(22 Jan 2018, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote I made a post on a bus enthusiasts' Facebook Group earlier, and it's provoked quite a bit of discussion. Many of those who have commented on that post aren't members of this forum, and still stick to their guns that StreetDecks are hideously unreliable, cheap (and so on)... So I'm intrigued to see what sort of opinions members of this forum have in comparison.

My original post on said group was:

(22 Jan 2018, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote I made a post on a bus enthusiasts' Facebook Group earlier, and it's provoked quite a bit of discussion. Many of those who have commented on that post aren't members of this forum, and still stick to their guns that StreetDecks are hideously unreliable, cheap (and so on)... So I'm intrigued to see what sort of opinions members of this forum have in comparison.

My original post on said group was:

(22 Jan 2018, 10:56 am)Jamie M wrote There's a go-ahead cast-off enviro, ex metroline heading to salties. Any speculation on this one? ?

(22 Jan 2018, 6:12 pm)TEN 6083 wrote While I’m on here any info yet on the Versa replacing 8303


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(22 Jan 2018, 6:11 pm)Michael wrote Any more info on this?

(22 Jan 2018, 7:57 pm)Jamie M wrote It's red.

(22 Jan 2018, 5:31 pm)Dan wrote I made a post on a bus enthusiasts' Facebook Group earlier, and it's provoked quite a bit of discussion. Many of those who have commented on that post aren't members of this forum, and still stick to their guns that StreetDecks are hideously unreliable, cheap (and so on)... So I'm intrigued to see what sort of opinions members of this forum have in comparison.

My original post on said group was:

(22 Jan 2018, 6:23 pm)Michael wrote Probables one of the South Tyne versa's, as Chester are getting all 8 of them

(22 Jan 2018, 8:01 pm)Michael wrote , i meant like, has it arrived and why?

(22 Jan 2018, 8:44 pm)TEN 6083 wrote in case anyone hasn't seen it, here is 8303's replacement with the information from Dan.

Go North East: 9084 / YJ64DZM by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East's unallocated Optare Versa V1170 Hybrid/Optare 9084 (YJ64 DZM), which carries the base livery of Go North East's corporate livery, is pictured here in the yard at Saltmeadows Road Depot, Gateshead, whilst being prepared for service. 22/01/18
 
This vehicle was one of two new to Courtney Buses of Finchampstead in September 2014 for the 126 - 129 group of services, operating between Reading, Twyford and Wokingham. Carrying a 'coffee and mint' livery, these two Hybrid Optare Versas continued the 'coffee theme' for services in Wokingham.
 
Thought to be returned to Optare in April 2015 owing to ongoing reliability issues, the pair have been used by Optare as demonstration/loan vehicles since. This example is thought not to have seen use since 2015, whereas sister YJ64 DZL has been slightly more active, seeing use with Richard Bros and latterly BL Travel.
 
With "Lambton Worm" branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8303 (NK09 FCD) having sustained severe fire damage due to an electrical fault whilst operating the final journey of the day on "Lambton Worm" service 34A on 17th August 2017, Optare have supplied this vehicle as a courtesy vehicle on long-term loan to cover for it. Numbered 9084 in Go North East's fleet for the duration of its stay, it is expected to be allocated to Riverside Depot.
 
It has additionally been repainted into Go North East's corporate livery, and will be treated like one of Go North East's own vehicles during its loan period, being fitted with standard fleet livery vinyls, advertisement frames, and a cab area assault screen, prior to entering service.
 
Despite many vehicles in Go North East's fleet featuring colour route-number front displays, the company never invested in full front colour LED destinations. This vehicle is unique in having one fitted - a display type not spec'd by many operators.


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(22 Jan 2018, 8:39 pm)Boggle wrote I use the 21 each day to travel to work.  This morning was the first time since all of the new ones have been here that I've travelled on something different when 3965 turned up.  That was cold and the window seal next to my seat was dripping a lot of water in.  The usual Streetdeck was much missed this morning.  Hopefully the arrival of the spares will see off these relics.

Generally, the new buses seem reliable (as they should be given that they are only 6 weeks old) and comfortable, although on a couple, the panel above the rear window upstairs at the back already rattles quite loudly when the bus is moving - 6317 is particularly bad with 6325 and 6331 also having the same issue.  

As I travel by myself, I am not a fan of the tables and try to avoid them where possible.  I've never seen anyone using the table for anything other than standing their bag on and at the time I travel there aren't many people travelling in groups, so their use is limited as, in my experience, people travelling by themselves generally prefer not to have to engage with others (particularly commuters in rush hour).  The other problem with the table seats is the amount of passengers who sit with their feet up on the facing seats.

That said, the tables are the only feature I don't like and assuming that the reliability is maintained and that maintenance teams can keep on top of the rattles which are starting to develop, they are a big upgrade on the hybrids, B7s, Omnidekkas and the mixture of single deckers which they replaced.

(22 Jan 2018, 8:44 pm)TEN 6083 wrote in case anyone hasn't seen it, here is 8303's replacement with the information from Dan.

Go North East: 9084 / YJ64DZM by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East's unallocated Optare Versa V1170 Hybrid/Optare 9084 (YJ64 DZM), which carries the base livery of Go North East's corporate livery, is pictured here in the yard at Saltmeadows Road Depot, Gateshead, whilst being prepared for service. 22/01/18
 
This vehicle was one of two new to Courtney Buses of Finchampstead in September 2014 for the 126 - 129 group of services, operating between Reading, Twyford and Wokingham. Carrying a 'coffee and mint' livery, these two Hybrid Optare Versas continued the 'coffee theme' for services in Wokingham.
 
Thought to be returned to Optare in April 2015 owing to ongoing reliability issues, the pair have been used by Optare as demonstration/loan vehicles since. This example is thought not to have seen use since 2015, whereas sister YJ64 DZL has been slightly more active, seeing use with Richard Bros and latterly BL Travel.
 
With "Lambton Worm" branded Optare Versa V1110/Optare 8303 (NK09 FCD) having sustained severe fire damage due to an electrical fault whilst operating the final journey of the day on "Lambton Worm" service 34A on 17th August 2017, Optare have supplied this vehicle as a courtesy vehicle on long-term loan to cover for it. Numbered 9084 in Go North East's fleet for the duration of its stay, it is expected to be allocated to Riverside Depot.
 
It has additionally been repainted into Go North East's corporate livery, and will be treated like one of Go North East's own vehicles during its loan period, being fitted with standard fleet livery vinyls, advertisement frames, and a cab area assault screen, prior to entering service.
 
Despite many vehicles in Go North East's fleet featuring colour route-number front displays, the company never invested in full front colour LED destinations. This vehicle is unique in having one fitted - a display type not spec'd by many operators.


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(22 Jan 2018, 8:01 pm)Michael wrote , i meant like, has it arrived and why?

(23 Jan 2018, 9:03 am)RBZ 5459 wrote Is that Optare admitting guilt for the fire?

(23 Jan 2018, 1:08 pm)Dan wrote Possibly a coincidence that it was heading towards the direction of Saltmeadows Rd. Often see random buses going to Albany Motors, also based on Saltmeadows Road, presumably using their tachograph bay (Albany do installation of tachograph systems as well as calibrating them - used a lot by Arriva and Go North East).

Don't think any ex-Metroline Enviro400s are being acquired by Go North East. The 13 ex-London Volvo B9 should see off the last remaining V-reg Volvo B7, and as internal work is still being carried out on the ex-Brighton OmniDekkas, I cannot see them being disposed of in the immediate future (no buses need replacing, why would they take any more used double-decks?)

(23 Jan 2018, 1:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote Maybe keen to get further business.

(23 Jan 2018, 4:21 pm)Jamie M wrote what exactly is being done to the omnidecks? 

(23 Jan 2018, 5:03 pm)S813 FVK wrote Is it not just the retrims?

(23 Jan 2018, 1:20 pm)Andreos1 wrote Maybe keen to get further business.

(23 Jan 2018, 9:14 pm)mb134 wrote Is there much hope of that though? GNE seem pretty sold on the Streetlite for all single deck orders now.

(23 Jan 2018, 9:14 pm)mb134 wrote Is there much hope of that though? GNE seem pretty sold on the Streetlite for all single deck orders now.

(23 Jan 2018, 9:41 pm)Northern4555 wrote I wish GNE would purchase proper heavy duty single deck buses instead of this streetlites rubbish, which will fall apart by 8 years.does anyone know the bus life is on streetlites.the Merck’s I would imagine GNE will wan 20 years from them as they are higher spec

(23 Jan 2018, 9:43 pm)S813 FVK wrote No harm in trying. After the 3 Solos due to arrive later in the year, I imagine Optare will not see further business from Go North East for a number of years.

(23 Jan 2018, 9:52 pm)mb134 wrote They've pretty much standardised on Wright now, I'd say (if indeed it is them trying to secure sales) it's a pretty fruitless move. Don't see GNE moving away from a company they obviously trust.

(23 Jan 2018, 9:39 pm)ne14ne1 wrote At 08:40 this morning Fab56 6094 pulled up at Gateshead Hills St and terminated due to a smashed rear window. Everyone disembarked onto an Angel21 a minute later.
I was just at the bus stop rather than onboard so not sure what happened but thought it was a bit of an odd time for vandalism. Wonder if it had already been compromised & shattered through uneven road surface/movement. Although the hole looks like something was thrown at it? Who knows. 

IMG_1004 by ne14ne1, on Flickr

(23 Jan 2018, 9:14 pm)mb134 wrote Is there much hope of that though? GNE seem pretty sold on the Streetlite for all single deck orders now.

(20 Jan 2018, 6:02 pm)cbma06 wrote I think the last 2 wernt going to be in angel livery, 6332 might be the same promotion as 6100?.

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(20 Jan 2018, 7:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote Correct. 6332 and 6333 are the spares. However, their liveries were shown as 'TBC' on our fleet list which was certainly an indication that they wouldn't be in the corporate livery.

(24 Jan 2018, 7:19 am)Dan wrote 6332 should receive its promotional livery next Tuesday, all being well, having been measured up yesterday.

It will be a different marketing campaign to 6100 (indeed the trained eye may notice it's a slightly different shade of blue paint used) - this one will be to promote the ability to "Pay the quick way" on Go North East's bus services with contactless payments.

http://northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=6332