(27 Jan 2017, 4:43 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote I would like to see 5 of 5275-83/5331 retain their Blaydon Racers branding and allocated to the 12s, allowing 5234-38 to go onto the 28s, as it was hinted before that the 28 was to be upgraded soon.

(27 Jan 2017, 4:52 pm)Adrian wrote I think it looks quite smart. Similar to what Brighton and Hove do with their route branding, which I do think works quite well.

I'd happily see this design rolled out to your so called 'secondary routes', and then keep full branding for the flagships.

(27 Jan 2017, 4:52 pm)Adrian wrote I think it looks quite smart. Similar to what Brighton and Hove do with their route branding, which I do think works quite well.

I'd happily see this design rolled out to your so called 'secondary routes', and then keep full branding for the flagships.

(26 Jan 2017, 10:18 pm)Ambassador wrote Are there still vehicle issues at Chester? The X12 has hopeless reliability lately so I've used the 21 all week and I've had an Omnidekka , a rammed 5401 or a rancid B7. It's doing no use at all to my data allowance or my bum cheeks!

I even let a packed 6038 leave only for bloody 5401 to turn up! Just assuming it's a combination of Hybrids getting tested/a much needed clean or some general off the roadness 

Edit to add, Quorum are in talks to allow the 554 to serve the business park following passenger complaints directly to Quorum. I can see the point. People will wait at Fourl Lane Ends or Quorum for a heavily delayed 555 sitting on Benton Park Road whilst 554 tends to sail through. Seems daft not to add capacity when it can only benefit passengers as a whole. Plus it means the 554 isn't selfishly blocking one lane of traffic at rush hour because it's so early.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:00 pm)Michael wrote Me too, hopefully that happens.

What do you class a "Flagship route" though? - Angel, Castles Express, Fab 56, Red Arrow is defiantly 4 but that's just some examples, don't think we will see it on older buses or NEXUS funded services though.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:23 pm)GX03 wrote As has been said before with depot standardisation maybe the mercs might go on to the 12s releasing the omnicities to Stanley for the 6/x70/x71 along with Deckers to make up the pvr

(27 Jan 2017, 5:18 pm)thetravelman wrote This morning around 9:30am I saw a Blue 'Durham Diamond' Merc Citaro going around Cramlington Nelson Industrial Estate 'Not In Service'. It then parked up at a bus stop on Nelson Road for about 5 mins then set off again. I wasn't close enough to ID it.

Not sure why it was there, but AVID Technology is close by on Admiral Business Park.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:34 pm)Michael wrote Wouldn't be surprised, the only other depots with Omnicities are Washington, Percy Main and Stanley so really one of those should get them.

They have a few options on what to do with the Omnicities:


Percy Main for the 19? It then releases the B7RLE else where in the fleet.
Washington - i doubt they would receive anymore, they won't be able to have them out on a daily bases, as all other routes are branded. 
Stanley - as above, the 6/X70/X71 but i'm not sure if GNE will want a mixed allocation.
Riverside - nothing which could be used on.


I can see them going to Percy Main for the 19, releases the B7RLE's, hopefully to a route like the 61, which needs better buses than those horrid Versa's!


Pure speculation though.

---

Could of been getting ready to go to Blackburn for it's refurbishment.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:42 pm)Tom wrote I can see them going on the Blue Arrow and 19, or Green Arrow and 19 to be fair, along with 5331-5338.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:47 pm)Michael wrote Could be anything, we could be totally wrong and the Blaydon Racer Citaro's could end up on something else.

I'm hoping the 2/2A because those Versa's are terrible.

One thing i'm surprised at, is that the Quaylink didn't receive new buses this year, i was expecting them too for some reason.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:49 pm)JP6004 wrote Out of the £10m investment and the value of purchases so far including a few new coaches, there should be just enough for 17 new Streetdecks  

(27 Jan 2017, 5:18 pm)thetravelman wrote This morning around 9:30am I saw a Blue 'Durham Diamond' Merc Citaro going around Cramlington Nelson Industrial Estate 'Not In Service'. It then parked up at a bus stop on Nelson Road for about 5 mins then set off again. I wasn't close enough to ID it.

Not sure why it was there, but AVID Technology is close by on Admiral Business Park.

(27 Jan 2017, 5:42 pm)Tom wrote I can see them going on the Blue Arrow and 19, or Green Arrow and 19 to be fair, along with 5331-5338.

(27 Jan 2017, 6:20 pm)S813 FVK wrote I think that it is important to bear in mind 5333-5336 have just been repainted into the corporate livery. The 19 is possible but I would say that the Blue/Green Arrow is unlikely.

(27 Jan 2017, 6:54 pm)Michael wrote I bet Dan's sitting rubbing his hands at all this speculation!

(27 Jan 2017, 5:50 pm)Michael wrote , Don't encourage him! 

Hopefully the last of the MPD's are replaced (697 should replace one) this year, when is 697 due to arrive?

(27 Jan 2017, 6:20 pm)S813 FVK wrote I think that it is important to bear in mind 5333-5336 have just been repainted into the corporate livery. The 19 is possible but I would say that the Blue/Green Arrow is unlikely.

(28 Jan 2017, 5:02 am)omnicity4659 wrote Also, noticed a few people complaining about it being bland. Nobody ever complained about the bland subbranding which Arriva use placed on top of the existing Interurban livery...

(28 Jan 2017, 8:27 am)S813 FVK wrote Haven't you heard? Arriva are the best bus company ever and could never do anything wrong...

(28 Jan 2017, 5:02 am)omnicity4659 wrote Also, noticed a few people complaining about it being bland. Nobody ever complained about the bland subbranding which Arriva use placed on top of the existing Interurban livery...

(27 Jan 2017, 9:59 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote This sort of branding would suit the 9 well, As it's every 30 mins but serve's a purpose along the route, In that it connects North and South Tyneside.

5333-36 are perfect for the 9 too, Comfy, Warm , and perfect for the drivers driving them.