(09 May 2015, 6:08 pm)Michael wrote Only 2 more to arrive now?, only asking because the fleet list on both here and GNE hasn't being updated.

Wonder how long before the next 14 buses start to arrive..... 

(09 May 2015, 5:50 pm)thetravelman wrote Obviously the 10 is now Double Decker again, but you have lost services such as 631, 632, 633 & 642 to be combined into service 31 & 32 both still as Single Decker, now I don't know what loading figures are like nowadays, as I've not needed to use theses services for some 20 years or more now, but thinking back to the past these were well used, I don't see why they needed to go Single Deck. Same with Arriva when they made the 602 single deck.

(09 May 2015, 7:43 pm)Robert wrote Or maybe it was just down to low passenger numbers? A company downgrading to single deckers because of reliability seems too stupid.

(09 May 2015, 8:05 pm)ifm001 wrote Stagecoach or busways as it was in south shields moved to nearly all single deckers when they increased frequencies from 20 min to 10 mins Many moons ago now. Glad the x34 gained deckers though. But def could do with additional for timekeeping and a few of the E services during the week also

(09 May 2015, 7:43 pm)Robert wrote Or maybe it was just down to low passenger numbers? A company downgrading to single deckers because of reliability seems too stupid.

(10 May 2015, 1:35 am)GMitchelhill wrote IIRC I believe it was something to do with Arriva running the trains too. They made the bus service less attractive to those who lived up in the Tyne Valley in places like Hexham, Corbridge, Riding Mill and Stockfield, and made them use the trains. This combined with what Davey said about Arriva needed to upgrade the 308 to Low Floor deckers for the Superoute idea, which was a farce. High Floor deckers still made regular appearences on Arriva workings (not that I'm complaining, rather have a Scania N113DRB than a Dennis Trident)

(10 May 2015, 8:52 am)Text wrote It had nothing to do with the trains Gary; The Tridents were simply not up to the job for the 602. That combined with fewer passengers on the Ryton corridor due to the sheer amount of buses at that time, and the availability of the Volvo's from Scotland led to the decision to go single deck. There was a plan to re-introduce Double Deckers towards the end of 2008 early 2009 but this was strangely vetoed...we were to find out later that year though just why!

• Deptford-based corporate liveried Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 548 (NA52 AXO)
  
• Peterlee-based yellow liveried Transbus MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 565 (NK53 TLU)
  
• Stanley-based "Venture" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 651 (NL63 XZY)
  
• Deptford-based "Drifter" branded Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max 5374 (NL63 XBE)
  
• Deptford-based "Fab Fifty Six" branded Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6094 (NL63 YHX) 
  
• "Driver Training" base liveried Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther 7092 (K2 VOY)
  
• Deptford-based "SimpliCity" branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8319 (NK11 FXB)
  

(10 May 2015, 11:32 am)Dan wrote

There's still time to come down to the Stadium of Light to take part in Go North East's Driver Recruitment Day! Go North East is here until 14:00.

If you've ever thought of a career as a bus driver and would like to find out some more information about what the job entails, come along to the recruitment day. There are a number of buses at the event, and some of these are available to take on a test drive around a set route with some of Go North East's Driver Training Department. There's even a free cup of coffee in it for you after your drive!

The following vehicles in the fleet are at today's event:

• Deptford-based corporate liveried Dennis MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 548 (NA52 AXO)
  
• Peterlee-based yellow liveried Transbus MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 565 (NK53 TLU)
  
• Stanley-based "Venture" branded Optare Solo SR M890/Optare 651 (NL63 XZY)
  
• Deptford-based "Drifter" branded Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max 5374 (NL63 XBE)
  
• Deptford-based "Fab Fifty Six" branded Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 6094 (NL63 YHX) 
  
• "Driver Training" base liveried Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther 7092 (K2 VOY)
  
• Deptford-based "SimpliCity" branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8319 (NK11 FXB)
  

(10 May 2015, 11:37 am)Robert wrote Drifter Training? Are you there as part of the promotional team or just there from an enthusiasts point of view?

(10 May 2015, 11:34 am)Davie wrote I regret not going now 

(10 May 2015, 11:37 am)Robert wrote Drifter Training? Are you there as part of the promotional team or just there from an enthusiasts point of view?

(10 May 2015, 12:08 pm)Dan wrote I was only there for about five minutes, but there appeared to be some sizeable queues waiting for a test drive! Allowed for one or two decent photo opportunities too.

Go North East: Driver Recruitment Day by Daniel Graham, on Flickr
Day by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: Driver Recruitment Day by Daniel Graham, on Flickr


Strictly speaking, I was not helping out today. Living five minutes away, it seemed rude to turn down the opportunity for a few photographs. My photos may assist GNE, should they be required for Social Media / the website.  

(10 May 2015, 12:27 pm)Michael wrote Any update on the news this week, or are u just going to a monthly one next week Dan?

(10 May 2015, 11:34 am)Davie wrote I regret not going now 

(10 May 2015, 12:49 pm)northern156 wrote Lol you're not old enough...?

Actually, is it 18 to be able to do so?

(10 May 2015, 2:25 pm)aureolin wrote 5241 appears to have lost its front route number

(10 May 2015, 2:26 pm)citaro5284 wrote It decides to go for a wander, and then it comes back...

(10 May 2015, 2:40 pm)aureolin wrote 5391 has surprisingly gained the old style (red/yellow/blue) internal notices for no smoking and remaining seated.

I had thought everything was going to the navy/white generic stickers now?

(10 May 2015, 3:47 pm)leestransportphotos wrote That Red/Yellow/Blue livery was my favourite 'corporate' brand. In my opinion they should never have changed it. 

I know I've said it before but in my opinion the plain red looks pathetic. 

(10 May 2015, 6:11 pm)Malarkey wrote I think the Corporate Livery will be expanded on the near future as it is pretty bare, just have to wait until the "Northern" name is removed from all Vehicles in the fleet first...only 93 Vehicles to go  , majority of which will be Withdrawn come the end of the Year anyway.