(16 Jul 2014, 12:28 pm)G-CPTN wrote The X84 replaced the former 687 (which was operated by an MPD) and that was well-used and frequently had standing passengers (especially when the 685 broke down or ran late).

The current 687 shuttles between Hexham and Corbridge.

(16 Jul 2014, 3:55 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Just to pick up on the passengers/revenue/bums on seats discussion again.

I was on a 21 earlier and I was easily the youngest person on the bus (apart from the toddler sat with a grandparent).
The rest of the passengers who boarded at Eldon Sq and points onwards to Gateshead were all pass holders (down stairs was full).
An older guy used his key to board the bus later on and a guy in his fifties had some sort of pass too.

A lot disembarked at Gateshead having used the bus to get over the river and only a couple of cash fares were taken beyond this point.

On a different note, it looks like the old rear destination screens from vehicles departed are being used - at least one Cadet from Washington has a retro look to it.

(16 Jul 2014, 4:05 pm)Dan wrote Are you talking about the Cadets having flipdot screens on the rear? One or two of the 8242-46 batch has 'em too.

If so, they have done for ages now - it's just a case of finding one of the very few which actually works.

(16 Jul 2014, 3:55 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Just to pick up on the passengers/revenue/bums on seats discussion again.

I was on a 21 earlier and I was easily the youngest person on the bus (apart from the toddler sat with a grandparent).
The rest of the passengers who boarded at Eldon Sq and points onwards to Gateshead were all pass holders (down stairs was full).
An older guy used his key to board the bus later on and a guy in his fifties had some sort of pass too.

A lot disembarked at Gateshead having used the bus to get over the river and only a couple of cash fares were taken beyond this point.

On a different note, it looks like the old rear destination screens from vehicles departed are being used - at least one Cadet from Washington has a retro look to it.

(15 Jul 2014, 6:28 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Imagine if the tickets were reasonably priced for people living in the region?
Numbers could have been even higher!

(16 Jul 2014, 12:38 pm)Dan wrote Of the two, I do think that "Tynedalexpress" service X84 is still the better performer, but that is mainly down to the lack of competition on the route. In addition, it was not a new service - simply re-numbered - and its market was already established. "Tynedalexpress" service X85 has obviously had a more difficult time, what with competition from service 685. Customers have left service 685 in favour of Go North East's X85; whether that's down to the reliability (or lack thereof) of service 685 or the lack of customer perks such as free Wi-Fi, I do not know.

I do think that both services have proven themselves worthy of an upgrade, when the time is right. I don't think it'll happen this year, but should any Mercedes Citaro vehicles become available next year, I think we can put money on five being earmarked for this purpose.

(16 Jul 2014, 5:52 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote After travelling down the A19 on a coach today, I strongly suggest that GNE consider either single deck coaches with a frequency increase or double deck coaches for the TTX. The A19 can be very demanding at times and I can see why buses can be unreliable on the TTX. The only bus that can cope with the A19 going against DDA is the Palatine. Coaches would be far better suited despite the higher cost but, they also look newer and last longer than service buses.

(16 Jul 2014, 5:52 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote After travelling down the A19 on a coach today, I strongly suggest that GNE consider either single deck coaches with a frequency increase or double deck coaches for the TTX. The A19 can be very demanding at times and I can see why buses can be unreliable on the TTX. The only bus that can cope with the A19 going against DDA is the Palatine. Coaches would be far better suited despite the higher cost but, they also look newer and last longer than service buses.

(16 Jul 2014, 5:52 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote After travelling down the A19 on a coach today, I strongly suggest that GNE consider either single deck coaches with a frequency increase or double deck coaches for the TTX. The A19 can be very demanding at times and I can see why buses can be unreliable on the TTX. The only bus that can cope with the A19 going against DDA is the Palatine. Coaches would be far better suited despite the higher cost but, they also look newer and last longer than service buses.

(14 Jul 2014, 1:17 pm)Dan wrote Looks like they're starting paint prep for 4910 too, but they did this last time it was due in for repaint as well...

(16 Jul 2014, 6:39 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Van Hool Astromegas would be Perfect of the TTX, Coped no bother up the A19 to Middlesbrough from Sunderland(Seaham), And onto Leeds, Furthermore the Astromega I got on Last Wednesday at 06:25am from Newcastle to London, was the same Vehicle I got on coming back from Leeds, Obviously that proves they can cope with the Route of the TTX with no problem at, only problem would be the Cost of 6 Vehicles.

(16 Jul 2014, 6:54 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote What they could do is set a life span of 12 years with a mid life refurb at 6 - 7 years.

(16 Jul 2014, 6:45 pm)Robert wrote It would turn out to be inconvenient because, if for whatever reason a bus breaks down and they need to allocate a branded bus (not like it should ever happen but as we all know, it does), would they want to allocate a coach to a route that doesnt need them because its standing spare and is closest to the actual incident while out of service? It reduces the depots flexibility with buses.

(16 Jul 2014, 7:01 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If coaches were bought and if a buggy bay was added:
- 6043, 6044 and 6045 would make up the PVR on the 21.
- 6046 would make up the PVR on the TEN now at 14.
- 6047 would become spare for the Red Arrows.
- 6048 would become 1 spare for the TEN.
- 1 B7 would swap with 6099 acting as another spare for the TEN.
- 1 B7 would swap with 6100 acting as another spare for the Red Arrows.
- 6116 and 6117 would swap with 3962 and 3965 and act as spares for the 21.
- 3 B7's would be released.

(16 Jul 2014, 4:49 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Aye, flip dots at the back.
Never noticed them before - ever, so naturally presumed they had been fitted recently.

(16 Jul 2014, 7:20 pm)park5354 wrote Cadets 8242-52 were delivered new with flip dots all round.

Once they lost GNE livery in favour of branding, they gained LED displays on fronts only, keeping flip dot on side and rear.

Most of the rear screens now show nothing, so if you see one that works, it is probably just shock to actually see it working.

(16 Jul 2014, 6:49 pm)Dan wrote Just to confirm, as I forgot to earlier this week, Volvo B10BLE 4910 has now been repainted into corporate livery.

Likewise, Volvo B10BLE 4905 has been given a freshen up repaint into corporate livery - another Northern bites the dust.

(16 Jul 2014, 7:01 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If coaches were bought and if a buggy bay was added...

(16 Jul 2014, 9:34 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I'm not trying to be awkward, but what's the point? If you've got a buggy, you'd probably just fold it up and carry it up the stairs rather than sit on the wheelchair ramp (which takes significantly longer to operate than a manual ramp on something like a Versa) with it. I'm not sure you're allowed buggies to be up on the Tyne-Tees Express anyway, except for the Heworth to Newcastle part.

(16 Jul 2014, 11:31 pm)Wellsey18 wrote Hasn't it been said many a time that the costs of the coaches just wouldn't justify the service. As well as this what needs to be kept in mind is where they get cascaded