Arrow E200
33A - Green Arrow E200
67/69 & M6 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
H - Saltwell Park Streetlite
1A - Xlines Streetdeck
309 310 - Cobalt & Coast Volvo B9
11 19 42 42A - Little Coasters Solo
434 448 - Xlines Streetdeck
21 X21 14 - Angel Streetdeck
25 28/28B 34A - Coast & Country Streetlite

Is there a particular reason why the StreetDecks are split up as they are (ie. 1A getting Xlines, 26/27 getting Angel etc.), or were they just allocated randomly?

I'd imagine 26/27 is more stop start than the 1A so the Angels may be more efficient?

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(11 Apr 2020, 2:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Is there a particular reason why the StreetDecks are split up as they are (ie. 1A getting Xlines, 26/27 getting Angel etc.), or were they just allocated randomly?

I'd imagine 26/27 is more stop start than the 1A so the Angels may be more efficient?

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

More so due to how they've been allocated from the start.

26/27 has a few peak-time journeys which need double-deck for social distancing, so they were given the "spare" Angels as soon as Chester-le-Street was mothballed.

As of today, there's no need for any Xlines Streetdeck (due to the changes to the 21/X21), so those Streetdeck have been re-deployed to the 1A. On paper it's 6331 - 6333 plus one of the older ones (so the ones which aren't stop/start, and the ones which are less reliable, are only on schools/works services), but I'd be amazed if that's adhered to.

(11 Apr 2020, 2:09 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Just the usual fleet allocation.

Consett
45 - ADL Enviro 400
X30 X71 - indiGo Solo
16A X5 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
V's, 30 and T1/T2 - Venture Solo

Deptford
8/78 - Coast & Country Streetlite (plus 1x Red Kite Streetlite, due to 5403 being VOR).
X1 - Fab56 Volvo B9
4 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
5 - indiGo Solo
50 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
81 - 85 - indiGo Solo (evening journeys on 85 Cathedral Bus Solo)
23 - Cathedral Bus Solo
2, 9, 35A, 39, 135/136 - Black Cats Streetlite (Sunday 135/136 Sunderland Connect Solo)
20 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
55X - Red Kite Streetlite
56 - Fab56 Volvo B9
60 - Euro 6 fleet livery Streetlite
33A 38 38C - indiGo Solo (Sundays Sunderland Connect Solo)
700/702 - Sunderland Connect Solo
79 79A - indiGo Solo

Hexham
185 681 X81 - Sprinter
680 - Xlines Solo
688 - Tynedale Links Solo
74 - Sprinter
686 - Tynedale Links Solo
X84 X85 683 - Xlines Solo
689 - Tynedale Links Solo

Peterlee
2xx services - indiGo Solo
168 - baby Solo 717

Riverside
53/54 - Saltwell Park Streetlite
49, 57, 93/94 - The 49 Streetlite
26/27 - Angel Streetdeck
58, Q1/Q2 - Citylink Versa
X66 - Green Arrow E200
6, 10/10A - X9/X10 & Xlines Volvo B5
Q3 - Green Arrow E200
33A - Green Arrow E200
67/69 & M6 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
H - Saltwell Park Streetlite
1A - Xlines Streetdeck
309 310 - Cobalt & Coast Volvo B9
11 19 42 42A - Little Coasters Solo
434 448 - Xlines Streetdeck
21 X21 14 - Angel Streetdeck
25 28/28B 34A - Coast & Country Streetlite

Thanks for the list Dan, much appreciated.

(11 Apr 2020, 12:29 pm)Rapidsnap wrote [ -> ]Seem to be using Streetdecks on the 1A all of the time. Might be tempted to walk around the corner to take a photo if this continues next week.

Sounds essential

(11 Apr 2020, 3:43 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]Sounds essential

As long as it's during his once a day exercise, who are we to complain?

(11 Apr 2020, 2:09 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Just the usual fleet allocation.

Consett
45 - ADL Enviro 400
X30 X71 - indiGo Solo
16A X5 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
V's, 30 and T1/T2 - Venture Solo

Deptford
8/78 - Coast & Country Streetlite (plus 1x Red Kite Streetlite, due to 5403 being VOR).
X1 - Fab56 Volvo B9
4 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
5 - indiGo Solo
50 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
81 - 85 - indiGo Solo (evening journeys on 85 Cathedral Bus Solo)
23 - Cathedral Bus Solo
2, 9, 35A, 39, 135/136 - Black Cats Streetlite (Sunday 135/136 Sunderland Connect Solo)
20 - Prince Bishops Streetlite
55X - Red Kite Streetlite
56 - Fab56 Volvo B9
60 - Euro 6 fleet livery Streetlite
33A 38 38C - indiGo Solo (Sundays Sunderland Connect Solo)
700/702 - Sunderland Connect Solo
79 79A - indiGo Solo

Hexham
185 681 X81 - Sprinter
680 - Xlines Solo
688 - Tynedale Links Solo
74 - Sprinter
686 - Tynedale Links Solo
X84 X85 683 - Xlines Solo
689 - Tynedale Links Solo

Peterlee
2xx services - indiGo Solo
168 - baby Solo 717

Riverside
53/54 - Saltwell Park Streetlite
49, 57, 93/94 - The 49 Streetlite
26/27 - Angel Streetdeck
58, Q1/Q2 - Citylink Versa
X66 - Green Arrow E200
6, 10/10A - X9/X10 & Xlines Volvo B5
Q3 - Green Arrow E200
33A - Green Arrow E200
67/69 & M6 - Durham Diamond Streetlite
H - Saltwell Park Streetlite
1A - Xlines Streetdeck
309 310 - Cobalt & Coast Volvo B9
11 19 42 42A - Little Coasters Solo
434 448 - Xlines Streetdeck
21 X21 14 - Angel Streetdeck
25 28/28B 34A - Coast & Country Streetlite

That's a very useful list, Dan. Thank you. 

The 74 has recently been allocated 670 and 673/675 in addition to Sprinters 729/730. Are the Sprinters definitely going to be allocated from now on until the end of the COVID-19 situation?

I'd like to video an X-lines Solo on the X84, but they are usually operated with a Tynedale Links Solo. The 42A had some interesting allocations recently for some reason, which I posted in the rare and odd workings thread, although I didn't go out to picture/video them.

I now think it very unlikely that the Yutongs will arrive in July. Although I have not read about production suspended at the factory, they are likely to have been (or still be) short of staff. Supply chains of spare parts may well be disrupted. Then there is the matter of shipping the buses here.

So, I am prepared to postpone any holiday plans for Newcastle now.

(11 Apr 2020, 2:09 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]434 448 - Xlines Streetdeck

Still a high number of kids going to Bedlington High then during this? Hopefully NCC allow for a smaller vehicle if loadings justify. 

The residents of Linton won't know whats hit them compared to the usual Omnidekka.

(11 Apr 2020, 5:54 pm)Metroline1511 wrote [ -> ]I now think it very unlikely that the Yutongs will arrive in July.  Although I have not read about production suspended at the factory, they are likely to have been (or still be) short of staff.  Supply chains of spare parts may well be disrupted.  Then there is the matter of shipping the buses here.

So, I am prepared to postpone any holiday plans for Newcastle now.

Ye, i don't think the Enviro 400's will arrive by next month either.

Its not been a great year for GNE and bus orders, first Wrightbus, and now the Coronavirus... of course, we hope everyone is keeping safe.



Edit: Talking of electric buses... has work stopped on the extension to Riverside, which will home the electric buses?, only asking because some construction work is still going on.

(11 Apr 2020, 3:55 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]As long as it's during his once a day exercise, who are we to complain?

If I time it right, I can see them from the front door, unfortunately I left my camera 30 miles away!

(11 Apr 2020, 2:26 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]More so due to how they've been allocated from the start.

26/27 has a few peak-time journeys which need double-deck for social distancing, so they were given the "spare" Angels as soon as Chester-le-Street was mothballed.

As of today, there's no need for any Xlines Streetdeck (due to the changes to the 21/X21), so those Streetdeck have been re-deployed to the 1A. On paper it's 6331 - 6333 plus one of the older ones (so the ones which aren't stop/start, and the ones which are less reliable, are only on schools/works services), but I'd be amazed if that's adhered to.

Still saw x lines on the 21, today.

(11 Apr 2020, 7:08 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]If I time it right, I can see them from the front door, unfortunately I left my camera 30 miles away!

I have been doing my daily exercise on the bike went from Northumbria centre to Gateshead earlier n seen a few but couldnt be bothered for my camera to be out but other day i got photos of 4/50

(11 Apr 2020, 6:09 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Still a high number of kids going to Bedlington High then during this? Hopefully NCC allow for a smaller vehicle if loadings justify. 

The residents of Linton won't know whats hit them compared to the usual Omnidekka.

Not particularly - single figures - but a StreetDeck is more fuel efficient (and eligible for extra incentives such as enhanced BSOG payments) than some older single-decks, plus there’s more chance of using a double-deck for “extra curricular activities” on a weekend (there’s still a small amount of opportunities out there, which helps to bring in vital revenue at this time).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

(12 Apr 2020, 8:32 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Not particularly - single figures - but a StreetDeck is more fuel efficient (and eligible for extra incentives such as enhanced BSOG payments) than some older single-decks, plus there’s more chance of using a double-deck for “extra curricular activities” on a weekend (there’s still a small amount of opportunities out there, which helps to bring in vital revenue at this time).


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I wrote a message earlier this month, following on from the discussion regarding 'bail-outs'.

BSOG was mentioned. This was before the 'bail-outs'.
It's as though operators see no shame in their hypocrisy. 
They certainly love a freebie, but when it comes to the discussion on regulating services, all of a sudden they become very determined to stay independent from local/national government interference.

I think the reference about sticking an oversized vehicle on a route which takes single figures - in order to receive financial incentives, is the cherry on a big fat iced incentive filled bun (which is obviously given away as a freebie, funded by the taxpayer of course).