North East Buses

(16 Jan 2021, 6:08 am)RM2186 wrote [ -> ]Another unbranded ex Oxford coach spotted headed toward Saltmeadows along the Felling bypass yesterday. Passed in opposite direction and didn't get reg number.

It was 7152 (XL09 NCL).

As I was leaving Costco this afternoon I saw an Interdeck and noticed it had a slim purple strip across the windscreen, along the top of the destination screen I think.

I did a search on Flickr but could only find this recent shot, although it doesn’t have a purple strip like I’d seen:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/daftlad1/50832215243/

Yes there is a purple stripe now present on 7153 at riverside.

Begs the question why? There was already significantly more of the rear colour on the front of these coaches than any of the other X-lines buses. Personally don't think anymore vinyl is required.

(17 Jan 2021, 7:44 pm)S813 FVK wrote [ -> ]Begs the question why? There was already significantly more of the rear colour on the front of these coaches than any of the other X-lines buses. Personally don't think anymore vinyl is required.

Exactly, when they first showed the design the reason for the abomination on the front was because all the X-lines vehicles have the route colour on the front.
But, if they're putting the vinyl on anyway then they could have made the front all gold like the rest of the X-lines fleet.

Then it also begs the question, why are they suddenly putting a horizontal bar of colour on the front rather than the vertical lines that is now 'standard' across the X-lines fleet? 

I was willing to tolerate the purple on the front, but that vinyl is just awful, it looks like a tacked on afterthought

Since I'm bored, I did a quick 30 second Photoshop job of what I would have done if they insisted on the vinyls

(17 Jan 2021, 11:06 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Is the bike guarantee even a thing outside of what has been printed in timetables? Can't find any further information about it.

Edit: found it, seems to be a new page. Published after I spotted it in the X84/X85 booklet? Haha

Looks like they're planning on putting bike racks on the X9/X10 coaches as well

Presumably the bike storage will be in the luggage hold underneath?

Looking good:

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAPaP

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAVYU

and

Go North East 7153 X10NCL by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

20210118_222612 by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

(19 Jan 2021, 2:26 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Looking good:

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAPaP

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAVYU

and

Go North East 7153 X10NCL by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

20210118_222612 by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

They really do look the business, I remember saying when these vehicles were delivered for Oxford that they would be great for the X10. They should be ideal for the job and do wonders for the image of bus travel in general. 

Only criticism - what is the point of all that text above the door? Far too much information in a small space which isn't practicably going to be read by anybody.

(19 Jan 2021, 5:31 pm)James101 wrote [ -> ]They really do look the business, I remember saying when these vehicles were delivered for Oxford that they would be great for the X10. They should be ideal for the job and do wonders for the image of bus travel in general. 

Only criticism - what is the point of all that text above the door? Far too much information in a small space which isn't practicably going to be read by anybody.

I suppose it is because all of these info signs etc... are on most if not all of their fleet, so what should make these any different. And they are probably trying to make it next to the doors like on the other buses. And was probably the only place available.

(19 Jan 2021, 2:26 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Looking good:

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAPaP

https://flic.kr/p/2ktAVYU

and

Go North East 7153 X10NCL by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

20210118_222612 by jack  sparrow, on Flickr

Not sure if it's just the photos, but the colours all look a bit off.
The purple road stripe blends in with the purple triangle on both lots of photos, whereas on the initial designs it was a lot lighter and the same colour as the text

And, as I've said before, I'm not a fan of the purple vinyl on the front, and it seems to be a completely different shade of purple compared to the rest of the livery, whereas the coloured vinyl on the rest of the X-lines liveries seem to match pretty well

Those pics are mine I did brighten them up a bit

"go the green way", most fuel hungry bus in the whole fleet. Already there are issues with them. Wheelchair space is right next to the driver, social distance non existent. Passengers have to lean over the wheelchair passenger to pay fair.

(23 Jan 2021, 4:46 pm)CookieMonster wrote [ -> ]"go the green way", most fuel hungry bus in the whole fleet. Already there are issues with them. Wheelchair space is right next to the driver, social distance non existent. Passengers have to lean over the wheelchair passenger to pay fair.

What's your evidence for this? These coaches are Euro 6, so emissions are of the same standard as they were previously on the Volvo B5 allocation, and a coach tends to have far greater fuel economy than a bus, due to the gear ratios and settings... So these coaches are arguably better for the environment than previous service buses used.

How are there issues with them already, when driver training hasn't even started yet, let alone them formally entering service for issues to arise..?

I love the looks of the elites justakes me think how good X lines would be if it was a coach brand like stagecoach express up in Scotland.

Training starts tomorrow for the new interdecks - info from Martijn Gilberts live update - https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...3194693364

(24 Jan 2021, 4:35 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Training starts tomorrow for the new interdecks - info from Martijn Gilberts live update - https://www.facebook.com/100009920923911...3194693364

Training had indeed started today.  I was on the afternoon course and all I can say is WOW!!!  These are a massive step up for both driver and passengers.  I’m sure even the most cynical will enjoy them!!

(25 Jan 2021, 5:24 pm)James_D wrote [ -> ]Training had indeed started today.  I was on the afternoon course and all I can say is WOW!!!  These are a massive step up for both driver and passengers.  I’m sure even the most cynical will enjoy them!!

Looks great, I'll say it again this really makes me think X lines should be coaches like SC express, maybe something like Leopards and/or LE and/or B13RT elites on the Consett X lines, Ex NX Levantes or Leopards on the X6/X7 and Leopards or Ex NX levantes on the X20 & elite Is, altanos, astromegas, Elite Is or panoramas on the X1and the obvious up coming elite Is on the X9/X10.

(25 Jan 2021, 5:46 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]Looks great, I'll say it again this really makes me think X lines should be coaches like SC express,  maybe something like Leopards and/or LE and/or B13RT elites on the Consett X lines, Ex NX Levantes or Leopards on the X6/X7 and Leopards or Ex NX levantes on the X20 & elite Is, altanos, astromegas, Elite Is or panoramas on the X1and the obvious up coming elite Is on the X9/X10.

Whilst a nice thought, the rest of the Xlines network really does not warrant coach type operation.  The nature of these routes with slower speeds, more frequent stopping and in some cases tighter spaces to negotiate, would make them impractical and inefficient.  Xlines is all about the passenger experience and getting you from A-B efficiently and in comfort, which the current high specification vehicles on the rest of the Xlines network do to great effect.  Interdecks on the X9/10 are just the jewel in the crown of the Xlines network.

I don't think coaches would be possible at all on X46 as the deckers just squeeze through parked vehicles on pleasant view at Bridgehill, especially the car that insists on parking opposite the camper van thats parked almost permanently in position and with the weaving requored past other cars on that narrow road.

It does look the business, it’d be nice to see the 685 get some sort of upgrade from Arriva/SC but I’d guess less people use that as point to point versus the X9/10 so it wouldn’t warrant the investment

(25 Jan 2021, 7:25 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]It does look the business, it’d be nice to see the 685 get some sort of upgrade from Arriva/SC but I’d guess less people use that as point to point versus the X9/10 so it wouldn’t warrant the investment

Yeah the 685 has been coaches before with arriva using primas so I'm sure they could easily get some brand new, 2nd hand or some dealer stock coaches (I'm sure arriva have their own bus and coach dealers in Yorkshire). The X15 & X20 would also be good candidates for coaches too again they had the primas.

Not anymore, Arriva Bus and Coach has / is closing down. Plus the 685 has more short haul passengers than the X9/X10 which stops mainly in key locations.

The Purple X-Lines livery is my favourite so far

Is it just the two Interdecks here so far?

Any news on the remainder coming (how many will there be in total?), and when they’ll likely enter service following driving training?

(02 Feb 2021, 1:47 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Is it just the two Interdecks here so far?

Any news on the remainder coming (how many will there be in total?), and when they’ll likely enter service following driving training?

7152/3/5 are here and branded with 7154 at least painted afaik

As per the latest fleet news update currently delivered is (assuming i haven't manage to screw up my copy and pasting)

7150 - OW15 WJZ - re-registered to GO02 MBR (quite possibly the worst private plate I've ever seen)
7152 - OW15 WKB - re-registered to XL09 NCL
7153 - OW15 WKC - re-registered to XL10 NCL
7154 - OW15 WKD - re-registered to X9 XLS
7155 - OW15 WKE - re-registered to X10 LNE
7156 - OW15 WKF - re-registered to X10 XLS


Having done a bit of checking on the DVLA site, GO02 NCL has also been registered so I'd imagine that'll go on 7151

Is the seating capacity on these 66?

The 9 and 10 private plates, fair enough I get what they’ve done and they don’t look too old, but GO02 MBR just says 2002 to me.

(02 Feb 2021, 8:07 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]Is the seating capacity on these 66?

Yes

(02 Feb 2021, 8:15 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]The 9 and 10 private plates, fair enough I get what they’ve done and they don’t look too old, but GO02 MBR just says 2002 to me.

Says Go 2 Middlesbrough for me