(21 Mar 2014, 8:10 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Institutionalised oppression? What garbage.

(21 Mar 2014, 8:27 pm)AdamY wrote I did not know this.

Do you care to point me in the direction of where this information is published so I can view it for myself?

(21 Mar 2014, 8:11 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Well it was the disability lobby which first demanded poles in the middle of the entrance, and then did a total about turn.

(21 Mar 2014, 9:29 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote I must admit I was being a bit radical back a few posts ago but do you really want to know who the cause of the problem is? The likes of Brussels and Greenpeace who bang on about emissions and so on! The only two double deck low floor buses that have came close to the Palatine 2 with the D10245 engine have been the B9TL and DB250. Even the B9TL can struggle with 40 mile runs for 17 - 18 hours per day at 50 to 60 mph. Despite the emissions of ths Palatine 2 being higher, the fuel consumption would only be marginally higher on a 80 mile round run than what it would be on a Volvo B9TL and add better reliabilty and gearing ratios, a few more emissions going into the air is far less important compared to operating and keeping a bus service fully running and reliable. But obviously, the green lefties don't see it that way!

(21 Mar 2014, 9:32 pm)BJ10VUS wrote There's far more to go wrong on a Gemini in comparison to a Palatine, such as the electrical systems and the on-board computer systems. Yes, the Palatine's might be more suited to the routes with their strong and powerful engines, but they just aren't suitable for the regular travelling public.

(22 Mar 2014, 4:21 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Here's an interesting few questions for you all to think about:

- How long do you expect Arriva to keep the B5LH's on the 308?

- After the time you stated above, where do you think they'll end up?

(22 Mar 2014, 5:13 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I hope I am wrong, but I cant see them lasting too many years.
Just like the SNE/ANE gas buses and the GNE hybrids as well as the Designlines, they're using new technology, which nobody knows if they will last the test of time.

You mentioned the Olympians yesterday and the engines in them - how well established were the systems behind their engines?

(22 Mar 2014, 5:55 pm)G-CPTN wrote Is there a thread directly related to the DesignLine vehicles?

I'm interested in the history (I'm aware of the use by Stagecoach on Quaylink and the subsequent withdrawal and storage and the bankruptcy of the manufacturing company in New Zealand and Charlotte USA) but I don't want to muddy the waters and expand the topic here when it will have been discussed (no doubt at length) elsewhere.

I would also be interested in threads discussing the efficiency/performance/reliability/lifetime cost of hybrids and whether they are as effective as has been mooted.

(22 Mar 2014, 5:55 pm)G-CPTN wrote Is there a thread directly related to the DesignLine vehicles?

I'm interested in the history (I'm aware of the use by Stagecoach on Quaylink and the subsequent withdrawal and storage and the bankruptcy of the manufacturing company in New Zealand and Charlotte USA) but I don't want to muddy the waters and expand the topic here when it will have been discussed (no doubt at length) elsewhere.

I would also be interested in threads discussing the efficiency/performance/reliability/lifetime cost of hybrids and whether they are as effective as has been mooted.

(22 Mar 2014, 10:38 pm)Tom wrote Anyone know where 7445/7446 are? Never saw them for ages.
Also, will the Classic vehicles be going into Arriva livery?

(22 Mar 2014, 10:38 pm)Tom wrote Anyone know where 7445/7446 are? Never saw them for ages.
Also, will the Classic vehicles be going into Arriva livery?

(22 Mar 2014, 11:13 pm)tyresmoke wrote The Solo already is, not sure on the decker as I can't see it being there for long.

(22 Mar 2014, 11:16 pm)Tom wrote It would make sense for 2503 to go to Darlington, and a newer Solo to come to Jesmond in my opinion.

(22 Mar 2014, 11:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote Can't see why they would need to. It's not used on Nexus contract work and Jesmond have enough flexibility already.

(23 Mar 2014, 1:06 pm)9920up wrote Changes to "Route and Timetable" have been registered to Darlington services 1/1B/X1, 2, 4, 5/5A, 7 and 8 from 18.5.14. Anyone know/heard what these changes are?

(23 Mar 2014, 3:04 pm)JoshP wrote I'm very insterested in the changes, I have an inkling it's mostly town centre bus stop changes. I keep looking on Arriva's and Connect Tees Valley's websites but can't find a thing

(23 Mar 2014, 4:45 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote Timetable amendments only so I'm told. The Bus Registration website lists the "change type" incorrectly very often, so the alleged timetable and route amendments may not be correct.

Apparently there are also amends to the 11, 12 and 21 from the same date.

(22 Mar 2014, 10:38 pm)Tom wrote Anyone know where 7445/7446 are? Never saw them for ages.
Also, will the Classic vehicles be going into Arriva livery?

(21 Mar 2014, 9:32 pm)BJ10VUS wrote There's far more to go wrong on a Gemini in comparison to a Palatine, such as the electrical systems and the on-board computer systems. Yes, the Palatine's might be more suited to the routes with their strong and powerful engines, but they just aren't suitable for the regular travelling public.

(23 Mar 2014, 3:04 pm)JoshP wrote I'm very insterested in the changes, I have an inkling it's mostly town centre bus stop changes. I keep looking on Arriva's and Connect Tees Valley's websites but can't find a thing

(24 Mar 2014, 5:56 pm)Roland Pratt wrote I think the regular travelling public would prefer a bus that they could rely on to turn up, even if it didn't have all mod cons.

(24 Mar 2014, 10:01 pm)Tom wrote 2503 in service on the NHS Staff Facility (?) today, photo courtesy of Ray Parnaby.