(08 Aug 2015, 11:21 am)northern156 wrote Hehe let's leave it there. Mainly because I don't actually know myself why I was bashing that early!

Must say, I love the NSAs, passenger display screen and the refurbs of the Quaylinks. Currently on 8313 to St Peter's Basin (1214 off Haymarket) and it's really like these buses have a new lease of life in them!

(08 Aug 2015, 11:25 am)citaro5284 wrote You like listening to the Flashing Blade?

(08 Aug 2015, 11:37 am)northern156 wrote Never heard of it before!

(23 Jul 2015, 4:27 pm)Dan wrote I doubt we'll see a Volvo B10BLE withdrawn as a consequence (yet); after all, three of Riverside's Volvo B10BLEs (4901, 4902 and 4916) were recently sighted at Thorntons, so they'll need to keep some spare buses on to cover for these...  

(08 Aug 2015, 2:54 pm)Dan wrote It's almost time for Peterlee's new pink buses to hit the streets... The final bus was branded at Saltmeadows Road this afternoon, ahead of the "indiGo" launch on Monday.

Go North East: 656 / NK15GDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

All fourteen of these vehicles will be let loose from Saltmeadows Road Depot tomorrow... That'll be an interesting sight for passers-by: floods of pink buses!

Watch this space...

(08 Aug 2015, 3:14 pm)Malarkey wrote Is it just me or does the right bumper panel not look like it is fitted properly, seems to be a big gap in the lining of the panels compared to the left side, the same gap in lining of panels is also noticeable on 654, cant really tell with other two parked behind 656 if it is the same on them as well.

(08 Aug 2015, 11:40 am)citaro5284 wrote it!!!

Flashing Blade is the legend which is Alan Robson....

(08 Aug 2015, 3:14 pm)Malarkey wrote Is it just me or does the right bumper panel not look like it is fitted properly, seems to be a big gap in the lining of the panels compared to the left side, the same gap in lining of panels is also noticeable on 654, cant really tell with other two parked behind 656 if it is the same on them as well.

(08 Aug 2015, 2:54 pm)Dan wrote It's almost time for Peterlee's new pink buses to hit the streets... The final bus was branded at Saltmeadows Road this afternoon, ahead of the "indiGo" launch on Monday.

Go North East: 656 / NK15GDO by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

All fourteen of these vehicles will be let loose from Saltmeadows Road Depot tomorrow... That'll be an interesting sight for passers-by: floods of pink buses!

Watch this space...

(08 Aug 2015, 2:48 pm)Dan wrote These three vehicles all returned to service earlier this week, following minor modifications to make these vehicles DDA-compliant. One of the modifications saw the removal of a side-facing tip-up seat from the wheelchair bay (pictured below):

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The next three Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown vehicles to go to Thorntons for modifications are 4899, 4918 and 4922.

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

(08 Aug 2015, 2:48 pm)Dan wrote These three vehicles all returned to service earlier this week, following minor modifications to make these vehicles DDA-compliant. One of the modifications saw the removal of a side-facing tip-up seat from the wheelchair bay (pictured below):

Go North East: 4902 / W902RBB by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The next three Volvo  B10BLE/ to go to Thorntons for modifications are 4899, 4918 and 4922.

To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

(08 Aug 2015, 4:25 pm)Michael wrote How many of  the Volvo B10BLE's will get a modification?

(08 Aug 2015, 4:30 pm)S813 FVK wrote Since a variety of vehicles in each batch have been done so far i would suggest most of 4896-4925.

(08 Aug 2015, 4:37 pm)Michael wrote Looking at it, looks like it, will all 30 get done though?

(08 Aug 2015, 4:40 pm)S813 FVK wrote Who knows. Lol. Don't even think Dan will know to be honest.

I am just breaking citaro's law again and assuming that most of them will get done (apart from the ex-Oxford renowns).
All of 4896 to 4925 (excluding 4906-4909) have at least one flipdot destination too - could cause a problem in terms of cost. Quite a few would probably come out of already withdrawn vehicles though.

(08 Aug 2015, 4:43 pm)GuyParkRoyal wrote One of the Indigo Solo's was out on the A167 this morning heading south from Gateshead towards Low Fell at 10:15.

(08 Aug 2015, 4:45 pm)G-CPTN wrote What? No WiFi?

(08 Aug 2015, 2:48 pm)Dan wrote To confirm, the aforementioned modifications enable these vehicles to be used in the fleet beyond 1st January 2016 (which is the date vehicles which aren't DDA-compliant must be withdrawn or receive the appropriate modifications by).

(08 Aug 2015, 5:17 pm)aureolin wrote Do you know if the Merits are seen as compliant? Specifically the priority seats.

(08 Aug 2015, 5:23 pm)Dan wrote Yes - only the B10BLE, Olympian and Trident/Lolyne are non-DDA.

(08 Aug 2015, 4:44 pm)Michael wrote New buses will get rid of the B10's to so i think only half will be done.

(08 Aug 2015, 11:57 pm)Diamond One wrote Today am looking forward to the fleet news and hopefully should be posted asap but I say around 6ish but that's my prediction

(08 Aug 2015, 11:57 pm)Diamond One wrote Today am looking forward to the fleet news and hopefully should be posted asap but I say around 6ish but that's my prediction

(09 Aug 2015, 12:00 am)Jackamcardle wrote The only two things Bazza ever goes on about... Fleet news and his cat.