(02 Feb 2018, 7:26 pm)Michael wrote Has 4899 been withdrawn yet?

(02 Feb 2018, 7:52 pm)EL1TE wrote Nope. Was on the 67/69 today and yesterday, on the exact same board too.

(02 Feb 2018, 7:26 pm)Michael wrote Has 4899 been withdrawn yet?

(03 Feb 2018, 12:04 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote It was parked in Gateshead Interchange when I went through at 10:30

(02 Feb 2018, 5:38 pm)Michael wrote 5271 is now branded for "Blue Arrow", have to say, looks really smart.

Photo by Ronnie T Dunton

(02 Feb 2018, 6:08 pm)Tom wrote Looks really good, better than the Solars imo.

(03 Feb 2018, 3:40 pm)TEN 6083 wrote

9084 has been on 69 this afternoon, left Blaydon at about 3:10pm


Sent from my iPhone 7+ using Tapatalk

(03 Feb 2018, 5:31 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Another destination layout spoilt by the squashed y. Totally unnecessary when using the full height of the screen.

(03 Feb 2018, 9:52 pm)Wybus wrote The fleet is currently in a state of flux with lots going on, what time scales do you think it will be before everything settles down into place. I’m thinking namely...

All ex-Coaster Omnicities back in service
All ex-South Tyne Versas back in service
All ex-London Gemini’s in service

(02 Feb 2018, 6:46 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote The new larger destinations, which I like and approve  of, are spoilt by the use of "squashed" letters g, p, q and y (as in this "Houghton") which is unnecessary and will nullify the improvements for the visually impaired - and it just looks awful. I have however seen "Washington" and "Bishop Auckland" displayed sensibly.

(04 Feb 2018, 2:16 am)Rapidsnap wrote So are 5265 - 5272 going to be the Blue Arrow Omnicities?

Looks great though.

As for the destination thing, the debate is really getting on my nerves. I see nothing wrong with the new style blinds, and I think it's a bit nit picky because the letters all finish on the same line.

Honestly in the past we have gone years with buses having a simple final destination on the bus. How many people got confused on what bus went to Jarrow when the 310 / 319 displayed either North Shields, Whitley Bay or Blyth in case of the 310 or Wallsend, Killingworth or Cramlington with the 319.

Example 1 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/13804786464
Example 2 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/13804794444

Also there's the case years ago, you are standing at Wallsend Metro and want to go to Throckley. There's a choice of 3 routes (21 / 22 / 49) and usually all routes just showed Throckley as a destination with no indication that the 49 served just about every estate in North Newcastle.

Example 3 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/11940151006

People will always ask the driver regardless what it says on the front so they are reassured on where the vehicle is going, as the blind display could be completely incorrect and the driver hasn't realised it, especially if a vehicle has powerblinds and it has gotten stuck or doing the usual drop down a set of numbers / destintions when the engine goes off. (I miss the powerblinds, used to love watching them change). And with the modern LED blinds, it's not unknown for displays to either become scrambled or the light dims so much you cannot make out what it says.

(03 Feb 2018, 1:14 pm)MrBoyt wrote I feel that this would be unwise until they can gauge the reliability of 9084 in service.

Also 9084 is out in service today, currently on a 67 which just departed the Metrocentre (according to the app...)

(04 Feb 2018, 2:39 pm)Michael wrote Any more transfers took place this weekend due to last weeks changes?

(04 Feb 2018, 9:28 pm)ifm001 wrote Since the new fleet livery of red and blue with the white stripe got introduced, I've racked my brains trying to find out which Ye Olde company it was similar too. I've finally cone across the North Western Bus Company photos and the side view is our current livery spot on.

---

Since the new fleet livery of red and blue with the white stripe got introduced, I've racked my brains trying to find out which Ye Olde company it was similar too. I've finally cone across the North Western Bus Company photos and the side view is our current livery

(05 Feb 2018, 11:53 am)Coastliner700 wrote They could have perhaps incoprated some yellow instead of white to it and a bit more of a swoosh at the front. To me it looks very bland with little thought.

(04 Feb 2018, 2:16 am)Rapidsnap wrote So are 5265 - 5272 going to be the Blue Arrow Omnicities?

Looks great though.

As for the destination thing, the debate is really getting on my nerves. I see nothing wrong with the new style blinds, and I think it's a bit nit picky because the letters all finish on the same line.

Honestly in the past we have gone years with buses having a simple final destination on the bus. How many people got confused on what bus went to Jarrow when the 310 / 319 displayed either North Shields, Whitley Bay or Blyth in case of the 310 or Wallsend, Killingworth or Cramlington with the 319.

Example 1 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/13804786464
Example 2 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/13804794444

Also there's the case years ago, you are standing at Wallsend Metro and want to go to Throckley. There's a choice of 3 routes (21 / 22 / 49) and usually all routes just showed Throckley as a destination with no indication that the 49 served just about every estate in North Newcastle.

Example 3 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photogenic/11940151006

People will always ask the driver regardless what it says on the front so they are reassured on where the vehicle is going, as the blind display could be completely incorrect and the driver hasn't realised it, especially if a vehicle has powerblinds and it has gotten stuck or doing the usual drop down a set of numbers / destintions when the engine goes off. (I miss the powerblinds, used to love watching them change). And with the modern LED blinds, it's not unknown for displays to either become scrambled or the light dims so much you cannot make out what it says.

(06 Feb 2018, 9:21 am)V514DFT wrote So are the ex blue arrow solars totally finished public service now,i know dan said a while back 2 had already been withdrawn

(06 Feb 2018, 12:30 pm)nk55 wrote Was it not mentioned a couple going to replace coaches in the training fleet, might be wrong of course

(06 Feb 2018, 11:25 am)Northern4555 wrote I thought I was seeing things this morning 10.15 am H1 actually had a passenger .john Reid rd going to the hospital.

(04 Feb 2018, 2:39 pm)Michael wrote Any more transfers took place this weekend due to last weeks changes?

(04 Feb 2018, 3:44 pm)Dan wrote Washington have now received all four of their OmniCitys (5254 to cover PVR increase on 5/50, 5261-63 to be the spares for the 4 and 5/50). As such they have released a further Mercedes Citaro (5324 to Riverside).

5261 is VOR for PSV preparation and is not expected to return to service until 15th February. At this point, 5338 is expected to transfer to Deptford. Deptford are still retaining 3974 and 3975 on-loan at the moment, as they have still yet to receive 5338 from Washington as well as 5214/15 from Chester-le-Street.

(06 Feb 2018, 2:51 pm)Dan wrote 4945 and 5201 transferred to Chester-le-Street last night.
5214 and 5215 therefore cascaded from Chester-le-Street to Deptford this afternoon.

5214 is to be allocated to the scholars 5030 service this afternoon.