According to bustimes, 6175 has arrived and is working off Washington in Voyager livery. This was 9068 when it first arrived, initially being on loan from Brighton and Hove.
9051 has also reappeared on bustimes. Unless it's another "ghost in the machine", does this mean that, after two false starts, it might get to make a useful contribution to the GNE fleet ?
Former X66 Streetlite 5391 appears to be now in service on the 65 today. Just 5392 that hasn’t yet appeared.
(22 Sep 2021, 5:02 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]I saw 3 on it the other day.
at this time today.
There were more omnidekka's on X21 (5), than allocated buses (4). There are 7 branded & Extra High Spec Spares.
So are the B5TLs unreliable or is it down to parts / engineering staff shortages etc?
Me thinks given now that the evening & Sunday X45/X46 are covered by E400MMC's (unless the Sunday 47/47A will be covered by StreetDecks to save fuel over the B9TLs), it would make more sense to move the B5TLs to Consett and move 6356-63 on to the X21.
The StreetDeck MH3's are supposedly reliable after all aren't they? They seem okayish on the X1. And the original plan pre-covid was to use StreetDecks on the X21.
Obviously don't forget the enhanced BOSG mileage (40 mile round trip vs nearly 80 mile) and potential decker fleet commonality at Washington & CLS
(24 Sep 2021, 3:57 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]So are the B5TLs unreliable or is it down to parts / engineering staff shortages etc?
Me thinks given now that the evening & Sunday X45/X46 are covered by E400MMC's (unless the Sunday 47/47A will be covered by StreetDecks to save fuel over the B9TLs), it would make more sense to move the B5TLs to Consett and move 6356-63 on to the X21.
The StreetDeck MH3's are supposedly reliable after all aren't they? They seem okayish on the X1. And the original plan pre-covid was to use StreetDecks on the X21.
Obviously don't forget the enhanced BOSG mileage (40 mile round trip vs nearly 80 mile) and potential decker fleet commonality at Washington & CLS
It's been said over and over again, there's no point in moving recently painted B5s from chester to Consett in exchange for streetdecks, it's simply not cost effective.
(24 Sep 2021, 7:42 pm)Stanleyone wrote [ -> ]It's been said over and over again, there's no point in moving recently painted B5s from chester to Consett in exchange for streetdecks, it's simply not cost effective.
I agree although would only be a partial repaint. But is it cost effective (unless used on standalone Sunday 47/47A journeys) having brand new fuel efficient double deck vehicles only being used during Monday to Saturday daytimes as opposed to a higher mileage route that also has a requirement for such vehicles during the Evenings and on Sundays?
The X21 is almost double the mileage of the X45/X46. Plus (excluding the X22) keeping Washington's & CLS' main decker routes under 1x vehicle type.
And even if the PVR is 9x, the remaining 2x could be made up by 6100/6101 (closer to XLines spec) with 6334/35 (no tables) acting as spares at Percy Main for the 309/310/311
(24 Sep 2021, 7:49 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]I agree although would only be a partial repaint. But is it cost effective (unless used on standalone Sunday 47/47A journeys) having brand new fuel efficient double deck vehicles only being used during Monday to Saturday daytimes as opposed to a higher mileage route that also has a requirement for such vehicles during the Evenings and on Sundays?
The X21 is almost double the mileage of the X45/X46. Plus (excluding the X22) keeping Washington's & CLS' main decker routes under 1x vehicle type.
And even if the PVR is 9x, the remaining 2x could be made up by 6100/6101 (closer to XLines spec) with 6334/35 (no tables) acting as spares at Percy Main for the 309/310/311
6334/6335 should **not** move to Percy Main.
(24 Sep 2021, 8:15 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]6334/6335 should **not** move to Percy Main.
But 6100-01 would better match XLines spec as opposed to 6334/35. If 6334/35 showed up on the 309/310/311, the only real thing missing would be tables.
2x out of 6338-40 would be an option to make up the PVR but they'd best be kept as spares due to being low height.
The main reason why I'd suggest swapping 6356-63 with 6100/01 (6334/35) & 6308-14 is:
- Fleet commonality at CLS & Washington (smaller depots)
- Consett already operate 4x main DD types after the changes (B5LH, B9TL, StreetDeck, E400MMC). That would reduce to 3x (B5TL, B5LH, E400MMC) or even 2x taking into account that the B5TL is effectively a non-hybrid derivative of the B5LH. Commonality would even whittle down to gearbox type (B5TL/E400MMC = ZF, StreetDeck = Voith).
- Enhanced BSOG payments for X21 trip distance including evening & Sunday trips.
- Easier work for Volvo B5TLs taking into account their previous use on X9/X10 (Mon-Sat only and 45/46/47 previously run using StreetLites).
(24 Sep 2021, 8:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]But 6100-01 would better match XLines spec as opposed to 6334/35. If 6334/35 showed up on the 309/310/311, the only real thing missing would be tables.
2x out of 6338-40 would be an option to make up the PVR but they'd best be kept as spares due to being low height.
The main reason why I'd suggest swapping 6356-63 with 6100/01 (6334/35) & 6308-14 is:
- Fleet commonality at CLS & Washington (smaller depots)
- Consett already operate 4x main DD types after the changes (B5LH, B9TL, StreetDeck, E400MMC). That would reduce to 3x (B5TL, B5LH, E400MMC) or even 2x taking into account that the B5TL is effectively a non-hybrid derivative of the B5LH. Commonality would even whittle down to gearbox type (B5TL/E400MMC = ZF, StreetDeck = Voith).
- Enhanced BSOG payments for X21 trip distance including evening & Sunday trips.
- Easier work for Volvo B5TLs taking into account their previous use on X9/X10 (Mon-Sat only and 45/46/47 previously run using StreetLites).
I don't know why fleet commonality has been mentioned both depots go to Deptford for maintence. The problem is 6334-6335 are much better and younger than 6101-6102, you might aswell say 6099 aswel. 6334-35 have comfier seats (imo) and are much higher spec. It wouldn't make any sense at all.
Where are the Ex Red Kite Streetlites going, as when they came to Deptford nothing was withdrawn, maybe one or two buses but nothing major. So why not brand some of those into S&D they would definitely benefit on services as 35 as the reliablity of the branded Cherry buses are atrocious, also Berries those Streetlites they barely make it through the day.
(25 Sep 2021, 5:50 am)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Where are the Ex Red Kite Streetlites going, as when they came to Deptford nothing was withdrawn, maybe one or two buses but nothing major. So why not brand some of those into S&D they would definitely benefit on services as 35 as the reliablity of the branded Cherry buses are atrocious, also Berries those Streetlites they barely make it through the day.
Nothing was withdrawn because there was a PVR increase (all the school duplicates) at the same time resulting in most of the Citaros used on the routes the Streetlites became allocated to (ie 35 and 55).
The Euro 4 Citaros have all now been withdrawn bar two (5484/86) and some of the Black Cats Streetlites have been released without replacement. Deptford aren’t sitting on a lot of extra buses in reality.
On receipt of the all the Sunderland District branded buses at Deptford, these Streetlites will transfer to Riverside.
There are no major reliability issues on the Versas used on the 2/2A, nor the Citaros on the 35. This is speculation, and is wrong. Not denying that they, as older buses than Streetlites, are more expensive to maintain, parts more difficult to get a hold of, and are more likely to breakdown, but this isn’t major.
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(25 Sep 2021, 5:59 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nothing was withdrawn because there was a PVR increase (all the school duplicates) at the same time resulting in most of the Citaros used on the routes the Streetlites became allocated to (ie 35 and 55).
The Euro 4 Citaros have all now been withdrawn bar two (5484/86) and some of the Black Cats Streetlites have been released without replacement. Deptford aren’t sitting on a lot of extra buses in reality.
On receipt of the all the Sunderland District branded buses at Deptford, these Streetlites will transfer to Riverside.
There are no major reliability issues on the Versas used on the 2/2A, nor the Citaros on the 35. This is speculation, and is wrong. Not denying that they, as older buses than Streetlites, are more expensive to maintain, parts more difficult to get a hold of, and are more likely to breakdown, but this isn’t major.
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I mean...it just seems that the Cherry Branded 35 buses reliability has just went down hill. As the 15' Plates aren't Euro 6, I didn't think they would be moving to Deptford. But moving them to CLS/WSH/Deptford/Peterlee.
(25 Sep 2021, 5:59 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Nothing was withdrawn because there was a PVR increase (all the school duplicates) at the same time resulting in most of the Citaros used on the routes the Streetlites became allocated to (ie 35 and 55).
The Euro 4 Citaros have all now been withdrawn bar two (5484/86) and some of the Black Cats Streetlites have been released without replacement. Deptford aren’t sitting on a lot of extra buses in reality.
On receipt of the all the Sunderland District branded buses at Deptford, these Streetlites will transfer to Riverside.
There are no major reliability issues on the Versas used on the 2/2A, nor the Citaros on the 35. This is speculation, and is wrong. Not denying that they, as older buses than Streetlites, are more expensive to maintain, parts more difficult to get a hold of, and are more likely to breakdown, but this isn’t major.
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Reading between the lines if the 15 plates are moving to Riverside, unless it was the remainder of the 17 plates meant there, then I'm guessing these will be working the 49/49A which in turn will push the 66 plates (or Versas) and the rest of the 17 plates potentially onto the 6/12/25/33/51/52 which will see off the Mercs and that's everything Euro 6?
(25 Sep 2021, 7:49 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]Reading between the lines if the 15 plates are moving to Riverside, unless it was the remainder of the 17 plates meant there, then I'm guessing these will be working the 49/49A which in turn will push the 66 plates and the rest of the 17 plates potentially onto the 51/52/6/12 which will see off the Mercs and that's everything Euro 6?
Correct, with Citaros returning to the routes they were previously used on prior to the Red Kite Streetlites transferring to Deptford (55, 61).
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(25 Sep 2021, 7:53 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Correct, with Citaros returning to the routes they were previously used on prior to the Red Kite Streetlites transferring to Deptford (55, 61).
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Wonder if branding will come to the 49 Winlaton Explorer
12/6 - CityConnect
(25 Sep 2021, 8:00 am)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Wonder if branding will come to the 49 Winlaton Explorer
12/6 - CityConnect
Surely that name would put anyone off using the 49!
I've always thought The Dunston Rocket would have been a good brand name
(25 Sep 2021, 8:02 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Surely that name would put anyone off using the 49!
I've always thought The Dunston Rocket would have been a good brand name
I mean, if there were X49, yes. But the 49 isn't a particular fast route, I mean it is only around 40-50 mins.
I mean GNE could probably think of a better name, I mean the name they came up with when they introduced the Streetlites was pathetic. THE 49 (Not necessarily a bad name) but then they stuck the 2016 Livery under it.
I mean atleast THE 9 has shoppers on the livery.
(25 Sep 2021, 7:53 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Correct, with Citaros returning to the routes they were previously used on prior to the Red Kite Streetlites transferring to Deptford (55, 61).
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Thanks for that.
(25 Sep 2021, 8:21 am)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]I mean, if there were X49, yes. But the 49 isn't a particular fast route, I mean it is only around 40-50 mins.
I mean GNE could probably think of a better name, I mean the name they came up with when they introduced the Streetlites was pathetic. THE 49 (Not necessarily a bad name) but then they stuck the 2016 Livery under it.
I mean atleast THE 9 has shoppers on the livery.
I think the name was in reference to the Dunston Rocket (a building - guess you've never heard of it) rather than it being quick.
(25 Sep 2021, 8:24 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]I think the name was in reference to the Dunston Rocket (a building - guess you've never heard of it) rather than it being quick.
Oh, yeah I haven't. If it goes with the local route. Then I am all for it.
(25 Sep 2021, 8:30 am)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Oh, yeah I haven't. If it goes with the local route. Then I am all for it.
It's been knocked down for nearly a decade now, so I'm not surprised some people haven't heard of it.
As a big fan of brutalist architecture, it's a shame that so many 'iconic' buildings have been torn down.
I think The 9 and The 49 are just names as they couldn't think of a brand name for them at the time