(19 Jan 2017, 5:37 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5452:

Go North East: 5452 NK66EWA Wright StreetLite by emdjt42, on Flickr

(19 Jan 2017, 5:58 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote 3975 on the 1743 310 this evening. Dont think it's been noted, but I believe this is a peak Riverside booked slot from this week.

(19 Jan 2017, 6:06 pm)Jamie M wrote Not sure if noted but from 5/2/17 X31s will use East Street instead of Thatcher's foot.

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(19 Jan 2017, 6:14 pm)S813 FVK wrote That is a very good move - buses can spend ages waiting to get out at Thatcher's Foot at the moment.

(18 Jan 2017, 5:51 pm)S813 FVK wrote Yes - 3996 was the first bus in the fleet to receive the new fleet numbers when it was at Saltmeadows being repainted and retrimmed. It also features the website in the blue underneath the lower deck windows and the new logos.

(19 Jan 2017, 6:06 pm)Jamie M wrote It was mentioned on Tuesday or Wednesday here and was reported to be a misc working by a few.

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Not sure if noted but from 5/2/17 X31s will use East Street instead of Thatcher's foot.

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(20 Jan 2017, 3:13 pm)Michael wrote Looks like the Durham Diamond buses are going for a make-over before heading to the X5...(not sure if all the branded Durham Diamonds are going for it or just the 7 for the X5, maybe Dan or Citaro can confirm)


5285:

Following the entry into service of new Wright Streetlite DF/Wright Streetlite Max Micro-Hybrid vehicles on "Durham Diamond" service 16, this vehicle has been temporarily withdrawn from service to be internally refurbished and repainted at Bus & Coach World, Blackburn. The extensive refurbishment work includes, but is not limited to, external repaint; deep cleaning of the interior of the vehicle; renewal of floor coverings; cleaning all seat frames and refurbishing seats into e-leather with USB sockets on the back of every seat; fitting blue accent lighting underneath seats to provide extra light on the gangway; and fitting Next Stop Announcements.

(20 Jan 2017, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5284 was the first to go:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5284

(20 Jan 2017, 5:26 pm)citaro5284 wrote These vehicles are also getting fitted with passenger wifi.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do the Vykings have a secret wifi? Picked up a signal earlier and 3973 was the only vehicle in the vicinity.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:40 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Could be the wifi for the Ticket Machine, As I'm sure there's a wifi for them.

(20 Jan 2017, 3:59 pm)Venturego wrote Will any Refurb Citaros return to Stanley for 6, X30/1, X70/1 ?
In my opinion these services  (formerly West Durham Swift & Diamond 43/44) should receive New buses or completely refurbished with USB & NSA as above. These are long routes made more tedious with old Deckers and worn Omnicities.

(20 Jan 2017, 4:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote 5284 was the first to go:
http://northeastbuses.co.uk/fleet/item.php?operatorF=2&fleetnoF=5284

(20 Jan 2017, 6:27 pm)Michael wrote Oops my bad, didn't even see that.

(20 Jan 2017, 5:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote Do the Vykings have a secret wifi? Picked up a signal earlier and 3973 was the only vehicle in the vicinity.

(20 Jan 2017, 6:54 pm)citaro5284 wrote Good grief Michael, you must be slipping   

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It must be very secret, as I don't even know about it. 

(20 Jan 2017, 5:58 pm)Andreos1 wrote It was prompting me to connect as though it was the passenger WiFi. Didnt think to actually try it.

(20 Jan 2017, 10:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote WiFi often comes from buildings and houses and I've increasingly noticed it in open public areas.

Good to see the Diamond Citaros having a makeover, anyhow. Hopefully, the much gentler X5 route will squeeze a good few more years out of them (because, face it, in bus terms, they're hardly old, and probably still need to pay for themselves).

(20 Jan 2017, 11:12 pm)Jamie M wrote They're basically coaches but low floor and not as tall - easily a similar length.

(20 Jan 2017, 10:13 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Pretty unusual then, The wifi for the ticket machine is normally locked with a password.

Only other reason I could think of is a brand new car with " Car Wifi " was in the area at the same time.

(20 Jan 2017, 11:12 pm)Jamie M wrote They're great buses. As always, I view the e-leather as a cop out, but that's just me. Some paint and new cloth, and it'll be good enough inside. Similarly with the floor lighting, it seems a bit gimmicky rather than actual quality. At the end of the day it's just some LED lighting so can't complain that much ?
5288 and 5289 are crackers. 5337/8/90/91 are all pathetically slow pulling out, so I hope they're given some mechanical TLC, too. Drivers love them to some extent, but the backside sticks out too much for city work/tight country lanes as the 16s do. They're basically coaches but low floor and not as tall - easily a similar length.

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(21 Jan 2017, 9:27 am)GX03 wrote In my opinion it's bringing these mercs up to the standard of new buses coming into the fleet, will no doubt give the travelling public the impression that it's a new bus, so in a way it's a new bus for a fraction of actually buying a new bus!!

(21 Jan 2017, 3:05 am)Rapidsnap wrote So that would be a single decker bus then 

Also, the Wright Streetlites replace them are of very similar length aside from a few inches.

(21 Jan 2017, 11:51 am)Jamie M wrote If you look at the rear overhang on a streetlite are compared to a merc, it makes all of the difference, length too:
Streetlite: 11.50
Citaro: 11.90
Both quoted from websute specifications.

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(05 Jan 2017, 10:26 pm)Dan wrote As it's been confirmed by Go North East staff on Facebook - a total of 21 Streetlites will be delivered over the next six weeks. Ten for Durham Diamond and eleven for services 49/49A.

It's part of a £10m investment into new buses this financial year, with further buses hopefully coming too.