(25 Feb 2017, 1:18 pm)Jamie M wrote The only thing that isn't streetlite in that merc are the bell ringers! [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]
It does look good, though.
Have the engines being touched up at all? I remember 5291 especially was like an elderly couple crossing a road when attempting to pull out from Stanley Roundabout. That was their major fallback from my perspective.

(25 Feb 2017, 1:11 pm)Dan wrote They aren't fast charge. I got about 15% battery in an hour's charge - so about average for USB chargers on a bus.

The seating is red and navy blue - the same colour as present on Streetlites with e-leather seating.

(25 Feb 2017, 1:22 pm)JP6004 wrote Yes, I don't like the Mercedes signage on the Streetlites either 

(25 Feb 2017, 1:45 pm)Jamie M wrote I escape this one because the new engines are daimler powered, which is sort of historically relevant to mercedes benz!

(25 Feb 2017, 1:50 pm)JP6004 wrote I wasnt on about the engine.

You said the only thing NOT Streetlite about the refurbed Mercedes is the bells........I said yes I don't like Mercedes signage (on the cab door) on the Streetlite either.

Not as funny when you have to explain a joke...

(25 Feb 2017, 12:33 pm)Dan wrote Well now that it's at Deptford - yes, here's some photos of 5284 after it was returned to Saltmeadows Road following repaint and refurbishment.

JP6004 saw it while it was returning to the depot following testing of the Next Stop Announcements on service X5.

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(25 Feb 2017, 7:36 pm)dannygee wrote Dan when will the cobalt clippers get the updated NSAs? Thought they were in the pipeline as soon

(25 Feb 2017, 12:33 pm)Dan wrote Well now that it's at Deptford - yes, here's some photos of 5284 after it was returned to Saltmeadows Road following repaint and refurbishment.

JP6004 saw it while it was returning to the depot following testing of the Next Stop Announcements on service X5.

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Go North East: 5284 / NK08CFP by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

(25 Feb 2017, 8:25 pm)Jamie M wrote A blue arrows is being towed away by alpha at gatesheadm

(25 Feb 2017, 9:12 pm)dannygee wrote There was a coaster parked in the corner this afternoon looked rather dead

(25 Feb 2017, 9:12 pm)thetravelman wrote Will this now be the seat colour of choice moving forward or is just for a select few Citaros currently being refurbed, with the others to receive the recent choice of blue e leather?

I was also wondering, when the vehicles are away being refurbed does the engine get any sort of overhaul or tweak. Or if not whilst away for the internal refit will they get a onceover/overhaul where needed else where?

(26 Feb 2017, 2:37 am)L469 YVK wrote I'd imagine that the 58 would get done at the same or similar time as the Cobalts due to the shared stops between Civic Centre and Battle Hill Drive.

Dan, do you think they will be done before the summer?

(25 Feb 2017, 9:48 pm)Jamie M wrote Where's the corner? Next to the staff shelter just after the Eldon departures?

(26 Feb 2017, 2:37 am)L469 YVK wrote I'd imagine that the 58 would get done at the same or similar time as the Cobalts due to the shared stops between Civic Centre and Battle Hill Drive.

Dan, do you think they will be done before the summer?

(26 Feb 2017, 6:07 am)Dan wrote You'll notice that if you travel on 5452 (if it is allocated to either of those groups of services), this bus has the announcements working.

(26 Feb 2017, 7:29 am)S813 FVK wrote Do the Venture SRs have the NSAs for the Red Kite/Durham diamond programmed or will they be put on when the Venture network is done given that they will take longer to make due to being in the 'line plan' format? With them being allocated to the 16 on evenings and Sundays, offering NSAs is the least that they can do given passengers will still lose out to Free WiFI and USB sockets (and it uses the equipment which has been paid for!)

(26 Feb 2017, 7:41 am)Dan wrote No, not yet. When the Venture network is re-done, the announcements for Red Kite and Durham Diamond will also be programmed in the TFT monitor format.

The indiGo Washington minibuses have the announcements programmed for 82/82A/82B and 85/86, and I intend to create a TFT monitor version for the odd journeys which are operated by Fab Fifty Six, Red Arrows and Connections4 branded buses.

We've moved away from the line plan format now on TFT monitors. Nice idea but a bit too difficult to maintain! Hanover are currently developing some new software to help make the process easier, so we could possibly go back to the line plan in future... Who knows!

(25 Feb 2017, 8:40 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Veh nice, vast improvement, in fact, but I'm wincing at the thought of how hard those seats are, now - they never were the kindest to my poor achy hips.

(26 Feb 2017, 1:39 pm)8222 wrote I agree. It reminds me of the VTEC scheme in first class for some reason.

(26 Feb 2017, 3:03 am)Jamie M wrote The 57/58 swapped!

(26 Feb 2017, 2:40 pm)EL1TE wrote Saw Cornwall solos 220 and 221 at Saltmeadows today. There was also 2 more solos parked behind 220 that I couldn't identify. What fleet numbers will 220 and 221 be?

(26 Feb 2017, 2:40 pm)EL1TE wrote Saw Cornwall solos 220 and 221 at Saltmeadows today. There was also 2 more solos parked behind 220 that I couldn't identify. What fleet numbers will 220 and 221 be?

(26 Feb 2017, 2:45 pm)S813 FVK wrote 710 and 711.